Ingredients identified by GlobalData’s AI Palette platform are already appearing in new product innovation, tempting consumers with niche flavours, health benefits, and premium offerings.

GlobalData’s AI Palette innovation and consumer insights platform has analysed the data from thousands of flavours and ingredients, pinpointing six that are set to drive new product development in the alcoholic beverages industry in 2025.

Leveraging the world’s largest consumer data lake, with a staggering 61 billion global data points collected in real-time from social media, e-commerce, and foodservice menus, the AI platform delivers powerful insights into emerging flavours and ingredients, as well as category opportunities.

Alice Popple-Connelly, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The alcoholic drinks sector is currently navigating significant challenges, including a global trend toward reduced alcohol consumption driven by health concerns, fierce competition from alternative beverage categories, and the ongoing impact of universal tariffs on U.S. imports.

“Tempting drinkers with cutting edge innovation or core brand enhancements based upon new flavours and ingredients is essential for category growth. For example, ingredient innovation will help brewers maintain their “cross-generational appeal”, especially with Gen Z consumers, and compete with other beverage categories in key consumption occasions such as on-premise and at-home.”

GlobalData’s latest report ‘Emerging Flavours & Ingredients in Alcoholic Beverages’, uses findings from AI Palette’s Foresight Engine, to identify one standout ingredient for each of six key markets analysed, that is suitable for alcoholic beverages innovation. These include, White Pepper in India, Tahini in the UK, and Valencia Orange in the US.

Each of the six selected ingredients is classified as having “high growth” and “high engagement” based upon consumers interactions with them across social media, retail and restaurant industry sites over recent years – as measured during the review period in March 2025. The report places each ingredient into an ingredient family, provides suggestions on ingredient pairings, and reviews how brands can leverage these ingredients in alcoholic drinks and capitalise on their benefits.

The six emerging flavours and ingredients identified in the report:

Tahini

Is a creamy paste with a slightly bitter undertone made from ground sesame seeds. Common in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African cuisines. One promising opportunity for tahini lies in the rapidly growing UK stout segment, which is expected to achieve a 14.2 % CAGR from 2020 to 2029, according to GlobalData. Rogue Ales & Spirits has innovatively incorporated the flavours of tahini into ist 2022 Santa’s Private Reserve stout, in collaboration with Honey Mama’s.

Flavour Profile: Nutty, Woody, Bitter

Ingredient Pairings: Chocolate, Tangerine, Honey

Ingredient Benefits: Strong nutritional profile, Creates a creamy texture, Subtle neutral colouring

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Is a plant known for its red calyces, which are often used in herbal teas, health drinks, tonics, jams, jellies, yoghurt, lozenges and candies. In recent years, roselle juice has become more popular in functional drinks aimed at hydration, digestion and heart health. It is more widely consumed in the Middle East & Africa as well as the Asia & Australasian markets. In the latter, it’s ‘floral’ flavour ranks among the top five flavours within spirits, making it the highest-ranking region for this flavour in the alcoholic beverages sector, according to GlobalData’s Q1 2024 consumer survey.

Flavour Profile: Floral, Fruity, Herbal

Ingredient Pairings: Lime, Lemon, Ginger

Ingredient Benefits: Health functionality, Younger generation appeal, Attractive colour

Valencia Orange

Is a summer variety of Citrus sinensis, which includes other cultivars such as Cara Cara, blood and navel oranges. The inclusion of Valencia oranges in alcoholic beverages, is both appealing and growing in demand in the United States, where consumers express a preference for sweet flavours in wines, beer and cider.

Flavour Profile: Tangy, Sweet, Bitter

Ingredient Pairings: Cranberry, Honey, Vanilla

Ingredient Benefits: Nutritional benefits, Regional authenticity, Versatility with other flavours

Olive (Olea Europaea)

Is a small fruit native to the Mediterranean region, prized for its rich flavour and versatility. The inclusion of olives as in ingredient and flavour in alcoholic beverages is up and coming due to its unique taste profile, with South Africa emerging as a key market, reflecting growing consumer demand for natural and healthy products.

Flavour Profile: Bitter, Nutty, Earthy

Ingredient Pairings: Rosemary, Orange, Lemon

Ingredient Benefits: Unique and distinct flavour, Rich in healthy fats, Digestive health

White Pepper

Often used as a conceptual flavour descriptor rather than a physical ingredient in alcoholic beverages, white pepper is widely utilised in culinary traditions worldwide. The appeal of flavours that white pepper can facilitate in alcohol, such as spicy and woody, are appealing to consumers and demand for them is high in the MENA and Asia pacific regions.

Flavour Profile: Earthy, Fiery, Woody

Ingredient Pairings: Peach, Caramel, Agave

Ingredient Benefits: Subtle and versatile colour, Intensify other flavours, Anti-inflammatory properties

Finger Lime

Finger lime (Citrus Australasica) is a unique citrus fruit native to the rainforests of eastern Australia, known for its vibrant flavour and distinctive texture. Citrus flavours already holds a strong position in the alcoholic beverage market as an ingredient in spirits such as gin and vodka, making finger lime a promising option in high consuming spirits markets like the UK, and in Australasia where the fruit is produced.

Flavour Profile: Citrus, Floral, Bitter

Ingredient Pairings: Peach, Caramel, Agave

Ingredient Benefits: Premiumisation, Versatile flavour, Novelty

Popple-Connelly adds: “GlobalData’s AI Palette innovation and consumer insights platform provides key global insights into which ingredients and flavours are emerging in real time, serving as a powerful foundation for brand innovation. Leveraging these emerging ingredients and conceptual flavours allow alcoholic drink brands to target novel, experiential and health-conscious consumers thereby gaining a competitive edge. Each ingredient identified by the platform presents a unique opportunity for innovation across various alcoholic drink categories, empowering brands to confidently explore new possibilities.”

Premium fruit and vegetable ingredients supplier SVZ sets out its predictions of the essential trends that will shape the food and beverage (F&B) industry in 2025. With an emphasis on nutritional value, and how it can be further supported by fruit and vegetable ingredients, SVZ’s three top trends reflect how consumers see F&B products as more than just fuel – but as routes to improved well-being, a greener, fairer economy and even authentic self-expression.

1. Back to basics: Fundamental nutrition

SVZ’s first top trend is consumers’ return to fundamental nutritional truths. Half a decade on from the COVID-19 outbreak, the connection between diet and health remains a central topic. Most Europeans report that they eat more healthily now than five years ago, but even so, many still worry about making the right choices amid a sea of conflicting advice.¹ In France, 51 % of those surveyed by Mintel stated they felt pressure to eat and drink healthily.² Pair this statistic with another from the same report which shows that around one in five respondents are attracted to core nutritional claims such as high fibre, vitamin or mineral content, and the ‘fundamental nutrition’ trend starts to take shape.³

“Shoppers are overwhelmed and wary of vague or complex nutritional claims,” comments Johan Cerstiaens, Commercial Director at SVZ. “Instead, they want options with clear, common-sense benefits that reflect the basics of nutrition. A great example is products which help consumers reach their recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. It’s a claim valued by more than a third of shoppers, but real fruit puree or a vegetable juice is also a great source of natural flavour and nutrition too.”

2. The ‘so-what’ consumer: Rebellion takes centre stage

Directly challenging the much-discussed ‘nutrition-above-all-else’ attitude, 2025 will be the year of the rebellious food and beverage consumer. This theme is defined by personal expression, imperfections and guilt-free consumption. While some address their dissatisfaction with diet trends by going back to basics, others are taking a more radical approach. For instance, 34 % of French shoppers believe ‘life is too short’ to worry about specific food and drink choices, while worldwide, 43 % of consumers state they want to see more indulgent and ‘crazy’ food and drink creations.⁴ New-year trend predictions from Mintel, FMCG Gurus⁵ and Innova Market Insights all reference these rebels who prioritise gratification over righteousness.

“This trend is so interesting because it presents several different routes to success,” Cerstiaens continues. “On the one hand brands can lean into the convention-bucking aspect with wild and wonderful flavour combinations, but on the other they could focus on authenticity by demonstrating how their products align with key consumer values, such as plant-based eating or ethical sourcing.”

3. Supply and demands: Food safety, security and sustainability

SVZ’s final 2025 trend relates to the impact of geopolitical and climate-related disruptions on the food and beverage segment. From major political events to increasingly volatile weather events, global supply chains are under pressure – and shoppers are taking notice. Between on-shelf shortages and the rise of ‘skimpflation’⁶, reports of consumer concern are unsurprising, with 77 % of Italian adults for instance believing that climate change will affect the availability of supermarket products in their lifetime.⁷ In fact, globally, two thirds of shoppers state that sustainability is more important to them now than it was two years ago⁸, suggesting this is a purchase driver that will only continue to grow in importance.

“While it may not always be the easiest of topics, at SVZ we know no discussion about the future of food and beverages is complete without addressing sustainability and security of supply,” states Cerstiaens. “Through our daily operations, we have a seen genuine determination, from farm to fridge, to build a fairer, greener and more efficient global food system. Rather than being discouraged by current challenges therefore, as a sector we should be inspired to collaborate across the supply chain, drive innovation in natural ingredients and adopt sustainable sourcing strategies that help keep the F&B industry climate-resilient.”

¹Mintel Food & Drink Trends 2025, mintel-food-drink-trends-2025-for-emea-webinar.pptx
²Mintel Food & Drink Trends 2025, mintel-food-drink-trends-2025-for-emea-webinar.pptx
³Mintel Food & Drink Trends 2025, mintel-food-drink-trends-2025-for-emea-webinar.pptx
⁴Innova Market Insights, Top 10 F&B trends 2025, Top_10_F&B_Trends_2025_-_Global_202411112106333605.pptx
⁵FMCG Gurus, Bitesized Trends Digest 2025, https://fmcggurus.com/wpcontent/themes/fmcg/static/img/fmcg_gurus_trend_digest_2025.pdf
⁶Where a product’s recipe is switched to lower quality ingredients, but the price remains the same.
⁷Mintel Food & Drink Trends 2025, mintel-food-drink-trends-2025-for-emea-webinar.pptx
⁸NIQ Report – The changing climate of Sustainability, https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/education/2024/rise-of-functional-beverages/

The increasing trend of consuming organic food products along with healthy eating habits, especially among the young generation, is driving the demand for smoothies. According to the latest data provided by Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the global smoothies market is estimated to reach a value of USD 52.5 billion by the end of 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 6.8 % during the forecast period (2023 to 2033).

Smoothies refer to thick beverages that are made by blending assorted vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients such as sweeteners, ice cubes, yogurt, seeds, milk, and herbal and nutritional supplements. They are rich in nutrients, including fibers and vitamins, and are easy to prepare and store for consumption. More people nowadays are also including green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, collard greens, spinach, and kale due to the increasing trend of green smoothies. These green smoothies are consumed to improve digestion, boost immunity, and minimise unhealthy food cravings.

Nutritional deficiencies and malnourishment have been affecting a large part of the population across several countries. However, over the years, due to improving economic conditions, these issues have been largely replaced with chronic diseases such as epilepsy and heart attacks, diabetes, obesity, strokes, and arthritis, especially in developed nations.

• According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), chronic diseases are one of the prominent health problems in the United States.

More people are becoming health conscious and are adopting healthier lifestyles by making alterations to their everyday diets. There has been a remarkable shift from carbohydrate-laden food products to healthy protein-enriched meals and snacks, in terms of demand. Furthermore, functional foods and beverages such as smoothies are also consumed by many people to meet their routine nutritional requirements.

Long working hours and hectic lifestyles are stimulating the demand for on-the-go-meal options, which, in turn, is strengthening the growth opportunities for market players. Key manufacturers are focusing on new product launches and strategic initiatives to drive market growth over the coming years.

Vegetables and fruits are used as major raw ingredients in the production of smoothies. Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials due to climatic changes can directly impact the cost of the final product. This is expected to restrain market growth to some extent.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

• The global smoothies market is anticipated to reach a value of USD 52.5 billion by the end of 2033.
• Demand for smoothies is forecasted to increase at a CAGR of 6.8 % during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033.
• The global market for smoothies is valued at USD 27.2 billion in 2023.
• The fruit-based segment is expected to account for more than 50 % market share by the end of 2033.
• Sales of smoothies in Germany are projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.8 % from 2023 to 2033.
• Demand for smoothies in Canada is set to expand at a CAGR of 5.5 % through 2033.

Top 4 megatrends shaping global beverages in the year ahead

TREATT take a look at the top 4 megatrends set to shape the future of the beverage industry, sharing the latest global data and insights.

For each megatrend TREATT get closer to the key drivers affecting consumer behaviour, what this means for beverages across the world and helps to answer your questions around consumer trends.

The megatrends are:

1. Health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing has morphed from a trend to a way of life but remains a key motivator of consumer behaviour globally. From the silent generation to Gen Z, all are embracing both a preventative and curative approach to health in a holistic and more personalised way than ever before. Across the CPG landscape TREATT is witnessing a rapid evolution of this megatrend.

2. Sustainability and ethics

The health of the planet is now the top consumer concern. There is a mounting awareness and concern surrounding the scale, complexity, and interdependence of shared social and environmental challenges globally. As the pandemic continues to highlight global inequalities, sustainability and ethical consumption concerns will only increase in significance and further impact consumer purchasing behaviours.

3. Sensory and indulgence

Consumers are seeking enjoyment beyond tangible products themselves. They are becoming more “experience-driven” and are willing to pay more for an enhanced brand experience. It is therefore becoming increasingly important for brands to perform at an experiential level, and offer varied, novel, and complex sensations for optimal enjoyment.

4. Digital lifestyles

Shopping and consumption patterns continue to evolve at a rapid pace in our digital world. In a hyper-connected, technology-enabled society, consumers seamlessly integrate the use of multiple technologies into their lives an d buying behaviour.

Please access the full Global Beverage Megatrends Report under: https://www.treatt.com/resources/top-4-mega-trends

Total drinks industry deals for December 2019 worth $135.84m were announced globally, according to GlobalData’s deals database.

The value marked a decrease of 70.01 % over the previous month and a drop of 93.3 % when compared with the last 12-month average of $2.02bn.

In terms of number of deals, the sector saw a drop of 31.8 % over the last 12-month average with 30 deals against the average of 44 deals.

In value terms, Asia-Pacific led the activity with deals worth $116.79m.

Drinks industry deals in December 2019: Top deals

The top five drinks deals accounted for 95.7 % of the overall value during December 2019.

The combined value of the top five drinks deals stood at $129.96m, against the overall value of $135.84m recorded for the month.

The top five drinks industry deals of December 2019 tracked by GlobalData were:

1. Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s $82.15m acquisition of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines
2. The $33.78m venture financing of Soulfresh Global by True Capital Partners
3. Business Growth Fund’s $10.39m private equity deal with Off-Piste Wines
4. The $2.77m venture financing of Montoscar Enterprises by Diageo
5. Seedrs’ venture financing of Skinny tonic for $0.86m.

Increased consumer interest in the stories behind their food and beverage products and their notable influence on purchasing decisions has resulted in companies increasingly paying attention to storytelling in branding strategies. “Storytelling: Winning with Words” leads the list of Innova Market Insights’ Top Ten Trends for 2020. The top five trends for 2020 are:

1. Storytelling: Winning with Words

Although ingredient provenance has always been important, consumer interest in discovering the story behind their foods has risen further and increasingly influencing purchasing decisions. Consumers’ attention is piqued by opportunities to learn more about how products are produced, which promotes an understanding of product benefits and helps build all-important trust in the brand.

As a result, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on ingredient provenance platforms in order to highlight the taste and quality of their products, as well as their uniqueness and sustainability efforts. Provenance platforms can communicate a whole range of messages to the consumer, including flavor/taste, processing methods, cultural and traditional backgrounds, as well as the more obvious geographical origin.

2. The Plant-Based Revolution

Plant-based innovation in food and beverages continues to flourish as a result of consumer interest in health, sustainability and ethics, which ties into the broader consumer lifestyle trend towards cleaner living. As the use of the term “plant-based” moves more into the mainstream, the industry and start-up companies in particular, are taking up the challenge to deliver more clean label meat and dairy alternatives with improved nutritional profiles.

3. The Sustain Domain

Consumers increasingly expect companies to invest in sustainability, with Innova Market Insights research indicating that 85 % of, on average, US and UK consumers expected companies to invest in sustainability in 2019, up from 64 % in 2018. In the area of food waste, upcycling is the new recycling, as companies strive to follow a zero-waste approach by creating value from by-products. Meanwhile in packaging, the focus is on using less of it, as well as developing sustainable alternatives.

4. The Right Bite

Stress and anxiety are key concerns in modern life as consumers manage careers, families and social lives while striving to maintain healthy lifestyles, both physically and mentally. Responses to this vary, although the majority of consumers aim to balance the benefits and costs of busy lifestyles. This, in turn, raises the demand for nutritious foods that are easy to prepare, convenient and portable.Indulgent treats play a role in relaxation and enjoyment.

5. Tapping into Texture

Last year’s leading trend “Discovery: the adventurous consumer” is still prominent, with consumer demand for something new and different being reflected in more product launches with textural claims. Consumers increasingly recognize the influence of texture on food and beverages, allowing a heightened sensory experience and often a greater feeling of indulgence. According to Innova Market Insights research, 45 % of, on average, US and UK consumers are influenced by texture when buying food and drinks, while 68 % share the opinion that textures contribute to a more interesting food and beverage experience.

The other top trends for 2020 identified by Innova Market Insights are:

6. Macronutrient Makeover

7. Hello Hybrids

8. A Star is Born

9. Eat Pretty

10. Brand Unlimited

TOP bv from Wageningen will outsource the sales and marketing of food processing equipment to Like Fresh. All equipment that is produced in series by TOP will be marketed by Like Fresh, starting this week. This will allow TOP to continue to focus on the development of new technologies.

TOP is the innovation organization behind successful introductions such as the Cold Press, Pluckr, PurePulse, Hygienisator and Compact Food Dryer. The demand from the food industry for these technologies is high, as a result of which the equipment is now produced in series. To maintain its unique innovation capabilities, TOP has decided to outsource the marketing of this equipment to Like Fresh.

TOP will continue to focus on the development of highly innovative food processing technologies. In addition, TOP will continue to offer consultancy projects for customers, and provide Like Fresh with the necessary engineering support.

Like Fresh – a sister company of TOP – is a new organization in which years of experience in the food industry has come together. “We offer extensive knowledge of the latest developments in mild preservation and storage of fruit and vegetables”, says Rob Veltman, director. “Like Fresh provides high-quality solutions for producers around the world, such as new process lines or innovative applications within existing processes. In this we work together with the engineers from TOP and other innovation partners.”

Literature study TOP and Wageningen UR represents start of large practical research

TOP bv and Wageningen UR together performed a comprehensive literature study into food and life style in relation to Alzheimer’s. The literature study represents the starting point of a large practical research that will begin during 2018.

On behalf of Wageningen UR professor Harry Wichers is involved in the literature study and the research. Over the past months hundreds of scientific articles have been reviewed and assessed on micro nutrients, food products and food patterns. The findings from the study will not yet be made public, but form the basis of the additional practical research.

Dementia is now the number 1 cause of death in The Netherlands. Alzheimer’s decease is the most common form of dementia. Since the fifties the number of people with Alzheimer’s has doubled. And it is expected to double again in the next 25 years (up to half a million patients).

Despite decades of pharmaceutical research, no cure has yet been found. Some larger pharmaceutical companies even abandon their research. Also doubt has risen about the mechanism causing Alzheimer’s. The practical research will focus on the question whether there is a possible link between food patterns and lifestyle on the one hand, and the development of symptoms of dementia on the other. An additional important goal is to improve the quality of life of the patients.

The practical research will start during 2018 and is expected to take up to one year.