The surge in better-for-you, gut-friendly, protein-powered and functional beverages took 2025 by storm.
With a flood of new products, only time will tell how 2026 will play out with new trends – but that’s not stopping industry experts from reading the tea leaves.
From new flavors to intriguing formulations, there’s no shortage of predictions. Here are a few insights into what’s coming next for the beverage industry.
Wellness rules
It comes as no surprise that wellness is on the menu for the beverage industry in 2026, and online review site Yelp.com named matcha as a clear winner in its 2026 Trends Forecast.
“Matcha is having a creative culinary renaissance, as both traditional and inventive takes are capturing attention across the US. While appreciation of traditional ceremonial matcha (up 210%) continues to grow, baristas and bartenders are taking things further with new drinks,” according to Yelp.
Consumers are flocking to the caffeine alternative to coffee in search of health benefits – matcha is known for containing phytochemicals and antioxidants – and they’re also finding novel, not-so-healthy uses for the drink. Yelp noted that online searches for the word “matchatini,” which is a boozy use for matcha, are up 1,036% in 2025.
Matcha is not the only coffee alternative expected to scoop up market share in 2026, according to beverage development company Flavorman’s Beverage Trends of 2026 report.
“Expect a steady rise in caffeinated alternatives to coffee and energy drinks, including cascara-infused beverages, yerba mate, matcha and other functional tea blends. With more functional beverage projects rolling in, we predict this ‘better-for-you’ front is only warming up, with innovations brewing on the horizon,” the Flavorman report noted.
The sober curious trend is also expected to grow in the coming year, Flavorman noted. “Stay on the lookout for more innovative flavor profiles replicating the taste of traditional spirits, mocktails with added adaptogens, and even hemp-derived THC beverages,” the company said.
Gut health is another trend expected to continue into the new year, according to Innova Market Insights, which ranked the topic as its No. 2 trend projected for 2026.
Over half of consumers globally see gut health as a gateway to holistic wellness, according to Innova’s Trends Survey 2025.
“They notice when their digestive system is healthy, and they also notice its positive impact on other aspects of health such as immunity, energy and improved skin,” according to Innova.
Functional beverage renaissance
Beverages with purpose remained hot in 2025, and there’s no end in sight for their growth in the coming years.
Much of that market growth is driven by the rise in consumers’ relentless search for protein. Innova named protein as its top market trend for 2026, calling its relationship with wellness “indisputable.”
Many are seeking the functional benefits of protein though, as they navigate the loss of muscle mass associated with rapid weight loss from GLP-1 use. At least half of all consumers globally are looking to increase the protein in their diet, Innova noted.
Consumers are turning to milk and milk drinks to boost their protein intake, while CPG companies are becoming more specific and sophisticated in their label claims, according to Innova.
“Nuances in protein positioning claims such as complete protein, essential amino acids, muscle repair and recovery, muscle strength and muscle building serve to differentiate protein-rich products in an increasingly competitive and crowded marketplace,” the Innova report noted. “Watch for communication of benefits by protein source, for example, essential amino acids from whey protein for muscle growth and recovery post-workout.”
Also, expect to see more hydration and mind balance claims in 2026, Innova said.
“With stress relief top-of-mind, new product launches such as sparkling tea with adaptogens from green tea, ashwagandha, lion’s mane, reishi mushroom and acerola mushroom can be highly appealing to consumers. Energy benefits in beverage products often call out their targeted mental health benefits of their functional ingredients, for example, mental clarity,” according to Innova.
Flavors to watch
Along with health benefits, consumers are searching for new flavors, and bold combinations are on the menu, predicts Flavorman. Mango has been climbing the ranks for years, according to the beverage formulation group.
“Watch out for exciting fruits like guava, huckleberry and sumac berry, as well as decadent infusions like white cake, churro and Huckleberry cobbler,” according to Flavorman.
Meanwhile, Yelp predicts a boom in Sarti spritz sales. The Italian spirits brand is having a moment, following in the footsteps of the rising popularity of the Aperol spritz and Hugo spritz, Yelp said.
“Searches for Sarti spritz are up 8,500% on Yelp, as this brightly flavored liqueur made from blood orange, mango and passionfruit sparks curiosity stateside,” according to Yelp. “Known for its sweet and tropical profile, the Sarti spritz is quickly becoming a sought-after favorite, though it’s not yet widely available in the US.”
