Drinks Buyer 2025

4 @specialityfood PRIORITISING PACKAGING Mintel’s 2024 report on the British soft drinks market showed consumers were most concerned about packaging in the category. There is a shift towards wanting to reduce single-use packaging, so this is something retailers should seriously consider before stocking. CRAFT SODA JOLLY’S PINK LEMONADE Cornish spring water mingles with strawberries and a hint of vanilla for a burst of sweetness. Serve chilled over ice with a few fresh berries. jollysdrinks.co.uk IDYLL WILD GOOSEBERRY Tart British gooseberries from small farms blend with tannic, earthy wild rooibos from Rare Tea Co in this elegant soda. idyll-drinks.com RAPSCALLION SODA CRANACHAN The classic Scottish pud in a can. Crushed fresh raspberries are elevated with toasted oats, lemon zest and star anise. Made in Scotland with a fruit to can ethos – never from concentrate. rapscallionsoda.com GO NATURAL ‘The fruit beverages market is witnessing high growth due to the shift in consumer preference toward natural, healthy options. People are more conscious about lifestyle and health and thus clearly demanding the drinks made of natural ingredients and free from artificial additives. The trend is pushing the fruit beverages market forward since the consumers look for healthier alternatives to sweet drinks and sodas’ METASTAT INSIGHT The move towards moderation (or skipping alcohol entirely) has inspired a great deal of innovation in the soft drinks industry. Consumers are lapping up this new wave of juices, craft sodas, alcohol-free spirits and beers, cordials and juice shots, keen to explore unique flavour combinations and formats from fancy iced tea to reimaginings of childhood classics We love a cordial in the UK. Richer, spicier flavours will be warmed on the stove to take off the winter chill, while bright, fresh varieties can be showcased inmyriad ways. Stirred in still or sparkling water. As a fanciful finish to a glass of bubbly. Or even drizzled liberally over puddings and fresh fruit. Consumers are loving either nostalgic, traditional, botanical tastes, or a hint of the tropics right now. Whether at the gym, on the school run, or at the office, shoppers can’t get enough of health shots, as a nifty, quick way to dose up on key nutrients. And HFSS regulations have perhaps impacted the soft drinks market most, inspiring a new generation of brands to formulate drinks that are either low in or free from sugar. One of the most exciting areas of growth is in flavoured water. Often containing zero calories, they’ve got mass appeal – particularly amongst parents wanting to limit the amount of sugar their children consume. POP CULTURE