- Speciality food reports on the UK’s drinks industry.
Health and well-being are the most important trends in the UK’s drinks industry, and they have the greatest impact on sales.
Experts are pointing out that the demand for products with added functional and nutritional benefits or those that are conscious consumers is growing rapidly.
Three main categories can be distinguished in the healthier drinks industry.
First, low and no alcohol. Alcohol-free and low-alcohol cocktails, beers and spirits are popular with a wide range of people, from Gen Z, who tend to drink less alcohol than previous generations, to Millennials, who alternate between alcohol and alcohol-free, to those who want to improve their lifestyle.
Second, low-calorie, low-sugar foods are gaining in popularity, influenced by both HFSS regulation and a change in consumer perception. In this area, consumers are looking for more natural alternatives to those that contain chemical additives. According to a recent report by the British Soft Drinks Association, sales of low-calorie and no-calorie drinks are on the rise. In 2023, 90% of all dilutables in the UK will be marketed with a few or no calories. Brands and retailers who can successfully combine calorie-free, natural sweeteners with trending flavour profiles will be on to a winner.
Thirdly, consumers are concerned about functionality. This is viewed as the most important category of growth for health drinks at this time. Retailers should not ignore the buzz created by ‘clean’ energy, such as green tea-extracted L Theanine, coffee, B12, collagen, functional mushrooms, gut-friendly bacteria and female hormone-supporting ingredients like ashwagandha.
Customers are interested in a variety of juices and juice shots that contain matcha. They also like ‘posh-pop’. These drinks can be inspired by global flavours seen on social media or traditional childhood tastes.
Alcohol has also seen a shift. The popularity of English rums is on the rise, particularly those that have added spices or botanicals. Exotic-infused gins, vodkas, Mexican spirit and RTD cocktails join them. According to the 2024 Simpson’s Beverage Report, the growth rate for these drinks will be nearly 50% from 2018 until 2022. In the past two years, RTD cocktails have become increasingly popular. The quality of canned wine has improved, and this has translated into a greater appeal. Mintel data shows that 40% of drinkers, or 61% of those aged 18-34, prefer a favourite brand of canned wine, mostly because it helps them moderate.
Discover the products that you need to stock up on in 2025.
1. Craft Soda
Craft sodas, in particular, have been a major source of innovation for the soft drink industry. Consumers are eager to try new flavours and formats. From fancy iced tea to reimagining childhood favourites, they’re all grabbing their attention.
Some of the best-selling drinks are low-calorie, like Riviera’s Peach iced tea—an all-natural, non-carbonated, vegan drink inspired by the Mediterranean.
The London Essence Co.’s Aromatic Orange & Fig Crafted Soda is interesting enough to drink by itself. Soda Folks’ creamy, dreamy cream soda with Madagascan vanilla and Jolly’s pink lemonade are also good choices.
Rapsacallion Soda, whose Cranachan is pudding-in-a-can, and Idyll are two modern takes on “posh pop”. Idyll uses wild and natural British fruit and botanicals to create its blends.
2. Health Shots
Health shots are a great way to get essential nutrients quickly, whether you’re at the gym, running to school or working. In this category, ginger and turmeric are key ingredients.
Plenish’s beet balance delivers 100% of the daily recommended Vitamin B6, and Jinger’s Pineapple and Ginger Shot is a refreshing and zippy drink.
3. Low and No
Low and no continue to perform better than the majority of traditional categories. Analysts at the Wine and Spirit Trade Association reported a 10% decline in wines and spirits last year, compared with a 23% increase in low and zero.
Even the sector has its slang. Bookending is the practice of starting and ending your evening with non-alcoholic beverages, whereas ‘zebra-striping’ involves alternately drinking alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Djin’s Nature Passion, a non-alcoholic, gluten-free, sugar-free gin, is a great non-alcoholic alternative. Clausthaler Dry Hopper is also a highly regarded beer.
Sandford Orchard’s Red Zero cider has been voted the best alcohol-free apple cider. It is traditionally crafted using British cider apples.
We also like Citizen Spritz’s elegant and award-winning mocktails in a bottle and Saicho’s Darjeeling Sparkling Tea, which has notes of stone fruits.
Wild Life Botanicals is a newcomer to the market. The Nude and Blush wines, which are available in 70cl or 20cl bottles and canned form as well, were designed to be sipped slowly. Each wine is infused with carefully selected botanicals, vitamins, and minerals that support your well-being.
4. Gourmet cordials
In the UK, we love cordials. Warming richer, spicy flavours on the stove will help to combat the winter chill. Bright, fresh flavours can be displayed in a variety of ways. Instil in sparkling or still water. Pour a fancy finish to your glass of bubbly. You can also drizzle it liberally on puddings and fruit. Consumers love nostalgic, traditional, floral tastes or a hint of the tropics.
Belvoir’s Elderflower and rose Cordial is a great summer drink. It mixes beautifully with sparkling or still water or sparkling wine.
Country Cordials Ruby Lemon evokes nostalgia with its combination of strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants.
Bristol Syrup Company has a lot of fun with cordials. They make Disco Grenadine, a fruitilicious syrup made from raspberry and sweetened pomegranate. It can be used for a variety of things.
5. Flavored water
The HFSS regulations may have had the greatest impact on the soft drink market, as they inspired a new brand generation to formulate products with low or no sugar. Flavoured water is one of the fastest-growing areas. They are popular with parents who want to limit their child’s sugar intake.
Cans Cherry is made with pure water from the Alps, real fruit juice, and no artificial sweeteners, sugar, or anything else. Dash Water combines filtered spring water with flavourings derived from fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste. Marlish, which is made in Northumberland from slowly filtered spring water and natural flavours such as Sicilian Lemon Extract, has less than four calories per can.
6. Functional
Brands across all categories are always looking for ways to appeal to consumers’ desire for products with additional functions.
Functional drinks infused with nootropics are top of the list, as they help you relax and focus. CBD is also a great anti-inflammatory and promotes well-being. Minerals and adaptogens, like magnesium and ashwagandha, can improve hormone health.
The best drinks are Punchy Drinks Blueberry Hydration Drink (with reishi mushroom, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and ashwagandha), Grass & Co.’s Liquid Relax (with reishi and ashwagandha), and Kin Euphorics Kin Spritz.
7. Natural energy
Sugar-laden drinks pumped full of artificial colours are no longer popular (even among younger consumers). They are now being replaced with ‘cleaner’ alternatives, which offer a natural boost through plant extracts.
Clean Energy by Virtue Drinks is a natural boost that contains yerba mate, green tea, and B vitamins. Brite’s Lemon Lime Drink is sugar-free and contains green tea, green bean extract, organic matcha ceremonial grade, and guarana. Gusto Organics’ Kola is an energy drink made with 14 botanicals, kola nuts, and guarana.
8. Health boosting
Vitamin C is added to drinks to improve their health claims. In the past two years, this has increased dramatically, especially in RTDs, as consumers seek to add easy fixes to their diets.
B vitamins (for energy), magnesium (a mineral that calms the body and is responsible for over 300 processes), and superfoods like turmeric and ginger are making the most significant impact.
Each of Dr Funk’s cans has unique health-promoting qualities, like the Vital Edition, which contains six vitamins and magnesium and has a mango and violet flavour.
Remedio is the newest product from Agua de Madre. It’s a fermented elixir that’s packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and other natural remedies.
Revibed’s Passionfruit & Ginger Superfood Infusion is a great way to get a little spring in your step. It contains ginger root, black pepper, and turmeric extract and has no added sugar.
9. Kombucha
In the past two years, the appeal of Kombucha as a low-sugar, gut-friendly drink has moved from the health food industry to the mainstream. The category is now highly competitive, offering something for everyone—whether you’re a newbie looking to sample a milder product or someone who wants to moderate your alcohol intake.
Oichi White Grape, Lemon Verbena, and Citrus Version is a delicious, gentle version that’s perfect for celebrating.
Suma’s growing range of flavours, including Cola and Peach & Turmeric, is also worth checking out.
10. Gut-friendly
Tim Spector’s work and that of other scientists have led to a new obsession with gut health. They have shown how the balance between bacteria and viruses in our stomachs affects everything from weight to mental well-being.
There is obviously much more research to be done, but for now, we can improve our health by eating more fibre and adding more plant foods to our diet.
Drink producers have responded with a growing collection of products that are fibre-rich and gut-friendly. We recommend
Willy’s Apple Switchel and the entire First line (especially Cherry Vanilla) are both great in this category. They contain no added sugars and 2 billion stable, living probiotics along with 5g of fibre. Dalston’s also has a new gut-friendly product: Happy Gut. It contains 3g of fibre and zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
Happy Inside drinks are also a favourite, as they contain prebiotic fibre and are sugar-free.
11. Botanical
Consumers love the wild flavours, which range from floral infusions to herbs and spices.
Botivo’s non-alcoholic aperitivo, which is infused with rosemary, wormwood, orange zest, and gentian, is rapidly gaining traction. It is multi-award-winning.
Pomello’s Elderflower and grapefruit aperitif is a delicious drink that we can’t stop drinking. Sparkling White Rose Kombucha from LA Brewery is an elegant wine alternative enhanced with Elderflower and white rose petals.
Foreva Farmers’ Elderflower & Honey Tonic Water, which is made on their Herefordshire farm with local honey and Elderflower, is a subtly sweet, utterly refreshing drink.
12. Matcha
Matcha sales have risen dramatically over the past 12 months. This green tea is now the drink of the moment. Cafes and retailers must stock up on this green tea. The best grade is the ceremonial, made from the youngest, tastiest cream of the crop.
Matcha and Beyond Chai Matcha is a blend that combines the best matcha from Kagoshima tea fields, Japa, with spices from India and Sri Lanka to create a delicious, sugar-free, warming beverage. OMGTea’s Organic Matcha Grade AAA has a super premium taste with a sweet umami flavour. Grind just launched its matcha tea for at-home use, following last year’s hugely successful launch of its matcha lattes.
13. Grapefruit
No bar has grapefruit soda, tonic or bitters. Citrus fruit and tequila are a perfect match. They’re tart, sweet, and bitter at the same time. Malvern Gin’s Malvern Cello Lemon is a favourite of ours. It’s the distiller’s take on classic limoncello. The spirit is infused with Italian lemon peel, pink grapefruit peel, and a neutral base. It packs a powerful punch.
14. Rhubarb
The nostalgic taste of this classic British drink is a flavour that consumers are increasingly seeking out when they visit the drinks aisle.
Redcastle Gin’s Blood Orange & Rhubarb Gin Liqueur, Drinks Kitchen’s Spiced Rhubarb Non-Alcoholic Aperitif, with juniper and ginger, and Wildjac’s Rhubarb rum are all winners. Now available in Frugal bottles.
15. Global Flavours
Bring some quirky flavours to your drinks aisle and help your customers travel the world with their taste buds. Think exotic spices, tropical fruits and mysterious botanicals.
Chapmen of London is carving a niche in this market with its Original Chapmans Drink, a Nigerian speciality made with sparkling blackcurrants, blood oranges, pomegranates, cucumbers, and bitters.
Diistil’s Yuzu Distillate brings out the distinct flavour of this Asian delicacy.
You can also head to India with Desi Daru’s Alphonso Mango Vodka. It is made from English wheat and distilled seven times for a smooth finish.
16. Spiced and botanical rum
The rum industry, especially spiced rums, is booming as producers are paying more attention to the botanicals and other spices that they use. They’re following the lead of the craft-gin industry.
Currently, the UK is producing some great varieties. Exeter’s Two Drifters Rum has a carbon-negative Madeira and French oak-aged rum with notes of orange and muscovado. Rum Bothy’s Spiced Bothy Rum combines distilled and cask-aged rums with Strathmore Valley oranges and spices. Mapmakers Rum is produced by Dunnet Bay Distillers, which still uses a copper pot to distil the rum twice. It combines Caribbean rum and Loch Calder water with Scottish botanicals such as scurvygrass, sea kelp and lemon verbena.
17. Canned Cocktails
This category is showing no signs of slowing. Pre-mixed cocktails are a popular choice for those who haven’t turned their shed or summerhouse into a barbyn summer 2020. They are drawn to the ones made with premium spirits and are of bar strength.
Niche Cocktails offers a variety of sophisticated cocktails in elegant packaging. The brand’s full-strength Negron, made with Adnams Copper House Gi,d has won awards.
The Paloma from MOTH Drinks is a trendy cocktail that combines the zesty, juicy grapefruit with premium tequila.
Angels Dare should also be watched. Their mixes are unique and exciting. Secret Orchard is a good example: gin with peach, apple, Elderflower and lemon.
18. Gin
Gin is still popular with its core audience, which is constantly looking for new products to add to its collection. Many in the industry believe that sales have plateaued. However, avid gin lovers are still interested. What they want, however, has changed. But what they want has changed.
Lemon, orange, bergamot, cardamom and rosemary are all popular botanicals.
Yiayia gin, which won a Great British Food Award from Shed 1 Distillery, is a product to watch. It is a gin inspired by the creator’s Greek heritage. Infused with seaweeds, mushrooms, vine, fig, and lemon leaves, as well as rose pelargonium, it has a citrussy and almost savoury flavour.
Eden Mill’s Love Gin takes a new spin on pink gins that are usually infused with raspberry. Their version contains strawberry, rhubarb, and rose water, as well as vanilla, citrus, and rosewater.
19. Tequila and other Mexican spirits
Sales of tequila have increased by 3.4% over the past year, showing that the demand for Mexican drinks is still strong. The trend is in line with consumers’ desire to enjoy authentic Mexican food at home and pair their tacos, burritos, and totopos with drinks.
Customers are interested in more than just cheap supermarket brands. They want to learn about mezcal, corn, whisky, and tequila.
Enemigo is aged for an entire year in American oak barrels and triple-filtered to ensure purity and clarity. It has luscious coconut and vanilla flavours.
Ojo de Tigre’s 100% artisanal, crystal-clear mezcal is a hit with its profile of dried fruits, fresh herbs and caramel.
You can also go for shelf appeal by choosing Licor de Elote, a sweet and buttery spirit made from maize near the Nevado de Toluca volcanic cone, packaged in a corn-shaped kitsch bottle.
20. Mixers of higher quality
This market has seen steady growth in the past two years. Modern mixers have been created for moderate drinkers. They can be combined with their favourite drinks or enjoyed over ice.
Customers are searching for new brands that bring innovative flavours to market, as well as cans and bottle designs with serving and pairing suggestions.
Double Dutch’s Pomegranate & Basil Tonic adds warmth to a mezcal or herbal gin. Navas’ Garden Tonic, with rosemary, thyme and pine, gives craft vodka a boost.
21. Back to the Future
Nostalgia will never go away. Consumers are looking for food and drinks that bring back memories of childhood. Long summers spent in the park. School days. School days. Holidays. Packaging and branding that evoke the past are popular.
No drinks cabinet would be complete without some blasts from the old days. Shoppers really prefer products that make them warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Fentiman’s Dandelion & Burdock fits nicely into this theme. Mawson’s Sarsaparilla is made according to a traditional recipe using natural ingredients such as Sarsaparilla and ginger.
Karma Drinks classics are a hit because of their funky designs and clean, ethical ingredients.
Breckland Orchard’s cream soda is naturally flavoured with a touch of vanilla and a hint of rhubarb. Customers love its classic flavour.
22. English sparkling wine
This is a modern British classic you shouldn’t ignore. Continental winemakers are buying up land in England’s wine-growing regions as the quality and quantity of British bubbly continue to impress international markets.
As the awards pour in, English sparkling wine producers are enjoying the fruits of their labour. Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and the Crouch Valley of Essex are areas to watch.
The best bottles are Gusbourne Estate’s 2019 Rose (blush, with a luxurious scent of ripe fruits), Winbirri Vineyard’s Vintage Sparkling Reserve 2016 (white peach, spice, blossom, and white peach), Flint Vineyard’s Charmat Rose (awarded), Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvee (with unforgettable aromas of summer fruit), and Ashling Park Estate’s Sparkling Rose.
