Consumers are taking control of their health, and their beverage choices prove no exception as the RTD space is continually evolving.
From functional and beneficial to adventurous and exotic to low- and no-alcohol, significant shifts are occurring with health-conscious and functional ingredients continuing to trend.
Alcohol-Free Takes the Lead
With 17%a of adults in the United States looking to cut back on their alcohol intake, the low- to no-alcohol innovation space is primed and ready for flavor concepts that will grab consumers' attention. While there are multiple reasons why someone may choose not to partake in alcohol, consumers still want to indulge in a similarly crafted or artisanal mocktail rather than an iced tea or can of cola.
In an effort to appeal to the familiar, we are seeing the low- and no-alcohol category begin to merge and borrow flavor concepts from its counterparts. With more high, nuanced and premium flavor profiles coming into the beverage industry as a whole, the low- and no-alcohol space is beginning to take hold of these to create exciting and fanciful flavor concepts that excite alcohol-free consumers.
References:
awww.mintel.com/wswa
For the full article, please check out the Perfumer & Flavorist+ February 2022 issue.
