Hot (and Cold) Soft Drinks for 2022
Consumers want soft drinks that represent them, whether that’s in values or health goals. And, to hit the market hard, the next wave of soft drinks will be free of ingredients that affect health and well-being while fostering a holistic diet. To demonstrate, 30 percent of American adult’s report drinks that are low in sugar have become important to them. Health, function and ethos are ever more becoming important to consumers.
In fact, the new norm in soft drinks will aid digestive enzymes and cognitive function. Soft drink flavour manufacturers must become more thoughtful of the ingredients they use and the affect they have on consumers to remain relevant in 2022.
Energy Drinks have More Room at the Top
One major Global brand has dominated the Indian energy drink market during 2022, but in the coming years, other soft drink flavour manufacturers will make a splash, there’s room here for a few.
Energy drinks, like other functional drinks, contain ingredients that affect consumer’s mood. They contain electrolytes like calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. They may also contain glucose syrup, maltodextrin, sweeteners and acidity regulators (sodium citrate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide) and the B complex group of vitamins.
In addition, energy drinks may be described as:
Isotonic’ – in balance with body fluids
Hypertonic – lighter than body fluids
Hypotonic – heavier than body fluids
No matter the category you make your drink in, you may carbonate it, sell it as a ready to drink powder (RTD), non-ready to drink (Non-RTD) powder or a concentrate. It also may contain fruit, non-fruit flavoured products and liquid water enhancers. Either way, wise soft drinks flavours manufacturers will venture into this arena.
Coffee Remains an Untapped Market
Since the end of the 90’s, many consumers have missed the coffee shop experience. The mom-and-pop coffee shop was replaced with chains. And so, coffee drinkers have become their own baristas. This was furthered by the Pandemic.
There’s a huge opportunity for soft drink manufacturers in the canned coffee market. Some emerging flavours are dalgona and proffee. Dalgona is a Korean beverage made by whipping equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water. Proffee is a protein shake inspired drink. Both came from viral videos and are an untapped market.
Natural Ingredients Make Waves
The Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi recently proposed that big Cola players add 2% fruit content to aerated drinks. Health wasn’t his motivation for doing so and colas will never be a beverage known for natural ingredients, but this move demonstrates the point, no matter the vehicle, more drinks will include or be solely made of natural ingredients.
In fact, consumers in larger numbers are demanding more natural ingredients in their soft drinks. It’s said that, strengthening the immune system with natural ingredient will play a part in determining soft drink trends for 2022. For instance, 36% of UK consumers who drink fruit juice stated that they drank more juice since the Covid-19 outbreak, in October 2020. This is due to concerns about their immune system. Among 16-34 years old, the number has risen to 47 percent.
Moreover, plant-based ingredients like oats, various herbs, coconut water, birch water and milk are on the rise. Even more popular, drinks that contain collagen, dietary fibres and secondary phytochemicals overlap the realms of natural and functional. They help in slowing the aging process and contribute to a holistic and lifestyle.
Not to mention, old superfoods are being revisited. These foods include turmeric, beet, rosehip, haskap berry or moringa. During 2022, successful soft drink flavour manufacturers will use these ingredients. Protein infused drinks get an honourable mention here as well, like the coffee we mentioned earlier, protein is increasingly appearing on lists of the most promising soft drink ingredient for 2022.
Conclusion
Soft drink flavour manufacturers that want to turn heads and grab market shares will make drinks that are free from sugar, aid digestive enzymes, cognitive function and contain complex B vitamins.