The beverage industry is constantly evolving, with new flavors, ingredients, and innovations shaping the way we enjoy our drinks. In 2022, consumers sought health-conscious options, bold flavors, and sustainable choices, driving the rise of exciting beverage trends.
Let’s take a look at five beverage trends that made waves in 2022 and how you can incorporate them into your own creations!
1. Functional Beverages: More Than Just Refreshing
Consumers have shifted towards health-focused beverages that offer functional benefits, such as immune support, hydration, and energy-boosting properties.
✔ Popular Functional Drink Categories:
- Adaptogenic & Herbal Drinks – Made with ingredients like ashwagandha, turmeric, and ginger to help manage stress and inflammation.
- Electrolyte-Infused Waters – Helps with hydration and recovery.
- Probiotic & Gut-Health Beverages – Includes kombucha, kefir, and prebiotic sodas.
✔ How to Incorporate Flavor:
- Add Ginger Flavoring to herbal beverages for a bold, functional boost.
- Enhance electrolyte drinks with Coconut Flavoring for a tropical touch.
2. Low-Sugar & Zero-Calorie Drinks
With an increasing focus on health-conscious choices, consumers turned to low-sugar and zero-calorie beverages to reduce their intake of artificial sweeteners and added sugars.
✔ Trending Low-Sugar Drinks:
- Sparkling Waters & Flavored Seltzers – Refreshing, lightly flavored, and sugar-free.
- Cold Brew & Unsweetened Coffees – A cleaner alternative to sugar-packed lattes.
- Zero-Sugar Energy Drinks – Provides a caffeine boost without artificial sweeteners.
✔ How to Add Natural Flavor:
- Use Blueberry Flavoring to enhance sparkling water without sugar.
- Add Caramel Flavoring to cold brew for a naturally sweetened taste.
3. Nostalgic & Indulgent Flavors
Comforting, nostalgic flavors made a comeback, as people looked for drinks that reminded them of childhood treats and classic desserts.
✔ Top Nostalgic Flavors of 2022:
- Cotton Candy & Bubblegum – Popular in energy drinks and sodas.
- Birthday Cake & S’mores – Featured in lattes, milkshakes, and dessert-inspired beverages.
- Cereal Milk & Malted Shakes – Recreated the taste of childhood favorites.
✔ How to Use These Flavors:
- Try Cotton Candy Flavoring in sparkling beverages for a fun, nostalgic drink.
- Add Birthday Cake Flavoring to protein shakes or lattes for a dessert-like experience.
4. Alcohol-Free & Mocktail Innovations
The "sober curious" movement led to a rise in alcohol-free alternatives, including sophisticated mocktails, non-alcoholic wines, and spirit-free cocktails.
✔ Popular Alcohol-Free Beverages:
- Zero-Proof Spirits & Botanical Blends – Crafted to mimic the taste of traditional liquors.
- Infused Mocktails & Flavored Seltzers – Offering a sophisticated drinking experience without the alcohol.
- Low-ABV Cocktails – Drinks that contain less alcohol but full flavor.
✔ How to Elevate Mocktails with Flavor:
- Use Mojito Flavoring for a refreshing, alcohol-free cocktail.
- Try Piña Colada Flavoring to create tropical-inspired mocktails.
5. Exotic & Bold Flavor Profiles
Consumers in 2022 craved bold, exotic flavors, inspired by global cuisines and unique ingredient pairings.
✔ Trending Bold & Exotic Flavors:
- Tamarind & Hibiscus – Sweet and tangy with a floral touch.
- Yuzu & Calamansi – Citrus-forward flavors from Asia.
- Chili & Spicy Infusions – Added a kick to lemonades and craft sodas.
✔ How to Experiment with Unique Flavors:
- Add Hibiscus Flavoring to teas and lemonades.
- Try Spicy Mango Flavoring for a sweet-and-spicy tropical blend.
Bringing Beverage Trends to Life
Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, beverage entrepreneur, or simply a flavor lover, these 2022 trends offered exciting opportunities to experiment with healthier, bolder, and more nostalgic beverages.
Get Started with Flavor Concentrates:
✔ Explore OOOFlavors’ Flavoring Collection for the best flavors to enhance your drinks.
✔ Use sugar-free, highly concentrated flavorings for customized low-calorie beverages.
