The drinks of Summer 2018 are carbonated, fancy and often alcohol-free. While they may lack added sugars and alcohol, they certainly aren't missing bold flavors and personalities.
All About the Bubbles
From the classic, ubiquitous LaCroix, to sparkling teas and even canned sparkling coffee, carbonation is on the rise (pun intended). Needing something a little stronger? Sip on Sauza's Agua Fuerte, tequila-infused spiked seltzer, released in May. Expect these bubbly drinks to add some much needed sparkle to summer 2018 and beyond.
A Dry(er) Summer 2018
This summer, bring on the fancy drinks! (But hold the vodka please, because the forecast calls for a drier summer.) The good thing is that mocktails don't have to be a lesser version of the alcoholic form. Companies like Seedlip are even releasing flavorful, bartender-endorsed, non-alcoholic spirits. Call it oxymoronic, but with an emphasis on health, especially among the 16 to 24 year-old cohort, we predict mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are about to have a real moment.
Craft Soda
What do you think of when you think of "soda"? Cans and bottles featuring brightly colored labels filled with equally artificial flavors? It's time we introduce you to the sophisticated version of the usually corn-syrup loaded liquid. We're pleased to introduce the soda family's newest, and most pretentious member: the craft soda. This non-traditional take on soft drinks, featuring all kinds of natural flavorings and sweeteners, is expected to make a mark on the soda scene and will continue to grow through 2025.
What This Means for Brands
Bubbles continue to be an area for product innovation for food brands. Heritage brands, like Topo Chico (recently purchased by Coca-Cola) and new brands, like bubly (owned by PepsiCo) and Waterloo, are refreshing the sparkling water industry and showing that the LaCroixs of the world aren't the ones completely dominating the category. As millennial consumers continue to become more and more health-focused, they will rely more on carbonated non-alcoholic drinks to satisfy their thirst.