Six global beverage trends that will dominate in 2026
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Happy New Year! If it is January, then it must be time for the annual F&B trends and predictions for the new year that come at the start of every new year. Customisation, the ‘protein-ification’ of beverages, and sustainable storytelling are just some of the trends predicted to shape the global beverage industry in 2026 according to B2B natural beverages supplier Finlays.
Finlays has released its fifth annual Global Beverage Trend Report, which reveals how evolving consumer priorities, technological innovation, and cultural shifts are driving unprecedented change across the beverage landscape.
“The beverage industry is entering an era of rapid transformation, driven by health-conscious consumers, digital convenience, and sustainability expectations as a non-negotiable,” said Megan Conceição, Finlays’ insights analyst and author of the report. “Our Global Beverage Trend Report 2026 unpacks the complex consumer dynamics shaping today’s beverage landscape and provides actionable insights for brands and operators to stay ahead in this dynamic market.”
In the new report, Finlays identifies six key trends that will dominate the overall beverage (non-alcoholic) beverage sector, and which will affect, either directly or indirectly, the coffee and tea industries, this year:
- Health is Wealth
In 2026, health will not just be a priority, it will be a lifestyle. From protein-packed drinks and probiotic sodas to the influence of GLP-1 therapies like Ozempic, functionality will be a powerful value driver in 2026. Coffee and teas with functional ingredients – high energy, high protein, calming, stress relief, probiotics, immune boosting – remain in high demand. (See the lead feature in T&CTJ’s January/February 2026 issue for more information about the impact of the growing use of GLP-1 drugs on the coffee and tea industries.)
“Beverage brands and operators looking to capitalize should look to create beverages with science-backed functional ingredients, offer options for customisation, and lean into the perception of tea and coffee as healthy beverages,” said Conceição.
- LTOs are Hot to Go
Social media is fuelling demand for vibrant, camera-ready beverages. In 2026, expect to see culturally relevant Limited Time Offers (LTOs) and bold fruit flavours dominate beverage menus. Most coffee and tea brands either in coffee shops/cafés or in retail stores/online, understand the importance of LTOs, many of which are also seasonal — for example, pumpkin spice, maple syrup, and pecan in the fall, peppermint mocha, chestnut, gingerbread in December, followed by beverages with turmeric or cardamom in January, and of course, in the past few years, lavender in the spring.
“Packaging and storytelling are powerful ways to position beverages as canvases for expression and collaboration,” shared Conceição. “Next year, we’re expecting to see operators experimenting with texture to encourage adventure, while taking their Limited Time Offering programs to the next level.”
- Appy Hour
Mobile ordering and delivery are already a mainstay, and in 2026 digital convenience is set to reshape beverage experiences even more. Mix-and-match menus, ready-to-drink options, and seamless service will define frictionless beverage experiences.
Conceição said that brand owners and operators can tap into this trend by designing mix and match menus that meet demand for both speed and personalisation, noting that there will also be growth in the use of concentrates and syrups to ensure beverage consistency, at speed.
- Convenience is King
Amid economic uncertainty and tighter budgets, consumers will be increasingly seeking beverages that deliver clear value not just through price, but through quality, innovation, and values, and – most of all – through convenience that justifies the spend. The growth of private label brands (which often offer good, better, best products) and even higher quality instant coffee, evidences this trend.
The smart move, explained Conceição, is to position indulgent beverages as rewards, not just as a splurge, and to use product storytelling that emphasises ingredients, craftsmanship or innovation that justifies your beverage over the competition.
- Reel Value
Technology and social media continue to reshape the beverage industry, driving automation for efficiency and personalisation, while also creating trends through viral social media content. This is pushing brands to innovate faster and deliver frictionless, data-driven experiences.
“My top tip is to use social media listening to spot emerging trends,” Conceição. “But it’s also vital to harness data from apps and loyalty programs to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to tailoring beverage offerings to meet customer demand.”
- Sipping Sustainably
As climate change becomes more personally felt through extreme weather and supply chain disruptions, consumers are increasingly drawn to beverages that prioritise environmental and ethical responsibility through traceable ingredients and supply chains that support positive social change.
“Brands and operators wanting to flex their sustainability credentials should clearly label them on packaging,” advised Conceição. “An emphasis on transparent supply chains and weaving the tangible impacts of social initiatives into storytelling can also help to connect with consumers on an emotional level.”
Today’s consumers expect honesty and transparency from brands and if they feel brands are greenwashing or are just ‘all talk’, they will drop them and switch to a brand that shares their values.
It is only January so we must wait and see which of these trends will be front and center in 2026, and which ones will play smaller roles. For the full Finlays’ Global Beverage Trends Report 2026 is click here.
Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, [email protected]
