Consumers crave more than just a good drink when it comes to alcohol — they want innovation, transparency, and an experience. In 2025, we expect to see a surge in creative flavor profiles, blending unexpected ingredients to craft unique, memorable beverages.  

At the same time, drinkers are demanding more visibility when it comes to nutritional information, reflecting a broader shift toward mindful consumption. From bold botanical infusions to the rise of lower ABV options, these five trends are shaping the future of alcoholic beverages.  

Check out our 5 Trends to Watch in 2025 featuring Alcohol:  

1. Low & No Continues to Expand 

The low and no-alcohol category is rapidly expanding as both small and large companies invest in innovation. This trend is also transforming restaurant menus, with zero-proof sections becoming more prominent. Consumers now have access to a wider variety of alcohol-free options, moving beyond the traditionally limited selection of 0% ABV beers. 

2. Consumer “Health” Convenience 

Recent trends in the alcohol industry highlight a growing emphasis on consumer convenience, particularly through the clear display of nutritional information on packaging. Brands are increasingly providing detailed calorie counts, sugar content, and other health-related data to cater to health-conscious consumers. This transparency allows individuals to make more informed choices while enjoying their beverages, aligning with the broader movement toward healthier lifestyle options. 

3. Superfruit & Botanicals 

Brands are constantly exploring new flavor combinations to satisfy the demand for creativity while staying rooted in familiar profiles consumers trust. Moving beyond tropical and exotic blends, these innovative flavors offer fresh taste experiences. This approach helps brands stand out in an increasingly crowded and competitive market. 

4. Sweet is Heating Up 

Brands have been serving up the heat across alcohol segments, with “spicy” entering the mature stage in flavor lifecycles (Technomic Ignite). While sweet-heat continues to gain consumer interest, brands are leaning into sweet-and-smokey profiles to tap into relatively untouched area in retail launches. 

5. Diversification & Resurgence 

Brands continue to diversify product lines, aiming to have an offering for consumers of every taste preference. From revisiting categories such as hard teas and lemonades to a resurgence in hard sodas, new product launches are aiming to have variety in their offerings, from light and refreshing to a fuller taste experience. 

Let’s Chat 

To help deliver consumer expectations for bold and unique flavors in functional products, Synergy’s sweet goods experts will help you every step of the way. From proactively addressing the rise in cocoa prices with flavor to redefining balance by blending indulgence with authenticity, our collaborative environment will help you create great-tasting sweets with our natural flavors, extracts, essences and taste modulation solutions.  

Contact us to learn more about our sweet goods expertise.  

insights