The Flavour Forecast: What Will Consumers Drink in 2026 and 2027?

How IDL is staying ahead of the next wave of global beverage innovation

The beverage landscape is shifting faster than ever. Changing lifestyles, a growing focus on health, global flavour curiosity and the rise of premiumisation are reshaping what consumers expect from their drinks. For beverage manufacturers and brands looking to stand out, understanding the 2026 drink trends now, long before they hit the mainstream, is essential.

At IDL, innovation sits at the heart of everything we do. With a strong base in beverage manufacturing, premium brand development and one of Australia’s most advanced contract canning facilities, we are always exploring what is coming next. Based on global signals, consumer behaviour and the fast-moving RTD market, the next two years are shaping up to be some of the most exciting yet.

Here is our forecast for the biggest 2026 drink trends and what will continue to grow throughout 2027.

Shochu Is Ready For Its Breakthrough Moment

If there is one product that deserves more attention, it is shochu. This Japanese spirit sits in a perfect space between vodka’s versatility and whisky’s depth, and it fits neatly into the rising interest in lighter and more sessionable premium spirits.

The timing is ideal.
Consumers want lower ABV options.
There is a growing curiosity for authentic international flavours.
The success of soju and Japanese whisky has already opened the door.

As part of the rising 2026 drink trends, shochu’s clean character makes it a strong candidate for modern RTDs, infused spritzers, premium sodas and aperitif-style beverages. IDL’s development teams are already exploring flavour profiles and scalable production options that will allow brands to move quickly.

Expect shochu to grow steadily throughout the 2027 drink trends cycle as Western markets catch on.

Hard Lemon Is About To Surge

Hard lemon is not new, but its resurgence is undeniable. With nostalgic flavours dominating Gen Z preferences and bright citrus bases appealing to a wide audience, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest 2026 drink trends.

Consumers want bold and refreshing flavours that feel uncomplicated and familiar. Hard lemon delivers exactly that. Warmer summers, the rise of simple weekend drink choices and the ongoing growth of citrus RTDs are all contributing to the trend gaining momentum.

The next evolution of the category will not be limited to traditional lemonade. We are seeing interest in combinations such as lemon with yuzu, lemon with green tea, lemon with ginger heat and lightly carbonated lemonade seltzers. These variations lean into the nostalgia consumers already love while elevating the flavour experience.

IDL’s fast turnaround in contract canning and our end-to-end beverage manufacturing capability put brands in a strong position to enter this booming space quickly and confidently.

Nostalgic Soft Drink Flavours Return For Adults

One of the strongest 2026 drink trends is nostalgia, especially across beverages. Consumers want flavours that feel familiar and comforting and brands are beginning to revive childhood favourites in a more sophisticated way.

We expect to see modern takes on flavours such as creaming soda, lime splice, raspberry fizz, cola vanilla hybrids and tropical fruit cup. These flavours tap into emotional memory while leaning into cleaner formulations and premium spirits bases. The challenge is achieving this without leaning too far into artificial tasting profiles.

Australian producers have an advantage here. With consumer expectations shifting toward natural flavour profiles and clean labels, brands that can deliver authentic nostalgic flavours will win the category.

This trend is likely to continue its upward trajectory into the 2027 drink trends, especially within RTDs, alcohol free options and crafted sodas.

The Protein Water Category Gains Serious Traction

Protein water is already gaining popularity, but by 2026 and 2027, it is expected to surge. The category sits neatly at the intersection of wellness, hydration and convenience. It appeals to athletes, busy professionals and general lifestyle consumers who want functional beverages without heavy textures or dairy-based protein.

As part of the wider 2026 drink trends, protein water is expected to expand through fruity clear flavours, variants with added electrolytes, caffeinated options and collagen protein hybrids. Consumers are moving toward lighter, easier-to-drink formats that support everyday wellbeing.

This category will reward brands that prioritise product stability, flavour clarity and consistency. Advanced beverage manufacturing technology is essential in achieving this, which is where IDL’s production capabilities provide a strong advantage.

Non-Traditional Flavour Pairings Become Mainstream

Flavour experimentation is becoming a major driver of purchase behaviour. Consumers want something new but not completely unfamiliar. This is creating space for creative combinations that feel refreshing and globally inspired.

Pairings we expect to define the 2026 drink trends include tea with citrus, spicy sodas, cucumber with yuzu, pineapple with basil and botanical tropical blends. These combinations are versatile across RTDs, premium mixers, spritzers and even premium spirits infusions.

The Australian palate is shifting toward freshness and layered flavour. IDL is already trialling flavour combinations within our R and D program to understand stability, shelf life and scale through contract canning.

What The 2026 and 2027 Beverage Landscape Says About Consumer Behaviour

If there is one theme running across the 2026 drink trends, it is experience. People are looking for deeper experiences in flavour, story, wellness benefits and global influence.

Three major forces are shaping this shift:
Premiumisation across all beverage categories as consumers drink less but expect higher quality.
An increased desire for functional benefits without sacrificing flavour.
A need for brands to move faster from idea to shelf, which makes agile contract manufacturing and streamlined production essential.

What This Means for Beverage Brands Planning Ahead

The trends emerging for 2026 and 2027 are opening doors for brands willing to experiment, innovate and move quickly. Shochu, hard lemon, nostalgic soft drink flavours, protein waters and modern flavour pairings are all shaping a market that is more curious, more health-driven and more experience-focused than ever.

At IDL, we are already seeing strong interest from partners exploring these ideas through product development, pilot batches and early market testing. Our combination of beverage manufacturing, flavour expertise and agile contract canning means we can support brands from concept through to commercial scale without losing momentum.

The next two years present a genuine opportunity for those ready to build, adapt and lean into what consumers actually want. Staying ahead of these shifts now gives brands a competitive edge as the landscape evolves.