10 Beverage Trends to Know for 2025

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As 2025 approaches, the beverage industry is bubbling with new innovations and creative twists on classics, from new iterations of global flavors to old standbys getting a “luxe” makeover.

Across beer, wine and spirits, Datassential’s recently released Future of Drink report shares consumer insights and menu details for 134 beverage trends, including a thorough look at new beverages and flavor innovations, as well as deep insights about sustainability and other larger topics across the industry.

Below, we’ve broken out 10 new trends that we asked consumers about for the first time this year, shared a little about them and highlighted their significance in terms of broader food and beverage trends.

Beer with a Hint of Lime

Beer with a slice of lime may have been spotted in bars or on commercials for years, but this evolving trend has a global theme: It comes hand-in-hand with consumers love of Mexican and Latin food, and has popped up in the form of new Mexican lagers with lime, goses (sour beers brewed with salt and coriander) getting a new spin with lime and sea salt, or other beer varieties as a base.

Candy-Flavored Beers

Yes, you can have your dessert and a nightcap, too. For those who like their brews a bit sweeter with a dose of nostalgia, candy-flavored beers are making a splash. Brewers are tapping into sweet childhood favorites like cotton candy and gummy candy, and with them drawing in a new audience. Candy flavors are especially popular with Gen Z, a generation that tends to choose beer less often than their older peers.

Functional Beer

A cocktail a day probably won’t have the same health benefits as, say, an apple a day, but that’s not to say the healthy revolution stopped at alcoholic beverages’ door. Functional beer is part of a larger, better-for-you movement in the segment that also includes natural wine and collagen-infused cocktails. Functional beers have been developed with ingredients from electrolytes to spirulina, a type of algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Craft/Signature Shots

Your college self would hardly recognize the shots emerging on menus today: They’re more like mini-cocktails, with high-end ingredients and an eye-catching presentation. Part of two trending themes: cross-over creations and sensory experiences, these shots can be enjoyed in one gulp or savored slowly, but either way, these small creations are all about enjoying the experience.

Tamarind in Cocktails

Global flavors continue to inspire the cocktail scene, and tamarind is having a moment. Part of the growing Asian refreshments trend, its tangy, sweet-sour taste adds a unique complexity to mixed drinks, balancing sweetness with a hint of unique flair, or used to make tamarind liqueur.

Ube Cream Liqueur

Ube—an eye-catching purple yam native to the Philippines—has become a hit in desserts, and now it’s making its way into cocktails with ube cream liqueur. This vibrant, creamy ingredient lends a rich, slightly nutty flavor with a beautiful hue that stands out in cocktails. Ube’s versatility makes it a go-to for crafting dessert-like drinks or adding a unique twist to traditional cocktails.

“Dirty” Drink Customization

Dirty sodas have been a growing trend with U.S. consumers – such a remarkable one that dirty soda chain Swig was named one of the fastest-growing chains in The Datassential 500: Top Chains Report this year. A dirty drink – made dirty with the addition of cream and sometimes complimentary juices as well has jumped from soda and has the potential to reinvent cocktails and mixed drinks.

Fortified Wine Cocktails

Cocktails with fortified wines like sherry, vermouth, and port as a starring role are another crossover we’re watching, as these rich, concentrated flavors add a touch of sophistication and innovation to mixed drinks. This trend is being driven by a broader interest in lower-ABV drinks since these fortified wines have a lower alcohol content than traditional cocktail mixers like vodka or tequila.

Gin-Based Hard Seltzers/Canned Cocktails

These ready-to-drink beverages start with a base of gin and tap into unique flavor profiles such as apricot, passionfruit, and elderflower. Gin-based hard seltzers and canned cocktails coincide with a broader botanical trend that’s evolving in cocktails, and several other broader themes, including smaller sips and cross-over creations – beverages that don’t “stay in their lane” and stray from their historical category.

Vegan Fat Washing

As the plant-based movement continues to influence every corner of the food and beverage world, vegan fat washing is becoming a growing technique. This process involves using plant-based fats—like coconut oil or cacao butter—to infuse spirits, creating a richer, creamier texture without animal products. It’s perfect for crafting silky-smooth cocktails that satisfy the demand for vegan-friendly options without sacrificing mouthfeel or flavor.

There’s so much more to learn in the full report, including breakdowns of each beverage category, demographic and venue deep dives. If you’d like to access it, reach out here.

You can also get a free preview with some limited highlights of the report, including profiles of some of the beverage trends listed above, at the link here.

Samantha Des Jardins is the Content Marketing Manager at Datassential.

If you’re a subscriber, you can access the full reports containing the information above – and hundreds more in presentation-ready formats – in Datassential’s Report Pro insights library.

If you’re not a subscriber and want more information on beverage trends, fill out the form linked here.

Click here for more of the latest U.S. food and beverage trends from Datassential, or check out the cutting-edge food and beverage trends from Europe.