Nadine Matthies

Market Trends in Dairy & Beverage Food Service

Exciting innovation is capturing the beverage and dairy space in food service, with new launches and limited time offers including lemonades, milkshakes, smoothies, slushes, frozen treats, refreshers, coffee drinks, and more. Naturalness leads the way as a consumer expectation.

38% of consumers prefer healthy and all-natural options in QSR menus

Mintel 2024

Colour is also becoming an expectation and a marketing angle for many brands. In Europe, Starbucks launched its limited-edition Ruby Flamingo Frappuccino, a visually striking drink featuring vibrant ruby chocolate. This colourful beverage captured consumer attention across social media, driving foot traffic and contributing to a boost in sales. Drinks, especially in the competitive European market, need to stand out visually to attract and retain customers.

55% of consumers report that the visual appeal of food service beverages is important to them

Mintel 2024

With Mintel data showing that over half of consumers planning to dine out more often in pursuit of new experiences this year, restaurants and foodservice brands have the opportunity to leverage colour to create exciting, unique, and engaging dairy and beverage products from milkshakes to refreshers to teas to coffee drinks.

37% of UK consumers are interested in food and drinks that feature emerging sustainable ingredients

Click here to learn more about Sensient’s Palm-Free Colours.

What trends are taking over food service beverages right now?

Here are four trends we’re seeing in the market:

Unique Flavours

30% of consumers are searching for unique seasonal flavour combinations in food service

Mintel 2024

Adventurous consumers are seeking refreshment through unique flavours like seasonal menus or untypical flavours. Brands can embrace new flavour profiles with deliciously bright colours.

Market Examples

Starbucks Europe

Dragon Coconut Starbucks Refresha

Costa Coffee

Mango & Passion Fruit Cooler

Caffè Nero

Iced Amaretto Latte

Spotlight Colours

Soft Pink Hues with Natural Colour

Advanced Emulsion Technology™ for Fruity Shades

Natural Brown in Milk Drinks

Feasting on Connection

53% of UK consumers rely on recommendations from family and friend when choosing a place to dine in

Mintel 2024

Connection-specific beverages tap into the growing trend of social dining experiences. Brands can offer products that bring people together, fostering moments of joy, celebration, and shared memories. These drinks become more than just refreshment — they are the catalyst for deepening relationships, creating a sense of belonging, and turning casual meetups into cherished experiences.

Market Examples

Pret

Cooler Applejito

Hard Rock Cafe

Big Kablue-Na

KFC

Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade

Spotlight Colours

Vivid Bright Orange with Sensient’s Papaya Orange

Mint Green in Apple Mojito

Rich Reds with Strawberry Red Colour

Fun & Funky

88% of Saudi Arabian consumers love trying new experiences when eating out.

Mintel 2023

Consumers are drawn to unusual, exciting, and engaging products that they see on menus or on social media, and they love to share those products on their own channels with friends. Brands can create standout experiences with fun and funky limited time offerings.

Market Examples

Starbucks Europe

Ruby Flamingo Frappuccino

Mimi Tea

White Peach Fruit Tea

Costa Coffee

Blueberry Burst Bubble Tea

Spotlight Colours

Uberbeet™ in Milk Cocktails

Orange Hues with Banana Yellow

Wild Berry Purple for Cold Berry Drinks

Nostalgia

66% of Polish consumers say that they enjoy products that remind them of the past

Mintel 2023

Mood-specific beverages can easily overlap with other trends as functions are supported or accented by certain flavour profiles. Brands can offer products that align with or boost certain mood states to appeal to tired, sad, bored, or curious consumers.