September 6, 2024 – Two subcategories have been buzz-worthy recently – flavored alcoholic beverages and hard seltzers. Here, we will highlight the latest innovations and product launches, top claims and flavors in the alcoholic beverages market.
Flavored Alcoholic Beverages Incorporate Different Drinks
Alcoholic beverages industry research shows that flavored alcoholic beverages incorporate many different types of beverages. These can include wine coolers, premixed alcoholic drinks, pre-packaged spirit and mixer cocktails like gin and tonic or rum and lemonade, malteratives and alcopops. Alcohol by volume, expressed as ABV%, can range from 5.0% to 34.4%. Some products display traditional descriptions, such as handcrafted tequila or handcrafted vodka. Other products incorporate descriptors in names like sparkling margaritas and gin spritz.
Flavored alcoholic beverages is a bigger subcategory than hard seltzers and it continues to grow. Alcoholic beverages industry research displays the highest proportion of flavored alcoholic beverages are prepared with a base of vodka. Other bases are rum, gin, beer, wine, or cider.
Hard Seltzer is Spiked Seltzer
Hard seltzers, also known as spiked seltzers, are carbonated alcoholic beverages that are low calorie, low sugar, and low ABV. Low ABV means alcohol content of less than 5%. Hard tea and hard iced tea are considered in the same subcategory as hard seltzer.
Leading Regions in Alcoholic Beverages Industry
Alcoholic beverages industry research reveals that Europe accounts for over 90% of global launches of flavored alcoholic beverages. North America is the leading region for hard seltzer launches, which are more widely distributed globally than flavored alcoholic beverages are. The Middle East/Africa region is different because it is driven by aromatized wines. These wines come in a variety of fruit flavors like mango, sour cherry, and lemon; herbs like ginseng; and spices like pepper. In the Middle East and Africa, piña colada, daiquiri, martini, and mojito are popular rum cocktails in the alcoholic beverages market.
Claims and Positionings Trends
Top claims for flavored alcoholic beverages and hard seltzers are gluten free, vegan, no alcohol, limited edition, and sugar free. In addition to these, several claims like GMO free, vegetarian, traditional, seasonal, and natural are growing rapidly. Launches that appeal to certain populations and dietary needs include the niche claims alcohol-free, 0% alcohol, sugar free options, stevia-sweetened, and vegetarian.
Alcoholic beverages industry research reveals diverse regions claim preference in the alcoholic beverages market. In Europe, growing claims are low/no/reduced calorie, no added sugar, and vegetarian. The clean label claims include no additives/preservatives, organic, and natural showcase transparency and are popular in Europe. Traditional, natural, and seasonal are becoming more prevalent in Asia Pacific.
The fastest growing claims in the Middle East/Africa are indulgent and premium, and low/no/reduced calorie. Consumers in Latin America prefer traditional, indulgent and premium, and natural claims in flavored alcoholic beverages and hard seltzers.
Top Flavors in Alcoholic Beverages Industry
Fruit flavors are the most popular flavors in flavored alcoholic beverages and hard seltzers. Alcoholic beverages industry research displays lemon, lime, strawberry, orange, and passion fruit as the top flavors. Other flavors that are becoming more popular are espresso, blackberry, cranberry, black cherry and cola.
Different flavors appeal in each region. Alcoholic beverages industry research highlights that in Asia Pacific, watermelon, margarita, and cola are growing. Growing flavors in Latin America are mojito, green apple, and rose. Peach, berry, and green apple display growth in the Middle East/Africa. In contrast, flavors expanding in North America are blackberry, Mai Tai, and cranberry. Emerging flavors in Europe are unique to Europe – blood orange, sex on the beach, and espresso.
Distinct Flavors
The leading company have launched flavored alcoholic beverages in flavor varieties such as fermented milk variants, cream soda, different types of tea, and fruits like apple, peach, mandarin orange, and grape mixed with brandy or rum in the alcoholic beverages market.
The Hard Seltzers Leader Blends Fruit Flavors
The leading producer of hard seltzers offers a line of non-alcoholic and gluten-free options that are infused with electrolytes. Fruit flavor fusions feature black raspberry and red raspberry, strawberry and kiwi, lemon and cherry, and mango and passion fruit.
Textures Boost Mouthfeel
A range of textures in flavored alcoholic beverages and hard seltzers boosts mouth feel. These textures can include smooth, velvet, creamy, and silky. These textures also enhance indulgent and premium offerings. Texture enhancement is helpful especially in premium, fruit-flavored cocktails that are low in sugar.
This article is based on our report, “Overview of Flavored Alcoholic Beverages & Hard Seltzers – Global.” If you are interested in reading this report, feel free to request a demo.
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