March 20, 2025 – Botanical-infused beverages are preferred for their health benefits, including improved digestion and stress relief. Health-conscious consumers, clean label preferences, and appeal of natural ingredients drive demand for these beverages in Europe. Innova’s 360 research into this beverages trend highlights the flavor and ingredients prevalent in launches. It also provides the top brands and innovation opportunities in botanical-infused market.
This article is based on Innova’s Trending in Botanical Infused Beverages in Europe report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more
Product Launch Trends
In Europe, 35% of consumers prioritize healthy food and beverages with natural ingredients. Botanicals meet this need, resulting in launches like functional drinks with chia seeds. This preference reflects a 7% growth of natural claim in beverages with these ingredients over the past four years.
Botanical drink launches shapes health trends across categories like diary, soft drinks, hot drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Soft drinks lead botanical drink launches in Europe with 2% CAGR over the past four years. In the European beverages market, hot drinks and dairy category show prominent growth in launches as well during the same period.
Social Media Trends
Botanical-infused beverages are a key beverage trend, creating buzz and active engagement on online platforms, with 22% of users showing positive responses. Consumers perceive these beverages as healthier, natural alternatives that deliver refreshing flavors along with added health benefits such as better digestion, immunity, and overall wellness.
On platform X, young Millennials drive the botanical beverages conversations. Females engage in conversations about tea, herbal drinks, and detox remedies. While males discuss tea, botanical options in alcoholic beverages, and mixology drinks. Cocktail culture leads alcoholic botanical beverages conversations, especially in Pinterest.
Flavors and Ingredients Trends
Beverages trends show that 2 in 5 consumers agree botanical flavors such as herbs, floral, and others are good for their health. Prevalent botanicals include ginger, hibiscus, turmeric, mint, rosemary, lavender, and chamomile. The growing preference for herbal and natural-derived options highlights the versatility of traditional remedies to modern functional drinks.
In the European beverages market, fruit is a leading botanical ingredient tracked in beverage launches. Fungi ingredients grow at 15% CAGR over the past two years due to their unique functional benefits like immune support, stress relief, and cognitive enhancement. Ingredients like mushrooms known for adaptogenic properties and health-promoting compounds appeal to consumers seeking natural and holistic wellness. Other leading ingredient subcategories include floral, plant, grain, spice, and herbal. However, botanicals like citronella and honey experience steady growth due to their innovation characteristics beyond traditional ones. Most discussed ingredients on online platforms are citrus for its immune-boosting and detoxifying properties. Lemon has the highest reach and engagement, followed by orange.
Brands Spotlight
Wiper and True collaborate with UK breweries and launch alcohol-free craft beer with botanical infusion. They release limited edition products which blend botanical hops with grapefruit and orange pith, built on wheat base delivers unique experience to consumers.
Mark and Spencer’s launch creamy oat drink feature lion’s mane mushrooms with flavors like golden turmeric and creamy cacao. This caters to consumers’ growing demand for functional beverages with mind and body benefits.
Yogi Tea expands it wellness tea portfolio launching berry vanilla incorporating ayurvedic ingredients like hibiscus, rose hips, and ginger. These launch with sugar-free claim for these natural refreshing options aligning with consumers’ demand.
What’s Next in Beverages Trends?
Beverages trends reveal that consumers increasingly turn to botanical-infused beverages for functional benefits, such as enhancing cognition, relieving stress, improving gut health, and boosting immunity. Brands can leverage this opportunity by incorporating botanical ingredients like adaptogens, nootropics, probiotics, and vitamins to amplify their health benefits.
Consumers interest in mood-enhancing and relaxation-focused offerings opens opportunity for utilizing botanicals such as hops, ashwagandha, chamomile, and lemon balm. Innovating daypart-specific products, like energizing blends for mornings and calming drinks for evenings, can cater to consumers’ changing needs throughout the day.
In the European beverages market, brands can also explore sustainability-driven packaging, such as compostable, biodegradable, or refillable options, to align with eco-conscious expectations. Highlighting practices like wild foraging, organic farming, or regenerative agriculture can boost brand appeal. Additionally, providing compelling narratives about the origin and benefits of local or indigenous botanicals can help to make deeper connections with consumers.
As the botanical beverages space evolves, a focus on wellness and sustainability can help brands to capture attention and loyalty in this market.
This article is based on Innova’s Trending in Botanical Infused Beverages in Europe report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more
