“For RTD juices, brands face the challenge of proving value to buyers. Pathways include the following:

• Adding functional ingredients like l-theanine for brain health or B vitamins and magnesium for energy.
• Unusual flavor combinations like passion fruit-peach can elevate the indulgent aspect of RTD juice.
• RTD juices that include health-haloed botanical ingredients or extracts can help position a brand as a tasty form of nourishing self-care.

In RTD coffee:

• We expect dessert-and-bakery-inspired flavor profiles to continue expanding in response to the demand for indulgence in RTD coffee.
• While added functionality is a smaller opportunity, some brands may increase caffeine to heighten the inherent energy benefit of RTD coffee.
• ‘Proffee,’ a current social trend where people add protein powder to coffee, may represent a niche innovation path for some brands.”

Although caffeine is the most understood energy ingredient, concern about “jitters” is leading people to explore options that could offer opportunities for RTD teas, Jackson concludes.

• “Green tea is well-liked, but ingredients like yerba mate or guayasa may become more mainstream. FlavorSum proprietary research shows that one in four North Americans are interested in beverages with guayasa, and one in three agree that yerba mate has appeal.
• Regarding functional ingredients, RTD teas can enhance energy-adjacent benefits, such as focus with ingredients like lion’s mane.
• Social listening platform Tastewise reports RTD tea flavors could highlight ginger, maple and raspberry to align with interest in healthy, natural, and vibrant tastes.” DF