Consumers like their drinks cold this Christmas: Kerry report

New research from the group’s Art of Taste Nutrition Festive Report found that launches of iced beverages were up 7% year on year and now accounted for 23% of all festive new drinks launches.

Launches of iced beverages were up 4% year on year in the UK, which Kerry predicted will continue in 2024. In particular, brown indulgent flavours but in iced formats, with blended iced versions like frappe particularly popular.

Isabel Lordan, foodservice marketing graduate UK&I at Kerry Taste and Nutrition, said: “Similar to previous years, there is an embrace of festive drinks being seen as real treats with indulgent flavours like chocolate, caramel and toffee commonplace.

More traditional festive flavours such as gingerbread and peppermint continue to flourish. Iced lattes and frappes are also on the rise as expected.”

Looking ahead to the 2024 festive period, Kerry identified a continuing trend of consumers seeking indulgent drinks that don’t compromise of health or the environment.

It advised producers to substantiate how you are improving your products though incremental reductions in sugar, calories and overall sustainability to make sure consumers remain brand loyal and repurchasing in the future.

Nostalgic and novel flavours

Consumers will also return to nostalgic and novel flavour combinations in order to break away from mounting worldly pressures, flavours that it said can be achieved being creative with existing products – adding festive additions to your current range to create cost-effective, time -limited offerings.

Daniel Sjogren, vice president of food service for Kerry Europe, added: “The big challenge for foodservice beverage product developers going forward is maintaining appealing, indulgent beverage flavours while also reducing sugar and calorie content.

These sugar-reduction efforts will pay off decisively by also improving sustainability credentials and success in this area. This is particularly helpful in reaching the mainly younger consumers who prioritize sustainability as a key purchase driver.”