September 23, 2026

Bubbles in a Bottle: Exploring the Carbonated Beverage Boom

Trilogy Flavors, Inc.

FIZZY FRENZY: THE RISE OF CARBONATED BEVERAGES

As consumers choose from a plethora of beverages, carbonated drinks are bubbling over thanks to their evolving flavors, functional ingredients, and refreshment. From sparkling water to prebiotic and probiotic soda to dirty soda, innovation is thriving across the category. According to Innova Market Insights¹, 35% of consumers in the US & Canada report that they have increased their consumption of carbonated beverages because there is more variety available. Additionally, 41% of consumers in the US & Canada drink carbonated beverages to quench their thirst. Between Apr 2023 and Mar 2026, carbonated launches grew at a 20.2% CAGR in the US & Canada. The lines between wellness and indulgence continue to blur as brands introduce nostalgic flavors, better-for-you formulations, and functional ingredients across the carbonated beverage category.

FLAVORED SPARKLING WATER BFY ALTERNATIVE TO SODA

Consumers’ interest in health and wellness continues as they seek better-for-you beverages, with less sugar. EY² reports that 97% of U.S. consumers have adopted health and wellness behaviors over the past two years. Furthermore, 66% choose lower sugar and lower calorie drinks. Consumers are swapping soda for flavored sparkling water. Sparkling water flavors range from refreshing citrus and fruit combinations to indulgent and gourmand directions.

For instance, Saratoga Spring Water adds the Saratoga Collection “designed to tap into growing consumer demand for premium hydration options.” The range includes Abstraction of Lime, Anatomy of a Peach, Mango Dragon Fruit Perspective, and Untitled Berry No.3. Arizona Beverages will distribute Ferrarelle’s premium Italian mineral waters in the U.S. The brand also debuted a line of flavored sparkling waters specifically for the U.S. market. The collection includes Amalfi Dream (lemon and basil), Capri Style (orange and tangerine), and Sicilian Inspiration (grapefruit and elderflower) varieties. Berry Sparkle Sangria and Paradise Paloma join Bubly’s mocktail-inspired sparkling water lineup. Berry Sparkle blends raspberry, lemon, orange, strawberry and lime while Paradise Paloma combines grapefruit and lime.

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Waterloo and Guy Fieri teamed up for a second year. Inspired by nostalgic summer flavors, the Waterloo Flavortown line includes Apple Pie à la Mode, Coconut Lime Cooler, and Root Beer Float. The carbonated beverages are free of calories, sugar, and sweeteners. Liquid Death and Feastables collaborated on an unusual limited-edition flavored sparkling water inspired by Feastables’ Peanut Butter Cups. Liquid Death has created an allergen-free sparkling water that captures the flavors of chocolate and peanut butter without containing any peanuts.

Health and wellness will remain a priority. Partner with Trilogy to bring your next sparkling water innovation to life with our organic-certified flavors and hydroalcoholic extracts. Contact us today and request a sample.

SODA GETS AN UPGRADE WITH PREBIOTICS

Brands are aware of consumers’ evolving health behaviors, and “modern sodas” are the latest response. Healthier options with less sugar and soft drinks that provide functional benefits are proliferating. “Gut health” is a popular buzzword making its way into carbonated beverages. According to Innova Market Insights³, trends in carbonated beverages reveal that 1 in 4 U.S. consumers consider digestive or gut health a major concern related to their physical health. To meet consumer demand, brands are launching prebiotic sodas. Prebiotics are fiber that feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Both Olipop and Poppi launched in 2018 and were pioneers in the prebiotic, better-for-you, modern soda space. Olipop’s latest launch is Caramel Apple, while Sour Apple joins Poppi’s portfolio.

Prebiotic ingredients are a leading driver in functional beverages, with Tastewise⁴ reporting a 53% increase in menu adoption. In a playful collaboration, Cove Prebiotic Soda and Good Humor have partnered on a Strawberry Shortcake-flavored soda. For the first time, Good Humor’s iconic flavor is now available in a drinkable format. The growing popularity of prebiotic sodas is evident in PepsiCo and Coca-Cola’s entry. Pepsi released Pepsi Prebiotic Cola available in Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla varieties. Each contains 3 g of prebiotic fiber, 5 g of sugar, and 30 calories. Coca-Cola will release three Zero-Sugar Prebiotic Sodas: Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fresca Grapefruit Citrus, each containing 6 g of soluble fiber per can.

Probiotic sodas are also emerging. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that support individuals’ gut microbiome. For example, Culture Pop Soda combines organic fruit juices, herbs, spices, and live probiotics in its formulas. Sparkling Apple is the latest limited-edition flavor.

As gut health remains a focus, prebiotic and probiotic sodas will gain further momentum. Collaborate with Trilogy on your next modern soda flavor to meet consumer demand. Contact us today.

SODA + FUNCTION

Consumers expect beverages to not only taste good but also deliver additional benefits. Functional beverages are in demand. In addition to prebiotics and probiotics, soda brands are formulating with a variety of functional ingredients including protein, creatine, collagen, and colostrum. Many of these ingredients blur the lines between beauty and wellness. For example, Protein Pop Balance is a caffeine-free prebiotic soda. It contains 15 g of protein, 5 g of collagen, and 5 g of fiber. It comes in Fruit Punch, Lime Slush, Tropical Pineapple, and Watermelon Lime flavors sweetened with stevia leaf extract.

Similarly, Premier Protein’s Sparkling Protein Soda contains 15 g of whey protein and is sweetened with cane sugar and stevia extract. Exclusive to Walmart, it is available in Black Cherry, Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Pineapple Orange flavors. Joyburst released Creatine Soda in nostalgic Cotton Candy, Icy Pop, and Orange Cream Crush flavors. The beverage is formulated with 2 g of creatine and 340 mg of electrolytes.

Vital Proteins Collagen Sparkling Water features a full serving of VERISOL^® collagen peptides and 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C. It’s offered in Blood Orange, Lemon Lime, and Strawberry Blossom flavors. ARMRA Colostrum™ is “the world’s first colostrum soda.” Made from bovine colostrum, the beverage features 400 bioactive nutrients and is caffeine and sugar-free. Flavors include Huckleberry, Pear Ginger, Pomelo Basil, and Spicy Lime. In the UK, Flydrate is a new functional hydration beverage “targeting the air travel industry exclusively.” The beverage was formulated by scientists, airline pilots, and cabin crew for low-humidity conditions. The lightly carbonated electrolyte beverage features a Lemon Ginger flavor and potassium, magnesium, pink Himalayan salt, vitamins C, D3, B5, zinc, and taurine.

As wellness and indulgence converge, work with Trilogy to create innovative soda flavors that deliver on both. Contact us today.

SODA SURGE FLAVORS GALORE

More than 60% of U.S. adults consume soda daily, according to a Plant Pop-sponsored article in Beverage Industry⁵. Mintel⁶ reports that the U.S. Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) market is valued at $58 billion for 2026, showing a 4.6% year-over-year growth. Technomic’s data⁷shows Cola and Root Beer are the two most sought-after soda flavors in the U.S. Moreover, Orange appeals to 26% of consumers, while Cherry, Lemon, and Strawberry each appeal to 22%. Soda brands are driving excitement with fruit-forward, candy-inspired, nostalgic, and limited-edition flavors.

After 15 years, 7Up Lemon Lime has been reformulated to be lime-forward. The new 7Up Lime Lemon flavor is available across the 7Up portfolio. Sprite adds Sprite + Tea Peach as a limited release, exclusive to Kroger. After debuting in a summer variety pack, Canada Dry Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale is now a permanent standalone offering.

NO CAP! Soda Pop partnered with the Sour Punch^®candy brand on four sour candy-inspired sodas: Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Strawberry, and Watermelon. These BFY sodas are free of calories, sugar, and caffeine. Similarly, Fire Brands teamed up with Kraft’s Jet-Puffed brand on marshmallow-inspired flavors. The sodas are available in Marshmallow Strawberry, Marshmallow Root Beer, and Original Marshmallow flavors. Mountain Dew and Trolli tap into the swicy trend with the limited-edition Mountain Dew x Trolli Mango Pineapple Punch. The flavor features mango, pineapple, and strawberry paired with a spicy and sweet blend inspired by Trolli Spicy Crawlers. For Halloween, Fanta partnered with Ghost Face to release Dark Berry Punch, a limited-edition flavor sold in collectible cans. Innova⁸ notes, “Soft drink brands [will] hold onto cola as their primary anchor, while indulgent flavors inspired by desserts and limited editions will drive flavor trends.”

Collaborate with Trilogy to balance familiarity with novelty and bring trend-driven soda flavors to market. Contact us today.

DIRTY SODA

Dirty sodas are customizable fountain drinks mixed with flavored syrups, cream, and juice. Originating in Utah in 2010, dirty sodas went viral through chains like Swig. The younger generations’ affinity for social media, personalization, visual appeal, and texture has fueled dirty soda’s popularity. According to a Forbes article⁹, the dirty soda market is estimated to exceed $70 million. “With national awareness now reaching 75% and trial climbing to 42%, dirty soda has clearly moved beyond an emerging trend and into the mainstream,” states Andrea Ramirez of Torani¹⁰. Furthermore, social conversations around dirty sodas are up 265%, per Tastewise⁴.

Soda brands are capitalizing on the trend and launching various dirty-soda-inspired flavors. For instance, in 2024, Dr Pepper released Creamy Coconut and Creamy Coconut Zero Sugar. This summer, Dr Pepper reintroduced it. Mountain Dew™ dropped Dirty Mountain Dew™ Cream Soda and Zero Sugar Cream Soda, featuring the iconic citrus flavor with a smooth, creamy flavor finish. Coca-Cola Cherry Float is available in Regular and Zero Sugar. It’s “a new flavor experience inspired by the classic soda fountain treat. Crafted to deliver the taste of a Cherry Coke float without ice cream or dairy.”

A&W and MUG put their own spin on the classic Root Beer Float. A&W’s Root Beer Float and Zero Sugar “features a blend of sassafras and licorice-flavored, earthy root beer with the ‘vanilla-kissed’ flavor and creamy mouthfeel of vanilla ice cream.” MUG Root Beer Floats Vanilla Howler™ is the brand’s first limited-edition flavor. Available in Original and Zero Sugar varieties. The flavor is self-described as “the bold taste of MUG Root Beer with an indulgent, creamy flavor for a dirty soda-inspired root beer float on the go.”

Leverage Trilogy’s flavor expertise to bring your dirty soda concepts to life. Contact us today and request a sample.

SPARKLING SUCCESS

Carbonated beverage innovation shows no signs of slowing as brands continue to blend refreshment, function, and flavor. Better-for-you sparkling waters, prebiotic sodas, and functional ingredients are expanding consumers’ options across the category. At the same time, nostalgic, indulgent, and unexpected flavor combinations are creating new opportunities for engagement and trial. As wellness and indulgence continue to converge, the next wave of carbonated beverages will be defined by products that deliver both enjoyment and added value.

Whether you are developing sparkling waters, functional soda, dirty soda, or the next big flavor trend, Trilogy’s flavor chemists can bring your vision to life. Contact us today and request a sample for your next carbonated beverage project.

Sources:

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