Guinness has launched its Cold Brew Coffee Beer, providing stout drinkers with a familiar tipple as well as a much-needed caffeine hit. As people become more adventurous in their drink choices, how can brands provide functionality, flavour, and novelty in the beverages they produce?

The no- and low-alcohol segment has seen steady growth thanks to a rise in mindful, health-conscious consumption, and while it’s lagged behind the more successful beer and spirits categories, demand for no-and-low wine is on the rise. But what do drinkers expect from a less intoxicating tipple?

Starbucks is rolling out a marketing campaign to launch its energy drink brand Baya. Boasting ingredients that support the immune system, it's tapping into the rise of functional drinking behaviors as people look to optimize their physical and mental health through their food and beverage choices.

The pandemic super-charged Americans’ interest in functional drinks as fears of contracting COVID-19 prompted many to seek simple ways of taking control of their health. But what specific functionalities are they looking for, and which new beverage categories best respond to their needs?