Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

Layered, textured, nutrient-loaded and/or indulgent, now is the time for cold beverage innovation.

Trend Insights: The New Beverage Era

Further opportunities with cold beverages on modern menus

By Flavor & The Menu
January 2, 2026

Our panel of experts weighs in on further opportunities with emerging beverage builds on modern menus. See The New Beverage Era for the full article.

Cold beverages have become a blank canvas that underpins menu creativity. Social-media friendly and buzz building, they’re the hottest category in the business and will remain reliable traffic builders well into the future.

—Nancy Kruse, President, The Kruse Company

The personalized drink space is uncharted, which opens the door to innovation with technology, flavors and formats. Sports-style drinks that provide hydration for the masses are ripe for individual customer preferences.

—Rob Corliss, Chef/Founder, All Things Epicurean (ATE)

The best cold beverage innovations provide a mini escape in a cup, carving out “me time” with every sip. Beyond refreshment, a beverage is now a personal, playful moment that blends fun with feel-good.

—Liz Moskow, Principal, Bread & Circus