ARE YOU TRYING TO DEVELOP A NEW BEVERAGE?

CREATE THE PERFECT DRINK WITH AWARD WINNING BEVERAGE FORMULATION EXPERTS

"Power Brands has been an amazing innovation partner over the past two years – so much so that I have personally recommended them to several other divisions within PepsiCo”.

Functional & Emerging Beverages Innovation Lead - PepsiCo

 We can help with any type of drink development! Carbonated drinks, waters, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, teas, kombucha, protein drinks, flavored malt beverages, wine, mixers, spirits or any other type of beverage formulation you may need? Request Free Information >

We are the leading beverage formulation and beverage development company! We can help you with your beverage formulation or any other aspect of starting or running a beverage company. 

A QUICK GUIDE TO DEVELOPING BEVERAGE BRANDS & NEW DRINKS

Here is a concise and practical guide covering the key best practices and considerations for anyone new to beverage formulation. This simple to follow roadmap will help set you on a successful path towards creating your new beverage brand and products.

1. Concept Development

1. Define Your Product’s Purpose

   • Is it functional (e.g., energy, hydration, wellness) or purely for refreshment and taste?

   • Clear objectives guide ingredient choices, nutritional profile, and positioning in the market.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

   • Tailor the formulation to consumer needs: age, lifestyle, health concerns (e.g., low sugar, caffeine-free, natural ingredients).

   • Understand how trends (plant-based, low-calorie, probiotic, etc.) may shape your concept.

2. Ingredient Selection

1. Base Liquid Selection

   • Common bases: water, juice, dairy, plant-based milks, teas, or functional broths.

   • Ensure quality (e.g., purified water, verified suppliers for plant-based sources).

2. Flavor Components

   • Balance sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami elements.

   • If using natural flavors, ensure they match the product’s positioning (e.g., “all-natural,” “organic”).

3. Sweeteners

   • Choose between sugar, honey, agave, stevia, monk fruit, or other alternatives.

   • Consider regulatory guidelines for “low-sugar” or “no-sugar” claims.

4. Functional Ingredients (if applicable)

   • Caffeine, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, adaptogens, probiotics, etc.

   • Keep track of stability and possible interactions with other ingredients.

5. Stabilizers, Emulsifiers, and Preservatives

   • Required if your product contains oils (e.g., essential oils in flavored waters) or is prone to separation (plant proteins).

   • Natural preservatives (e.g., rosemary extract, certain acidulants) may appeal to clean-label consumers.

6. Colorants

   • Try nature-derived pigments (turmeric, beet juice) or certified food color if the product demands a bright, consistent hue.

   • Always verify permissible levels per regulatory standards.

3. Product Formulation & Bench Trials

1. Small Batch Testing

   • Start with lab-scale or kitchen-scale experiments.

   • Document every batch’s recipe, process steps, and tasting notes for reproducibility.

2. Sensory Evaluation

   • Use a small focus group or colleagues for immediate feedback.

   • Track flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, appearance, and aftertaste.

   • Adjust ingredient levels based on feedback, iterating until desired taste and functionality are achieved.

3. Shelf-Life Assessments

   • Conduct preliminary stability tests (e.g., accelerated shelf-life testing).

   • Monitor for changes in taste, color, pH, odor, and microbial growth over time.

4. Scale-Up Process

1. Pilot-Scale Production

   • Transition from lab/kitchen to pilot plant.

   • Verify that the flavor, texture, color, and stability remain consistent at larger volumes.

2. Process Optimization

   • Fine-tune mixing times, temperatures, and homogenization or carbonation levels (if sparkling).

   • Identify critical process parameters to control for product consistency.

3. Packaging Compatibility

   • Test beverage behavior in chosen packaging (PET, glass, aluminum cans, aseptic cartons).

   • Ensure package integrity and product stability over the intended shelf life.

4. Cost Analysis

   • Evaluate raw material, production, packaging, and distribution costs.

   • Identify possible cost savings without compromising quality or brand positioning.

5. Quality Control & Assurance

1. Documentation & Specifications

   • Create clear product specifications (pH, Brix, color, flavor intensity, microbial limits).

   • Ensure all ingredients meet established quality and safety standards.

2. Compliance & Labeling

   • Adhere to regulatory guidelines for nutrition facts, ingredient listing, and claims.

   • Conduct final label reviews to ensure accuracy (net weight/volume, allergen declarations, etc.).

3. Ongoing Testing

   • Implement routine quality checks in production (sensory, chemical, microbiological).

   • Maintain consistent product performance throughout the shelf life.

6. Launch & Post-Launch

1. Launch Strategy

   • Align with marketing efforts (key messaging, brand story, influencer or social media campaigns).

   • Provide clear usage instructions (shake before use, refrigerate after opening, etc.).

2. Monitoring & Feedback

   • Monitor consumer feedback and sales performance.

   • Use feedback loops to refine future batches or new product variations.

3. Product Iterations

   • Fine-tune product features or line extensions (flavor variations, format sizes, dietary variants).

Final Tips and Considerations

• Maintain a Consumer-Centric Approach: Always keep the end user’s preferences, lifestyle, and pain points at the forefront.

• Keep an Eye on Trends: The beverage market evolves quickly with new ingredients, technologies, and consumer demands.

• Be Prepared to Pivot: Early consumer and production feedback can reveal issues or opportunities—remain flexible.

• Collaborate with Experts: Leverage resources such as flavor houses, consultants, co-manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers for specialized knowledge.

• Document Everything: Thorough records ensure consistency, aid in troubleshooting, and support regulatory compliance.

By following these best practices - focusing on clear objectives, meticulous formulation, rigorous testing, and ongoing quality assurance - you will greatly increase your chances of creating a successful new beverage that meets both market demands and regulatory standards.

Beverage formulation is the foundation of the beverage industry.

The multi-billion-dollar beverage industry serves consumers from every part of the world every day. 

We have an opportunity to improve lives by creating drinks that are better for people and better for the environment.

Power Brands' #1 goal is to improve beverage choices for consumers everywhere, whether we are developing soft drinks, energy drinks, fresh-pressed fruit juice, teas or any other beverages, we put the earth and its people first.

We work with glass bottles, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, pouches and all other packaging substrates.

However we are doing everything possible to eliminate as much plastic from our manufacturing practice as possible.

Leading Beverage Formulation and Development Experts

At Power Brands, we are proud to be recognized as one of America’s leading beverage formulation companies and beverage development companies. Our award-winning team of beverage formulators and beverage formulation experts is dedicated to turning your vision into a market-ready success. With decades of combined experience, we deliver innovative solutions tailored to every facet of beverage creation—from ideation and R&D to manufacturing and marketing.

Comprehensive Beverage Formulation Services

Our approach begins with a deep dive into your concept, ensuring every new beverage formulation project captures the essence of your brand. We offer:

• Custom Beverage Formulas: Our in-house beverage formulation team leverages a state-of-the-art formulation laboratory equipped with custom-built research & development equipment to create unique formulas that are both delicious and cost-effective.

• Ingredient Innovation: Our beverage scientists maintain a vast inventory of thousands of ingredients on-site and benefit from strategic relationships with top flavor, nutraceutical, sweetener, color, and raw material suppliers.

• Market-Ready Development: Collaboration is key. Our beverage design and marketing teams work alongside our formulation experts to ensure every beverage is not only innovative but also highly marketable. We also provide guidance from our dedicated beverage manufacturing experts, who ensure that each product is engineered for efficient production and practical manufacturing processes.

Why Choose Power Brands?

Our commitment to excellence sets us apart from other beverage formulation companies. Here’s why leading beverage companies and new entrants alike choose Power Brands:

• Innovative Solutions: We are constantly exploring new technologies and ingredients, keeping us at the forefront of the beverage industry.

• Full-Service Support: Unlike competitors, our approach integrates every stage of the beverage development process, from concept creation to market launch.

• Industry Expertise: Our experienced team not only formulates beverages but also provides strategic insight into beverage business trends, ensuring your product resonates with today’s health-conscious and flavor-seeking consumers.

• Award-Winning Reputation: With thousands of successful beverage formulas developed for over 1,000 new and existing beverage companies, our track record speaks for itself.

Partner with the Best in Beverage Formulation

Now is the perfect time to introduce a new beverage concept to the market. Whether you are looking for a complete beverage development solution or expert advice on formulating a unique product, our team is ready to help. Contact us today for free information and discover how our beverage formulation experts can transform your idea into a groundbreaking product.

Power Brands is more than just a beverage development company—we are your partners in crafting remarkable beverages that stand out in the competitive marketplace. Let us help you create new and exciting beverage experiences that deliver exceptional value and performance.

Elevate your beverage business with Power Brands, where innovation meets expertise in every drop. Start your journey with the trusted leaders in beverage formulation and beverage development. Learn more and request free information today!