Why Functional Drinks Are Winning 2026

Welcome back to GRATE.

January is absolutely flying by. We’ve made it through Blue Monday, there’s finally a good auld stretch in the evenings, and it feels like we’re turning a corner—even if the clocks changing still feels a little while off.

That sense of emerging energy is showing up clearly in what people are choosing to drink. Functional beverages continue to grow because they meet people where they are right now: looking for better energy, stronger immunity, improved gut health, and everyday performance, without the hassle of supplements or overhauling routines.

We’re also seeing a shift in how energy is consumed. Matcha’s rise is being driven by younger consumers seeking a health-coded energy ritual—something calmer, more intentional, and rooted in wellness rather than quick caffeine hits. Brands like Jenki are repeatedly cited as among the buzziest players pushing this culture forward, helping turn functional drinks into daily rituals rather than occasional fixes.

This week’s product picks from around the world reflect exactly where the category is heading: immune-supporting hot drinks, mushroom-powered coffee, fibre-forward formats, elevated non-alcoholic aperitivos, and performance-led energy with creatine—all pointing towards the functional trends we’re calling for 2026.

As always, enjoy the read and let me know if you are doing any product development in the functional drinks space,

Annie x

FIRE&5TH (IRELAND) – NON-ALCOHOLIC APERITIVOS

Fire&5th continues to build momentum in the adult non-alcoholic space with its aperitivo-style drinks. Built on natural fruit and botanical extracts, the brand focuses on complex flavour, ritual, and moderation rather than sweetness. A strong example of how functional and no-alcohol trends are converging around social wellness and premium experiences. The range include Chilli & blood orange, Rhubarb & grapefruit and my favourite mint, cardamom & blackberry.

SOJOURN (US) CANNABIS SELTZERS

Sojourn THC Seltzers have been launched by the veteran-owned cannabis brand that are formulated for socializing to work well as an alternative to alcohol or simply to shake things up. The drink is formulated with 10mg of THC and 10mg of CBD for a mood-boosting experience that will work well for keeping things light when socializing during casual get-togethers. The drink boasts a Strawberry Lemonade flavour to give it a crisp, fruit-forward flavour in every sip that will work well as an alternative to traditional hard seltzers or sodas.

MUSHROOMS & LOVE (IRELAND) - BLISSFUL MUSHROOM COFFEE

A blend of premium coffee and medicinal mushrooms, designed to deliver improved focus, reduced stress, immune support, and sustained energy. Their award-winning Blissful Mushroom Coffee harmonises rich coffee flavour with subtle earthy notes for a smooth, satisfying cup. Crafted for wellness and flavour lovers alike, it offers a guilt-free daily ritual where nature meets nurture—perfect for mornings or a gentle midday lift.

CLEAN DRINK (SWEDEN) - CLEAN SAV:D + CREATINE

Sweden-based Clean Drink has launched an interesting product that caught my attention, its rescued-juice with Clean SAV:D + Creatine, an energising RTD beverage. Each can contains 105mg caffeine and 2.5g of CreaBev creatine monohydrate, formulated for better stability in solution. Available in Lemorange Punch and Strawberry Punch,

it blends performance, sustainability, and convenience in a single.

JENKI (UK) - NEW FUNCTIONAL SMOOTHIES RANGE

Jenki is best known for its London matcha bars, built around “clean, calm energy” using ceremonial-grade matcha from Uji, Japan. Five locations across Spitalfields, Selfridges (Oxford Street), Borough Market, Covent Garden, & Canary Wharf. They've just introduced a New Functional Smoothies Range including Berries + Collagen, Peanut Butter Cacao + Protein, Greens + Matcha, and Vanilla Cashew + Protein—a natural extension from matcha-led energy into broader “function-first” formats.