The dairy beverage category is filled with many beloved and established products, such as flavored milks and protein shakes. The popularity and maturity of these product lines can influence a more conservative approach towards beverage trends. However, the great news is that dairy beverages are definitely evolving – if you know where to look! From tart fruit flavors to adaptogenic mushrooms, this year’s trends are embracing consumer experience and health functionality like never before. Read on to get a glimpse at the dairy beverage trends we’re tracking in 2025.
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Where do our dairy beverage trends come from?
We use Tastewise to predict 2025 dairy beverage trends and deliver market leading insights. This social listening platform mines millions of unique data points across social media posts, restaurant menus, online recipes, and more to create a comprehensive picture of what’s heating up (or cooling off) in the food and beverage industry. Two main indicators of a trend’s strength are percent share of social conversations and percent increase in social conversations year over year (YoY).
- Percent Share of Social Conversations: How often a key search term or phrase is mentioned in conversations about a topic, relative to all conversations about that topic. For emerging trends this number will be quite low, as the flavor or ingredient has not gone viral or mainstream yet. This is the time to spot opportunity and be a trendsetter!
- Percent Increase in Social Conversations Year Over Year (YoY): Relative increase in mentions for a key search term or phrase in conversations about a topic. A significant increase YoY means there is more “chatter” around the flavor, ingredient, motivation, occasion, or any of the hundreds of other food and beverage variables. In larger sample sizes, this velocity metric is a good indicator of when a trend is gaining traction.
To uncover these dairy beverage trends, we segmented the database for beverage category content that also mentioned “Dairy Beverages.” With a sample size of over 312,000 people, we are able to gain early insight into emerging trends. Read on for exciting insights in Fruit Flavors, Supplement Ingredients, Functional Health, and Consumer Experience.
Fruit Flavors
Fruit flavor is a natural match for dairy beverages. The bright acidity and fresh flavors balance dairy’s creamy richness, creating a lighter and more dynamic flavor profile. Dairy beverage trends for 2025 show increased demand for “tart fruit” such as quince, tamarind, sour cherry, and specialty citrus varieties. Honeyed, naturally sweet favor profiles are also trending, as evidenced by increased interest in apricot, tamarind, and date flavors. For a flavor system with widespread appeal, try combining these newcomers with familiar dairy beverage flavors like strawberry, peach, vanilla, or orange.
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Supplement Ingredients
Functionality will continue to dominate new product launches in 2025. While protein and multi-spectrum omegas are consistent performers in dairy beverages, we’re seeing traction in other supplement categories too. Consumers are talking a lot about functional ingredients like bee pollen and adaptogenic mushrooms. Is the market ready for protein shakes fortified with cordyceps and ready-to-drink matcha lattes infused with calendula, collagen, and bee pollen? We think so!
Functional Health
When it comes to dairy beverages, managing lactose intolerance and improving gut health are a major focus for functional health claims. However, other consumer needs are rising. Dental health is the fastest rising functional health claim mentioned in “dairy beverage” conversations, while metabolism and anti-bloat are showing stronger relevance to the topic. Positioning your dairy beverage as a metabolism booster that is also free from the gas and cramping side effects associated with milk drinks can be a smart strategy in the year ahead.
Consumer Experience
Understanding consumer experience is critical not just for beverage marketing, but for beverage development as well. At Blue Pacific Flavors, we are passionate about the way culture and environment shape consumer behavior. This year we’re seeing an emerging correlation between dairy beverages and the Tradlife (sometimes referred to as “Tradwife”) aesthetic. Tradlife is a movement that embraces traditional gender-based roles and a return to the nuclear family dynamic. Dairy may be seen as more natural or “cottagecore” when compared to other beverage categories, which could explain the rising connection between the two. Additionally, versatility and whimsy are showing strong relevance. Now is the time to launch a fantasy-flavored milkshake mix or wild strawberry infused barista milk!
