Carbonated Soft Drinks Trends 2026 highlight a UK market that remains highly resilient, with carbonates continuing to be one of the most widely consumed beverage categories across ages, channels and occasions. In 2025, the category returned to value growth, rising 4.3% to an estimated £10.5bn*, supported by stronger retail and on-premise performance, warmer weather, inflation and demand for added-value variants.
However, future growth will be more competitive. Regulation, sugar reduction, demographic shifts, alcohol moderation and rising competition from adjacent soft drink categories mean brands need to work harder to create carbonates that feel distinctive, permissible, affordable and experience-led.
For high-volume carbonate brands, the strongest opportunities lie in combining bold flavour innovation, better-for-you positioning, value-led appeal, social visibility, on-premise customisation and scalable formulation.
Flavour innovation remains a key growth driver
Flavour is one of the strongest ways for carbonates (CSDs) to stand out. CSDs are often consumed as a treat, an energy boost or a moment of enjoyment, particularly among younger consumers. This gives brands room to move beyond standard cola, lemonade and orange into more ownable flavour platforms.
For high-volume brands, this creates space for bold fruit and nostalgic combinations such as cherry vanilla, raspberry, peach, mango, passionfruit, pineapple, blood orange, yuzu, cola float, cream soda and fruit sherbet.
Cherry Float, Coca-Cola (UK)
Cherry is a clear example of this in 2026, with launches such as Coca-Cola Cherry Float showing how nostalgic flavour cues can refresh mainstream carbonates while still supporting zero-sugar choice.
Social media is shaping discovery
Discovery of new CSD brands and flavours is strongly shaped by social media.
Crimson Sour Cherry, Xbox partnership (Global)
This means new launches need to be designed not only for taste, but also for visibility, shareability and cultural relevance. Limited editions, bold colours and culturally relevant campaigns can help drive trial, particularly when supported by strong in-store and on-premise visibility. Fanta Crimson Sour Cherry, linked to gaming activity, is a good example of how flavour, packaging and digital engagement can work together to target younger shoppers.
Brands should therefore think beyond the liquid alone, building products with strong colour, clear flavour storytelling, seasonal relevance and limited-edition energy. Naming, packaging and serve style matter as much as the flavour itself.
Better-for-you fizz is moving mainstream
Most consumers aim to eat healthily at least some of the time, but CSDs still need to deliver enjoyment first. Better-for-you carbonates must therefore balance health cues with flavour, refreshment and treat appeal.
UPF concerns are also extending into CSDs, with 45% of drinkers* saying this has made the category less appealing. This strengthens the case for cleaner-label NPD, lower sugar, natural flavourings and more recognisable ingredient cues.
Poppi soda, 3 grams of fibre per can, flavours: Strawberry Lemon, Orange, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime & Wild Berry (UK)
Poppi’s UK launch is a useful example, showing how high-fibre, low-sugar soda can feel mainstream when paired with bright branding and accessible fruit flavours such as Strawberry Lemon, Orange, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime and Wild Berry.
For brands, the opportunity is to develop better-for-you carbonates around familiar flavour cues such as citrus, berry, mango, passionfruit, ginger, apple and mint, rather than relying on health claims alone.
Energy and sparkling hydration are high-potential adjacencies
Energy, hydration and electrolyte-led drinks are increasingly influencing the wider soft drinks market as demand grows for protein-rich, gut-supportive drinks, clean energy benefits, steady energy and convenient formats.
For carbonates, this creates an opportunity to combine functional benefits with the refreshment, fizz and flavour intensity consumers already understand. Sparkling energy drinks, caffeine refreshers and electrolyte sodas can work particularly well in convenience, gyms, workplaces, travel, leisure and QSR.
Gut health and functional claims are gaining permission
Gut-friendly carbonates remain niche, but the opportunity is growing. 39% of CSD users trust CSDs with gut-health claims to be effective*, suggesting the category has permission to stretch into digestive benefits when products remain enjoyable and credible.
Functional benefits should be clear, but not overly clinical. Flavour will be critical to mainstream acceptance, with strong potential in profiles such as lemon ginger, apple elderflower, mango passionfruit, raspberry lime, berry hibiscus and citrus mint.
Alcohol moderation is widening the role of carbonates
Alcohol moderation creates a major opportunity for CSDs. Nearly six in ten UK adults now moderate or do not drink alcohol*, creating more space for carbonates in adult, social and evening occasions.
To win here, products need to feel more considered than standard soft drinks. Ginger, citrus, botanical, berry and spritz-style flavours can help carbonates compete with low/no alcohol alternatives, while still being affordable and familiar.
High-volume brands can build adult carbonate ranges around ginger, grapefruit, lime, cucumber, elderflower, hibiscus, pomegranate, mint and botanical blends, particularly for pubs, casual dining, QSR and at-home social occasions.
On-premise customisation can unlock new value
Pubs, bars, restaurants and QSRs offer strong potential for CSD growth. 44% of CSD drinkers say being able to customise carbonated soft drinks, such as adding flavours or syrups, would make them choose them over other drinks in a pub, bar or restaurant*.
McDonald’s Green Apple x Sprite Zero is a clear example of this opportunity, using a familiar dispense drink with sugar-free green apple syrup to create a venue-specific limited-time serve.
For foodservice and on-premise, there is strong potential in exclusive serves such as Cherry Vanilla Cola, Strawberry Basil Lemonade, Mango Passionfruit Sprite, Cucumber Mint Soda and Pineapple Lime Cooler.
Private label and exclusive ranges offer margin control
Retailers, wholesalers and foodservice operators are looking for ways to create ownable soft drink ranges that protect margin and reduce reliance on major CSD brands.
This creates opportunities in private label carbonates, retailer-exclusive flavours, QSR-exclusive dispense flavours and bespoke adult soft drinks. These ranges can be built around clear consumer needs: low sugar, bold fruit, functional refreshment, value or premium adult serves.
For high-volume brands, exclusive carbonate platforms can give customers a distinctive flavour offer, stronger commercial control and a clearer reason to choose them over standard branded alternatives.
Packaging and format strategy will matter more
Regulation will continue to shape the market. HFSS restrictions, SDIL proposals and DRS are all influencing how carbonates are developed and sold. The UK’s DRS is set to launch in October 2027, covering drinks containers from 150ml to 3 litres.
Format should therefore be considered earlier in development. Cans can support premium and functional drinks, PET works well for convenience, multipacks can strengthen value, and post-mix, concentrate or bag-in-box formats are especially relevant for foodservice and on-premise efficiency.
Conclusion
The UK carbonates market is back in growth, but future success will depend on brands creating drinks that feel more flavourful, functional, social, affordable and occasion-led. Speak to the beverage development experts at Simpsons Beverages to explore how we can help you develop distinctive, market-ready flavours that add value to your range and keep consumers coming back.
