Changing seasons are an ideal time for beverage brands to shake up their menus and tempt consumers to revisit old favorites or try something new. Limited-time offerings add a measure of immediacy and excitement to purchases for those who don’t want to miss out, but what role do trending flavor profiles play? Here are a few innovative flavors for those in the beverage industry to consider.

 Pining for Pistachio

In case you missed it, pistachio has seemingly become an “it” flavor for winter due in part to the major success of last winter’s Pistachio Latte and Pistachio Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks. The company first started floating this flavor on seasonal menus back in 2019 with the original Pistachio Latte, and the Iced White Chocolate Pistachio Oat Shaken Espresso is a hit overseas.

Since launching pistachio syrup in 2018, the brand has seen its product sales grow by double digits each year. With few brands yet to embrace pistachio, now is the perfect time to get ahead of the curve on this rising trend.

Cheese Teas From Overseas

Heytea, a self-proclaimed pioneer in the “new-style tea” market (think cold brew, tea latte, fruit tea, etc.), opened its first shop in Jiangbianli, China, in 2012 (under the name Royal Tea, which it changed to Heytea in 2016). Dedicated to natural ingredients, authentic flavors, and providing healthy indulgences, this brand has spread to 4,000 locations, with about 30 outside of China (and plans to open stores in Los Angeles and New York City).

Cheese tea, reportedly the brainchild of Heytea, was introduced in China in 2012 but has only recently reached Western markets in Europe. Made by mixing real dairy cheese with whipping cream and a pinch of salt to create a cheese foam topping and then adding it to high-quality green tea, this beverage is intended to be both natural and indulgent. Heytea is testing the waters for cheese tea at the brand’s Paris pop-up until August 15 as part of their strategic expansion.

Related: Warm Fall Beverages: New Flavors and Favorite Go-Tos

Iced Drinks and Cold Brews

Temperature isn’t a flavor, but it is a major trend impacting both old and new flavor profiles this fall and winter season. When the weather turns chilly, consumers tend to set aside the iced blends of summer in favor of hot beverages that warm from within. However, that hasn’t stopped brands from adding creamy cold brews and iced drinks to their fall and winter lineups.

Starbucks has seven new drinks on their seasonal menu for fall, and five of them are chilled, including:

• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

• Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai

• Iced Apple Crisp Cream Chai

• Oatmilk Iced Apple Crisp Shaken Espresso

• Salted Pecan Cold Cream Foam

Some coffee shops are offering both of its limited fall beverages (the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte and Almond Spice Coffee) in hot or cold formats.

Why all the cold drinks? For starters, it probably has something to do with the fact that many brands launch their fall menus earlier and earlier in the year (like the tail end of summer). In addition, younger consumers have increased the demand for cold coffee drinks, which are viewed as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up that’s preferable to hot morning beverages.

Stay ahead of industry trends—subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter here!

Launching Your Fall Menu

Whether you serve customers in person or your offerings are of the ready-to-drink variety (or both), you can benefit from limited, seasonal offerings and the marketing opportunities they present. Following, or better yet, predicting flavor trends can help you stand out and nab seasonal sales.

Have questions or want trend insights? Get in touch with us—we’re here to help! Contact us here.