The National Restaurant Association Show (May 18-21, 2013 in Chicago) showcased a handful of innovations in terms of beverages. The overall theme this year was a shift toward better-for-you beverages. This spanned from Aloe Vera juices and fresh squeezed orange juice vending machines to sparkling and natural sodas. Many of the beverages featured at the show are pre-packaged and ready-to-drink, which can appeal to on-the-go consumers at restaurants who are looking for grab-and-go options that can be resealed. These options are increasingly being found in places like coffee shops and fast casual restaurants.
Aloe Vera Juice
There were a handful of beverage manufacturers featuring Aloe Vera fruit juices that combined aloe pulp and juice together. The juice flavors were light and crisp, more similar to flavored water, and contained bits of Aloe Vera pulp which gives consumers a refreshing feel. Positioned as better-for-you, functional beverages, many of these drinks are low in calories. ALO Drink, an all-natural Aloe Vera juice brand, offers nine varieties, with names like Awaken and Enrich; each with different health benefits and nutritional content depending on ingredients. Aloe Vera King, another brand, has an extensive line, including vegetable drinks, teas, and yogurt beverages that are aloe-based, showcasing this ingredient’s diversity—it works well in many types of drinks.
Orange Juice Machines
A few manufacturers showcased juicing machines ranging in size from tabletop applications to large vending machines. Orangfresh, an Italian-based company, sells its vending machines primarily in Europe, but hopes to branch out into the United States within the next few years. Their machines can be pre-loaded with either oranges or apples, with each load serving approximately 70 glasses of juice. The machine will dispense a cup and then slice and juice whole pieces of fruit, creating a fresh, all-natural beverage. With consumers becoming increasingly concerned with additives and other ingredients in beverages, this type of machine allows consumers to see their drink being made from scratch. However, with the seasonality of fruit, there may be obstacles in terms of consistencty of taste.
Sparkling Sodas and Ginger Ales
As consumers become more health-conscious, they are increasing their awareness of artificial sweeteners, additives, and other chemicals in their beverages. There is a general trend toward more natural beverages, even if it is mainstream options with natural flavors or real sugar. Spindrift combines fresh fruit with sparkling water and cane juice to create a new kind of natural soda. These sodas are available in grapefruit, blackberry, orange mango, lemonade, half and half, and cranberry raspberry with the amount of fruit contained in each bottled featured on the label. For instance, the cranberry raspberry flavor is made with 16 raspberries, 9 cranberries, and fresh squeezed lemon juice. The company also sells low-calorie, flavored seltzer water as a no-sugar added alternative.
In terms of craft sodas, there were a lot of ginger ales featured at the show by many manufacturers. The rise in ginger ale can be attributed to many health claims related to ginger, such as its ability to improve digestion, cure motion and morning sickness, lower cholesterol, decrease cancer risk, and help arthritis. Reed’s Ginger Brews, sold in gourmet and natural food stores, carries six varieties of craft ginger ale including raspberry, cherry, and spiced apple, showing how a manufacturer can take one type of beverage flavor and expand it into its own line using fruit flavors as a way to innovate. Experimenting with flavor combinations like peach-mango may be an option to fuel further growth within this segment.
Bethany Wall
More from Mintel
Discover your next big breakthrough
Get smart fast with our exclusive market research reports, delivering the latest data, innovation, trends and strategic recommendations....
Our Predictions go beyond traditional trend analysis. Download to get the predictive intelligence and strategic framework to shape the future of your industry in 2026 and beyond. ...
Flavor is a complex, multi-dimensional experience that fosters deeper connections between brands and consumers. In this report highlights, we share with you the where we are now with flavors, and…
This article distils the latest global drinks industry trends, consumer behaviours and emerging opportunities, powered by Mintel’s expert analysis and proprietary data.
Expo West 2026 offered a clear reflection of several long-running shifts Mintel has been tracking across health, nutrition, and consumer expectations. What stood out most this year was less about…
Gain a complete view of the wellness marketplace and unlock wellness opportunities with predictive insight, thought leadership and the direction to fuel growth.
Explore three bold Consumer Predictions that reveal how consumers are redefining their lives, identities, and how they connect with brands through 2030 and beyond.
Learn the three Food & Drink Predictions that will define the next era of the F&D industry. Insights to empower you to anticipate change, inspire action and lead the industry into the future.
Discover the Beauty & Personal Care Predictions that will shape the future of beauty in 2026 and beyond. Paired with actionable insights to help you adapt, innovate, and lead.
Our 2026 Global Packaging Predictions look beyond short-term solutions to predict the themes shaping the future of the packaging industry through 2030 and beyond.
Discover the wellness trends and functional ingredients that will permeate food and drink categories in 2026 with Black Swan Data and Mintel’s new eBook.
From flavour cues, to cultural influences, uncover the 5 Food & Drink trends transforming 2026/27 with this new insight report powered by Black Swan social intelligence.
Through On-Demand, Consulting, and Integrations, or a combination of all three, equip your business with market intelligence to help you predict what's next.
You know Mintel for world trusted data and expert analysis, well we’re the “What’s next?” team. At Mintel Consulting, we’ll help you digest the data then apply customised insights to your specific growth goals.