Foodservice operators have a lot of opportunity to appeal to various need states by offering beverages that are healthier, create a unique experience, reduce environmental impact, or incorporate all three for the "holy grail" of menu options.

As reported by BDS Analytics, consumer spending on cannabis-based foods and beverages reached an estimated $1 billion in 2017 in the U.S. and Canada—and is projected to grow to more than $4.1 billion in those countries by 2022.

The survey highlights that more Americans blame carbohydrates, and specifically sugar, for weight gain. Although sugars continue to be the most cited cause of weight gain (33%), carbs ranked second at 25%, up from 20% in 2017, the survey states.

Hop Chronic IPA will only be available at licensed dispensaries and only to people who have a medical recommendation for the use of cannabis. Hop Chronic IPA will be available in a variety of THC and CBD potencies.

Brands are leveraging beverages to differentiate through signature drinks like mocktails, over-the-top options like extreme milkshakes and better-for-you options.

Today, cross-category beverages are becoming increasingly more available as brands attempt to cater to consumers’ better-for-you demands while also delivering innovative new flavor options.

Bigelow has more than 30 years of beverage industry experience in both non-alcoholic and beverage alcohol in North America.

Overall, South America will see growth in most categories in non-alcoholic beverages.

Senomyx Inc. announced its new flavor ingredient has been determined to be GRAS.

Beverages, like all product categories in the U.S. market, have had a bit of an up-and-down time in recent years, at least in terms of new product introductions. In non-alcoholic beverages, the U.S. market experienced a significant drop in new product introductions in 2009.