Raising Christmas spirits

As demand for premium soft drinks and no-alcohol options surges, retailers are expanding their festive beverage ranges to meet evolving tastes, ShelfLife reports

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Brand Central

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Alcohol may take the spotlight during the holidays, but soft drinks remain an everyday essential — especially for family gatherings and designated drivers. From traditional fizzy favourites to premium mixers and adult-style no-alcohol options, consumers expect variety and quality. With more shoppers seeking sophisticated non-alcoholic alternatives, now’s the time to ensure your shelves reflect the full range of festive tastes. 

The commercial drink mixers segment underscores this shift: in 2025 the global market is valued at USD 892.7 million and is projected to reach USD 1,373.1 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.4 %. Tonic water leads this category with a commanding ~45.6 % share. 

To cater to increasingly discerning consumers, soft drinks ranges must go beyond cola and lemonade. Retailers should consider: 

• Premium mixers & craft tonics: As cocktail culture permeates home life, high-end mixers with natural botanicals, low sugar content, or clean-label credentials are becoming staples.

• Adult-style alcohol-free options: Sophisticated no- and low-alcohol drinks (e.g. botanical spritzers, non-alcoholic aperitifs) provide celebratory options for all.

• Functional and wellness variants: Beverages enriched with probiotics or vitamins meet the growing demand for drinks with a “better-for-you” profile.

• Flavour extensions and seasonal innovations: Limited-edition or seasonal flavours (e.g. spiced citrus or berry) help maintain freshness and drive sales through novelty.

Shelf & merchandising tips 

• Position mixers next to spirits or mocktail kit displays to encourage purchases.

• Create “celebration” zones combining soft drinks, mixers and no-alcohol options for one-stop festive shopping.

• Ensure SKU rationalisation balances choice with clarity, too many variants can overwhelm shoppers.

• Supply smaller pack formats or multipacks to cater for trial purchases and sharing occasions. 

Even in a season when alcohol gets the headlines, soft drinks and mixers play a critical supporting role. The strong growth outlook for commercial mixers, especially tonic water, and rising consumer interest in upscale non-alcoholic alternatives mean retailers should treat this as a strategic category, not a footnote. 

Britvic Ireland: Festive favourites that bring Irish cheer

Britvic Ireland

This Christmas, Britvic Ireland invites retailers to celebrate the season with a portfolio of iconic brands that have been part of Irish life for generations. From sparkling classics to versatile mixers, these drinks promise flavour, tradition, and festive cheer for every occasion.

Club Orange remains Ireland’s number one citrus carbonated drink, loved for its real fruit taste and unmistakable zest. Alongside it, the Club Mixers range – including Tonic Water, White Lemonade, Ginger Ale and Soda Water – is the perfect partner for seasonal cocktails and premium serves.

For those who enjoy a nostalgic twist, Cidona continues to be a festive favourite. This crisp apple drink has delighted Irish families for decades, making it a must-have for Christmas tables. And no seasonal line-up would be complete without TK, the heritage brand that brings bold flavours and a sense of fun to every occasion.

Adding even more sparkle, Pepsi and 7Up join the Britvic Ireland portfolio as globally loved favourites. Pepsi Max delivers zero sugar with maximum taste – in blind taste tests, 73% of consumers preferred it over the leading full-sugar cola – while 7Up Pink, the hit of 2025, offers a refreshing twist that’s perfect for festive celebrations.

Complementing these classics are MiWadi, Ireland’s favourite dilute brand since 1927, and Ballygowan Natural Mineral Water, the nation’s leading water brand. For a lighter option, Ballygowan Hint of Fruit adds a refreshing burst of flavour during the busy holiday season.

Britvic Ireland’s commitment to quality and sustainability shines through its Origin Green Gold membership and its proud role as a founding member of Love Irish Food. This Christmas, stock up on these beloved brands and give your customers the authentic taste of Ireland they know and love.

Coca-Cola Designated Driver campaign to launch as festive campaign kicks off

Diet Coke

CocaCola Zero Sugar

Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, is primed to usher in the festive season with its longstanding Designated Driver initiative.

This annual campaign shines a spotlight on the givers of the season, the designated drivers, who give the gift of safety by ensuring their friends and loved ones get home safe after festive nights out.

Designated drivers can avail of two complimentary soft drinks from the Coca-Cola range at participating venues across the island of Ireland. Whether it’s a refreshing Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, or Sprite, these free drinks are a small token of appreciation for those who choose to put others first and focus on what really matters.

Coca-Cola has long been a cherished part of Christmas celebrations, and this year, the focus shifts from receiving to celebrating the givers who uplift others through meaningful gestures or acts of kindness.

As more people now choose not to drink, the Designated Driver initiative offers inclusive options for those who prefer to stay sober on nights out. It ensures that everyone, regardless of their choice to stay sober, can still enjoy their night, celebrate with friends, and most importantly, get home safe.

Coca-Cola’s Designated Driver, now in its third decade, has always been rooted in this spirit of giving and responsibility. It recognises that while Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, it’s also a time to make smart choices, especially when it comes to road safety.

Sometimes the most meaningful gifts aren’t wrapped; they’re actions we take to protect and uplift one another.

This year let’s give the gift of refreshment – be a designated driver this Christmas, uplift your loved ones, and allow Coca-Cola to reward you.

Designated Driver runs from 1 December – 31 December 2025.*

The Designated Driver initiative is part of the larger Coca-Cola festive campaign which launched in early November. As we celebrate this enduring commitment to safety, Coca-Cola is also unwrapping a season of unparalleled magic, including the return of the iconic ‘Holidays Are Coming’ ad and an exciting new AI-powered Christmas experience, all under the heartwarming banner of ‘Refresh Your Holidays.’

Beyond the screens, the spirit of generosity continues with a special ‘every pack purchase wins’ promotion. Consumers are invited to embrace the festive season by simply purchasing a Coca-Cola pack, scanning the QR code, uploading their receipt and automatically winning a variety of different Christmas and Coca-Cola gifts, making this Christmas truly unforgettable and helping you ‘Refresh Your Holidays’ with amazing prizes.

Every pack purchase wins promotion prizes include touchscreen Gloves, Socks, Christmas Scarf, Christmas Baubles and cinema tickets. The promotion is available on Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Original Taste packs across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

*Participating venues will be featured on: www.coca-cola.ie/designated-driver

Cadet

Cadet range

Remember when you were a kid? The magic of Christmas. Staying up late on Christmas Eve straining to hear Santa’s reindeers. The smell of the Christmas tree. Presents. The fire lighting and grandad asleep on the couch. Well, childhood memories re-activated this Christmas with the return of an absolute classic. Cadet is back in two litre format in three delicious sugar-free flavours: Orange, Cola and Lemon & Lime. Offering amazing value during the festive season, Cadet is sure to be a family crowd pleaser at the dinner table.  Available now, Cadet is listed across all major retail & wholesale groups. Contact Newport Brands for more information: info@newportbrands.ie

Fentimans

Fentimans Ginger Beer

The adult premium soft drinks category continues to grow at an exciting pace as consumers seek out exquisitely crafted flavours. Fentimans premium range of soft drinks is a must-stock this Christmas. It sourced the finest ingredients from across the world and botanically brew Fentimans over seven days. Made slowly, to be savoured. This care and attention to detail delivers an indulgent, rounded, balanced and premium taste experience for consumers. Available in both 275ml & 750ml glass format, our Curiosity Cola, Ginger Beer, Rose Lemonade and Elderflower flavours offer retailers the opportunity to trade-up consumers seeking something truly special. Available now, the Fentimans range is listed across all major retail & wholesale groups. Contact Newport Brands for more information: info@newportbrands.ie

NU launches rainforest-powered natural energy drinks

NU creates feel-good natural energy drinks from the rainforest, for the rainforest. It is the first Irish drink powered by the guayusa leaf, a hidden gem found in the rainforests of Ecuador that offers a unique feel-good energy without the jitters or crash of other caffeine sources.

“I never liked the jitters and crash that came with coffee or synthetic energy drinks,” says co-founder Conor Meehan. “But when I tried guayusa tea gifted by a friend in Ecuador, the lift was clear, focused, and calm. I thought: Why doesn’t the world know about this? Now, we’re changing that—one can at a time.”

At the same time, the growing guayusa industry is showcasing indigenous led agricultural systems known as Amazonian chacras, in which multiple plants grow together in a way that protects soil health, local biodiversity, and which offers indigenous communities new economic opportunities.

NU’s ingredients are 100% natural, consisting of only herbal infusions, real juices, and live cultures from water kefir fermentation – similar to kombucha with a smoother taste. With under five calories per can and no sugar or artificial sweeteners, NU offers a much needed natural option in a space crowded with sugar and synthetic ingredients.

New season, new WIIINGS: Introducing Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple-Ginger (Sugarfree)

Red Bull The Winter Edition Sugarfree

As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter sets in, Red Bull is embracing the season with the launch of the new Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple-Ginger (Sugarfree) available now across Ireland.

This year’s Winter Edition offers a refreshing twist on a seasonal classic – blending crisp Fuji apple with the warm, earthy spice of ginger. The result is a perfectly balanced flavour that captures the comfort of winter in every sip – with zero sugar.

Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple-Ginger contains the same key ingredients as Red Bull Sugarfree, offering the same functional benefits with a bold new taste experience.

Available in striking 250ml cans, the gradient design transitions from deep red to warm yellow, echoing the changing colours of the season. It’s available at participating retailers nationwide, priced at €2.15 in the Republic of Ireland.

The launch follows another strong year for Red Bull Editions in Ireland, with sales of Editions alone up 55% year-on-year.1 With recent innovations such as Red Bull Pink Edition Four Pack and the new Red Bull Winter Edition, Red Bull’s range continues to drive choice for consumers and incremental growth for the category.

Consumer trends show sugar-free soft drinks now account for 32% of all non-alcoholic beverages, and within energy drinks, zero and reduced-sugar options represent 28% of the category – demonstrating strong demand for functional, flavour-forward, and sugar-free energy options like the new Red Bull Winter Edition.2

Founded in 1987, Red Bull established the energy drinks category, promising to vitalise body and mind. Now available in 178 countries worldwide, Red Bull continues to energise Irish consumers year-round from morning commutes to winter workouts.

Giving wings to people and ideas, Red Bull is a proud supporter of Irish athletes including hockey goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, swimmer Daniel Wiffen, mountain biker Ronan Dunne, gymnast Rhys McCleneghan and rugby player Mack Hansen.

To check out what Red Bull has going on this winter, follow @redbullire on Instagram and TikTok or visit www.redbull.ie to learn more.

UNROOTED launches baobab-powered functional shots

UNROOTED range

UNROOTED’s range of functional shots celebrates wild African baobab, a nutrient-rich superfruit that supports biodiversity and empowers rural communities.

Packed with vitamin C, soluble and insoluble fibre and antioxidants, these healthy shots naturally boost energy and support gut health. Baobab is a nutritional powerhouse, packing seven times the fibre of oats and six times the vitamin C of oranges. It works harder, so you don’t have to. Each 60ml shot of Super Greens has 4.2g of fibre, providing you with 14% your RDA of fibre in one tasty go, helping you support your gut health, improve your digestion and feel better. Enjoy a feel-good way to nourish your body whilst working with nature, not against it.

UNROOTED now celebrates being listed in retail and on-trade across Ireland, as well as the UK and the Middle East.

Founded in 2020 by Nathan Clemes, UNROOTED was born to celebrate and protect the mighty baobab. Inspired by the baobab trees from his childhood growing up in South Africa and learning of their legendary status as the Tree of Life, the trees are one of the world’s most sustainable treasures; wild-harvested and never farmed.  Living for up to 2,000 years and grown across the continent of Africa, baobab trees thrive without irrigation, fertilisers and are guardians against deforestation. Each bottle of UNROOTED sold contributes to investment in the baobab fruit collecting community, from tree protection and education programmes to supporting children’s school education. To date, 159 children have been supported throughout their time at school.

Read More: Coca-Cola Red Bull UNROOTED

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