Sip into Spring

Fresh Flavors, New Formats, and the Rise of Refreshers

THE SHIFT TO LIGHTER, BRIGHTER INDULGENCE

Spring signals a clear shift in consumer and operator behavior – away from heavy, comfort-driven flavors and toward bright, fruit-forward and floral profiles that feel fresh and energizing. As one of the biggest windows for menu innovation, the season brings a surge of limited-time offerings built around flavors like strawberry, citrus, and botanicals, which over-index in spring compared to other times of year (Datassential Launches & Ratings FEB’25).

But this shift isn’t just about flavor – it’s about format. Refreshers are emerging as the ideal vehicle for delivering these seasonal profiles, translating them into lighter, more repeatable beverage occasions that align with growing demand for non-alcoholic options throughout the day (Datassential Keynotes: Non-Alcoholic Beverages DEC’25).

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Why Refreshers Fit the Moment

• 28% of annual menu launches occur in spring, making it the most concentrated window for seasonal innovation.
• More than 50% of consumers seek out non-alcoholic beverages that feel refreshing or functional.
• Refreshers have grown +115% on beverage menus in the past four years and are projected to continue growing +62% over the next four years.

Datassential’s Spring Trends 2026
Datassential Keynotes: Non-Alcoholic Beverages DEC’25
Datassential Menu Trends YE DEC’25

These shifts highlight how refreshers are uniquely positioned to meet the moment – delivering seasonal flavor, functional appeal, and all-day drinkability in a single, flexible format.

FRESH FORMATS, EVERY OCCASIONS

Beverages are leading the shift toward lighter, more frequent indulgence, especially as refreshers evolve into versatile, format-flexible menu platforms. Lemonades, teas, sparkling drinks, and energy-based refreshers offer operators low-lift ways to introduce seasonal flavors in formats that feel both familiar and new.

Operators are using refreshers as a test-and-learn platform, layering in inclusions like fruit, boba, and flavored foams to create more dynamic, customizable drinks. This approach allows brands to experiment with new flavors and formats through limited-time offerings – driving novelty without adding operational complexity.

What to Know: SPRING FLAVORS DEFINE THE REFRESHER OPPORTUNITY

Flavor Seasonal Signal
Strawberry Core spring anchor that signals freshness and familiarity
Citrus Bright, clean flavors that reinforce refreshment
Lavender Floral note that elevates and differentiates
Mango Accessible tropical flavor that bridges seasons
Dragon Fruit Adds color, novelty, and visual appeal
Hibiscus Brings tartness and a functional, botanical cue
Green Tea Balances sweetness while adding perceived wellness benefits

Datassential Launches & Ratings FEB’25

OPERATOR EXAMPLE

Dunkin’ Refreshers

Dunkin’ leverages refreshers as an accessible, all-day beverage option with offerings like Strawberry Dragonfruit and Peach Passionfruit Refreshers made with green tea or lemonade bases. This approach highlights how familiar flavors paired with light functional cues can create approachable drinks that fit seamlessly into existing menus while appealing to a wide range of consumers.

Spring flavors skew bright, fruit-forward, and floral, creating a clear seasonal playbook that operators can consistently return to year after year. Refreshers translate these flavors into flexible formats – making it easy to layer in function, customization, and visual appeal without reinventing the menu.

 

BRING SEASONAL FLAVOR TO EVERY SIP

Refreshers are becoming a key platform for delivering seasonal flavor in beverage menus, offering operators a flexible way to introduce bright, fruit-forward and floral profiles. Lemonades, teas, sparkling beverages, and energy-based drinks create a foundation for layering in spring flavors while maintaining familiar, easy-to-execute formats.

Rich’s makes it easy to tap into this shift across beverage menus:

These builds give operators low-labor, high-impact ways to translate seasonal flavor into beverages – supporting repeat purchases while creating visually engaging menu moments.

OPERATOR EXAMPLE

Dutch Bros Rebel Refreshers

Dutch Bros expands the refresher concept through highly customizable energy drinks and teas, layering fruit flavors, syrups, and add-ins into bold, colorful beverages. Their menu showcases how operators can push refreshers beyond traditional formats—using customization and flavor stacking to create drinks that feel indulgent, personalized, and highly shareable.

WHAT’S NEXT? REFRESHERS EVOLVE A PLATFORM

Refreshers are moving beyond simple fruit drinks into fully customizable beverage platforms that blend flavor, function, and experience. As operators look to stand out during peak seasonal windows, beverages are becoming more dynamic—layering in inclusions, textures, and visual elements that make drinks feel more like an occasion than a utility.

This evolution is especially evident as non-alcoholic beverages continue to expand across dayparts, with operators using refreshers to deliver everything from energy boosts to better-for-you indulgence. Formats like sparkling refreshers, tea-based builds, and fruit-forward energy drinks are creating new ways to engage consumers with beverages that feel both functional and fun.

OPERATOR EXAMPLE

Starbucks Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher

From layered lemonades to tea-based refreshers with functional ingredients, beverages are becoming more than just a side offering – they’re a primary driver of innovation and engagement. Operators who treat refreshers as a flexible platform—rather than a single item—can continuously introduce new flavors, formats, and experiences that keep menus fresh and consumers coming back.

From layered lemonades to tea-based refreshers with functional ingredients, beverages are becoming more than just a side offering – they’re a primary driver of innovation and engagement. Operators who treat refreshers as a flexible platform—rather than a single item—can continuously introduce new flavors, formats, and experiences that keep menus fresh and consumers coming back.

 

PUT IT INTO ACTION

Refreshers give operators an easy way to keep menus feeling fresh—layering in seasonal flavors, functional cues, and new formats without reinventing the wheel. Leaning into this platform approach unlocks endless variation, turning simple beverages into high-impact menu drivers.

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