Could a new Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman heavyweight take on Diageo?
The key will be how the spirits giants tackle the US market
Spirits
Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman in merger talks
The two companies have confirmed discussions are under way to create a global spirits giant
Top trends in beverage alcohol in 2026
The beverage industry is under a structural reset. Where are the key areas for growth?
New product development
New beverage launches: Grey Goose Prada, Stoli RTD, Faccia and more…
Brands across alcohol, non‑alcohol and functional hydration are rolling out premium innovations, collaborations and reformulations that tap into fashion crossovers, natural ingredients and elevated at‑home drinking trends
How Diageo will push its premium power - without the premium price tag
Forget all the noise about alcohol-free and GLP-1 drugs: the fundamental problem for spirits is people have less money to spend, says Diageo CEO Dave Lewis
New beverage launches: Sanpellegrio, mid-strength wine, Aviation gin and more…
Brands across spirits, wine, soft drinks and energy are pushing seasonal innovation, category expansion and premium cues
Three things ‘Drastic Dave’ will change, right now, at Diageo
Seven weeks into the job, CEO Sir Dave Lewis has identified where he’ll start making changes
Weak US sales drag Diageo results down
Diageo has lowered its sales guidance for the year, with US sales weaker than expected in H1
New product development
New beverage launches: Red Bull cherry, Moth, Athletic Brewing and more…
New launches from MOTH, Nashi, Athletic Brewing, V8, Red Bull, AMC and Cure highlight flavour innovation, better‑for‑you positioning and the continued diversification of functional and premium beverage categories
Five top trends shaping India’s beverage alcohol industry in 2026
India’s alcoholic beverage industry is undergoing a paradigm shift: and is set to grow rapidly over the coming years. What are the key trends to watch?
New product development
New beverage launches: Nestlé, boutique whisky, Oatly and more…
A wave of new beverage launches is landing across functional shots, RTDs, mead and premium sparkling drinks, as brands tap trends in flavour expansion, better‑for‑you formats and elevated alcohol‑free alternatives
Why Sake is on a runway for global growth
The traditional Japanese beverage taps into top consumer demands for premium drinks with authenticity and craftsmanship; as well as offering a versatile lower alcohol option as a base for cocktails and more
Constellation Brands announces next CEO
Bill Newlands will retire in April: and Nicholas Fink will take over as the company’s next president and CEO
Gen Z is drinking again, but alcohol is still in trouble
Alcohol consumption is in decline, and not just because of the allegedly health conscious young
The rise of clean alcohol
Widespread demand for clean label is finally reaching the alcohol category
New product development
New beverage launches: Coca‑Cola Cherry Float, Rockstar and more…
Across alcohol, soft drinks and wellness‑focused hydration, launches this month highlight continued consumer demand for personalisation, nostalgia and sensory escapism.
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
New product development
New beverage launches: Absolut ft Tabasco, THC, new energy and more…
Beverage innovation is hotting up with a wave of new launches across categories. From spicy collaborations to energy entrants, it’s all here
5 things we’ve learned about the alcohol-free category this January
January is the month when alcohol-free drinks really have the chance to shine. What have we learned about the direction of the category in 2026?
The most popular alcohol-free brands in the US this month, according to search data
Tracking January’s search data reveals the rising stars in the US alcohol-free category...
Drinking less but drinking better: Understanding the moderation movement
Consumers want to be healthier; so they’re cutting back on alcohol. But is it really that simple?
New product development
New beverage launches: Mountain Dew, mushrooms and Twinings sparkling tea
From functional mushrooms and gut‑health postbiotics to tropical rums, mineral‑rich sparkling waters and design‑led Dry January serves. Here are the new beverage innovations
How BuzzBallz became Gen Z’s global RTD obsession
BuzzBallz has become Gen Z’s go‑to party prop, fusing bold flavours, playful design and recession‑proof pricing to rewrite the rules of ready‑to‑drink cocktails
New product development
New beverage launches: Elton John 0% wine, Molson stout and more…
From bold new stouts and alcohol-free sparkling wines to functional hydration and high-protein dairy, January has seen a wave of innovation across beverage categories
US, Thailand drive Kirin’s craft gin and shochu push
Kirin’s Mercian is expanding into the US and Thailand with craft gin and shochu, citing strong demand for Japanese spirits and growing interest in Japanese cuisine
US drinking guidelines revamped in dramatic shift
New US drinking recommendations now simply state that less alcohol is better
Finlandia embraces ‘slow joy’ storytelling to expand reach in global travel retail
The vodka category is one of the largest in travel retail: and Finlandia sees this channel as an exciting way to reach new audiences. But how can the brand stand out?
Festivals, flavor and fun! Shake Up Cocktails eyes up growth potential after Accelerator Pitch Day win
With its mission to deliver ‘real ingredients, real flavor and real fun’, the canned cocktail brand has just won the InvestBev Accelerator Pitch Day Competition and now plans to expand into new markets
New beverage launches: Innovation in canned cocktails
Flavor innovations keep the RTD alcohol category exciting and appealing
Non-alcoholic drinks can’t be called ‘gin’, says EU court
Gin must have an alcohol content of at least 37.5% ABV, according to an EU court: meaning producers cannot sell products described as ‘non-alcoholic gin’ or ‘alcohol-free gin’.
Cutwater: ‘More people believe in ghosts than believe canned cocktails are ‘real’ cocktails!’
That’s according to a survey from Anheuser-Busch canned cocktail Cutwater: which has been using its Halloween campaign to showcase the ‘Real Spirits Inside’.
Roku Gin boosts reach via mixology and localised appeal
Suntory’s Roku Gin is blending mixology expertise with localised appeal to strengthen its market presence across South East Asia
Hampden 1753 rum targets new drinkers with bold Jamaican roots
The new Hampden 1753 rum aims to attract new drinkers into the rum category, blending Jamaican heritage with bold aromas and flavours
Suntory reacts as CEO quits amid drug investigation
The shocking resignation of Japanese food and beverage giant Suntory’s CEO has sent shockwaves through the industry
How to get the most out of Drinktec 2025: Explore the latest in AI, innovation and technology
Drinktec’s executive director sits down with BeverageDaily and tells us what he’s looking forward to at this year’s show - and his top tips for getting the most out of the event
Diageo taps premium cocktail culture and talent to fuel APAC growth
Diageo boosts its premium spirits strategy in Asia through immersive experiences to tap on consumer ‘desire for the extraordinary’
Americans are drinking less than ever: The key figures from Gallup’s latest poll
Alcohol consumption has reached a 90-year low in the US. Gallup’s latest poll reveals today’s consumption habits
Sober summer: UK supermarket Waitrose sees ‘significant surge’ in low/no alcohol sales
Sales of low and no alcohol drinks at Waitrose are up 32% this summer: with the supermarket offering a wider range of products
The superstar spritz: A sparkling opportunity for beverage alcohol
With firm favorites like the Aperol spritz, Limoncello spritz, Hugo spritz and more: the spritz craze offers plenty of colorful innovation opportunities for beverage alcohol
US tariffs on EU wine and spirits could cost $2bn in lost sales, says coalition
The warning from US group Toasts not Tariffs comes as 15% tariffs on EU goods comes into effect
Diageo warns of tariff hit as it reflects on a challenging year
Diageo saw profits fall over the last financial year, and warns of ongoing challenges for its business
What challenges - and opportunities - will Diageo’s next CEO face?
Diageo is high-profile example of just how tricky the alcohol industry is these days. Can it navigate a way forward?
US and EU strike tariff deal: What does it mean for beverage alcohol?
Industry organizations are hopeful of obtaining special zero-for-zero arrangements
Ireland delays introduction of alcohol health warnings
Ireland’s world-leading cancer warning labels will not come into effect next year as initially planned
How alcohol brands can navigate tariff turmoil - and even come out bigger and better
As the US continues to revamp tariffs on imported products, it’s tempting for drinks brands to sit back and wait and see how the new market evolves. But they could be using this time in a much better way…
Diageo CEO steps down
Spirits and beer giant Diageo has announced that Debra Crew has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and as a Board Director ‘with immediate effect, by mutual agreement’.
Absolut trials paper-based cap to accompany paper bottle
Can paper-based caps finally crack the technical challenges?
Alcohol sales strong despite consumption crash
Alcohol sales are are on the up while consumption continues to drop. What’s causing this unusual trend?
Modernising baijiu: World’s bestselling spirit targets China’s Gen Z drinkers
Meta Liquor’s pioneering of sparkling baijiu serves to modernise the traditional spirit, crafting a modern identity to engage Gen Z consumers
How top alcohol brands stand out in a shaky market
The last two decades have been ‘unpredictable and transformational’ for the alcohol category: and it’s not getting any easier. How can brands stand out?