Unboxed: 9 clean energy beverages for a focused buzz
Caffeinated energy drinks with minimal sugar and plant-powered ingredients are promoting energy and focus in the functional beverage space.
This pineapple and mango flavored tropical beverage relies on organic Peruvian maca for its energy boost and organic cane sugar for a touch of sweetness. This energy-enhancing seltzer is a non-GMO, USDA Certified Organic, clean drink with 120 mg of caffeine (equal to a cup of green tea) and contains B vitamins.
This SKU offers support for energy and focus with 85 mg of caffeine. It promotes energy and focus with ingredients such as green tea extract, ginseng root extract, l-theanine and 2,500 mg of lion’s mane and cordyceps mushroom extracts. This sparkling elixir contains no added sugars or GMO ingredients.
This traditional apple cider vinegar company has come out with a delicious line of ready-to-drink “Refreshers” with health-promoting prebiotics. This SKU has 750 mg of acetic acid per serving; it contains organic pomegranate and cherry juice, natural raspberry flavor and Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. It contains 2 grams of sugar and is sweetened with monk fruit extract. These beverages undergo rigorous sensory testing and offer high-quality ingredients that are low-calorie, USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and gluten free.
This refreshing drink promotes long-lasting energy with 120 mg of natural, organic caffeine from green coffee extract or green tea and tapioca syrup (cassava root extract). This exotic beverage is sweetened with organic stevia and organic agave syrup. It is USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.
This juicy elixir promotes not only energy, but also gut health with over 1 billion probiotic cultures (Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30 6086). Garden of Flavor Energy Elixir contains organic juices: turmeric root, ginger root, apple and lemon. It also contains purified water, guayusa and black pepper. It is USDA Certified Organic, Certified Non-GMO by California Certified Organic Farmers, dairy free and gluten free.
This energy drink boasts 100 mg of caffeine from yerba mate, green tea and green coffee beans. This beverage is calorie-free, sugar-free and packed with essential B vitamins. It is abundant in vitamin C and antioxidants, which makes this limited-time flavor a friendly choice for immune support. This product is USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Vegan and Certified Gluten-Free. The brand is also a 1% for the Planet member and a certified minority business by National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc.
Rowdy Energy’s bold, sugar-free energy beverage is sweetened with a blend of allulose, erythritol, monk fruit and stevia. It contains 160 mg of caffeine from green tea and nootropics like l-theanine to support focus. The l-theanine helps lower the chances of jitters and the electrolytes helps enhance hydration levels. This plant-based drink also contains B vitamins and is keto-friendly.
Riff Energy’s plant-powered sparkling energy drink delivers 120 mg of caffeine alongside immunity-boosting vitamin C and powerful antioxidants. This organic drink is made with nutrient-dense upcycled cascara, comprised from coffee bean fruit. This climate-friendly brand strives to reduce food waste by using upcycled ingredients. We love that this brand is dedicated to being sustainable and is Upcycled Food Association Certified and Certified Carbonfree. It is non-GMO, and the brand is a 1% for the Planet member.
This plant-based energy seltzer contains 125 mg of organic caffeine from green coffee beans and green tea, guayusa, guarana and ginseng extract. This beverage supports balanced energy and immunity and contains vitamins C, A, B and zinc. This refreshing, caffeinated blend is unsweetened and non-GMO with zero calories.
This plant-based energy seltzer contains 125 mg of organic caffeine from green coffee beans and green tea, guayusa, guarana and ginseng extract. This beverage supports balanced energy and immunity and contains vitamins C, A, B and zinc. This refreshing, caffeinated blend is unsweetened and non-GMO with zero calories.
There is a growing thirst for energy-promoting beverages among consumers who are looking to meet multifunctional goals for optimal energy and overall wellness. Consumers in search of long-lasting balance and focus during the day are driving innovation in functional energy beverages that meet multiple daily wellness needs.
The United States functional beverage market has grown to $48.4 billion, according to Euromonitor. Energy beverages comprise the largest section, at an estimated $18.6 billion, with forecasted growth at a CAGR of 6.6% through 2025.
In terms of consumer segments, an April 2022 New Hope Network Ways of Eating consumer survey indicated that younger consumers are significantly more inclined than older ones to rely on functional beverages such as nutritional shakes, vitamin-enhanced waters and more for what they offer in terms of nutritional benefits: An average of 35% of Gen Z and millennial consumers said they "depend on" functional beverages for nutrients, compared with 18% of Gen X and baby boomers.
Better-for-you options, functional add-ins rule
Plant-based, functional energy drinks that rely on clean, energy-boosting alternatives are driving natural product innovation, as are those with lower or better-for-you sugar profiles. In particular, organic cane sugar, monk fruit and stevia are common sweeteners, while brands are also formulating with functional ingredients such as Peruvian maca, cassava root extract, yerba mate, green tea extract, coffee bean fruit and more.
Brands are also adding functional benefits in the form of ingredients including probiotics, vitamins and nutrient-dense superfoods.
Click through the gallery to see some noteworthy energy beverages to stock.
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