Innovation in the beverage category has accelerated in the U.S., evidenced by the sheer volume of bubble teas, fruity refreshers, dirty sodas and cold coffees flowing onto menus. But Americans are not the only ones gulping down these drinks—consumers around the world are seeking the same.
And both small and large chains are satisfying their thirst, according to Technomic’s Spring 2025 Global Menu Innovation showcase. Countries as far apart as Argentina and Australia have recently introduced beverages with unique flavors and formats.
Starting with Argentina, a concept called Oh! Tea launched a limited-time series of four summer drinks, three with a base of Yakult, a fermented milk, and all with bursting yogurt pearls. The lineup includes the Yakult Watermelon Boom, Mango Yakult Boom with jasmine tea, mango, Yakult and bursting mango pearls, Passionfruit Yakult and Jasmine Watermelon Boom with jasmine tea, watermelon and bursting blueberry pearls.
Moving on to Australia, there’s concept called The Alley serving up a Barley Light Latte, a classic black tea enhanced with roasted malt. The velvety, milky drink has a caramel-like sweetness and smooth texture with a malty aroma.
Volcanic Sodas at Splash Bebidas. | Photo courtesy of Splash Bebidas.
Splash Bebidas Urbanas in Brazil rolled out eye-catching Volcanic Sodas in three flavors: Green Apple, Strawberry and Tangerine. When the drink is handed to the customer, plumes of smoke waft out of the cup—an effect achieved with dry ice.
South American chain Juan Valdes Café is serving Taro Lattes in Colombia. The limited-time offer is part of a collection combining coffee and tea products in one beverage, although taro is not your everyday black or green tea.
Leave it to the French to add a wellness perk to a latte. At France’s Cojean coffee café, customers can order the Cojean X Glowery Glow Chai Latte and sip a blend of creamy milk, organic almond puree, organic agave syrup, black tea and organic chai spices, all enriched with 5g of Glowery marine collagen. It’s part of the expanding functional beverage trend.
Coffee Mocktails at Point Coffee. | Photo courtesy of Point Coffee.
Point Coffee in Indonesia introduced a line of Coffee Mocktails, rolling two trends into one drink. The “Shaken Freshpresso Series” is available in three variations. Midnight Sweet is a blend of coffee, strawberry and chocolate flavors, while Sunset Harmony combines coffee, peach, lychee and strawberry. The Golden Crush is the sweetest of the trio, a mix of coffee, strawberry, butterscotch and palm sugar. All are garnished in the mocktail style.
Taking a page from the dirty soda trend, Seattle’s Best Coffee in The Philippines launched an Iced Dirty Horchata, a chilled horchata infused with a shot of espresso. It also comes in a hot version. Along with those entries, there’s a Hot or Iced Classic Horchata blending horchata, milk and cinnamon syrup. Horchata is making its way onto beverage menus around the world.
Red Bull Floats at Rocomamas. | Photo courtesy of Rocomamas.
Red Bull Floats are the featured special at Rocomamas in South Africa. They are offered in three flavors: Coconut Berry, Apricot Strawberry and Watermelon Red Bull, all poured over vanilla ice cream. It’s a sweet new way for Red Bull fans to get their fix.
Protein coffees are gaining popularity in the U.S., with Peet’s Coffee a frontrunner in this area. Cupp’s in the U.K. is bringing the trend to teas with three new entries: Vegan Caramel Protein Milk Tea made with oolong tea and oat milk; Raspberry Lemonade Protein Iced Tea with green tea; and shaken Hokkaido Protein Milk Tea. Each boasts 20-22 g protein per serving.
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