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Does Starbucks have its buzz back? 

An encouraging earnings report earlier this week was just the start, as the cafe giant kept the good vibes flowing during its annual investor day on Thursday. 

What exactly “back” means is debatable, and when global chief brand officer Tressie Liberman says “we’re not chasing trends” after debuting a slate of protein-boosted beverages this year, you’ll excuse us if our eyebrows go all crooked for a minute. 

Yet if the goal is “never giving customers a reason to go anywhere else,” it’s hard to argue that the world’s biggest coffee chain is leaving much on the table. 

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This week, we sipped on Loonen’s spring-source purified water before washing it down with Culture Pop’s new limited edition Black Cherry flavor.

📝 Check out all of our tasting notes here

Upgrade to BevNET & Nosh Insider, our all-in-one membership for exclusive insights, data reports, and on-demand CPG video courses, to get the full Daily Briefing and unlock Insider-only content such as:

• How Upstate Elevator’s new approach aligns with the hemp beverage category
• Why one company sees U.S. boba production as a big business
• Details on the possible revival of the FTC claims against PepsiCo

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As non-alc cocktails get craftier, will spirit replacements be left behind? The best New York bars for non-alc cocktails don’t heavily rely on non-alc spirits, according to the Inaugural NYC’s Best Bars for NA 2025 Awards. 

Read the full analysis with Insider access

When people say the kids don’t drink like they used to, they aren’t kidding. According to Circana’s annual Inspired Share of Sip webinar this week, drinking aged Gen Z consumers accounted for just 4% of all U.S. alcohol shoppers last year.

Continue reading the full breakdown with Insider access

You’ve sampled the headlines. Want the full story? BevNET & Nosh Insider allows you to dive deep into market shifts, brand strategies, competitive benchmarks, and more. It’s how the most successful food and beverage operators stay one step ahead.

Here’s a look at leading headlines from around the beverage industry. Go beyond the headlines with Insiders access.

1. Don’t Quit Rebrands as SkyPop To Focus on Protein Soda
2. Lucille Health Takes on Boost and Ensure With a Better-For-You Senior Shake
3. BeatBox Parent Company to Lay Off 158 Employees
4. PHX Builds On Multi-Functionality Message, Expands Footprint
5. Drink Hippie Expands ‘Solution-based’ Approach with Energy Line

🛗 Hemp beverage brand Upstate Elevator has refined its innovations added adaptogens and the release of an Añejo Lime spirit alternative packaged in multiserve 750 mL bottles. Insiders can access the full update

🍀 Lucky Energy is growing beyond beverages with a new line of caffeinated gummies, made with added functional benefits from maca, ginseng and more natural ingredients. Insiders can check out all the details

⛑️ Startup senior nutrition brand Lucille Health is preparing to launch its first product next month, a line of clean label, high-calorie and high-protein shakes designed for consumers 65 years and older. Insiders can learn more here

🌈 Drink Hippie is known for its THC-infused drinks, but the brand is now offering a non-intoxicating and “moderately caffeinated” energy drink: Hippie Energy. Insiders can read the full story

Looking for More? As usual, we rounded up all the remaining new products including fresh co-branded candy flavor launches from The Ryl Co. and Sparkling Ice, BFY soda innovations from Slice and GuS and more. 

Check out the gallery for free on BevNET

What if the future of wellness marketing is simply… not trying so hard? 

In this episode, the hosts explore how mission-driven CPG brands are moving beyond preachy messaging and embracing a new era of modern moderation. We also feature interviews with the founders of moringa-infused brand Orange Toucan and Woon, a modern pantry brand inspired by a family’s beloved Chinese restaurants.

Tune into the episode here. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.