Is your daily drink of choice the new status symbol? Functional beverages are having a major moment, and the data suggests we are increasingly interested in what our drinks can do and not just how they taste. According to trend analytics platform Spate, popularity for the “functional beverage” category has grown 23.3 percent year-over-year, with TikTok being a key driver. Instead of simply reaching for coffee, water or juice, consumers are seeking drinks that promise added benefits, including energy, focus, protein, gut health and even alcohol-free socializing.
As Katrina Dalao, founder and publisher of Grow to Market, puts it, consumers have always expected some function from their beverages, whether that’s caffeine from coffee or hydration from water. What’s changed is the expectation that a drink should now deliver more value and more benefits. “In Dan Frommer’s 2026 Mid-Year Consumer Report, one-third of Americans say they’re in ‘optimization mode,’” she says. “And with many regarding beverages as snacks, a functional one is an easy and affordable way to check those boxes. Another thing with beverages is that they’re great social signifiers. The packaging is physically with the person until the drink is finished. There’s a lot of identity baked in and showing who you are—you’re healthy, you care about yourself—by carrying around a specific brand.”
Functional beverages are transforming the humble drink into a daily dose of targeted wellness—one sip at a time. These are five brands worth trying.
Functional Beverages Worth Trying
1 / 5
For Energy: Celsius ($20 for 12 cans)
According to Spate, energy drinks are the most popular functional beverage category driving the trend right now. Celsius has become the go-to for an energy boost with a more refreshing feel, thanks to flavors like Watermelon Lemonade and Peach Vibe (there are more than 25, and fizz-free options, too). The zero-sugar, vegan drinks are powered by caffeine from green tea and guarana seed extracts, plus vitamins, ginger root and chromium, and provide sustained energy, support metabolism and help you power through your daily grind without the sugar crash.
2 / 5
For Protein: Fizzen ($10 for four cans)
Consider swapping your protein shake for protein water, which is another trend gaining momentum in this space. Fizzen pairs a light, bubbly water with real fruit juice for a more refreshing alternative to traditional chalky shakes. Cofounded by Kristin Cavallari, the brand delivers 8 grams of clear whey isolate protein and 5 grams of collagen peptides in each can, making it an easy fit for beauty and wellness routines. We’re partial to the Peach Mango flavor, but it also comes in Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch and Orange Pineapple.
3 / 5
For Focus: UPDATE ($36 for 12 cans)
When the goal is more energy and better focus, UPDATE, cofounded by Kim Kardashian, is one to try. Rather than using caffeine for the boost, the lightly carbonated formula contains 300 milligrams of paraxanthine, which is the primary metabolite our bodies naturally produce when they break down caffeine. Intended to provide a smoother energy experience, it offers up to four hours of improved focus and mental clarity, so you can finally tackle that daunting to-do list. Flavors include Berry, Grape, Peach, Mandarin and Pineapple.
4 / 5
For an Alcohol Alternative: Vibes Beverages ($24 for four cans)
Vibes Beverages is part of the growing wave of alcohol alternatives designed to offer more than simply removing booze from the equation. The brand’s social functional tonic line is built around how you want to feel, with Glow Getter Hops delivering a relaxed, clear-headed social experience. It features hops extract, Alpha GPC for cognitive support, L-theanine for calm focus and 37 milligrams of green tea–derived caffeine. With grapefruit and tropical citrus notes, it’s a crisp, botanical option for those looking to socialize without alcohol, or the hangover.
5 / 5
For Gut Health: OLIPOP ($36 for 12 cans)
Dubbed a “fiber-first functional soda,” OLIPOP satisfies the bubbly craving, but with 9 grams of prebiotic fiber coming from ingredients like chicory root inulin, cassava root fiber and Jerusalem artichoke inulin. Fans love the nostalgic flavors (there are more than 20) like Classic Root Beer, Vintage Cola, Cream Soda and Strawberry Vanilla, and the recipes contain 2 to 5 grams of total sugar per can—a fraction of conventional soda. For those who want slightly less fiber, there’s a 6-gram option as well.
