With temperatures soaring across the UK, festive drinks are probably the last thing on most consumers' minds. Right now it's all about iced coffees, sparkling lemonades and refreshing spritzes.

But for drinks brands, the most successful Christmas and winter launches are already well underway.

Creating a seasonal canned drink takes time. From recipe development and sourcing ingredients to artwork, production and getting your product onto shelves or behind the bar, planning now means you'll be perfectly positioned when consumers start looking for comforting winter flavours later in the year.

So, what will be filling shopping baskets this winter?

Consumers continue to look for nostalgic, indulgent flavours, but with a modern twist. Think spiced apple, cranberry and orange, cinnamon, gingerbread, chai, mulled berry, black cherry, and salted caramel. Rich coffee-inspired flavours such as hazelnut mocha, vanilla latte and espresso martini continue to perform well, particularly in ready-to-drink cans.

We're also seeing growing interest in more sophisticated festive flavour combinations. Blood orange and rosemary, pear and cardamom, fig and cinnamon, plum with warming spices, and clementine with star anise offer premium flavour profiles that appeal to consumers looking for something a little different. For alcohol-free brands, botanicals, warming spices and lightly sparkling serves are helping create drinks that feel every bit as indulgent as their alcoholic counterparts.

Cans remain the ideal format for these seasonal launches. They're convenient, highly recyclable, perfect for gifting, festive events and on-the-go occasions, and they're equally suited to cocktails, mocktails, craft soft drinks, cold brew coffees, sparkling juices and functional beverages. Limited-edition seasonal cans also create excitement and encourage repeat purchases during the festive period.

If you've been thinking about launching a winter special, now is the time to get started. A little planning in the summer can mean your canned drink is exactly where consumers want it to be when the festive season arrives.

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