Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Commentary

Between Drinks

Report details how hard ciders can maximize reach

NielsenIQ identifies 5 trends to benefit hard ciders

By Lauren Sabetta, Managing Editor
Lauren Sabetta Between Drinks
February 15, 2023

Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the sound track “New York, New York” was composed for the 1977 Martin Scorsese film, “New York, New York.” Although the song was originally performed by entertainer Liza Minnelli, it didn’t gain popularity until crooner Frank Sinatra, with his unique vocal abilities, sang: “I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps...And find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap.”

As the current market climate poses challenges for many beverage brands, NielsenIQ highlights in its article “2023 Hard Cider Trends for Emerging Brands” some ways in which these brands, specifically, can rise to the “top of the heap.” 

From shifting consumer behaviors to continual inflationary pressures, NielsenIQ highlights five trends for cider brands to better understand and to maximize opportunities, as follows:

  • Health and wellness trends: Products that advertise wellness attributes — a trend across alcohol categories — are making gains. For example, cider brands with the product claim of “carb free” are up 353% in dollar sales in the past year. By properly connecting the product’s attributes with the wellness terms consumers are seeking, brands can gain consumer attention and make sales in 2023.
  • Consumer focus on sustainability: With the desire to live more sustainable lives, consumers are expecting brands to take on the issue as well. This means an opportunity to align with these benefits. Additionally, Gen Z is beginning to make up a growing portion of legal-aged alcohol drinkers. Sustainable practices will continue to impact cider sales (and all industries) well beyond 2023, so there is opportunity to get it right early.
  • Local market traction: One of the biggest ways hard cider drinkers are shifting their behaviors is by sticking with a local brew. In fact, regional/local brands capture 54% of total hard cider sales. Understanding where the opportunities lie and keeping it focused are key. Taking a closer look at distribution can pay dividends.
  • Inflation pressures: Inflation is changing consumer outlook and leading them to become unsettled and avoid spending on products they don’t deem necessary. One area to focus on is product assortment. Revitalizing an assortment strategy can help keep margins strong and keep hard cider brands going strong.
  • Unique flavor profiles: Not only is there a wealth of flavor options on the market, but some are also seeing much better growth than others. The Top 5 flavor profiles in terms of year-over-year (YoY) growth include cucumber, blueberry, passion fruit, tea peach, and strawberry lemonade. In fact, cucumber hard cider sales are up 3,960%. Brands can highlight the flavors, update product listings, and connect with consumers. 

When it comes to protecting a brand from economic turmoil, shifting consumer behaviors, and staying ahead of the competition, hard cider brands are no different.

“The most important thing to do is to stay on top of shifting trends,” the article states. “This means you should be using both POS and panel data to understand your position in the market and what the overall category looks like.”


KEYWORDS: consumer trends flavor trends hard cider

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Sabetta lauren

Lauren Sabetta, managing editor for Beverage Industry, writes for the magazine’s print and online components. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism from Appalachian State University.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • top 100 beverage companies

    Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

    For the global beverage market, mergers and acquisitions...
    Wine & Spirits
  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Alternative Drinks
    By: Lauren Sabetta
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Celsius Fizz Free

CELSIUS launches new Fizz-Free flavors

PepsiCo.jpg

PepsiCo advances AI agenda

Narragansett Beer 1975 cans

Narragansett Beer celebrates 50 years of ‘Jaws’

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

July 15, 2025

Understanding the Best Material Type for Your Conveyor Systems

Leveraging decades of beverage production expertise, join Regal Rexnord’s Jeremy Fryman, Beverage Industry Marketing Manager and Tom Eure, Senior Account Executive as they dive into the landscape of plastic conveyor belt materials on the market and how to select the proper material type by application.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • 2019 Beer Market Report - Hard Ciders - Angry Orchards Rose - Beverage Industry

    2019 Beer Report: Hard ciders benefits from diverse flavor profiles

    See More
  • John Peter Koss

    How to maximize a warehouse's core assets

    See More
  • Wirtz Beverage Group logo

    How to maximize your holiday merchandising

    See More
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing