Jessica Jacobsen

When people describe products from Neuro Drinks, Santa Monica, Calif., the company’s President Paul Nadel has heard everything from water to energy drink to functional beverage. But Nadel would describe Neuro another way: “We really are a full lifestyle brand,” he says.

After a few lean years in the on-premise channel, analysts are predicting that establishments can expect a rebound in sales for 2011. Among the segments in the channel, alcohol sales at restaurants and bars are forecasted to increase 1.9 percent, according to Technomic Inc., Chicago.

The spirits and wine categories seemed to have stabilized their sales numbers as the economy and consumers continue to recover from the recession.

Herbs and botanicals find niche in functional beverage formulations.

Convenience stores saw a sales growth of 2.6 percent in 2010, according to data from Euromonitor International, Chicago, which was a more robust increase than the grocery market overall during the same time period.

Low-calorie, natural, organic and low-sugar are most popular claims made by beverage manufacturers targeting the younger demographic.

New formulations expand the appeal of protein category.

Ingredient solutions provide options for new beverage formulas.

Addressing obesity through formulation, innovation. In early 2010, 28.7 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and older were obese, according to a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta. This is a slight increase from the 2009 estimate of 28 percent, states the September 2010 early release of estimates based on data from the January to March 2010 National Health Interview Survey report.

Demand for more flavor offerings drives juice category.