SupplySide Global 2026 brought the ingredient industry to Las Vegas from October 28–30, and beverage innovation was one of the show’s defining themes. In its post-show review, Food Ingredients First highlighted how ingredient suppliers are building functional benefits into formats consumers already enjoy, including frozen slushies, clear protein shakes, and alcohol-free mocktails.
Among the featured concepts was FutureCeuticals’ Beauty Hydration Slushie, which was developed and flavored by Imbibe. The tropical-flavored frozen drink paired electrolytes with 150 mg of Dermaval, FutureCeuticals’ skin health ingredient. It moves a beauty-from-within proposition out of capsules and gummies and into an indulgent, everyday format.
Color and flavor
The slushie’s vivid purple shade comes entirely from natural colors: a blend of gardenia blue and purple sweet potato developed by Imbibe. Imbibe also created the pineapple and passion fruit flavors that give the concept its tropical profile.
Why functional slushies matter
Functional slushies were one of the most visible concepts on the show floor, with several ingredient suppliers presenting frozen formats built around benefits ranging from gut health to cognitive support. The appeal is simple: consumers already enjoy slushies, so adding function to a familiar treat lowers the barrier to trial.
The challenge is execution. Functional ingredients need to be delivered at meaningful levels without compromising the flavor, texture, and sweetness consumers expect. Frozen formats add another layer of complexity, because cold serving temperatures can mute flavor and sweetness perception. A concept that tastes balanced at room temperature may fall flat once frozen.
Imbibe’s role
Imbibe partners with ingredient suppliers and beverage brands to turn functional ingredients into products people want to consume. Our work combines functional beverage formulation, flavor systems, taste modulation, and natural colors, so the benefit and the experience are designed together from the start.
Imbibe’s Chief Commercial Officer, Andy Dratt, also spoke at SupplySide Global on functional ingredients, continuing the conversation about how brands can deliver function without trading off taste.
Read the full article in Food Ingredients First
Developing a functional beverage concept? Contact Imbibe to explore how we can bring your next idea from ingredient to finished drink.
