As Pride Month takes center stage, leading CPG food and beverage brands have an opportunity to champion inclusivity and joy through bold, expressive flavor innovation. At Imbibe, we’re opting to feature Rainbow Cake and Rainbow Sherbet, as on-trend flavors that not only delight the senses but also celebrate the spirit of Pride with color, nostalgia, and broad consumer appeal.
Rainbow Cake: A Symbol of Celebration
Rainbow Cake, with its multi-hued layers and festive appeal, is gaining traction in both retail and food service. Lifeway Foods introduced a limited-edition Rainbow Cake kefir to honor Pride Month in early 2023, leveraging its visual impact and nostalgic associations to capture consumer attention. Baked goods also spotlight rainbow flavors throughout June, like Craig’s Cookies Pride Mix, reinforcing the connection between colorful treats and Pride celebrations. The flavor profile—typically a blend of vanilla, subtle fruit, and creamy frosting—translates well across categories, from frozen desserts to ready-to-drink and ready-to-mix beverages. The global demand for visually striking, Instagram-worthy products continues to drive growth in related segments like rainbow sprinkles, which are projected to reach $800 million by 2032, representing a CAGR of 5.5% (DataIntelo).
Market Activity:
Lifeway Kefir Rainbow Cake, Honey Mama’s Blonde Truffle Bars, Chips Ahoy Confetti Cake, TikTok Trend: Starbucks Rainbow Cake Drink
Rainbow Sherbet: Refreshing Nostalgia Meets Modern Innovation
Rainbow Sherbet is making a comeback, especially in beverage innovation. Global Google searches for ‘rainbow sherbet’ have increased more than 12% in the past year (Google Search Trends, 6/25). Last summer, SunnyD launched its Rainbow Sherbet drink—a nostalgic, frozen treat–inspired blend of raspberry, orange, and lime that delivers a refreshing twist on a classic flavor. This flavor taps into consumer desire for playful products and offers opportunities for differentiation in both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage portfolios. The trend towards frozen-treat-inspired flavors is particularly strong among Gen Z and millennial consumers, who seek both novelty and emotional resonance in their food and drink choices.
Market Activity:
Sunny D Rainbow Sherbet, Ashland Hard Seltzer Rainbow Sherbet, Gym Weed Rainbow Sherbet, Alani Nu Energy Sherbet Swirl
At Imbibe, we help brands accelerate innovation by translating on-trend flavors into high-performing, scalable solutions. Our flavor team can help you bring Rainbow Cake and Rainbow Sherbet to life for your next launch.
Looking for more inspiration? Revisit past Flavor Drops to stay ahead of the innovation curve or reach out to marketing@imbibeinc.com to sample these profiles and explore how we can help you create products that stand out.
