Initial Formulation Brief
We start by understanding your vision. This includes your target customer, desired flavor, and functional goals like added protein, caffeine, or vitamins. We also review your calorie targets and any organic, kosher, or gluten-free requirements before sourcing begins. Let us know, and we’ll execute.
Ingredient Sourcing
Our team of food scientists and chemists will source ingredients from respected ingredient vendors across the U.S, keeping in mind your formula guardrails. We’ll make recommendations on trending ingredients and which flavor profiles appeal to your target consumers. Whether its Organic, Kosher, Gluten-Free, or Non-GMO, we can source it!
Taste & Flavor Refinement
Now that the ingredients are sourced, Our lab develops your first formulation based on your brief. You’ll receive up to three rounds of testing. In each round, we refine taste, texture, and stability based on your feedback. Once you approve the final recipe, it’s ready to move into production.
Next step:
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is beverage formulation?
Beverage formulation is the process of developing a custom beverage recipe that meets your desired flavor, functionality, nutritional profile, and manufacturing requirements. At Drink Labs, our beverage scientists create formulations optimized for taste, consistency, shelf stability, and commercial production.
Can you create a completely custom beverage formula?
Yes. Every formula we develop is created from scratch based on your vision, target audience, flavor preferences, nutritional goals, and brand positioning. We never use one-size-fits-all recipes, ensuring your beverage is unique to your business.
Do I need to know the exact flavor I want before starting?
No. You don’t need to have the exact flavor figured out before starting. Even if you only have a general direction—such as “tropical,” “citrus-forward,” or “berry blend”—our formulation team will develop and refine flavor profiles through multiple formulation rounds until they align with your vision.
How do you develop the flavor profile of my beverage?
We begin by understanding your desired taste, sweetness level, texture, functionality, and target audience. Our beverage scientists then create formulation samples and refine them through multiple iterations until the beverage achieves the ideal flavor, balance, and overall drinking experience. The formulation process includes up to three refinement rounds.
Can Drink Labs formulate a low-calorie or sugar-free beverage?
Yes. We can formulate beverages to meet your specific nutritional goals, including low-calorie, reduced-sugar, sugar-free, and zero-sugar formulations. Our team carefully selects ingredients and sweetening systems that deliver great taste while meeting your desired nutritional profile.
Can you formulate beverages with specialty ingredients?
Absolutely. We formulate beverages using Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, Gluten-Free, plant-based, clean-label, and functional ingredients. Our team sources high-quality ingredients from trusted suppliers across the United States to meet your product specifications and regulatory requirements.
Can my beverage be certified Organic, Kosher, or Non-GMO?
Yes. We can formulate your beverage using ingredients that meet Organic, Kosher, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and other certification requirements. Our team works with qualified ingredient suppliers to help ensure your formulation aligns with your desired certifications and market positioning.