Looking ahead to 2026 Food + Beverage Trends

✨ Looking ahead to 2026 food and beverage trends? Here's some great insights from Tastewise and a spotlight on the new 'it' drink - agave wine products and luxury mezcal brands like Perro Verde Mezcal.

There's so much to learn about the rich heritage and craftsmanship behind this industry. You don’t just drink what’s inside—you experience the whole mythology and tap into something we all need right now. Community, connection and identity!

🗺️ America’s culinary and beverage map is splintering as is the country’s consumption of everything else! Industry trend forecasters recently noted how food and beverage brands across the country are diving deep into local identities. Brands that link local history to their products are growing in popularity. This positioning makes people feel seen as it allows connection with others in the community.

🍷 Food and drink are part of identity and given the chaotic times that we’re living in consumers want to feel connected to places and products that offer them a quiet luxury experience and where they can indulge in more affordable social moments.

And some food and drink brands were specifically made for communities.

❤️ Forecasters are also seeing a cultural movement towards authenticity – authentic and traditional preparations, dishes, and ingredients. Brands that focus on being premium and that celebrate craftsmanship are taking up a bigger portion of the food and drink conversation.

📈 We love that agave wine products and brands like Perro Verde Mezcal are set to be the new ‘it’ drink of 2026! Mexican restaurants have seen a 115% growth that are offering these brands. They feel higher quality and more authentic compared to say the big tequila brands of recent years, which had a real cultural moment. Tequila is traditionally seen as mezcal’s big little sibling!

According to Perro Verde’s Founder Mariana Carvajal: “Perro Verde is about curation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity. It’s a tribute to the wild, enigmatic spirits from the Mexican mountains that give us this precious liquid. Above all, Perro Verde is an ode to wild beauty and the art of subtle details.”

🌎 Mezcal production is steeped in a rich cultural history and is seen as ‘the spirit of the pueblo’. We can never fully understand and appreciate Mezcal until we value the work involved not only in producing it, but also to protect it for future generations to enjoy. This appreciation for heritage is what consumers need in a time when many are tired of messaging around climate harm and that the choices they are making are having a negative impact.

🛒 The food and drink industry is one of high engagement – consumers are interested in learning about the heritage behind the brand and new recipes. These are logical moments for them to buy the very product that they’re learning about! Brands that have an authentic story to them like craftsmanship or heritage are ripe for growth.