According to Datassential, Strawberry is a well-liked flavor, with 98% of people knowing it, 87% liking or loving it, and 95% having tried it. From 2021 to 2022, strawberry-flavored menu items grew 6%. Mintel’s data showed strawberry flavor is currently used in 23.8% of dairy products, 17% of sugar and gum confectionery, 14.6% of baked goods, 14.5% of desserts and ice creams, and 8.4% of chocolate confectionery. Social conversations about Strawberries have increased by 23.65% over the past year, according to Tastewise. Strawberry is a classic flavor having a renaissance. From beverages to candy to ice cream, strawberries are the “it” ingredient for spring. It’s so popular that strawberry is simultaneously appearing in fine fragrances.
SIPPING ON STRAWBERRIES
Strawberry is a prevalent flavor appearing in non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. From soda and coffee to RTD alcohol, strawberry beverage flavors are taking off with several new launches. Sprite Tropical Mix, (lemon-lime with strawberry and pineapple) was relaunched nationwide. Sprite Chill Strawberry Kiwi is a new flavor available exclusively at Walmart. In the UK, Pepsi launched zero-sugar Strawberries ‘N’ Cream Soda. Strawberry Passionfruit is the newest flavor to join Celsius Sparkling portfolio. In Japan, Red Bull dropped the Strawberry Spring Edition. To compete in the gut health soda category, Coca-Cola launched the Simply Pop prebiotic soda and Strawberry is one of the five flavors available. Spindrift has expanded its range with Spindrift Soda, a better-for-you no-added-sugar, natural-ingredient soda. Strawberry Shortcake is one of the five flavors to launch. In partnership with Dyla Brands, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. introduced Ocean Spray powdered drink mixes, and White Cran x Strawberry is one variety. Ocean Spray also released its first-ever limited-edition “dessert juice” – Strawberry Shortcake “with notes of ripe strawberry jam, graham crackers, and whipped cream,” available exclusively at Walmart.
STIIIZY Seltzers is a new line of hemp-infused canned beverages and Strawberry Kiwi is one of four flavors. Cutwater released a new limited-edition Strawberry White Russian RTD made with Cutwater Vodka coffee cream liqueur, and a sweet strawberry flavor. UK-based Continental Wine & Food launched Lacey’s Vodkashake, a plant-based cream liqueur. Available in Banana and Strawberry flavors, the beverages are gluten-free and formulated with vodka, natural fruit flavors, and a dairy-free base. La Colombe dropped a limited-edition Draft Strawberry Mocha Latte in a can. International Delight and Netflix partnered on the limited-edition line of creamers and coffee inspired by the reality series Love Is Blind. The Chocolate Covered Strawberry creamer combines chocolate with strawberry notes. Kate Farms added a new organic, natural strawberry flavor to its Pediatric Peptide 1.0 range. Sprite & Strawberry joined Denny’s Slammin’ Soda lineup for its spring menu. Sonic released a limited Strawberry Mangonada Slush and a Strawberry Shortcake Snowball Slush Float.
SWEET ON STRAWBERRIES
Strawberry flavors are appearing in confections and baked goods as well as cereal. M&M’s latest flavor is Strawberries & Crème. To honor its 130th anniversary, Goetze’s Candy Company launched two special-edition Cow Tales packs, Bake Shoppe and Sweet Shoppe. The Sweet Shoppe includes Caramel Apple and Strawberry Smoothie Cow Tales. Issei Mochi Gummies launched its Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mochi Gummy and offers Strawberry Mochi Gummies, both available at Whole Foods Markets and online. In the UK, Tic Tac added Tic Tac Two to its portfolio. The dual flavor combinations are housed in a double-sided package and include Fresh & Mild Spearmint, Raspberry & Lemon, and Strawberry & Lime varieties.
For Valentine’s Day Voodoo Doughnut released a Strawberry Fluff Conversation Heart filled with marshmallow fluff, dipped in strawberry frosting, and topped with a love note. Betty Crocker and Netflix collaborated on a Bridgerton baking kits launch. The Petite Sponge Cake Kit consists of layers of strawberry jam and whipped cream, while the Petite Strawberry Scone Kit features a layer of strawberry jam nestled between each scone. Pepperidge Farm launched its first-ever Milano White Chocolate Cookies in three flavors: Coconut, Lemon, and Strawberry. Strawberry joined Mondelez International’s Teddy Grahams collection. Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie is a new flavor Crumbl is testing. General Mills introduced Strawberry Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Strawberry Vanilla Chex, Cheerios Protein Strawberry, and LOADED Chocolate Strawberry, while Post launched limited-edition Strawberries & Cream Pebbles.
A SCOOP OF STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM
Like confections and baked goods, strawberry ice cream is on trend. For Valentine’s Day Ben & Jerry’s debuted a limited-edition Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream made with strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam, and chocolate fudge. Unilever debuted several new ice creams in 2025 and strawberry is a popular flavor. For example, new ice cream bars include Carb Smart Strawberry and Good Humor Coconut and Strawberry varieties. Klondike Cones Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake and Vanilla Chillin’ pack offers two flavor profiles. The Strawberry Shortcake features a vanilla dessert with strawberry sauce topped with cake crunchies and a crispy wafer shell and chocolate tip. Breyers x Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Tub combines strawberry swirled with vanilla and signature Good Humor cake crumbles. Blue Bell introduced Strawberry Toaster Pastry Ice Cream featuring vanilla ice cream with strawberry pastry pieces, confetti sprinkles, swirls of strawberry sauce, and white icing. Häagen-Dazs released a Belgian Waffle Cone line in four flavors. The Summer Berry Belgian Waffle Cone variant contains strawberry ice cream topped with sweet white and milk chocolate curls, and raspberry sauce. The brand also released New York Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Bars with cheesecake ice cream swirled with strawberry sauce, covered in white chocolate with crunchy graham cracker crust pieces. Halo Top unveiled a new Mix-In Ice Cream line in eight varieties. The Strawberry Cheesecake highlights cheesecake ice cream with real strawberry pieces and crumbly graham cracker pie crust swirls. Marketed to children, Dreyer’s added Frollies “frozen fruity lollies” to its portfolio, and Strawberry is one of three flavors. Frozen blend-it-yourself beverage brand, f’real, introduced a Strawberry Watermelon Energy Freeze flavor.
SPRITZING STRAWBERRIES
Strawberry inspiration is not just for flavors. It’s spilling into fine fragrances. In 2024, Phlur added Strawberry Letter to its portfolio. The scent features strawberry, plum cassis, apple blossom, red poppy, lily, sugar, amber, and tonka bean. There are several new 2025 launches highlighting strawberry. Miami Shake by Juliette Has A Gun is a new Floral Fruity Gourmand inspired by a milkshake with “wild strawberries resting on a bed of silky, musky whipped cream and vanilla.” CLEAN CLASSIC Strawberry Fields is “dewy and delicious with a burst of juicy wild strawberries, balanced by the crisp, airy freshness of a linen accord.” Santa Barbara Strawberry by Nest is available in Perfume Oil and Body Mist and contains “notes of luscious strawberry and dewy pink peony warmed by solar woods.” A Creed boutique exclusive, Fragaria, is inspired by a sun-kissed strawberry field. It combines bergamot and mandarin with pink pepper, featuring a strawberry heart and a base of vetiver and cedarwood.
Strawberry is a classic flavor and an “it” spring ingredient across multiple segments including non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, baked goods, confections, and ice cream. It is concurrently spilling into fine fragrance. Expect new strawberry flavors and combinations like Strawberry Cheesecake and Strawberry Shortcake in upcoming food and beverage launches and even fragrances. National Strawberry Day just passed and is observed annually on February 27. Mark your calendars – May is National Strawberry Month.
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