BevNET's Best of 2025 Awards
Even in a world bombarded with more distractions than ever before, there’s still nothing that captures the public’s imagination like a good beverage.
2025 was littered with proof of that theory: amid all the things people can do on TikTok, it’s telling that so many are using it to share videos of them mixing up sodas to create super-sweet ‘dirty’ treats. Or what about the beloved chicken sandwich maker that suddenly wants to be your Starbucks alternative? Or the U.S. President negotiating changes to Coca-Cola’s precious recipe? The world had beverages on the brain in 2025, so it’s only right that we honor those who have captured the biggest slices of our collective mindshare.
This year saw major strategics flex their muscle with multi-billion dollar deals that fueled consolidation, creating bigger and more powerful platforms with which to drive categories further. Amidst that, nimble and creative entrepreneurs found pockets to innovate in high-ceiling, on-trend spaces like yerba mate and coconut water, proving that those billions, while useful, aren’t required to make an impact. This year reflected how simple but powerful ideas – female-focused energy drinks, THC beverages made with craft and quality, reimagined non-alcoholic experiences – can be carefully nurtured into zeitgeist-moving commercial forces, even at a time of global economic uncertainty and strained consumer confidence.
This year’s Best of Award winners exemplify the determination, ingenuity and love for beverages that inspires our industry, as we honor a group boldly moving into the future and illuminating the way for others to follow in their footsteps.
Brand of the Year
Reserved for companies whose work throughout the year has created lasting, substantial, positive change through innovation and high quality.
Alani Nu
Person of the Year
Reserved for individuals whose work throughout the year has created lasting, substantial, positive change through innovation and high quality.
Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder, Poppi
Rising Stars
Companies whose work has great potential to shift or open categories, create new ideas about products or brands, and have shown growth that indicates they will have an enduring presence in the industry.
Best Marketing
Awarded to the company that broke through the noise with its marketing campaign which grabbed the attention of both consumers and industry peers
Best Packaging Design
The brand or product with innovative package design that stands out amongst the rest on shelf, which can include either a new product on the market or a brand that has undergone a major packaging refresh.
Best New Products
Lines or SKUs that have been introduced in the previous year that have at least one outstanding quality in terms of taste, design, cause, formulation, or that generate interest over their disruptive potential.
