After getting a tease on Tuesday night, Pepsi unveiled its 2026 innovation pipeline at the NACS trade show in Chicago this week, showcasing both bold swings and subtle tweaks across a range of beverage categories including protein, soda, coffee, sports drinks and tea.
Protein Pivots
There was no surprise in seeing category titan Muscle Milk prominently featured at Pepsi’s sprawling NACS booth, but – even in bulking up its Pro line to a staggering 42 grams per 14 oz. bottle (along with a complementary 26 gram version) – it’s notably not necessarily aimed at the hardcore fitness demo.
Rather, the brand is taking a concerted effort to welcome female consumers back into the category with a complete reformulation now with ultra-filtered milk (like Coke’s Fairlife Core Power line), which contains both whey protein and casein. That audience, reps told us, are looking for more opportunities to integrate protein into their daily routines, and, in the case of some GLP-1 medication users, significantly boost their intake. And, as seen elsewhere from Pepsi, artificial ingredients have been cleaned up: the complete Muscle Milk family now has no fake flavors, sweeteners (just stevia and cane sugar) or added colors.
That theme also runs through new innovation from Starbucks, specifically the new Coffee & Protein drinks. The coffee giant has been a late comer to the protein trend on its store menus, but the new 12 oz. drinks underscore protein’s importance as a vehicle to expand the Starbucks banner into more and different occasions. Though Pepsi’s innovation record with the brand has been a bit spotty in recent years (see: Baya), Coffee & Protein – geared towards busy moms looking for “coffee that does more,” per booth reps – may enhance the better-for-you credentials of a brand best known at retail for its hyper-sweet and indulgent Frappuccinos.
Still want more protein? Don’t worry: Gatorade’s ever-evolving Propel water line is due to launch a powder stick next year with 22 grams of clear whey protein (and caffeine) in each.
Gatorade Finds Middle Ground
As we noted on Thursday, Pepsi’s new Prebiotic Cola splits the difference between the full and zero-sugar versions with a sprinkle (5 grams) of cane sugar. Could they do the same with Gatorade?
They’re certainly trying: Gatorade Lower Sugar is set to arrive early next year across all formats. As the name suggests, the new formula touts 75% less sugar (clocking in at 5 grams per serving) than the core Gatorade Thirst Quencher, but also eliminates artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners. The line is expected to appeal to moms who would rather ditch the artificial than a modest amount of cane sugar, another indication of shifting perceptions around what constitutes better-for-you CPG. Expect to find Gatorade Lower Sugar in Fruit Punch, Lemonade and Glacial Cherry flavors.
Tea Gets ‘Focus,’ Soda Goes Glass
Elsewhere at the booth, Pepsi showcased its flagship cola in a new 12 oz. glass bottle that features a full cane sugar formula. It’s a format that Gen Z consumers are increasingly asking for, reps told us, and will be extended to Mug Root Beer, MTN Dew Baja Blast and Manzanita Sol next year as well. No word if President Trump placed a call to make this one happen, as he claimed with Coca-Cola earlier this year.
The company is also expecting big things from another soda innovation – Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda. It’s been teased for a bit, but will roll out widely at retail in 2026.
Finally, Pepsi’s premium tea line Pure Leaf is getting a new sparkling Mental Focus line extension in 12 oz. slim cans. Set to arrive in March in Raspberry and Peach, each features L-theanine and is sweetened with Sucralose, clocking in at 90 calories each.