Energy beverages had a rough year in 2012. The trouble started that April, when Illinois Senator Richard Durbin petitioned FDA to "take regulatory action and to address the rising health concerns around energy drinks."

The past year has brought good news to some nondairy beverage segments. For example, the cappuccino/iced coffee subcategory saw a 12.1% rise in dollar sales, reaching more than $2 billion, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm Information Resources Inc. (IRI) for the 52 weeks ending Aug. 13, 2017. Unit sales increased by 11.8% to 686.6 million.

Coffeehouses are satisfying the Millennial generation’s need for new taste experiences. Look to your neighborhood barista for ideas and then translate them into RTD beverages.

Coffee and tea are the original functional beverages. They’re packed with antioxidants and other functional ingredients that serve to stimulate, relax or purify. Dairies formulate their own nondairy beverages and combine tea and coffee into dairy-based products.