In this article, you’ll learn:
- How the energy drink sector is evolving
- The benefits of working with private label energy drink manufacturers
- How these partnerships set you up for future success
In the drinks industry, consumer tastes are constantly evolving. While drinks like cold brew and matcha are more popular than ever, clean energy drinks are likely to make just as much of an impact in 2026 and beyond.
While energy drinks have traditionally been associated with high sugar levels, the growth of clean energy aligns with a broader wellness movement among young people. Market data already reflects this shift: functional and “better-for-you” energy drinks are among the fastest-growing subcategories within the broader energy drinks market, driven largely by younger consumers seeking cleaner labels and specific benefits such as focus or sustained energy. They want drinks that contain natural ingredients, offer functional benefits, and align with their healthy lifestyle. For this reason, working with private label energy drink manufacturers can help you launch trending drinks with ease.
To learn more about private label energy drink manufacturers, I spoke to Julio Hernandez Larenas. He is the CPG Marketing Director of The Better Peer, a marketing agency based in Florida, USA. Read on for his insight.
Why are private label energy drinks so popular with consumers?
Private label energy drinks, particularly those focusing on functional benefits, are popular because they appeal to consumers looking for “cleaner” sources of energy. Now, the leading drinks combine natural ingredients and reduced sugar with purposeful functionality.
More than ever before, recognition alone is no longer the primary driver of purchasing decisions. Instead, young consumers prioritise health, ingredient transparency, and value for money. This shift significantly lowers the barrier for private label energy drinks, as consumers are increasingly willing to choose products based on benefits rather than legacy branding.
“I think it comes down to a shift in how people, especially Gen Z, see value today,” Julio tells me. “Gen Z was saying, ‘I just want something that fits my lifestyle, my budget, and my taste.’”
This is where drinks brands can benefit from private label manufacturing. By working with a third-party manufacturer that has already devised proven energy drink formulations, you can launch products much faster.
“Private label came in with really solid formulas, good taste, and strong functionality,” he says. “Consumers realised they can get almost the same experience as a big brand at a much better price.”
Crucially, this shift is not only about price or ingredients, but also about trust and transparency. Younger consumers tend to have less emotional attachment to established brands and are more open to alternatives that clearly communicate their benefits. For drinks businesses, this creates an opportunity to compete on clarity, formulation, and relevance rather than brand legacy alone.
For brands looking to launch their own clean energy drinks, this means there’s more opportunity than ever to penetrate the market. Provided you can offer drinks that meet the wellness demands your consumers have, there’s plenty of room to position yourself as a leader of this developing sector.
Speed is as much a factor as trust in this context. The clean energy drinks market is growing quickly, currently at a rate of over 6% a year. If you aren’t agile in getting to market, you may miss out on sales opportunities and trends. This is why working with private label energy drink manufacturers can be so beneficial.
Why is working with private label energy drink manufacturers an efficient and time-saving strategy?
Bringing a clean energy drink to market typically requires long lead times, multiple formulation cycles, and significant investment in manufacturing equipment. For many businesses, this barrier is too high, which is what makes working with private label energy drink manufacturers so convenient.
“In big beverage companies, launching something new can feel like running a marathon,” Julio explains. “You go through long R&D cycles, endless validations, compliance steps, and multiple production trials. It’s a long and expensive journey.”
By contrast, private label energy drink manufacturers like Hardtank offer pre-prepared formulations, significantly reducing your time to market. You can choose a formulation that suits your target audience and functional goals to speed up the process. Compared to developing an energy drink in-house, this approach significantly reduces financial risk while allowing brands to test market demand before committing to large-scale investment.
“With private label manufacturers, a lot of that heavy lifting is already done,” Julio says. “They have proven formulas, stable supply chains, and lines optimised for energy drinks. You don’t start at zero, you start much closer to the finish line.”
This streamlined process gives businesses the time required to address the consumer-facing aspects of a product launch – namely, packaging design, storytelling, and promotion. “You can focus on the parts that actually move the needle: positioning, pricing, branding, and getting the product on the shelf quickly,” he adds. “And honestly, it frees you from the layers of corporate processes.”
For drinks brands, fitness companies, or retailers looking to expand into the functional energy space, the speed and efficiency of private label manufacturing is a clear advantage. This doesn’t mean you have to settle for a third-party formulation, however.
Manufacturers like Hardtank also offer custom formulation with up to three rounds of feedback. This ensures your private label energy drinks taste and perform exactly as you expect. Importantly, brands retain full ownership of custom formulations, allowing them to scale production, adjust volumes, or expand into new markets without dependency on proprietary recipes.
How private label energy drink manufacturers can future-proof your business
Beyond short-term speed and cost savings, private label energy drink manufacturing plays a strategic role in helping brands remain agile as consumer expectations continue to evolve. Looking to next year and beyond, clean energy drinks are set to become even more popular. In particular, the specific functional claims of your drinks will likely develop further. Therefore, pairing with private label energy drink manufacturers can be a long-term partnership for future sales growth and market agility.
“I think we’re going to see the category move toward much more purpose-driven energy,” Julio says. “People don’t want ‘energy for the sake of energy’ anymore. They want energy with intention: for focus, for workouts, for gaming, and for long days at work.”
As such, the drinks that target specific functional benefits – such as an energy boost without the “crash” associated with caffeine – are best positioned to dominate. “From what I’ve seen across categories, consumers – and especially the young ones – want cleaner labels, clearer benefits, and drinks that fit very specific moments,” he says.
However, the investment required to set up proprietary formulation, production, and canning facilities may put some companies off. That’s why private labelling will go hand-in-hand with the growth of clean energy beverages.
“Private label will step up even more because retailers can build entire ecosystems,” he explains. “Think energy drinks tied to fitness sections, wellness programmes, or gaming aisles. Consumers are demanding it, and brands that get ahead will gain trust.”
Evidently, the need for private label energy drink manufacturers is higher than ever. At Hardtank, we’re already equipped to help companies navigate this shift. From full formulation to packaging compliance and canning, we can set you up for present and future market requirements.
Private label energy drink manufacturers: Key takeaways
- Clean energy drinks are a major growth opportunity in 2026, as demand shifts towards functional energy.
- Private label energy drink manufacturers lower the barrier to entry, bypassing upfront investment in R&D and production for businesses.
- They also help you launch functional energy drinks quickly, which is crucial as the landscape changes.
Ready to invest in private label energy drinks for your company? Learn more about our process here or schedule a free call with the Hardtank team to get started.
Private label energy drink manufacturers: FAQ
Is private label energy drink manufacturing cost-effective?
Yes, because you can avoid R&D, equipment, and production costs by leaving it to your manufacturing partner. This means you have more budget for tasks like marketing.
How long does it take to launch a private label energy drink?
Timelines will vary based on the formulation and production quantity. However, Hardtank aims for a lead time of four to six weeks.
Who should consider private label energy drinks?
Businesses from retailers to fitness brands can expand into functional energy drinks to expand their consumer touchpoints.
Want to learn more about private label energy drink manufacturers?
- Learn more: Explore our full private label process.
- Browse our products: Discover the private label drinks we offer.
- Book a session with an RTD expert: Contact the team here.
