It’s no secret that consumer demand for novel and unique drinks is at an all-time high – and “clean” energy drinks have been a significant part of this growth. Young consumers from Gen Z, in particular, are focused on measurable health and wellness benefits from these energy drinks. Using natural energy sources such as green tea, unroasted coffee beans, and yerba mate, they are often marketed as improving focus, calmness, and cognitive function. But for businesses, producing these is easier said than done.
This is why some brands are sourcing private label energy drinks. They allow businesses to diversify their offerings and appeal to a broader audience, without the need for overhead investment. This creates new opportunities for drinks companies to tap into these markets – but there are several considerations to bear in mind before buying private label energy drinks.
To learn more, I spoke to James Cox. He is the Sales Director at Virtue Drinks, a brand of clean energy RTD beverages. Read on for his insight into the growth of RTD energy drinks and the benefits of offering them.
What are clean private label energy drinks?
For businesses that want to diversify their product range without investing in extensive production facilities, private label energy drinks are a fantastic solution.
As consumer lifestyles have changed, the market for energy-boosting drinks has grown significantly. The global energy drinks market was valued at approximately $107 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.5% over the next eight years. But while this growth can be attributed to a rise in disposable income, there is an ever-increasing demand for natural, organic energy sources.
“Clean energy is the highest percentage growth subcategory within energy drinks,” says James. “Based on the number of new entrants to the category and following the US market, clean energy will continue to grow in popularity.”
For these reasons, clean label energy drinks have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional market leaders like Red Bull and Monster. Clean label energy drinks are defined as products made exclusively from natural, plant-based ingredients. These can include yerba mate (a plant native to South America), green tea extract, and unroasted (green) coffee.
Clean label energy drink ingredients can contain a wide range of compounds, including L-theanine (an amino acid that may increase focus more than caffeine alone), beta glucans, adaptogens, nootropics, and vitamins C, B3, and B12. These are all associated with a range of health and wellness claims.
Why private label energy drinks make sense for growing brands
The main benefit of sourcing energy drinks from private label manufacturers instead of making them in-house is that it’s cheaper. There’s no need to invest in the equipment required for formulating, manufacturing, and shipping the products.
Instead, you can harness the pre-existing expertise and resources provided by your private label manufacturer, outsourcing the work to reduce setup costs and increase margins. “The manufacturer is able to produce the product you require and meet the demands you desire,” James adds.
Similarly, the variety of energy drinks and formulations available from private label manufacturers makes them easy to tailor to your specific needs and target audience. For example, grapefruit, blood orange, and yuzu are all popular flavours with younger demographics.
At Hardtank, we produce private label RTD coffee and tea across a range of SKUs, including functional beverages. We offer full customisation for cans, which means you can seamlessly integrate new products with your existing line. That helps customers to instantly recognise new flavours, as well as appealing to a new market.
“RTD energy drinks are still the predominant leader of sales against own label,” James adds. “Many consumers are more brand loyal as opposed to price dependent.”
Producing private label energy drinks also shows that your business is listening to consumer demands and market trends. Between 2023 and 2024, clean label products saw the biggest increase in consumption across the energy drinks sector. In addition to this, in the United Kingdom alone, 31% of adults regularly consume energy drinks. This means that adding them to your product range could vastly increase your potential sales.
What to know before buying private label energy drinks
Before you reach out to a manufacturer and buy private label energy drinks, you should determine which flavours and ingredients you are interested in.
This means considering your target demographic carefully. For most brands, it will be important to strike a balance between new products and existing ones. For example, Red Bull’s Iced Vanilla Berry flavour tastes extremely different to the original – but similarities in branding and energy-boosting claims help it bridge this gap with consumers.
Deciding on the ingredients you use is equally important. In the US, 58% of consumers pay attention to the ingredients listed on food and drink labels. This allows you to convey the “clean energy” benefits your beverages provide.
One common choice is green tea extract, which contains antioxidants that may improve cognitive function, boost energy, and lower the risk of some cancers. Other options, such as yerba mate, green coffee, and lion’s mane, all make similar claims. Therefore, you need to determine which ingredient to use before you can elaborate on its benefits in your branding.
However, it is equally important to work alongside a private label RTD manufacturer for your clean label energy drinks. Manufacturers such as Hardtank offer an extensive process with three rounds of client feedback to adjust and rework the custom formulation of your drinks. This includes a discussion of the ingredients to include and the aims of the drink, which can then be included clearly on product labels.
Similarly, Hardtank’s RTD services allow clients to retain the rights to their custom formulation, including for private label energy drinks. This means you can replicate it however you like in the future.
Therefore, there is plenty to consider when buying private label energy drinks for your company – but also significant potential for growth and sales. As the energy drinks sector grows at an annual rate of 8%, working with private label manufacturers like Hardtank can diversify your business and resonate with a new range of consumers.
Want to launch a clean-label energy drink without heavy upfront costs? Partner with Hardtank to create custom, on-brand RTD beverages that align with 2025’s top wellness trends.
Request a quote or schedule a consultation here.
FAQ
What are private label energy drinks?
Private label energy drinks are pre-formulated beverages produced by a manufacturer but branded and sold under your company’s name. They allow you to create a custom product line without having to invest in in-house production, formulation, or packaging infrastructure.
What is a “clean” energy drink?
Clean energy drinks use natural, plant-based ingredients such as green tea extract, yerba mate, or unroasted coffee beans. They avoid artificial sweeteners, synthetic caffeine, and preservatives — often including added nutrients like B vitamins, adaptogens, or nootropics for wellness support.
Why are private label energy drinks becoming so popular?
As consumers — especially Gen Z — prioritize health and transparency, demand for clean-label, functional beverages is rising. Private label energy drinks offer brands a fast and affordable way to meet this demand with personalized, wellness-oriented products.
What ingredients can I include in a private label energy drink?
Popular choices include:
- L-theanine (calm focus)
- Yerba mate (natural stimulant)
- Green coffee or green tea extract
- Adaptogens like lion’s mane or ashwagandha
- Vitamins C, B3, and B12
- Formulations can be tailored to your desired benefit (e.g., focus, immunity, recovery)
What are the benefits of working with a private label manufacturer?
You save time and money by outsourcing formulation, production, and packaging. You also gain access to expert R&D support, customizable flavours, and scalable production without the need for your own facility.
Can I still control my branding and formulation?
Yes! With manufacturers like Hardtank, you can provide feedback across multiple rounds of sampling, maintain ownership of your custom recipe, and ensure the drink reflects your brand’s look, tone, and health message.
How long does it take to launch a private label energy drink?
Timelines vary, but with an experienced partner, the process from concept to shelf-ready product typically takes a few weeks to a few months — depending on complexity, packaging design, and regulatory steps.
