Flavor Extracts For Beverages
Flavor extracts can help bring a variety of flavors to drinks without having to store and prepare multiple pump-bottle syrups. Add vanilla to a cocktail or experiment with combining orange and coconut extract for a tropical burst of flavor in a sparkling water.
Taste remains the most important element for consumers when deciding to try a new beverage. Extracts heighten and balance ingredients while contributing less variability than juices or concentrates.
Tea
Teas are great on their own, but they’re even better when flavored. This can be done through many methods, from adding inclusions (like bits of fruit, flowers or chocolate), using flavoring oils or extracts.
Flavoring with a flavor extract is very easy and quick to do. The best option is to get an extract that’s specifically formulated for tea and coffee. These will be water soluble, which makes them ideal for steeping.
If you want to make something a bit more involved, try making a blended tea. This involves mixing a base tea with something else like dried flowers or herbs. A popular example would be chai tea, which is made with black and green tea mixed with spices.
You can use any kind of extract you want – vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, etc. flavor extracts for beverages Adding a drop or two of these extracts can add a big flavor kick to your drink.
You can also create your own flavored syrups or simple sugar syrup*. This will help with the sweetening of your teas and is a convenient alternative to putting in large amounts of sugar or artificial flavors (which contain chemical manipulations and are linked to health issues like migraines). For this I recommend using maple syrup, caramel sauce, agave syrup or simply adding some honey. The syrups will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.
Juice
While juices remain a valuable tool in beverage formulators’ arsenal, extracts provide more flexibility to create unique drink experiences. They can be adapted to different heat processing tolerances, flavor intensity and labeling needs. They also offer a wider range of options to meet customer demands like clean labels, health-boosting ingredients and more.
Extracts are a concentrated form of flavor derived from a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices. The flavor is extracted from the source material and dissolved in alcohol, water or carbon dioxide (CO2). There are several types of extracts: natural flavors, essential oils and artificial flavors. Natural extracts are a popular choice for beverage use because they are made from natural ingredients, and they offer a high level of flavor without the need for preservatives.
When using extracts to add flavor to drinks, it is important to consider the dilution ratio. An extract that is too strong will overpower the drink. It is also important to add the extract early in the preparation process so that the flavor can blend properly with the other ingredients. It is also a good idea to experiment with different flavor combinations, such as combining a citrus extract with a coffee extract. These combinations can create unique and delicious beverages. You can also find many recipes online that use extracts to make different types of drinks.
Coffee
Whether in bean or liquid form, coffee is a delicious addition to any drink. Adding extracts can help to create new drinks that are unique and appealing. Either add them directly to the grounds before brewing or put a few drops in the finished beverage for a rich flavor. Try pairing vanilla and orange for a creamsicle-like beverage or chocolate and hazelnut for Nutella style coffee. Ginger, nutmeg and clove also pair nicely with coffee.
Flavoring drinks with extracts helps to avoid overpowering the original beverage. They can also be less expensive and shelf-stable than whole ingredients like fruit or juice concentrate. Most natural extracts are clear*, whereas many juice concentrates have a cloudy appearance. Additionally, most of the terpenes, waxes and off-notes found in whole ingredients are removed through the extraction process. This can help beverage formulators achieve better stability in their finished products even as they age during storage or transport.
Although it takes a little more time to make at home, making your own extracts can be an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy the powerful flavor of coffee. Remember to shake the bottle regularly and have a little patience, as it can take up to a week for your coffee to turn into a true extract. Once you do, you can use it in all sorts of beverages, desserts and savory dishes.
Alcohol
For alcoholic beverages, extracts are an easy way to add flavor flavor extracts for beverages without adding too much alcohol. This allows consumers to flex their creative muscles, a key driver for beverage innovation.
Flavor extracts can be made using a variety of ingredients and the resulting flavor can be used in a wide range of drinks. The process of making an extract involves a combination of water and the desired ingredient, mixed together with a solvent that helps the flavors dissolve and stay stable. Traditionally, alcohol is used as the solvent but it can also be a mixture of water and vegetable glycerin.
Vodka is the most common alcohol used to make extracts because it has a neutral flavor but other spirits can be used as well. For example, a ginger extract can be made using rum or bourbon. Some people choose to substitute the vodka with vegetable glycerin but this will not work as effectively because many of the components in the plant material are water soluble and will not be extracted.
As consumers become more health and label-conscious, natural extracts will continue to serve as an important tool for beverage formulators. Whether used to heighten or balance a beverage’s flavor, extracts can help to deliver more consistency than juices or concentrates. Additionally, extracts can provide specific functional benefits like energy, focus, or immunity that can align with consumer demands and desires for healthier products.
