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WaterJunkie, the UK-based functional beverage brand, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new range of mushroom-infused sparkling drinks. The move represents a strategic effort to bring adaptogenic ingredients to a mainstream audience by overcoming the primary consumer barrier in the category: taste.

Positioned at the intersection of hydration and wellness, the new line blends functional mushroom extracts with natural flavourings. The brand aims to shift the perception of mushroom-based beverages from niche "health tonics" to accessible, everyday refreshments suitable for the casual consumer.

Strategic Diversification Beyond CBD

This launch marks a significant pivot for WaterJunkie as it builds a diversified functional portfolio. Moving beyond its initial focus on CBD (cannabidiol), the company has identified functional mushrooms as a core pillar for future innovation.

This strategy aligns with broader UK market trends, including the rise of "sober-curious" behaviour and the increasing demand for low-sugar, alcohol-free alternatives that offer tangible functional benefits—such as balance, focus, and calm—without the medicinal taste profile often associated with adaptogens.

'Medicinal Credibility' Meets 'Beauty Design'

Queenie Porter, founder of WaterJunkie, emphasised that the product development process focused heavily on "clarity and confidence" to demystify the ingredient list for new consumers.

"At WaterJunkie, we believe functional ingredients should feel both trusted and accessible," Porter said. "Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries, but the category has become increasingly complex for consumers. Our approach was to bring clarity and confidence back to the space, combining the credibility of the medicinal world with the considered design cues of the beauty industry."

Porter added that the result is a range that is "purposeful, approachable, and quietly confident," designed to stand out on retail shelves through premium aesthetic cues rather than aggressive health claims.

Market Context

The functional beverage sector continues to drive growth within the wider UK soft drinks market. WaterJunkie’s expansion targets the "wellness-led" purchasing decisions that are reshaping retail planograms, focusing on scalable product development relevant across:

• Mainstream Retail

• Hospitality Venues

• Wellness-led Channels