Plant-based is no longer a nice-to-have but a standard expectation on every coffee menu, writes Tom Kerr, Head of Category Management and Commercial Planning – Plant Based, Danone UK & Ireland
Not long ago, plant-based drinks were viewed primarily as a dietary requirement. Fast forward to today, and they’re firmly embedded in modern coffee culture, sitting alongside dairy as consumers seek greater choice, flexibility and flavour in every cup.
The real shift is in how people choose. Rather than committing to one, consumers are moving between dairy and plant-based depending on the drink and the occasion, with around a third now shopping across both categories.
Cafés are at the centre of this shift. Out-of-home coffee has become a space to explore new formats and flavours, often inspiring what consumers go on to recreate at home. It’s here that Alpro is helping to shape a new, more dynamic role for plant-based – it’s no longer a nice-to-have but a standard expectation on every coffee menu.
Flavour moves to the forefront
As plant-based drinks have evolved, they’ve moved far beyond being simple alternatives. They now play a defining role in the flavour experience. While customisation has always been part of café culture, it is no longer limited to syrups. Increasingly, it’s about the choice of base.
That’s where plant-based stands out. Core options such as oat, soya, almond and coconut remain staples, offering familiarity and versatility while unlocking distinct flavour profiles. Our Alpro Coconut Barista, which brings flavour notes that complement both hot and iced drinks, is now the #1 coconut barista drink brand in the UK, with renewed interest linked to the growing popularity of matcha drinks.
Momentum is now building behind flavoured and limited-edition formats. Indulgent flavours like Alpro Barista Cinnamon Roll and Caramel sit alongside more everyday options like Alpro Barista Vanilla, offering something for every occasion. This is also playing out in ready-to-drink and ready-to-pour formats, with launches such as Alpro Matcha making it easier and quicker for cafés to prepare matcha drinks.
Experimentation out of home, inspiration at home
Coffee shops continue to lead the way in discovery, offering space for experimentation and inspiring shoppers to recreate more café-quality moments as part of everyday routines at home.
Alpro’s barista range is designed with this in mind – enabling both baristas and consumers to elevate the coffee cup without adding complexity.
Health, balance and the flexitarian mindset
Health has become the second biggest purchase driver, but not at the expense of taste or experience. Consumers are increasingly looking for their coffee to deliver on both – seeking balance rather than compromise.
This is closely linked to the rise of flexitarian lifestyles. Over half of UK households have bought plant-based alternatives in the past five years, with more than a third purchasing them regularly. Plant-based is no longer a niche choice; it’s part of everyday shopping, often complementing rather than replacing dairy. Younger consumers are leading this shift, with Gen Z driving demand for variety, personalisation and products that align with wider wellness and sustainability values.
This mindset underpins our approach to innovation. With more than 90% of our portfolio now non-HFSS, our range of drinks is fortified with essential nutrients, so they don’t just taste great, but are healthy too. Look no further than Alpro Matcha – our latest launch is an on-trend, ready-to-drink (RTD) option combining premium green tea matcha with a soya-coconut base, fortified with five essential nutrients. Across the portfolio, our focus is on creating products that meet individual preferences on taste, functionality and lifestyle.
Looking ahead
The future of coffee will be shaped by how well dairy and plant-based work together to meet evolving expectations.
From expanding flavour possibilities to refining performance in every pour, our focus is clear: enhancing the coffee experience, one cup and one moment at a time.
