Your Guide to Beverage Formulation

At Siena, we’ve helped entrepreneurs, brands, and established companies turn their beverage ideas into reality—from early napkin sketches to polished commercial formulations. Whether you’re dreaming up a functional drink, an all-natural juice blend, a non-alcoholic alternative, or something completely new, getting the formulation right is a critical step that sets your product up for success.

Here’s what you need to know about the formulation process—and how working with a partner like Siena can help you avoid costly pitfalls and launch faster.

1️⃣ Start with Your Vision and Goals

Before any lab work begins, it’s important to clarify:

• What is your product concept? (Flavor profile, target customer, functional benefits, brand positioning.)
• What are your business goals? (Premium pricing? Mass market? Sustainable ingredients?)
• Where do you want to sell it? (Retail, food service, direct-to-consumer.)
• Are there any regulatory or label claims you want? (Organic, sugar-free, natural flavors, etc.)

At Siena, we start every formulation project by aligning with your goals so the R&D work supports your brand strategy.

2️⃣ Ingredient Selection and Sourcing

Ingredient selection isn’t just about taste. It also affects:

• Cost of goods sold (COGS)
• Nutrition panel
• Label claims and certifications
• Supply chain reliability
• Shelf life and stability

For example, choosing between fresh juice, concentrate, or flavor extracts isn’t a purely sensory decision. It also affects manufacturing feasibility and cost. We help you navigate these trade-offs and identify reliable suppliers.

3️⃣ Technical Formulation and Bench Trials

This is the “lab work” stage where we:

• Develop prototype recipes
• Test multiple variations
• Balance flavor, sweetness, acidity, and mouthfeel
• Ensure functional ingredients remain effective and stable

Good formulation is part science, part culinary art. It’s not enough to make something that tastes great in the lab—it also has to scale reliably in production. We design with that in mind from day one.

4️⃣ Stability and Shelf-Life Testing

Many beverages require stability testing to ensure they remain safe and appealing over time. That can include:

• Microbial stability (especially for low-acid or preservative-free products)
• Physical stability (avoiding separation, sedimentation, color changes)
• Chemical stability (avoiding flavor degradation or nutrient loss)

We advise on the right level of testing for your beverage type and market strategy, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises post-launch.

5️⃣ Regulatory and Label Guidance

Navigating regulations can be daunting. We help you understand:

• FDA labeling rules
• Nutritional claims
• Ingredient approvals
• Organic or non-GMO certifications
• International requirements (if exporting)

A well-formulated product also needs a compliant and appealing label.

6️⃣ Scaling for Production

Finally, your formulation has to work in a real manufacturing environment. That often requires:

• Identifying contract manufacturers (co-packers)
• Adapting lab-scale recipes to production equipment
• Adjusting for batch size, processing method (hot fill, pasteurization, aseptic, carbonation)

Our goal is to make sure you don’t just have a delicious prototype—but one that can be produced at scale without surprises.

How Siena Can Help

At Siena, we work with startups and established brands at every stage of beverage development. Our services include:

• Concept and strategy sessions
• Ingredient sourcing guidance
• Bench formulation and prototyping
• Stability and shelf-life testing support
• Regulatory review and label guidance
• Scale-up consulting and co-packer introductions

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we customize every project to your goals, resources, and timeline.

Ready to Talk?

If you have an idea for a beverage and want expert help bringing it to life, let’s connect. We’re passionate about helping founders and brands create drinks that taste great, meet their business goals, and stand out in the market.

Contact Us to schedule a free discovery call.

https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/97292-natural-sweetener-systems-crucial-to-beverage-formulations

https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/13503-flavor-and-function-in-beverage-formulations