UK functional beverage brand WaterJunkie has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new range of mushroom-infused sparkling drinks, targeting growing consumer demand for functional ingredients in accessible, everyday formats.

Positioned at the intersection of hydration and wellness, the new range blends functional mushroom extracts with natural flavourings, aiming to overcome one of the category’s key barriers: taste.

By focusing on palatable, clean flavour profiles, WaterJunkie is seeking to broaden the appeal of mushroom-based drinks beyond early adopters and niche wellness consumers.

Developed in response to rising interest in adaptogenic and functional ingredients linked to balance, focus and calm, the drinks are designed for regular, everyday consumption, rather than occasional or specialist use. The brand says the products integrate seamlessly into daily routines, aligning with evolving consumer expectations around health, convenience and functionality.

The launch reflects wider trends shaping the UK drinks market, including the rise of sober-curious behaviour, wellness-led purchasing decisions, and increasing demand for low-sugar, alcohol-free alternatives that fit modern lifestyles.

The mushroom range also marks a strategic shift for WaterJunkie as it builds a diversified functional portfolio beyond CBD, with functional mushrooms forming a core pillar of future innovation. The company continues to focus on scalable product development and relevance across retail, hospitality and wellness-led channels, as it expands distribution and trade partnerships.

“At Water Junkie, we believe functional ingredients should feel both trusted and accessible. Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries, but the category has become increasingly complex for consumers," Queenie Porter, founder of WaterJunkie, said.

"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. The result is a functional mushroom range that is purposeful, approachable and quietly confident, both in what it delivers and how it appears on shelf," Porter continued.

With this launch, WaterJunkie strengthens its positioning as a next-generation functional beverage brand, responding to consumer demand for wellness-led, flavour-first innovation in the fast-evolving UK drinks sector.