Developing a new beverage starts by defining the product, its intended customer and the experience it should deliver. LipoStrong takes an initial idea and flavour direction through physical samples to a final formulation and preparation for production. Based in Bulgaria, we provide independent beverage development services for brands in Bulgaria and across Europe.
Who this service is for
This service suits a company creating its first own-brand beverage, an established brand considering a new category, or a team that has a concept but no finished formulation. You can approach us with a detailed specification, a reference product, a desired taste or simply a clear view of the audience and occasion. You do not need to arrive with ingredient quantities or a manufacturing method already decided.
The first discussion establishes what the drink needs to be. We consider the beverage type, flavour profile, preferred and excluded ingredients, likely packaging and target production cost. Our work spans fermented beverages such as kombucha, iced tea, lemonades, sparkling soft drinks and functional beverages. These categories call for different approaches to formulation and processing, so we define the variants, samples and technical checks after understanding the brief.
From concept to a sample you can taste
We turn the brief into a development direction and select ingredients for initial variants. Formulation involves more than putting components together: sweetness, acidity, aroma, mouthfeel and the way ingredients behave together all shape the result. We then prepare physical product samples. Tasting gives you a practical basis for deciding what works and what needs to change.
Your feedback guides the next round of work. A change might involve a small flavour adjustment, a different raw material, dosage or processing sequence. We refine the chosen direction, then document the final formulation and identify the next technical checks. Timing varies with complexity, ingredient availability and the number of variants. An estimated timeline follows the initial brief.
What the development work delivers
For a full development project, you receive a product concept, physical samples for tasting and a final formulation specifying exact ingredient quantities and a defined working sequence. We document key process parameters and recommendations for raw materials and production. The precise documents and any additional testing are set for the beverage concerned; a laboratory sample provides a basis for a production trial, not proof of performance at manufacturing scale.
Moving from a small sample to manufacturing requires attention to equipment, batch size, processing conditions and packaging. A formulation may need adjustment and confirmation during production scale-up. The development work does not tie you to a particular manufacturer. Once the project is completed, you may organise production with a partner of your choice.
Ingredient and process choices can be guided by a target shelf life and stability profile. The final shelf life must be confirmed through appropriate testing of the finished beverage in its final packaging under defined storage conditions.
Questions we often hear
Can we begin with an idea rather than a formulation?
Yes. An outline of the intended drink, audience, flavour or reference product is enough to start a discussion. We first define what needs to be developed and what decisions are still open.
Will we receive samples?
Yes. Physical product samples allow you to taste the beverage and give specific feedback before finalisation. We define the number of variants in the brief.
Can a different company manufacture the finished drink?
Yes. LipoStrong provides beverage development services and does not require you to use a specific manufacturer. Production trials and final processing details should be confirmed with the partner you choose.
Tell us about your idea through the project inquiry form. If you already have a drink that needs a focused formulation change, see Beverage Formulation. For a concept involving selected functional ingredients, see Functional Beverage Development.