A functional beverage must work as a complete drink, not simply carry an ingredient. Plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and botanical extracts can influence flavour, colour, texture and processing behaviour. LipoStrong develops these drinks around the intended flavour, ingredient profile and manufacturing process. Based in Bulgaria, we provide independent beverage development services for brands in Bulgaria and across Europe.
Who this work is for
This service is suitable for a company planning a new drink with a specific ingredient direction or for a brand seeking to improve an existing product. You may know that you want a plant protein or electrolyte profile without having selected the raw material or dosage. You may already have a formulation whose flavour or physical behaviour needs improvement. Either way, the starting point is to define the beverage experience and the role the selected ingredients are expected to play.
The brief covers beverage type, intended audience, flavour direction, preferred ingredients, packaging and indicative production cost. It also distinguishes a formulation objective from a claim that might later be made about the product. The presence of an ingredient in a prototype does not establish a particular effect or make a product claim appropriate. Product declarations and applicable requirements need to be considered for the finished beverage and the markets where it will be sold.
Balancing ingredients with flavour
We select candidate raw materials and develop variants with defined quantities. Sweetness, acidity, aroma, aftertaste and mouthfeel all matter. A protein may affect texture, a mineral may leave a noticeable taste, and a botanical extract may alter both flavour and appearance. These effects should be assessed within the actual beverage formulation. An ingredient specification alone cannot show how the complete drink will perform.
We prepare physical samples so that you can taste and assess the result. Feedback guides changes to the flavour balance, dosage or processing approach. The brief determines which variants and technical checks are needed for the selected ingredients.
Deliverables and production planning
The development work produces a concept and physical samples for assessment. In a full formulation project, the final formulation specifies exact ingredient quantities and dosages, a defined working sequence, key process parameters and recommendations on raw materials and manufacturing. Additional documents and testing are determined for the beverage. The prototype provides a basis for a production trial; it has not yet been validated at manufacturing scale.
Production scale-up should assess the chosen equipment, batch size, processing conditions and final packaging. The manufacturing partner can be selected by you. LipoStrong's development work does not require production with a specified facility, and any final production settings should be confirmed under the conditions the chosen partner will use.
We can develop with a target shelf life and stability profile in mind. The behaviour of selected ingredients can change with processing and storage, so the final shelf life must be confirmed through appropriate testing of the finished beverage in its final packaging under defined conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can we begin with an ingredient idea rather than a finished concept?
Yes. We start by defining the intended drink, flavour and ingredient priorities, then assess suitable formulation approaches.
Do you work with plant protein beverages?
Yes. We develop beverage concepts with plant proteins, with particular attention to flavour, texture, compatibility and processing behaviour. The appropriate protein and dosage depend on the specific product.
Can another company manufacture the drink?
Yes. Development and manufacturing can be handled by different companies. You are free to choose a production partner, with production conditions confirmed for that facility.
Send a short brief through the project inquiry form. For the full journey from idea to sample and production preparation, see Beverage Development. If a specific formula needs refinement, see Beverage Formulation.