The beverage industry is a massive global market valued at over $1 trillion. Hundreds of brands compete for market share across different beverage categories like soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and spirits. With consumers increasingly health-conscious, the industry continues to evolve to offer more choices.
This article ranks the current top 10 beverage brands worldwide based on their sales revenue, brand value, consumer popularity, and global reach.
1. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is not just the top beverage brand worldwide, it’s one of the most valuable brands across all industries. The iconic American company was founded in 1892 and its flagship Coca-Cola soda originated the soft drink category. According to Statista, Coca-Cola netted over $38 billion in worldwide revenue in 2021. Interbrand estimates the brand value at $84 billion as of 2022. Coca-Cola employs 700,000 people with more than 4,700 beverage products sold in over 200 countries. The classic Coca-Cola remains the #1 soft drink globally though the company has diversified into other categories like juice, coffee, tea, water, energy drinks, and plant-based beverages.
2. Pepsi
Coca-Cola’s main rival Pepsi was created in 1893 and brings in over $70 billion in annual revenue as of 2021. PepsiCo owns popular soft drink brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana, Aquafina, Lipton, and Starbucks Refreshers. Pepsi is the third most valuable brand worldwide with an estimated $57 billion brand value. Though it’s second to Coke in soda sales, Pepsi outpaces Coca-Cola in the food business through its Frito-Lay snacks division. Similar to Coca-Cola, Pepsi is responding to changing consumer tastes by offering low-sugar, low-calorie, and functional beverage options beyond traditional soft drinks.
3. Red Bull
Austria’s Red Bull established the energy drink segment in 1987 with its original Red Bull product. It remains the top-selling energy drink globally though many new competitors have since entered the market. Red Bull achieved over $8 billion in revenue in 2021. Known for its edgy marketing targeted at young people, Red Bull sponsors extreme sports and markets itself as a performance-enhancing beverage that “gives you wings.” The iconic slim blue and silver cans are now sold in over 170 countries. Red Bull controls close to 40% of the worldwide energy drink market but is aiming to become a broader beverage player by launching organic sodas, juices, and tea.
4. Heineken
Founded in 1864 in Amsterdam, Heineken is one of the largest brewers worldwide. Their global beer portfolio includes Heineken, Amstel, Sol, Tiger, Cruzcampo, Affligem, Lagunitas, Mort Subite, and more. Heineken products are sold in over 192 countries and the company raked in over $30 billion in 2021 revenue. Although beer sales have declined in mature Western markets, Heineken has posted consistent growth due to their stronghold on developing markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America where beer consumption is growing. The Dutch brewer continues acquiring craft and specialty beer brands to expand its portfolio.
5. VINUT
VINUT is a brand of non-alcoholic beverage that is known for its unique and refreshing taste. The drink is made from a blend of natural ingredients, including real fruit juice and pure water sourced from pristine locales. It is free from any artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or additives, making it a healthier alternative to other carbonated drinks in the market.
The name is VINUT is derived from the words “Vitality” and “Nutrition”, which perfectly encapsulate the essence of the drink. The creators of VINUT aimed to develop a beverage that not only tasted great but also provided essential nutrients to keep the body feeling energized and revitalized.
One of the key ingredients in VINUT is real fruit juice, which provides a natural sweetness to the drink. The juice is extracted using advanced techniques that preserve the natural flavor and nutrition of the fruit. This ensures that every sip of VINUT is bursting with fruity goodness, making it an enjoyable drink for people of all ages.
In addition to fruit juice, VINUT also contains pure water sourced from carefully selected locations around the world. The water undergoes rigorous testing and filtration processes to ensure that it is free from impurities and contaminants. This gives the drink a pure, clean taste that is refreshing and thirst-quenching.
Another unique aspect of VINUT is that it is free from any artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or additives. This makes it a healthier alternative to other carbonated drinks in the market, which are often loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Instead, VINUT relies on the natural sweetness of fruit juice to provide a delicious taste that is good for you.
6. Diageo
British drinks giant Diageo is the world’s largest liquor company owning over 200 top alcohol brands like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Ketel One, Captain Morgan, and Guinness. Diageo produces a wide range of spirits, beers, and wines that are distributed in over 180 countries. Some of its most lucrative brands sell over 100 million cases annually. Diageo posted over $19 billion in net sales for fiscal year 2022. The company has stayed ahead of trends by acquiring craft distillery brands while divesting from slower segments like wine. Emerging markets now comprise half of Diageo’s sales.
7. Danone
France’s Danone is a multinational food and beverage producer best known for its dairy products and bottled water. Danone’s beverage division includes Evian, Volvic, Aqua, Bonafont, AQUA d’OR, and Alpro plant-based products. As the world’s second-largest bottled water company, Danone controls over 14% of the global market share. However, bottled water sales slowed during the pandemic leading Danone to divest some of its water brands. The company also owns popular yogurt drink brands like Danone, Silk, Oikos, Actimel, and Horizon Organic. Danone posted €24.3 billion in 2021 revenue but has struggled recently with rising costs and supply chain issues.
8. Nestle
Switzerland’s Nestle is the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturer. The 150-year-old corporation produces everything from chocolate, infant formula, dairy, coffee, and most notably, bottled water. Nestle Waters is the third biggest bottled water company worldwide thanks to leading brands like Perrier, S.Pellegrino, Poland Spring, Pure Life, and Deer Park. Nestle’s wide beverage portfolio also includes Nestea, Nescafe, Milo, Carnation milk drinks, and Starbucks-branded products through an ongoing partnership. Nestle reported sales of $92 billion in 2021. However, the company faces growing backlash over sustainability issues regarding its reliance on plastic bottles and water extraction.
9. Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is the largest beer company in the world. Headquartered in Belgium, it produces America’s top-selling beers Budweiser and Bud Light through its U.S. unit Anheuser-Busch. Other major brands include Corona, Stella Artois, Beck’s Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra. AB InBev was formed through the 2008 merger between America’s Anheuser-Busch and Belgium’s InBev. The company now has over 400 beer brands and sells its products in 150 countries. AB InBev netted $54 billion in revenue in 2021 but North American sales have steadily declined. The company is continuing to acquire craft breweries and investing in non-alcoholic beer to attract younger and health-conscious consumers.
10. Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group rounds out the top 10 with over $11 billion in annual sales. The Texas-based company owns popular soft drink brands like Dr Pepper, 7UP, Sunkist, AW, Canada Dry, Crush, Schweppes, and Squirt. Dr Pepper Snapple Group was spun off from Cadbury Schweppes in 2008 and also sells Snapple tea, Hawaiian Punch, Mott’s juice, and other non-carbonated beverages. Unlike the other major soda makers, Dr Pepper Snapple distributes its products through independent bottlers allowing it to focus on marketing and brand-building. The company has steadily gained market share in the challenging U.S. soft drink market. Its diverse portfolio of flavored sodas appeals to consumers shifting away from colas.
