Holiday Flavor Remix: How to Ditch the Expected, Create the Unforgettable

We already dared you to leave pumpkin spice in the dust this fall—now it’s time to double down on that fearless energy for holiday flavors. At Brookside, we’re all about flipping seasonal clichés on their head. Why settle for the same tired lineup when you can shake up tradition, sail over the sea of sameness, and deliver something that makes people stop in their tracks? Let’s create flavors that spark new traditions, redefine nostalgia, and make the season taste like nothing anyone saw coming.

2024’s flavor trends have spoken: holiday flavors are due for a remix. From global mashups to revamped classics, this is your call to action, food and beverage innovators. Time to break the mold, push past the safe, and climb to the top of every holiday must-have list.

Gingerbread Gets a Makeover

Move over, gingerbread man of our youth—gingerbread flavor is reinventing itself in lattes, granolas, and even vodkas. At Dunkin’, the Gingerbread Oat Milk Latte is already a hit, and Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Spiced Granola go beyond cookie cutter to give consumers a new way to enjoy this classic spice. This trend is an invitation to get creative with gingerbread, whether it’s in savory rubs, popcorn, or unexpected sauces that flip the script on tradition.

Brookside’s Take:?Gingerbread isn’t just a flavor;?it’s a vibe and a launchpad for bold creativity. Think gingerbread-spiced caramels for a sweet twist, compound butters or whipped mascarpone for a festive spread, or even gingerbread-inspired drinks like espresso martinis and spiked eggnog. Let’s take this nostalgic classic out of the cookie jar and into every corner of the menu.

Pecans That Pack a Punch: Sweet and Savory Fusion is in Demand

Candied spiced pecans are cropping up everywhere, and they’re out here doing the most —?nailing that perfect balance of sugar, spice, and everything nice. From Starbucks’ Iced Pecan Crunch Latte to Sahale’s Honey Pecans, this flavor trend brings warmth and sophistication to holiday menus. It’s perfect for products that need a touch of indulgence or a spicy edge.

Flavor Company Pro Tip:?Pecans aren’t just for pies anymore. Picture them in performance snacks, granolas, or even savory sauces. When spiced to perfection, pecans deliver that irresistible sweet-meets-savory quality that keeps people coming back for more.

Maple’s Hot New Look

Maple has officially ditched its pancake-and-waffle shackles to claim the spotlight this year. Ben & Jerry’s Maple Blondie Ice Cream and Trader Joe’s Spiced Maple Nut Mixprove that maple isn’t just cozy—it’s complex, bold, and spicy when it wants to be. With its natural richness and earthy appeal, maple is stepping up as the MVP for confections, snacks, and beverages alike.

Product Development Angle:?Maple’s versatility is its superpower. Think maple-chili syrups that deliver sweet heat, maple-spiced nuts for a sophisticated snack, or maple mocktails that reimagine holiday drinks. This classic flavor is ready to shine in unexpected, layered creations.

Christmas Cookies, Nostalgia Reinvented

Christmas cookies have always been the ultimate holiday flex, but this year, they’re getting a glow-up. Starbucks is spinning sugar cookies into almond milk lattes, Oreo’s dropping Snickerdoodles, and Goldfish’s Elf Maple Syrup Grahams just turned Buddy the Elf’s sugar-drenched dreams into snackable reality, proving that holiday cookies can inspire more than just desserts. Forget the same-old, same-old—this season is about giving cookie nostalgia a fresh spin.

Flavor Trend Alert:?Let’s go beyond basic. Picture pizzelles’ delicate anise kick infused into creamy gelato sandwiches. Or Russian Tea Cakes—those powdered sugar snowballs—reimagined as protein-packed energy bites for holiday warriors. Even buttery shortbread could take a left turn with savory hits like cracked pepper or rosemary. These aren’t just cookies—they’re flavor bombs begging to become the next big thing.

Nuts for the Holidays:?Almond and Pistachio Are Having a Moment

This holiday, almonds and pistachios are flexing hard from Blue Diamond’s Honey Roasted Almonds with Vanilla to Talenti’s Pistachio Almond Ice Cream these two are taking nut flavors to new places. This trend has huge potential in both premium and mainstream markets, especially for food manufacturers looking to add a sense of luxury to their offerings.

Innovative Take:?Almond and pistachio can go beyond the expected—think creamy nut spreads, pistachio-ginger truffles with a spicy kick, or almond-laced lattes that scream “holiday luxury.” Almond and pistachio are all about nostalgia meets sophistication, giving brands the chance to elevate seasonal offerings while keeping it approachable.

Bonus Flavor Prediction for the Risk-Takers:?Pine nuts. Yeah, we said it.?Pignoli?cookies—those soft, chewy Italian almond gems with pine nuts perched like little golden crowns—are primed for their main-character moment. They’re old-school in all the right ways but begging for a modern remix. Hit them with some orange zest for brightness or dip them halfway in dark chocolate for a moody, upscale twist. Not mainstream yet, but for the bold, this could be the sleeper hit of the holiday season. Trust us—this is the wildcard move that gets people talking.

Your Flavor Innovation Starts Here or Stop Wishing Holiday Magic Will Just Appear—Let’s Make It Happen!

If you’re ready to shake up the season and put a bow on your next big holiday launch,?Brookside is here to deliver.?We’re not just your partner in flavor—we’re your co-conspirator in creating unforgettable, craveable,?actually exciting?holiday products.

Let’s take what’s expected, push it beyond the edge, and create flavors that have people coming back long after the holidays are over.

?? Ready to put something unforgettable on the table? Let’s make it happen together.