So, you’ve got a big beverage idea—maybe a low-sugar sports drink, a functional energy booster, or a calming herbal tonic. You’re excited to get it off the ground, and you’re ready to bring in a beverage formulation consultant to help bring your vision to life.
But before you jump into flavor trials and ingredient lists, it’s important to ask the right questions. Your consultant is going to play a huge role in how your final product looks, tastes, performs, and sells. The more aligned you are from the start, the better the results.
Here are the top questions to ask your beverage formulation consultant—whether you’re a first-time founder or expanding your brand.
Have You Worked With This Type of Beverage Before?
Not all consultants have experience in every category. Some specialize in carbonated energy drinks, others in plant-based milks or functional wellness shots. You want someone who understands your specific product type—including the challenges it comes with.
Ask about their past projects, success stories, and if they’ve worked with startups or larger brands in your space. If they’ve already tackled similar products, they’ll be better equipped to troubleshoot and speed up your development.
What Services Do You Offer Beyond Formulation?
Some consultants only focus on flavor and ingredient development. Others offer full-service support—regulatory guidance, sourcing help, manufacturing recommendations, and even label compliance.
It’s important to understand the scope. If you’re new to the industry, having a consultant who can support you through testing, scaling, and launch could be a game-changer. If they don’t offer these services directly, ask if they have trusted partners they collaborate with.
How Do You Approach Ingredient Sourcing?
Ingredient quality matters—not just for taste, but also for function, cost, and shelf life. A good consultant will know where to find reliable, food-safe, and scalable ingredients.
Ask how they handle sourcing, whether they offer clean-label or organic ingredient options, and if they can help you stay within budget without compromising on quality. Bonus if they already have vendor relationships—they might even help you negotiate better rates.
What’s Your Process Like, and How Long Will It Take?
Every consultant works a little differently. Some may offer a few rounds of formulation and tasting, while others include stability testing, consumer feedback, and pilot-scale trials.
You’ll want to know what their step-by-step process looks like, what’s included in their fee, how many revisions are possible, and how long each phase will take. Clear expectations now mean fewer surprises later.
Can You Help With Shelf Stability and Testing?
Your beverage might taste great on day one—but how does it hold up after a month on a shelf? Or in a hot warehouse?
Formulation consultants with experience in stability and shelf-life testing can save you serious headaches down the road. Ask if they conduct pH testing, microbial checks, and packaging compatibility studies. This is especially important for functional or preservative-free beverages.
How Do You Handle Regulatory and Label Compliance?
Depending on where you plan to sell your product, different rules will apply. Your formulation needs to comply with food safety regulations, and your packaging must reflect accurate ingredient lists, nutrition facts, and approved health claims.
Check whether the consultant is familiar with FDA, Health Canada, or other regional guidelines. If they don’t handle compliance themselves, ask if they work with food scientists or legal teams who do.
What Happens After the Formula Is Finalized?
Some consultants will stay involved through manufacturing; others might hand off the recipe and call it a day. Knowing what to expect post-formulation helps you plan your next steps.
Ask if they provide production-ready specs, connections to co-packers, or quality control support. A consultant who can guide you from concept through production can be a valuable long-term asset.
Final Pour
Working with a beverage formulation consultant is one of the smartest steps you can take when launching a new drink. But success comes down to communication—and the right questions.
These conversations will help you find a consultant who not only understands your vision but can guide you through the technical, creative, and regulatory maze of beverage development. So, ask away—and build your dream drink the right way.