At Extract Consultants, we track not only what’s happening in terpene and flavor market but also what’s emerging in food and beverage more broadly. This holiday season, the market is leaning into comfort, tradition, and creative twists. Millennials and Gen Z continue to be the loudest voices in this conversation, shaping demand for flavors that feel indulgent, wellness-oriented, and nostalgic.

Here’s the bigger picture:

• Young adults dominate: Millennials still account for the largest share of adult-use botanical spend, but Gen Z’s market share is growing fast. Together, they drive more than 60% of U.S. sales.
  
  
• Wellness matters: More than half of adult-use botanical consumers report using products for stress relief, sleep, or general wellness rather than recreation.
  
  
• 39% of consumers say they’ve given adult-use botanical products as gifts, and more than a quarter include it at family holiday gatherings.
  
• Against that backdrop, here are the 10 key flavor trends shaping inhalables, edibles, and beverages this holiday season, with terpene inspirations from our portfolio to help you bring them to life.

1. Candy Cane Cool: Peppermint & Minty Freshness

Seasonal Popularity: Winter Holidays (November–December)

Peppermint is the quintessential holiday flavor – refreshing, nostalgic, and Instagram-ready with its red-and-white stripes. We’re seeing mint take center stage in everything from vapor cartridges to seasonal gummies. Classic candy cane sweetness combined with cooling menthol appeals to consumers’ fond memories of holidays past and provides a bright, clean taste. In fact, product developers are even pairing peppermint with other flavors (for example, peppermint + caramel) to put a new creative twist on a familiar favorite.

Product Recommendation: 

Candy Cane Solvent Free Terpene Flavor & Peppermint Bark Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – for pure peppermint sweetness or a sweet-and-chocolatey mint blend.

2. Gingerbread & Baking Spices

Seasonal Popularity: Winter Holidays (peaks in December)

Flavors inspired by home baking – ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice – are trending strongly in edibles and even vapor cartridge formulations. These cozy spice notes tap into nostalgia for homemade gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pie, and eggnog. In mainstream food, gingerbread and similar spice profiles are perennial holiday hits, and the terpene and flavor market is following suit. We’re seeing spiced seasonal vapor cartridges and “infused cookie” edibles that deliver that warm, aromatic kick of cinnamon and ginger. These flavors bring a sense of comfort and tradition, especially to Millennials who recall holiday baking with family.

Product Recommendation: Cinnamon Spice Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – a sweet, warming blend featuring cinnamon backed by clove, nutmeg, and vanilla.

3. Nostalgic Sugar Cookie & Vanilla

Seasonal Popularity: Winter Holidays (November–January)

Simple, sweet, and comforting – sugar cookie flavor is surging as a nostalgic favorite. This profile is all about buttery vanilla goodness, reminiscent of frosted holiday sugar cookies and sprinkle-topped treats. In edibles, vanilla sugar cookie profiles provide an indulgent “baked at home” sensation without being overly heavy. In vapor cartridges and tinctures, the light vanilla sweetness offers a pleasant base that can mix well with other notes. Many consumers (especially Gen X and Millennials) find that these dessert flavors evoke memories, creating an emotional connection. The trend also aligns with the broader push toward nostalgic dessert-inspired flavors in 2025, where classic treats are being reinvented in new formats. 

Product Recommendation: Sugar Cookie Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – captures the classic home-baked sugar cookie aroma, rich in vanilla and subtle buttery sweetness.

4. Decadent Hot Chocolate & Cocoa

Seasonal Popularity: Winter Holidays (especially Christmas/New Year’s)

Winter 2025 is all about chocolate – from infused hot cocoa drinks to fudge brownie edibles and cocoa-forward vapor cartridge profiles. Rich chocolate brings both indulgence and comfort, satisfying those with a sweet tooth during the holiday season. We’re seeing brands introducing limited-edition chocolate mint or chocolate hazelnut vapor carts (mimicking treats like peppermint mocha and Nutella). In the broader beverage market, hot chocolate and mocha flavors are top picks during colder months, and this extends to the herbal wellness space. Chocolate also pairs well with other trending notes (peppermint mocha, gingerbread-caramel latte, etc.), making it a versatile building block for holiday products. A deep cocoa flavor can mask herbal notes of the plant, which new or occasional users often appreciate.

Product Recommendation: Hot Chocolate Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – a decadent, creamy cocoa profile that tastes like a cup of rich hot cocoa (with a twist).

5. Caramel & Butterscotch Richness

Seasonal Popularity: Late Fall & Winter

Beyond chocolate, other rich dessert flavors are trending for the holidays – notably caramel, toffee, butterscotch, and other browned-sugar profiles. These flavors provide a luxe, “brown butter” depth that elevates candies, brownies, and even beverages. In fact, smoky browned butter and caramelized sugar notes are being used to add new dimensions to traditional sweets. In the adult-use botanical market, think butterscotch THC caramels, toffee-flavored vapor cartridges, or a dulce de leche-like tincture. We also see “nutty” notes riding this trend (hazelnut, chestnut, butter pecan), often combined with caramel or vanilla. 

Product Recommendation: Butterscotch Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – delivers the silky-smooth taste of browned butter, caramelized sugar, and molasses for that classic buttery caramel profile.

6. Tart Fruit & Zesty Citrus Twists

Seasonal Popularity: Winter 

Tart and tangy fruits like cranberry, pomegranate, and citrus (orange, lemon) are playing a big role in 2025’s festive formulations. These flavors bring a refreshing contrast to heavy holiday foods and pair wonderfully with both functional botanicals and cocktails. We’re seeing, for example, cranberry THC gummies launched as holiday limited editions, or terpene blends that mimic mulled wine with orange zest. Brands are getting creative by fusing fruit with spice or herbs: apple chai spice and cranberry-orange have emerged as popular seasonal combos in the food/bev world, and adult-use products makers are following suit. 

Product Recommendation: Apple Fritter Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – a hybrid flavor with sweet baked apple notes (evoking spiced apple pie) on an earthy terpene base. It offers a comforting fruitiness that pairs well with cinnamon or caramel in holiday creations.

7. Herbal & Botanical Accents

Seasonal Popularity: Winter Holidays (growing trend)

Another emerging flavor layer for Holiday 2025 is herbal and botanical notes – think rosemary, sage, thyme, pine, and even floral elements – used in sweet applications. For example, some botanical-forward beverage makers are infusing herbs: a cranberry–sage THC seltzer or a grapefruit-rosemary social tonic provides complexity and balances sweetness. Similarly, in edibles, we see concepts like rosemary shortbread cookies or honey-thyme infused caramels. 

Even terpenes naturally carry botanical tones (the piney aroma of certain herbal strains like Jack Herer or the lavender notes in some hemp cultivars), and brands are now highlighting those as intentional flavor features. This trend connects to the farm-to-table and craft cocktail movement – consumers (especially Millennials) appreciate a hint of botanical bitterness or aroma in their flavor mix, as it suggests natural ingredients and wellness. A subtle pine or herb note can also remind consumers of holiday greenery (evergreen wreaths, fresh mint in cocktails, etc.), subtly enhancing the festive vibe. Don’t be surprised to see more products boasting ingredients like “infused with hops” (for a beer-like herbaceous note) or “sprig of rosemary” as part of the flavor description. It’s all about layering flavors for a complex, memorable taste.

Product Recommendation: No added flavor needed! Try leveraging strain-derived terpenes high in pinene or herbal terpenes to achieve these notes naturally. For instance, a few drops of a strain profile like Blue Dream, Super Lemon Haze, or Graprefruit Haze (known for pine and herb undertones) can lend a holiday pine aroma to a vapor cart or tincture. If formulating beverages, consider our Beverage Flavors line – e.g., a Water Soluble Gin or Water Soluble Beer Flavor – to add that botanical twist.

8. Functional & Wellness-Inspired Flavors

Seasonal Popularity: Year-Round (with a winter wellness boost)

With many consumers turning to botanicals for wellness, functional flavors are trending—even in holiday products. Ingredients seen as “good for you” (think ginger, turmeric, honey, citrus, green tea, chamomile) are being incorporated to align with health goals. In winter, immune-boosting and soothing profiles stand out: think ginger-citrus beverages or chamomile lavender edibles for stress relief. Ginger and turmeric add warming spice, while adaptogenic herbs bring earthy, bitter notes that signal health. Even when the benefit comes from the herb itself, these flavor cues strongly influence perception.

Product Recommendation: Orange & Ginger Solvent Free Terpene Flavor -– a vibrant blend that pairs zesty orange with spicy ginger for a flavor profile that is both refreshing and grounding. Ideal for holiday gummies, sparkling beverages, or vapor cart designed to deliver a wellness-inspired twist. Complementing this, our Lavender Water Soluble Flavor brings a floral and fragrant note, with a delicate, slightly sweet taste and subtle hints of rosemary and mint—perfect for elevating beverages with a refined botanical touch.

9. Limited-Edition Seasonal Offerings

Seasonal Popularity: Fall & Winter (Holiday spikes)

Limited-edition offerings are a strategy brands lean on year-round, but they see their biggest spikes during the holidays. Much like the pumpkin spice craze each fall, winter brings its own flavor fanfare: peppermint bark, eggnog, sugar plum, candy cane, and more. These flavors consistently deliver urgency and excitement, with demand peaking during the season before disappearing, creating that “get it before it’s gone” effect. Functional botanical companies are releasing holiday-only batches—an “Xmas Cookie” vapor cartridge or a “Holiday Punch” gummy pack—knowing fans will snatch them up. This not only drives seasonal sales but also builds brand loyalty, as consumers look forward to the return of their favorites each year.

Product Recommendation: Sugar Plum Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – sweet and fruity with prominent stone fruit notes and subtle hints of warm baking spice. A classic festive profile that feels both nostalgic and elevated, perfect for gummies, vapor cart, or limited-edition holiday beverages. Also consider our Candy Cane and Peppermint Bark flavors (mentioned earlier) as they are quintessential holiday LTO picks.

10. Seasonal Indulgences: Maple, Chestnut & Butter Pecan

Seasonal Popularity: Fall & Winter (Holiday spikes)

Holiday consumers are seeking flavors that feel cozy, sophisticated, and deeply tied to traditional seasonal foods. Beyond peppermint and cocoa, profiles like roasted chestnut, maple, and butter pecan are gaining traction in both mainstream food and functional botanicals. These flavors carry a “comfort food” richness that resonates with consumers who may find candy-forward flavors too sweet. In broader food and beverage trends, maple and brown-butter notes are showing up in coffee, cocktails, and desserts as premium alternatives to caramel. Chestnut praline lattes have become seasonal staples, while butter pecan continues to trend as a winter ice cream and baked goods flavor. Functional botanical brands can lean into these indulgent profiles to deliver something seasonal that also feels elevated.

Product Recommendation: Maple Solvent Free Terpene Flavor – offering warm, caramelized sweetness with hints of nuttiness, perfect for cozy winter formulations. Pair with vanilla or coffee notes for indulgent beverages and baked edibles, or lean into roasted nut undertones for sophisticated vapor cart profiles.

Strategic Recommendations for Brands:

• Embrace nostalgia. Holiday flavors tied to memories build emotional connection and sales.
  
  
• Leverage limited-time buzz. Scarcity drives trial and repeat purchases.
  
  
• Highlight functional angles. Call out wellness-linked ingredients like citrus or chamomile.
  
  
• Offer cross-category consistency. A flavor launched as a vapor cart, gummy, and beverage creates a cohesive lineup.
  
  
• Gather feedback. Use insights from seasonal launches to shape future product lines.

By weaving these trends into development, brands can capture the festive spirit and stand out in a competitive market.

Sources:

• How Consumer Demographics and Preferences Are Shaping Herbal Wellness Trends, 2024–2025 (Headset/Flowhub Reports)
• New Frontier Data – Herbal Wellness Consumer Survey 2024 (Holiday gifting and gathering statistics)
• Review of December 2024 Flavor Trends (Seasonal flavor insights, pairings, and limited-edition strategy)
• December 2024 Report (Emerging twists like caramel pairing, functional botanicals in winter)
• Herbal Wellness & Tech Today – 7 Uplifting THC Drinks for the Holidays (Examples of herbal/fruit flavor combos in beverages)
• 6 Terpene Flavor Trends for 2025 (Consumer interest in flavor fusions and viral trends)