The inventive process allows the solubilization of flavor oil in water to
produce clear beverages. The amount of emulsifier required for oil
solubilization is less than that of oil, and a typical oil to emulsifier
ratio is 2:1. A crude emulsion is first generated by high shear mixing of
the emulsifier solution and flavor oil. The crude emulsion is then fed
into a homogenizer to produce a finer emulsion. The resulting flavor
concentrate can then be diluted to produce clear beverages. This process
also simplifies the introduction of normally insoluble nutraceuticals,
particularly lipophilic ones, into beverages. Compared to microemulsion
formulations, this process provides an easy way of formulation
customization to different flavors and nutraceuticals.