The Coca-Cola Company and Pernod Ricard announced a global relationship to debut Absolut Vodka & Sprite as a ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktail in 2024.
Absolut & Sprite will be made with Absolut, the international premium vodka, and Sprite, the world’s most popular lemon-lime sparkling soft drink. The pre-mixed cocktail will be available in versions with Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar, with the initial launch planned for select European countries in early 2024, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.
“We keep consumers at the center of everything we do as we continue to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are expanding in the alcohol ready-to-drink space, including products that use select brands from our core portfolio. We are excited about our new relationship with Pernod Ricard and look forward to the introduction of Absolut & Sprite.”
“This very promising and pioneering project brings together two leading companies who are committed to offering their consumers new experiences around premium products,” said Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry.
Vodka is one of the most popular bases for alcohol ready-to-drink products, and lemon-lime soft drinks are one of the most popular mixers in pre-mixed cocktails.
“Sprite is a wonderful pairing for Absolut, and I’m convinced that our joining forces will bring the whole alcohol RTD category to the next level,” Ricard said.
Absolut & Sprite ready-to-drink packaging will feature two of the world’s most recognisable global trademarks. Absolut was established in 1879 in Sweden. Since then, it has become a world-renowned premium vodka brand, crafted using the finest Swedish winter wheat. Sprite was established in 1959 in Germany and has grown to be one of the biggest brands in The Coca-Cola Company’s global portfolio.
Cans will include clear responsibility symbols stating that the drink is to be enjoyed only by consumers of legal drinking age. Absolut & Sprite ready-to-drink will adhere to responsible marketing practices.
The global benchmark for alcohol beverage volume (ABV) is 5 % but will vary depending on the market.
Britvic is expanding its iconic range of mixers and juices with the launch of three new Cocktail Mixers that tap into the increasing demand for elevated serves that also deliver on great taste. The move will help bartenders prepare perfect drinks every time, with only the addition of the chosen spirit needed to mix up classic cocktails. The range features Mojito, Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri mixers, and will be available from August 2023 exclusively for the hospitality channel.
Cocktails are worth an impressive £686m in hospitality, having risen by 132 % in the past year1, and represent a significant growth opportunity for outlets. The new Britvic Cocktail Mixers were chosen from the top five ‘go-to’ cocktails, as half of consumers say they prefer classic drinks that they know and trust2. Operators will be able to trade up from standard mixed drinks to popular cocktails on their menus, as the range will offer delicious cocktails that can be made with ease.
Adam Russell, director of foodservice & licensed at Britvic, comments: “3. In the current climate, people need even more reason to be tempted out of home, with 88 % of consumers saying they want bars and pubs to provide them with an experience they can’t get at home.4 Premium serves and cocktails have a big role to play here.”
“Despite the opportunity, we know that half of bar owners say they don’t offer cocktails in mainstream outlets because they take too long to make, there are too many ingredients to stock or there is a lack of staff skill or knowledge. Our Cocktail Mixers are designed to make cocktails an easier opportunity to tap into and are the perfect addition to help operators serve cocktails more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.”
Britvic Cocktail Mixers will be available to the licensed sector from August 2023. All three mixers come in at under 40 kcal per serve, are HFSS compliant and are suitable for vegans. At Britvic, we have a long history of helping people make healthier choices and our innovation pipeline continues to focus on low and no-sugar products which meet HFSS regulations, all while maintaining our commitment to never compromising on taste.
The launch will be supported by social media, merchandising, and point of sale. The range will be available via www.sensationaldrinks.com.
1CGA, Mixed Drinks Report ,Q3 2022
2CGA Mixed Drinks Report, Volumetric Sales, Q3 2022
3CGA, Mixed Drinks Report ,Q3 2022
4KAM – Competitive Socialising – Feb 22.pdf P5
Brown-Forman Corporation and The Coca-Cola Company announced a global relationship to debut the iconic Jack & Coke cocktail as a branded, ready-to-drink (RTD) pre-mixed cocktail option.
Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD, inspired by the classic bar cocktail, will be made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola. The beverage will be available in markets around the world, with initial launch planned for Mexico in late 2022.
The can and packaging, which will feature two of the world’s most recognizable and valuable trademarks in Coca-Cola and Jack Daniel’s, will include clear responsibility symbols stating that it is to be enjoyed only by consumers of legal drinking age. Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTDs will adhere to responsible marketing practices held by Brown-Forman and The Coca-Cola Company.
The global benchmark for alcohol beverage volume (ABV) is 5 % but will vary depending on the market. A zero sugar version of the beverage will also be available.
Ardagh Group’s Nitro Can has been adopted by the UK’s number one cocktail mixer company Funkin Cocktails in a collaboration that sees the first-ever range of ready-to-drink nitro canned cocktails hit the shelves. With premium cocktails increasing in popularity, but traditionally demanding time and skill to serve to customers, Funkin have opted for Ardagh’s Nitro Can to deliver their ground-breaking range of canned cocktails. The slim aluminium can features a fixed nitrogen-infused widget that mixes the cocktail instantly, ensuring maximum product quality and consistency and producing an unrivalled multisensory experience for the consumer.
The Nitro Can technology was devised by Ardagh in 2016 to capitalise on the trend for nitro coffee, and with Funkin’s new range it now enters the fast-growing RTD alcoholic beverage market. Nitro Can’s innovative design makes the indulgent pleasure of a hand-mixed cocktail readily accessible in a convenient format. Upon opening the tab, the widget is activated, triggering an attention-grabbing ‘whoosh’ sound as micro-bubbles of nitrogen are released through the product. All the scents, flavours and colours of a bar-made cocktail are retained during the cascading pour, resulting in the instant delivery of an attractive beverage with a long-lasting foam head and the smooth, velvety sensation that is normally only achieved in a traditional cocktail shaker.
Not only does the Nitro Can offer an engaging consumer experience, its stable in-can environment is the perfect packaging solution to protect Funkin Cocktails’ quality ingredients. The 200 ml range contains real fruit, which makes retaining the integrity of product flavour and safety essential, and the can guarantees shelf stability both in refrigerated and ambient temperatures.
Consumers can enjoy Funkin’s four great flavours – Espresso Martini, Passion fruit Martini, Amaretto Sour and the on-trend Pink Gin Fizz – at home, out-and-about or in busy commercial environments previously unable to meet demand for quality mixology, such as restaurants and festival bars. The eye-catching cans feature Funkin’s brand new livery, a silver theme with bold graphics depicting the flavour varietals.
Funkin’s range is now available in the UK market.
