RTD Cocktails

The entrepreneur’s journey is often messy, but in the case of Stursi, publicly sharing the highs and lows may have given its founders an initial sales boost.

The growth of spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) may be slowing. However, the segment’s impact on the beer category is far from abating, according to bev-alc consulting and data firm 3 Tier Beverages.

Spirits-based RTD growth peaked in 2020, with dollar sales growth of more than 150% in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels (total U.S. xAOC plus liquor plus convenience), 3 Tier Beverages consultant Erin McVickers shared in a webinar last week. Growth then progressively slowed, but the segment was still able to more than double dollar sales from 2021 (nearly $1.53 billion) to 2024 (nearly $3.19 billion).

Check out these news items, initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter between August 27-29.

Korean soju is one of the top selling spirits in the world, but can that popularity transfer to canned cocktails? Several emerging brands are aiming to find out.

Gold Bar Whiskey is entering the ready-to-drink (RTD) sphere, and it’s rolling out with the support of Joe Cool himself: Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.

Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila has landed additional investment and named a new CEO. The tequila brand’s parent company, Calabasas Beverage Company (CBC), received a strategic investment from the Pérez family, owners of Grupo Solave.

Drnxmyth, a pioneering startup in the ready-to-drink cocktail space, is shutting down. The closure comes after a number of challenges, including struggles to lower margins, a tough pivot from its original e-commerce focus, and difficulties in securing a viable wholesale path.

“Flavored alcohol” across categories has become a lonely bright spot for the bev-alc industry, which is finding itself particularly pessimistic in 2025, according to the latest monthly report from Bump Williams of Bump Williams Consulting (BWC).

Hard tea continued to fill Boston Beer’s sails in Q2, but it was newbie Sun Cruiser that put in the brunt of the work rather than veteran Twisted Tea, company leadership shared Thursday during a call with investors and analysts.

When Geoff Dillon founded Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in 2012, he wanted to make whiskey and other bottled craft spirits, inspired by the natural surroundings of the distillery’s backyard in Niagara (Ontario, Canada). Thirteen years later, Dillon’s gin- and vodka-based 5% ABV canned cocktails (RTDs) are what’s leading the way.

Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) portfolio in California has shrunk again, as Gallo moves its popular High Noon Sun Sips ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail line to the Reyes Beverage Group.

SipMARGS, a ready-to-drink (RTD) sparkling margarita brand has revamped its liquid and landed $3 million from new investors, including powerhouse social media influencer Alix Earle.

Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers are rolling out to 10 states this month. A collaboration between Kraft Heinz and Harpoon maker Barrel One Collective, the 3.8% ABV vodka-based seltzer has 77 calories per 12 oz. serving, making it “the lowest-calorie ready-to-drink [RTD] cocktail on the market,” according to a press release.

Sisterhood is powerful, especially for Kelly Gasnik and Jill Burns, founders of Austin Cocktails. The sisters started the spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktail brand in 2012, helping to spearhead the current wave of canned cocktails.