Hard Tea’s $2.1 Billion Market Is Highly Concentrated
Just ten vendors account for about 97% of hard tea ready-to-drink (RTD) dollars, according to a new analysis from Bump Williams Consulting (BWC).
RTD
Featured RTD Content
Molson Coors to Acquire Monaco Maker Atomic Brands
Molson Coors has struck a deal to acquire spirits-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail pioneer Atomic Brands, whose Monaco Cocktails entered the then-nascent space in 2012. The deal should come as no surprise, as it aligns with Molson Coors’ goals to expand its beyond beer portfolio, part of the Horizon 2030 plan CEO Rahul Goyal outlined earlier this year.
Bump Williams Consulting: FMB, Spirits-Based RTD Volume Gains Slowing; Imports Remain ‘Beacon of Consistent Volume’ Growth
The once-booming flavored malt beverage (FMB) segment is “showing some concerning declarations over recent weeks,” Bump Williams Consulting (BWC) founder Bump Williams noted in a recent report. FMB volume gains dropped by half – from +2.2%, to +1.1% – from the four-week period to the one-week period ending May 18, according to NIQ retail measurement data cited by BWC.
Additional Content
Blueprint for Scale: How Mission Craft Cocktails Went From 2K to 80K Cases
The founders of Mission Craft Cocktails, the Southern California brand built on bar-strength bottled cocktails made with premium ingredients, see their company as a David in a segment of Goliaths. In their sling: a bet on economies of scale, format innovation and a purpose-driven brand.
Margarita RTDs Outpacing Hard Tea
The ready-to-drink (RTD) margarita is outpacing some of the industry’s hottest new RTD segments, with high ABV and spirit-based versions picking up steam, according to a new report from Bump Williams.
NIQ Weekly Scans: RTDs Remain Only Major Category to Record YoY Growth Thru February
One consistent trend through the first two months of 2026 has been the strength of ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs).
JuneShine Brands to Outsource All Production, Shut Down Own Facility; 30 Employees Affected
JuneShine Brands is shifting production of all its brands to third-party producers, the San Diego-based company announced today.
A-B Closes $490 Million Deal for 85% Stake in BeatBox
Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) has closed its previously announced acquisition of BeatBox Beverages, the companies shared today.
Surfside Adds Blueberry Lemonade, Half & Half Variety Pack
Surfside, the spirits-based iced tea category leader, is launching four new flavors as the brand continues its rise from a Northeast favorite to national ready-to-drink (RTD) powerhouse.
The Modern Hotel Beverage Program: Lobby Bars, NA Cocktails and Less Draft
Adult non-alc (ANA) cocktails are gaining momentum in luxury hotels, with one major chain reporting a 32% sales increase over the past three years. But functional ingredients and education still create challenges.
Stateside Looks Beyond Surfside with 10% ABV Vodka Sodas and Super Lyte Vodka + Ade
On any given week, Stateside’s vodka-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) hard tea brand Surfside records $2 million in sales or more and triple-digit year-over-year (YoY) growth in Circana-tracked off-premise channels. Those sales represent only 20% of the RTD’s total depletions.
Amidst RTD Competition, Patco Brands Leans on Big Sipz and Private Label
Patco Brands launched over a decade ago with a small margarita business and a family-run operation. Since then, the company has quietly evolved into one of the largest producers in the agave wine and ready-to-drink (RTD) space, operating at a scale that rivals far larger beverage groups while maintaining the agility of an independent.
Spiked Ade Locks in $10M, Wide Distribution as Vodka Sports Drinks Emerge
After carving out early momentum in New Jersey, food and beverage serial entrepreneur Jason Cohen is taking his vodka-based ready-to-drink beverage, Spiked Ade, to more markets.
Suntory Taps Former ABI, Mark Anthony Exec To Lead Global RTDs
Suntory Global spirits has appointed Davin Nugent, a former Anheuser-Busch InBev and Mark Anthony Brands executive, as president of global ready-to-drink (RTD).
BWC: Established Brands, Not Innovation Products, Lead Beer’s Growth in 2025
Dollar sales growth from several key decades-old brands buoyed the beer category in 2025, according to the latest monthly report from Bump Williams Consulting (BWC).
Press Clips: CGA’s Dry January Preview; Jim Beam to Hit 1 Year Production Pause
Editor’s Note: The below news items were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter December 22-26. Not an Insider? Become one today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry. CGA: 40% Consumers Plan to Take Part in Dry January; Half of Gen Z to Participate Two-in-five consumers plan to take part… Read more »
Father’s Brewing, The Original Southside Launch Clean Alcohol Collective
The Clean Alcohol Collective (CAC), co-founded by Meredith Mills-Merritt, founder of ready-to-drink (RTD) brand The Original Southside, and Conor Begley, co-founder of Father’s Brewing, launched this month as a coalition of alcohol brands offering greater ingredient transparency and shared formulation standards.