From the continued rise of the espresso martini to savory cocktails, 2023 was a year of bold flavors at the bar, so what’s in store for 2024? We polled experts in spirits, flavor innovation and mocktails about what trends are on tap for cocktails and ready-to-drink versions.
After a category-wide downturn this year, one global spirits company is championing its portfolio of ready-to-drink cocktails as the silver lining of 2023.
Diageo is set to introduce a new line of premium ready-to-serve cocktails that leverage the strength of some of its best-known labels into the soaring category.
Despite non-alc’s momentum, only 26% of the U.S. consumers moderating their alcohol say they are drinking no-alcohol alternatives to their favorite full-strength drinks, citing barriers around taste and lack of availability, according to a recent report from bev-alc data firm IWSR.
As the momentum behind zero-proof drinks shows no signs of abating, leading non-alc retailer Boisson is taking steps to secure its place within the expanding category, bringing on a new CEO and announcing today that has received funding in a $5 million bridge round from Convivialité Ventures, the VC arm of Pernod Ricard, and Connect Ventures.
Beam Suntory reported a 10% rise in net sales for the first half of 2023, driven by ready-to-drink (RTD) brands and the company’s premiumization strategy, but nevertheless did face performance struggles in North America.
Molson Coors made headlines this week when it announced that it agreed to purchase Kentucky-based distillery Blue Run Spirits, marking the beer giant’s first spirits acquisition and the formal launch of its Coors Spirits Co. business.
Molson Coors has agreed to purchase Kentucky-based distillery Blue Run Spirits, marking the beer giant’s first spirits acquisition and the formal launch of its Coors Spirits Co. business. The amount was not disclosed.
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. president and CEO Chris Swonger joins to break down the opportunities canned cocktails are creating for beverage-alcohol companies. Swonger also pushes back against the beer industry’s stance against expanded market access and lower excise taxes for these products.
Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs is suing business partner Diageo today alleging that the brands he co-owns with the spirits group, Cîroc Vodka and DeLeon Tequila, were given worse treatment because he’s Black.
Tonight when hordes of fans are pushing their way towards refreshment stands at Massachusetts’s Gillette Stadium during the opening night of Taylor Swift’s much-heralded tour, they’ll have the option to order a glittery purple cocktail inspired by the pop star’s hit, “Lavender Haze.”