Winter ready-to-drink launches include fermented rice seltzers, yerba mate refreshers, and Greek canned cocktails, plus a K-Pop superstar-backed wine highball and tallboy cans from two big names.
Peaceminusone Highball
Peaceminusone Highball, a wine-based highball from BigBang frontman G-Dragon, has officially landed in the U.S. through a partnership with La Soju. Already a success in South Korea – where an initial run of 880,000 cans sold out in three days – the brand hits the U.S. in a lemon-accented white wine Classic Highball and a fruit-forward Red Highball. Both come in 500 mL cans at 4.5% ABV, with distribution in select California restaurants and Southern California 7-Eleven locations, with New York and New Jersey on deck. Learn more at lasoju.com.
SWRL
The next evolution of hard seltzer isn’t clear, but it may be cloudy. SWIRL has launched the world’s first makgeolli seltzer, using Korean rice fermentation to deliver texture, mouthfeel and a softly cloudy appearance. At 3.7% ABV, zero sugar and 89 calories, SWRL’s lineup includes Original, Yuzu & Pine Needles, Earl Grey and Mixed Cherries, each designed to highlight the rice character rather than mask it. Available in New York City and shipping to 40 states. For more information, visit sipswrl.com.
CheChe
Made with fermented cane sugar alcohol, real juice, electrolytes and naturally caffeinated yerba mate, Chicago-based CheChe is hitting several functional notes while delivering a 5% ABV buzz per 12 oz. can. Now on sale in Pacific Cherry, Mandarin Yuzu and Mango Dragon Fruit. For more information, visit chechedrinks.com.
Salt Point
Salt Point has expanded its ultra-premium canned cocktail lineup with The Kentucky Buck, a 10% ABV whiskey-based cocktail blending whiskey with strawberry, ginger and citrus. For more information, visit saltpointcocktails.com.
Seagram’s Escapes Spiked
Seagram’s Escapes Spiked is not ready to rumble anymore, with the rebrand of Rumble Punch to Slammin’ Me Happy. The move ties the 10% ABV flavored malt beverage more closely to Jamaican Me Happy – the brand’s top-performing flavor – while layering in a partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The refreshed packaging and name is supported by WWE integrations, social activations and event presence. For more information, visit seagramsescapes.com.
Dosi Dosi
Dosi Dosi enters the market as the first Greek canned cocktail built on mastiha, a protected liqueur made from resin harvested exclusively on the Greek island of Chios. With notes of pine, citrus and herbs, the 18% ABV cocktail rolled out in California in December in 200 mL cans. For more information, visit drinkdosidosi.com.
Ketel One
Ketel One is extending its bottled RTD Cocktail Collection with a Lemon Drop Martini, blending Ketel One Vodka with lemon juice and balanced sweetness. Available in 350 mL and 750 mL formats at 18.1% ABV. For more information, visit ketelone.com.
Rancho La Gloria
Agave-wine based canned Margarita, Rancho La Gloria, is sizing up with new 19.2 oz. malt-based Tall Boy Margaritas at 10% ABV. Arriving in Lime Splash and Strawberry Blitz at a suggested retail price of $3.49 to convenience store chains and independent retailers throughout California, Texas, and Arizona. For more information, visit rancholagloria.com.
Surfside
Surfside, the vodka iced tea that set off a wave of copycats is also supersizing with a 19.2 oz. single-serve can format, retailing from $3.49–$3.99. For more information, visit drinksurfside.com.