Dry January will be coming to an end soon and as consumers begin picking up alcohol again a number of new ready-to-drink cocktail launches will be there to meet them. This month’s announcements include a variety of packaging and flavor innovations, including boxed margaritas, honey-infused libations and even hard water.
Drake’s Organic Spirits
Minnesota-based Drake’s Organic Spirits has added a Margarita to its line of ready-to-pour Boxtails line of organic bag-in-box cocktails. Priced at $19.99 per 1.75 Liter box, the Margarita joins Minted Mojito, Watermelon-Tini, Mango Punch and Black Cherry Limeade in the line. The Margarita Boxtail is made with Drake’s own organic tequila, organic triple sec, organic lime and other citrus juices and contains an ABV of 12%. Each box contains 14 servings.
Drifter
Drifter Craft Cocktails has released its fourth ready-to-drink flavor with Nordic Style Gin & Tonic, a canned cocktail containing Perry’s Tot Navy Strength Gin and Scandinavian aquavit with flavor notes of caraway and lemon peel, alongside other botanicals such as Icelandic angelica root and birch bark. With a 7% ABV, the drink will retail for $19.99 per 4-pack and is rolling out to select retailers, restaurants and bars nationwide.
Funny Water
The spiked seltzer category has seen no shortage of brands offering hard bubbly concoctions. But now, Funny Water is launching an alcoholic still water option for consumers looking for a lower calorie drink without the carbonation. Featuring a low 3.75% ABV, Funny Water contains antioxidants and electrolytes to promote hydration and 80 calories per 12 oz. can. The line comes in Watermelon, Citrus and Cucumber Mint flavors and is launching now in on- and off-premise accounts. Additional packaging formats, including 16 oz. and 24 oz. cans, are expected to launch in the near future.
Loncaro
Loncaro, an authentic take on the classic Finnish long drink recipe, is set to launch this Spring in the U.S. A citrusy, gin-based beverage, Loncaro will roll out to accounts in California in March with a single flavor, but the company said it will add three additional SKUs next year.
Loverboy
Last month, Loverboy got into the holiday spirit with two limited edition holiday Espresso Martini flavor launches: Peppermint Mocha and Salted Caramel. The flavors were available exclusively online at the brand’s website for $49 per 8-pack and are made with espresso, maple water, sea salt and MCT oil. Containing the equivalent of two cocktails per can, each flavor featured a 12% ABV with 125 calories and 3.5 grams of sugar.
Spirited Hive
Spirited Hive is a new brand of RTD craft cocktails set to launch next month in New York City and Nashville, Tennessee, with online presale currently available. Each cocktail is made with organic honey and quality spirits. The line comes in three varieties: Bourbon Whiskey infused with Rosemary, Lemon and Honey; Tequila infused with Ginger, Lime and Honey; and Vodka infused with Cranberry, Lime and Honey. The line all feature 7% ABV and will retail for $16.99 per 4-pack.
Vermont Cider Company
Vermont Cider Company is entering the RTD cocktail market with Day Chaser, a new brand of canned vodka sodas available in Vodka Lime and Vodka Cranberry varieties. These flavors are just the start for the line, however, as the company said it expects to introduce Vodka Buda Berry and Vodka Cucumber flavors this spring as well as a full tequila line in Lime, Grapefruit, Pineapple and Spicy Mango varieties. All Day Chaser cocktails contain real fruit juice, sparkling water and 100 calories per 12 oz. sleek can. With an ABV of 4.7%, the drinks are available in 4-packs in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Iowa, Colorado and Arizona.