Category Close-up: RTD Cocktails

RTD beverage alcohol volumes have been growing faster than any other major drinks category since 2018, and while much of that momentum has been fueled by hard seltzers, a new generation of spirit-based cocktails have provided a path towards more sophisticated and distinctive options, helping to turn the heads of major corporations, distributors and retailers in the process. But even against that backdrop of rapid expansion, significant questions still remain. 

In this episode of Category Close-up, we explore the trends and business dynamics impacting the spirit-based RTD cocktail segment with a panel of experts including:

Brandy Rand, Chief Strategy Officer, IWSR

Brandy leads IWSR’s U.S. market across research, marketing, operations and business development as well as regional expansion in the Americas. During her career, Brandy has held strategic consulting positions across media and CPG sectors with a focus on brand-building in a new business environment, with over 20 years of management experience in the beverage alcohol industry including previous roles at Allied Domecq Spirits & Wines, William Grant & Sons, and Bacardi Limited.

Ferron Salniker, Spirits Correspondent, BevNET

Ferron is a regular contributor to BevNET’s spirits coverage, writing about new innovations, business dynamics, category trends and industry news. She is also an event producer and curator, and produces North America's pre-eminent Mexican spirits tasting event, Mezcalistas' Mexico in a Bottle. Her work covering food and culture can be found in the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Vice and other publications. 

Cara Kamenev, CEO, Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits

An experienced CPG brand builder, Cara currently serves as the CEO of Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits, a premium craft cocktail brand that launched earlier this year. Offering classic RTD cocktails for the modern age, the brand’s founding partners include a roster of influential names in entertainment including Sarah Jessica Parker, John Cena, Ashley Benson, Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson and Playboi Carti. Cara previously served as a Vice President of Brand Engagement for L’Oreal Paris and as head of business development and communications at PVH Corp.