Ready-to-drink cocktail recipes are portable, authentic and contain real ingredients. A quality ready to drink cocktail shouldn’t contain artificial coloring, citric acids, or anything that isn’t appropriate for a cocktail.
Many consumers browsing beverage options want to know their RTD cocktails are made by people who take pride in their craft. Look for brands that are passionate about making drinks by hand.
Non-alcoholic options
There are many options available for those who don’t drink but like the occasional cocktail. Whether you’re participating in Dry January, trying to reduce your alcohol intake or simply making healthier choices, there are now a variety of drinks that offer the same taste as a well-made bar beverage without the added hangover risk.
Depending on what you prefer, you can select from a variety of flavors that mimic cocktails, beers, or wines and are ideal for entertaining. Others are wellness-focused, using ingredients like adaptogens and hemp CBD. Some even offer a buzz, like Kin Euphorics’ Kin Spritz, made with rhodiola rosea and 5-HTP to promote relaxation or Curious Elixirs’ smoked cherry old fashioned.
A growing number of brands and writers, online resources and brick-and mortar stores, as well as some bars and restaurants, offer non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink cocktails. However, not all of them are created equal. Consider the following factors:
Premixed nonalcoholic beverages can often lack the same depth of flavor that you can find in a hand-shaken cocktail. A cocktail without alcohol may lack the texture you are used to. To counter this, many manufacturers will add syrups and other flavorings to enhance the texture of a cocktail.
The length of the drink, or how long it lasts on your tongue, is another thing to consider. You may want to add ice or mix the drink with other ingredients to prolong its enjoyment.
Brown recommends that you garnish your nonalcoholic cocktail with fresh herbs or fruits and pour it over ice. You can also adjust the ratios to create a variety of drinks. Mixing Aperol Spritz and sparkling water gives a lighter, refreshing twist to a classic cocktail. Citrus juice is another way to make an already light cocktail taste more interesting. Some brands provide tips on their website about how to elevate drinks.
Seltzers and spritzers
There are many options for those looking for a refreshing alternative to soda that is lower in calories. But not all are equal. Many hard seltzers or spritzers are made with a variety fillers and artificial sweeteners to give them that “natural” flavor. These ingredients are not designed to provide the complex flavors or refreshing drinks that consumers desire, but rather for mass production with a high profit margin. Cocktails in cans are made with premium quality ingredients and offer bar quality drinks in a convenient can.
You can find spritzers in most grocery stores and specialty shops. You can also make your own spritzers at home using simple recipes that incorporate a variety of flavors and ratios of wine to sparkling water or seltzer. A classic wine spritzer is made with Aperol, Cynar, and ice. A Prosecco spritzer is made with sparkling white wine, lemon juice, and sparkling water.
Unlike hard seltzers, which have the benefit of their own booming millennial audience, cocktails in a can can attract a more diverse demographic. Gen Z is poised to support the category as it grows into maturity, and they are more aligned with the wellness-oriented trends driving RTD growth. They can therefore propel the category further in the coming years.
Cocktails of the highest quality
If you don’t want to spend time preparing cocktails, but still want the sophistication and taste of a well-crafted drink, canned cocktail are the perfect choice. The best RTD beverages contain all the syrups as well as high-quality spirits and ingredients that you would find in an actual bartender’s cocktail shaker. They taste just like they were made fresh. These drinks are convenient to store and serve, whether you’re at a picnic in the park, grilling at home or just relaxing at home.
The COVID-19 Pandemic catapulted ready-to-drink cocktail categories to new heights, as consumers embraced conveniences, quality and premium flavors. Many small-batch craft cocktail makers partnered with expert mixologists to develop their RTD drinks, ensuring the integrity of flavors and proportions in every can. The can plays an important role as well: the best brands carefully source cans to maintain ideal drink sizes while minimizing wastage.
RTD cocktails are becoming increasingly popular, and more bars and restaurants are adding them to their beverage menus. In doing so, restaurants and bars are not only meeting customer demand for convenience, but also increasing revenue without having to hire more staff or train them.
Businesses that embrace innovation and invest in resources to bring their products to the market can reap huge rewards. A solid manufacturer-distributor relationship is essential, as it can help navigate decisions around alcohol source and labeling, distribution, and pricing. In addition, a distributor knows the best retail locations for each state’s alcohol laws and will have an ear to the ground for any changes in regulations that could impact sales.
Ready-to drink cocktails are an easy way to save time, have a cocktail ready at a moments notice, and add color to your celebrations. You will have more time to spend with those who matter most to you. By taking the guesswork out of mixing, you can focus on making memories instead of worrying about what to serve.
Convenience
Ready-to-drink cocktail are a perfect fit for a retail environment in which consumers are increasingly looking for convenience and the option to enjoy premium drinks without having to be able to serve them. The category has grown dramatically in recent years due to several factors. Many of the premium RTD cocktail brands that have been gaining popularity are focused on creating products that appeal to millennial tastes and broader wellness-oriented trends. This has created a solid foundation for long-term growth, and many experts expect the trend to continue for some time.
The fact that RTDs are easily available in a variety of convenient locations has also helped to boost their popularity. These include supermarkets and drugstores as well as convenience stores and gas stations. This accessibility has helped broaden the audience of these beverages. People from all walks can enjoy them.
As the availability of RTD cocktail continues to grow, producers are experimenting new formats to take advantage of convenience and appeal to a variety of audiences. For example, some brands are releasing RTD cocktails in pouches, ice pops and even plastic balls. These innovations may not be as well-known as single-serve cans but they are a great way to make drinks more accessible to people on the move.
Cocktails that are ready to drink are the perfect choice for any event. It is no wonder they have become so widespread. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or just relaxing at home, these pre-made cocktails are the perfect option for any occasion. You can relax with your friends and family and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
