New RTD options continued to dominate introductions in May highlighted by two new hard lemonade options in time for summer, one from White Claw and another from Molson Coors in partnership with Coca-Cola’s Simply Juice. The month also saw new whiskey lineups from Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s. Below is Park Street’s full recap of product introductions for May 2022.
Celebrity-Created RTD Cocktails Hit Shelves With New Thomas Ashbourne Brand
In another high-profile celebrity branding, the new RTD cocktail brand Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits will hit the U.S. market this summer. Created by Cara Kamanev, the collection includes four celebrity-led varieties: Sarah Jessica Parker’s Perfect Cosmo; John Cena’s Classic Old Fashioned; Ashley Benson, Rosario Dawson, and Vanessa Hudgens Margalicious Margarita; and PlayboiCarti’s Hardscatto. In a statement, the company listed the aforementioned celebrities as founding partners.
Each canned cocktail features fresh, all-natural ingredients with high-proof spirits. The RTD offerings range from 20-25% ABV. The entire line is available for purchase at select retail locations and on the company’s website in 200mL can and 375mL bottle formats.
“We’re here to dispel the myth that bespoke, high-end cocktails can only be enjoyed in certain settings, by certain people,” Kamanev said in the release. “Our brand will provide consumers a high-quality beverage comparable only to the best bar-made cocktails that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.”
Jack Daniel’s Launches Bonded Series With Two New Whiskeys
Brown-Forman’s Jack Daniel’s has unveiled its first super-premium line extension in 25 years with the release of its Bonded Series. The release includes two bottled-in-bond offerings: Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey. While the Bonded offering is a mash bill made of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye, the Triple Mash is a blend of three Jack Daniels whiskeys: 60% Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, 20% of the flagship whiskey, and 20% of the brand’s American Malt expression. Both offerings will be available in 700mL formats and priced at $29.99 and $32.99 respectively. They will be available for purchase at retailers across the U.S. and on ReserveBar.
“The Jack Daniel Distillery has been making exceptional American whiskey to the highest standards for generations, before and after the Bottled in Bond Act, dating back to the days of Mr. Jack himself,” said Chris Fletcher, the brand’s Master Distiller. “Bonded and Triple Mash are a nod to our heritage with a touch of innovation and craftsmanship. These whiskeys are another opportunity for both our friends and new drinkers to explore and discover everything Jack Daniel’s has to offer.”
Molson Coors Debuts Simply Spiked Lemonade
As part of a continued agreement with The Coca-Cola Company, Molson Coors Beverage Company has unveiled a new take on one of the country’s most popular chilled juice brands with the release of Simply Spiked Lemonade. The new RTD lineup will feature four unique flavors: Signature Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade, and Watermelon Lemonade. The new offerings will retail this summer in variety 12-pack formats with each 24-ounce can containing 5% ABV.
“We knew people would be excited once they found out about Simply Spiked Lemonade™. We didn’t expect the unprecedented level of consumer hype, which we’ve never seen for a product announcement before,” says Joy Ghosh, Vice President of Above Premium Beer and Flavored Alcohol Beverages at Molson Coors Beverage Company. “From all the tweets, memes, and off-the-charts social excitement, people are pumped to try this product and the good news is, the wait is almost over. In a few weeks, drinkers across the country will be able to try Simply Spiked Lemonade™ for themselves.”
Corona Introduces Corona Tropical
With the first non-beer beverage in its portfolio, AB InBev’s Corona has unveiled a line of sparkling ready-to-drink fruit-based beverages: Corona Tropical. Posed as an alternative to beer, the offering is poised to capitalize on the growing sparkling water market. Available in three flavors, Guava & Lime, Raspberry & Lemon, and Grapefruit and Lemongrass, with additional flavors appearing in Latin American markets. The RTDs have no added sugar and contain less than 100 calories per can. Ranging between 4.2% and 4.5% ABV, the new lineup is beginning to roll out globally.
“Corona is a brand that was born from the tropics and as we encourage consumers to embrace the lifestyle around the world, we’re excited to offer a new Corona beverage to those who love the brand but are looking for options outside of beer,” said Felipe Ambra, Global Vice President for Corona. “It is our mission to bring paradise to people everywhere and our newest innovation does just that. We created a more flavorful and very approachable alcoholic beverage so that everyone can enjoy the feeling of paradise done the Corona way.”
Spindrift Enters Hard Seltzer Market
Sparking water giant Spindrift has added to the hard seltzer craze with the release of four new varieties of Spindrift Spiked. In addition to spiked versions of its classic flavors, including Grapefruit, Lemon, and Blood Orange, the supplier has added Passion Orange Guava to its existing lineup. The new Passion Orange Guava is described by the seltzer maker as combining “aromatic, complex passion fruit, a splash of sweet guava, and a pop of orange for brightness.” The offerings will appear in Spindrift Spiked variety 12-packs which contain between 82-95 calories per 12oz can. Available soon in 18 states nationwide, the variety pack can be purchased on the company’s official website for $36.
“To us, nothing tastes better than real fruit, so we saw an opportunity to bring our tried-and-true sparkling recipes to the alcohol category. It’s a crowded space but we’ve seen success introducing a real and delicious product to a sea of sameness. The initial launch had a remarkable response and we’re eager to introduce additional states this year. Availability coupled with incredible new flavors will help us make a splash in the dynamic world of hard seltzer,” said Bill Creelman, Founder and CEO of Spindrift.
Campari Unveils Newly Styled Negroni Ready to Serve
The classic Italian brand, Campari Group, has joined the RTD segment with the release of a bottled negroni cocktail. The new Campari Negroni Ready to Serve is an equal part blend of Campari, London Dry Gin, and Sweet Vermouth, meant to be garnished and poured over ice. Available in a 750mL bottle format, the classic cocktail contains approximately four servings and contains 26% ABV. The offering will be available for purchase on e-commerce platforms Drizly and ReserveBar for a standard retail price of $24.99.
“People have been enjoying the Negroni cocktail for more than a century, and its popularity is still growing today,” said Andrea Sengara, Head of Marketing, Campari America. “With the Ready to Serve format now available, consumers can enjoy the world’s No. 1 classic cocktail anywhere, and with ease.”
White Claw Releases REFRSHR Hard Lemonade
White Claw is expanding its ready-to-drink capabilities with the debut of White Claw Hard Seltzer REFRSHR Lemonade. The company advertises the new beverages as full of new flavor combinations with a refreshed take on its classic packaging. The new line comes in four new varieties: Limón, Blood Orange, Blackberry, and Strawberry. Each 12oz can contains 100 calories, 1g of carbs, and 5% ABV. The new offerings rolled out nationwide this month, retailing in 12 can variety pack formats.
“As the leader in the Hard Seltzer category, White Claw is consistently innovating, looking for new and authentic ways to provide consumers with remarkable tasting refreshment,” says John Shea, CMO, White Claw Hard Seltzer, USA. “That’s why, with the launch of REFRSHR, we’re taking an entirely new and different approach to Lemonade, in a uniquely White Claw way, over-delivering on flavor while being incredibly sessionable.”
Adam Levine’s Calirosa Tequila Debuts Cinco Años Extra Añejo
In its first-ever limited release, singer Adam Levine’s Calirosa Tequila has launched Cinco Años Extra Añejo. In production, the blue agave is aged for five years in California red wine barrels. The extra añejo tequila offers hints of vanilla and wood oak aromas. This is the fourth wine-aged barrel selection of the brand’s existing offerings and is being marketed as a fusion between Mexico’s heritage and California’s lifestyle.
While the industry standard calls for agave with 22-24% sugar content, Calirosa uses agave with 26% for a more balanced flavor profile. The agave is then slow-roasted in a brick oven and is fermented for fifty hours, twice distilled before being aged in red wine barrels. The brand notes that this process gives the tequila more intense aromas and nuanced flavor profiles. Each 750mL bottle will retail for $299 on Total Wine and at various on-premise locations across the United States.
“Our Cinco Años Extra Añejo was finished in our signature California red wine barrels and is the ultimate sipping tequila, with an aroma of rich chocolate, hints of vanilla, and wood oak on the finish. We’re excited to bring out a super-premium offering for a limited time,” adds Adam Levine.
Jim Beam Rolling Out New ‘Hardin’s Creek’ Lineup
Jim Beam, the U.S. whisky brand with the most sales by case volume in 2021, has unveiled a new premium American whiskey lineup: Hardin’s Creek. The new line pays homage to the brand’s origins as the first member of Beam’s distillers, Johannes Beam, apparently made his first whiskey in 1795 using a well he built of Hardin’s Creek water. The line features two unique offerings. Colonel James B. Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey contains complex vanilla, nut, and oak flavors and will retail at $80 per 750mL bottle. Meanwhile, Jacob’s Well Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey contains oak and stone fruit profiles and each 750mL bottle will retail for $150. Both offerings contain 54% ABV and will be available at retail in select locations starting July 1st and will be available for preorder on ReserveBar.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch Hardin’s Creek, particularly after the refresh of the James B. Beam Distillery and the opening of the Fred B. Noe Craft Distillery,” said Freddie Noe in a prepared statement. “This has been a long time in the making, and I can’t wait to share it with the world. “Every detail, from the blending techniques to the labels, draws inspiration from centuries of our family’s history, paying homage to our heritage while looking towards our future.”
Sagamore Spirit Launches New Line of Canned Craft Cocktails
With summer looming, whiskey maker, Sagamore Spirit has announced its entry into the ready-to-drink segment with its launch of a line of canned craft cocktails. In collaboration with CAnE Collective mixologists, the brand uses its own Sagamore Spirit rye and a blend of organic juices to create three flavors in this line: Pineapple Ryegarita, Honey Paloma, and Lemon Tea Fizz. The line was developed with the intent to showcase the approachable yet full-bodied nature of Maryland-style rye. The new RTD line will appear in both six can variety formats for $19.99 and single-flavor four-can formats for $15.99. The new canned cocktails will be available at retailers nationwide this summer.
“We love mixing our Maryland-style rye into creative, fun cocktails and thought it was time to give whiskey fans – old and new – a premium canned cocktail that can be enjoyed wherever the day takes you with just the crack of a can,” said Brian Treacy, Sagamore Spirit’s Co-Founder and President of Distillery Operations. “We took our time perfecting these recipes with the talented mixologists at CAnE Collective, and each is layered with flavor and our award-winning rye whiskey in every sip. From beach to boat to late-night bonfire, our ready-to-drink cocktails are meant to be enjoyed during almost any fun summer moment.”
Calexo Launches Line of Cannabis-Infused Sparkling Waters
Calexo, a Los Angeles-based brand focused on social inclusivity and health and wellness trends has launched a line of cannabis-infused sparkling waters called Watercolors. Along with sparkling water, the beverages contain natural flavors and 5mg of nano-emulsified THC per 12oz can. Inspired by the flavor and landscapes of California, the RTDs are posed as an alcohol alternative with no sugar or calories. The new offerings will be available in three flavors: Fuschia, Spring, and Sea. The line will feature in four-pack boxes at select retail locations for a suggested retail price of $20.
“After launching our debut cannabis drinks, Citrus Rose and Cucumber Citrón in early 2020, people told us they loved our unique flavors but would like a smaller-sized, lower-dose drink. Watercolors delivers on this request and offers people the delicious flavors and delightful design they have come to expect from Calexo, with zero sugar, zero calories, and no hangovers. We hope that Watercolors will give people who are curious about cannabis the confidence to try something new knowing that it’s a light and low impact option for feeling good in your body,” said CEO Ian Colon in a statement.