The accessibility of premixed cocktails has pushed the Ready-To-Drink category into a boom, challenging previous drinking spaces, occasions and formats as we see brands diversify a spectrum of RTD drinking purposes. The industry is adapting to new expectations of quality, taste and health, whilst balancing a sense of convenience and functionality.
In this month’s Futures feed – Alternative Tipples – we explore how the ready-to-drink category is being transformed from a fast-casual drinking culture into a new generation of sophisticated drinking occasions and rituals. Notable newcomers in this space include Morris Kitchen who are creating carefully crafted mixers and Aurora Elixirs who are blending aperitifs with hemp and cannabis.
Alternative Tipples explores four emerging themes of change, which are brought to life with key insights, best-in-class brand examples and opportunity areas for brands looking to capitalise on the emerging changes in this sector.
Four key themes of Change
1. Off-the-shelf
The RTD market is being diversified in the mainstream with a new sense of craft, premiumisation and quality that opens up a new world of opportunities for the category
2. Non-alcoholic moments
As people are drinking less by volume and increasingly seek lower ABV, the opportunity is ripe for desirable, convenient and sophisticated alcohol-free RTD options
3. New drinking occasions
Brands are beginning to develop products that invent new drinking rituals and experiences that savour the moment and that increase connection and meaningful social interactions
4. Reimagined formats
Inspired by individual awareness, environmental concern and drinking occasions, a new generation of concepts are redefining the function, format and purpose of RTD packaging
