Over the decades, we see many different trends in alcohol consumption. Most recently, the 2010’s saw a rise of micro breweries and IPA’s. The 2020s came the seltzer boom. Starting with the independent brand Spiked-Seltzer(now named Bon&Viv) later bought by giant Anheuser-Busch. Then the infamous White Claw, launched in 2016, owned by the same company as Mike’s Hard Lemonade. White Claw was marketed as a Gluten Free, low calorie drink targeted towards women and the health conscience. Many beer brands and other well known beverage brands have jumped on the band wagon and released their own spiked drink versions. Spiked Mountain Dew, Spiked Topo Chico, and Simply Spiked are all available on the market, with many more crowding the shelves.
Are we seeing a popularity decline in these types of drinks already? In many stores, you will see some of these brands on sale, making room for new flavors and versions of other drinks. Spiked Seltzers are similar to beer, as they are technically a malt beverage, so they legally be sold where beer is sold. Where canned cocktails are somewhat newer to the market, since a shelf stable canning method for actual spirits like vodka is relatively new. But limited in some states to be only sold in liquor stores.
A survey from NC Solutions, found 49% of Americans plan to drink less alcohol. There are already more and more adaptogen and CBD infused drinks and mocktails. But the global company Cola-Cola has plans on releasing their own canned cocktail to meet the trends. Minute Maid Spiked with vodka will soon be on the market, with a 5% alcohol by volume and no carbonation. I may not be a big drinker but thinking about a canned minute maid cocktail does not stand out in a market already filled with so many options. The drink sounds like something whipped up by college students on a budget. Minute maid is a cheap lemonade drink mix, paired with vodka, sounds like something you can easily make yourself, for much cheaper. I may be wrong, but I am not really counting on this particular cocktail making much of a splash in the market.
Do you love canned cocktails and spiked seltzers? Will you be trying the different versions?
