Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/143145
per 1.5-ounce serving. The 750ml size retails for $13.99 while the 1.75-liter plastic bottle retails for $19.99. In May, Social Blends announced the release of Slim Lizzy Cocktails. the name suggests, these cocktails contain 45 calories per serving, making them the lowest calorie RTDs Southern Comfort Cocktails. on the market. Available in Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri and Cosmopolitan varieties, Slim Lizzy Cocktails comes in re-sealable, freezable single-serve pouches and 750 ml glass bottles. Portable packaging "T he ready-to drink category reaches its peak during the summer months when consumers are looking for refreshing drink options that are portable and require Slim Lizzy's Cocktails. little preparation," says Lisa McCann, Brand Director, Malibu, Pernod Ricard USA. Malibu Cocktails is no stranger to convenient packaging. The brand has already packaged its products in portable 1.75-liter pouches, but this summer it added 200 ml cans available as single-serve or 4packs. With 5 percent ABV, Malibu's signature flavor is combined with either pineapple, cranberry or cola, brand manager, Sean Wachsman. "After the launch of new packaging and flavors in April 2012, JDCC has reversed 12-month trends 35 points going from -17.2% to +18.2%," Wachsman says. to meet demand for cutting edge flavors. Though Blood Orange is Things seemingly can only go up for the Brown Forman brand currently only available through mid-summer, Mike's Hard as it has even more excitement for 2013. April saw two 12-pack Strawberry Lemonade was also released as a seasonal flavor and options—a sampler and Lynchburg Lemonade, the first authois now a year-round favorite. rized cocktail by Jack Daniel's—three 16-ounce can four packs American Beverage Corporation's available in Downhome Punch, Watermelon Punch and Lynchburg Daily's Cocktails, the leader in frozen pouches, already provides more flavors Lemonade. But perhaps the most exciting development for the brand will come on October 1 when JDCC introduces its first seathan other brands, according to Daily's sonal flavor, Jack Apple. "Seasonal flavors are an important part chief marketing officer, of innovation in the PAB category, similar to the Lisa Coker. But in 2013, beer category," Wachsman says. "This will be it released even more, available for a limited time after which we'll adding three varieties launch a new seasonal flavor for the warmer to both its light and spring/summer months." tropical cocktail lines. In April 2012, Bud Light Lime unveiled its LimeJanuary saw the introA-Rita, a ready-to-drink margarita that's mixed duction of Light with Bud Light Lime. Selling 500,000 barrels in Margarita, Light Mango less than eight months, it was so successful it was Passionfruit Daiquiri second to only Bud and Light Pink Light Platinum. In Lemonade; the three March, Anheuserboast 180 calories per Busch announced the pouch and joined Light Daily's Frozen launch of Bud Light Strawberry Margarita in Cocktails. Lime Straw-Ber-Rita, the Light Line. The an 8 percent ABV flabrand expanded its tropical line, which includes vored malt beverage Pina Colada, with the February release of Bahama that mixes Bud Light Mama, Blue Hawaiian and Hurricane. The new conLime with a strawberry venient pouches brings Daily's total to 13 flavors. Jack Daniel's margarita. "The Daily's Cocktails plans to innovate with more intro- Country Cocktails. response to Lime-Aductions this year. Rita, especially among non-beer Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails (JDCC) is seeing positive drinkers, was tremendous, and we returns after its new innovations launched in April 2012. Three knew we'd tapped into a winning new flavors—Watermelon Punch, Berry Punch and Downhome Punch Light—were released and packaging was improved to align insight we could build on," says Rob Bud Light Lime McCarthy, vice president, Bud Light. with Jack Daniel's positioning, according to the brand's associate Straw-Ber-Rita. (Continued from page 35) 36 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • July/August 2013