StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/143163
Skinnygirl Grapefruit Margarita. ml bottle. "We do have some packaging innovation in the works," Frank says, not ruling out cans as an option. Bacardi recognized the need for a lighter cocktail line that still delivered its signature rum coupled with natural flavors and released their Classic Cocktails Light line in 2012. "We launched [these] to bring great tasting products to the light sector," says Stephanie Provost, Bacardi brand director, rum category. The original flavors, Light Mojito and Light Pina Colada, were joined in April with a Light Strawberry Daiquiri addition. All are available in 750 ml and 1.75 liter sizes and feature natural flavors, real juices and pure cane sugar, staples in Bacardi's classic cocktails. "We've seen explosion of growth within the convenient cocktails category," says Stephanie Provost, Bacardi Brand director, rum category. "Last year we repositioned the product, really driving home the equity of our classic cocktails Mojito, Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri and then a light line that accompanies that." As the prepared cocktail category's leader and the leading prepared margarita, Jose Cuervo continues to innovate. In 2011, it Kahlúa Cans To Go. introduced the low calorie Jose Cuervo Authentic Light Margarita, and in summer 2012, it extended its light line-up with Jose Cuervo Authentic Wild Berry Light Margarita. "[It] packs fewer than 95 calories per serving and is readyto-serve using Jose Cuervo Especial Gold, the No. 1selling Tequila in the world, triple sec and a mix of Strawberry, Blackberry and Blueberry flavors," says Ami-Lynn Bakshi, Diageo Vice President, Marketing, Jose Cuervo. Launched in summer 2012, CountryGirl Cocktails offers another refreshing twist to the low calorie cocktail Malt-Based MAGNATES S pirits-based prepared cocktails aren't the only RTDs making waves this season. Skinnygirl, Bacardi Classic Cocktails, and Jose Cuervo Authentic Margaritas are sharing the limelight—and terms like ready to drink, ready to serve, and progressive adult beverage—with their cousins, the maltbased prepared cocktails. "We look at the category as an overarching platform of convenient cocktails," says Stephanie Provost, Bacardi brand director, rum category. "That category, in our minds, splits between ready to serve and ready to drink. We're seeing a blurring of those categories from our perspective." She explains the ready to serve products were spirits-based multi-serving cocktails while ready to drink was malt- or winebased and single-serve cocktails. Diageo's Smirnoff Ice adds the seasonal Peach Bellini to its line-up of premium malt beverage offerings. Available from February to September of this year, this springinspired drink comes in a 6-pack package that retails for $7.99. Released in April 2012, Smirnoff Ice Black, the third line of flavored malt beverages for Smirnoff, conveniently packages its premium malt mixed drinks in cans. With flavors like Lemon Lime, Fruit 36 Punch and Watermelon, these beverages contain a higher ABV than their cousins and offer bolder flavors. In June 2012, Smirnoff and Parrot Bay introduced frozen pouches to its line of naturally flavored premium malt beverages. A staple for the summer months, Smirnoff's flavors include Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Frozen Blue Raspberry Lemonade, and Frozen Cherry Limeade. Parrot Bay's five Smirnoff Ice and Smirnoff Frozen Pouches. percent ABV frozen cocktails come in flavors like Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri, Frozen Mango Daiquiri and Frozen Pina Colada. Both brands of ready-to-serve packages are available in 10-ounce single-serve pouches that retail for $1.99. Mike's Hard Lemonade Co. made a name for itself in its bottled drinks and then its cans, and in April, the company announced its hard lemonade would be available in pouches. The brand's most loved flavors—lemonade, black cherry lemonade, classic margarita and strawberry lemonade—were turned Frozen and launched in single 10-ounce pouches. The product has smooth ice crystals for a sorbet appearance, and the pouch uses technology that prevents it from getting sticky. "Mike's is synonymous with innovation and an unrelenting drive to create best in class products," says Kevin Kotecki, the company's president. Mike's also released a new spring seasonal beverage, Mike's Hard Blood Orange, to meet demand for cutting edge flavors. Though Blood Orange is currently only available through mid-summer, Mike's Hard Strawberry Lemonade was also released as a seasonal flavor and is now a year-round favorite. StateWays I www.stateways.com I July/August 2013