April’s product launches underscored the trend of expanding canned options, with several brands continuing to enter the RTD space or adding new flavor options to existing collections. The month also saw Diageo releasing a new tequila and WhistlePig exploring a creative new use for David Ortiz’s baseball bats. Below is Park Street’s full product release recap for April 2022.
SVEDKA Launches Tropics Tea Spritz
Just in time for summer, high-profile vodka brand SVEDKA has joined the RTD party with its release of SVEDKA Tropics Tea Spritz. The hard seltzers will appear in three varieties: Pineapple Guava, Raspberry Kiwi, and Orange Mango. The new extensions are made with vodka, tea, sparkling water, and tropical fruit flavors and each contains 5% ABV. The new offerings are available in both 4 and 8-pack formats and will retail at 12.99 and 19.99 respectively.
“With real ingredients and a lower ABV, SVEDKA Tropics provides a depth of flavor and a unique taste experience that sets it apart from other hard seltzers. The RTD canned category continues to grow at a rapid pace, and we believe SVEDKA Tropics offers a fantastic option for any occasion” said Billy Lagor, Senior Vice President of Brand Management at SVEDKA.
Michelob Ultra Unveils Coconut Water Seltzer
Anheuser-Busch’s Michelob Ultra released a spiked hard seltzer line called The Essential Collection. It is the first hard seltzer with national distribution to acquire an organic certification from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The offering comes in four variations: Blueberry Watermelon, Strawberry Guava, Berry Hibiscus, and Kiwi Lime. The seltzers are made with real fruit juice and infused coconut water and contain 90 calories per 12oz slim can. Coming in at 4% AVB, the collection will retail in variety 12-packs for $14.99.
“We believe that Michelob ULTRA is uniquely positioned to win in the hard seltzer segment, not only because it’s one of the hottest brands in the country, but also because it has unmatched equity as a high-quality brand,” Global Vice President of Michelob Ultra Ricardo Marques said in a press release in 2021. “This is just the beginning of an exciting, action-packed year from Michelob ULTRA, and we couldn’t be more excited.” {Trillist}
WhistlePig Teams Up With Big Papi To Launch World’s First Baseball Bat-Finished Whiskey
WhistlePig has announced a new single barrel Legends Series in collaboration with former baseball star David Ortiz (“Big Papi”). The first of three iterations in the limited edition series, the 100% rye whiskey is aged for six years in American oak and is finished in barrels containing toasted maple wood bats (Big Papi’s signature bat). The offering is bottled at 96.56% proof and will retail at $49.99 per 750mL bottle for purchase on the Vermont producer’s official website.
“It was incredible to collaborate with David Ortiz, whose toasted maple bats add layers of spice and caramelized notes to the bold, 100% rye character of WhistlePig PiggyBack,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Blender. “I think fans of the game – regardless of team – will find a home run in the Big Papi Barrel.”
Drink Monday Expands Non-Alcoholic Offerings with Mezcal
Non-alcoholic beverage brand Drink Monday has added a Mezcal to its existing offerings. Monday Mezcal is the San Diego-based brand’s third non-alcoholic spirit and helps establish them as a leading portfolio in the low and no category. The mezcal is made by hand with natural ingredients at their craft distillery in Southern California. The product boasts no carbs, calories, or sugar and is available for purchase on the company’s official website at $42 for non-members.
“With Monday Mezcal, we have a rare opportunity to surprise and delight two very special groups on the rise with a single spirit – the non-alcoholic community at large, and the agave spirits loving crowd that may, for the first time, have a reason to look over the fence toward a lifestyle using a little less alcohol without taking away flavor or experience,” says Drink Monday CEO and Founder, Chris Boyd.”
Seagram’s Vodka Launches Two New Flavors
Seagram’s Vodka has added two flavors to its existing portfolio: Strawberry Lemonade and Pineapple Mango. The strawberry lemonade vodka is meant to be mixed with sparkling water and lemonade for an easy-to-make cocktail while the Pineapple Mango is best served with blended juice or over a few rocks. The two selections come in at 35% ABV and are available for retail purchase nationwide at $12.99 per bottle.
“Vodka is the largest value spirits category and the #2 spirits category overall – and we are proud to say that Seagram’s Vodka checks both of those boxes,” said Marcel Durand, Vice President of Marketing, Infinium Spirits. “Our goal with these new flavor launches is to introduce more consumers to our quality, mixable product at an affordable price, especially ahead of the warmer weather.”
Tequila Cazadores Launches Refreshing Ranch Water Canned Cocktail
Premium spirit brand Tequila Cazadores has added a Ranch Water offering to their existing line of RTD-based canned cocktails. Made with Tequila Cazadores Blanco, sparkling mineral water, and lime juice, the premium canned cocktail is the fourth edition to its nationally distributed line. The RTD will be available in select markets throughout the western U.S. and each 12oz can contains 5.9% ABV and will retail in 4-packs at $12.99.
“Tequila Cazadores has received an overwhelmingly positive response to the line of ready-to-drink canned cocktails released last year and the rise in popularity of Ranch Water cocktails felt like a natural progression for our consumers who enjoy the ease of an RTD beverage that has real tequila and real ingredients. As we celebrate the 100-year-anniversary of our original tequila recipe this year, we’re excited to continue innovating with new products while staying true to our original tequila recipe developed in 1922″ said Ashley Campbell, Tequila Cazadores Senior Brand Manager.
Diageo Introduces Astral Tequila
Diageo added to its expansive portfolio with the launch of a new premium tequila brand, Astral Tequila. Made with 100% Blue Weber agave in Jalisco, Mexico, the offering employs a unique milling process that uses a stone wheel called a tahona to crush juices from the agave fibers which are then incorporated into the fermentation process. The result is a complex but smooth tequila with citrus, honey, and white pepper notes. Astral Tequila is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $34.99 per 750mL bottle.
“We’re incredibly proud to introduce Astral Tequila,” says Christina Choi, SVP of Tequila, Diageo North America. “Our traditional and time-intensive process creates a delicious, unique tequila, made to be enjoyed with close friends for brighter cocktails and connections.”
Avaline Launches White & Rosé Wine Cans
Avaline, a wine brand owned by Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power, has released canned formats for their White and Rose wines. The brand is using the same organic grapes and vegan-friendly ingredients in the canned wines as they do for the rest of their product line. The offering will be available in 4-pack formats with 250mL in each can. They will be available for purchase at select retailers for $21.99 and on the company’s official website for $28.
“We’re proud to join the fast-growing canned wine sector with the introduction of our top-selling White and Rosé wines in a convenient, new format. Our cans stand out with quality, transparency, sustainability, and elevated design. We feel confident they will appeal to our local community and new wine lovers alike,” says Katherine Power.
Bud Light Seltzer Releases ‘Cocktail Hour’ Themed Variety Pack
Adding to their existing seltzer line, Bud Light has announced the summer-themed release of the Cocktail Hour variety pack. The limited-time offering will appear in 12-pack formats with four different flavors in each: Tropical Punch, Lime Margarita, Watermelon Mojito, and Strawberry Daiquiri. This follows the Anheuser-Busch brand’s release of a sour variety pack and a hard soda pack. Each can will contain 5% ABV, with 100 calories and zero sugar. The variety pack will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $15.99.
“Our new limited-edition Cocktail Hour variety pack is perfect for our loyal fans who expect us to have bold, delicious flavors, and is appealing to consumers who are looking for a seltzer spin on their fan-favorite summer cocktail flavors as they gather with friends and family this season,” said Andy Goeler, Bud Light’s vice president of marketing.
New Topo Chico Margarita Hard Seltzer is Here
In the next addition to its hard seltzer series, Topo Chico is unveiling a Margarita Hard Seltzer variety pack. The new offering will include four new flavors which are all riffs on the classic cocktail: Signature Margarita, Tropical Pineapple, Strawberry Hibiscus, and Prickly Pear. Each can in the variety pack is 12-ounces and contains 100 calories at 4.5% ABV. The Signature Margarita offering will also be available in stand-alone 24-ounce can formats. The selection is now available for purchase nationwide.
“Everyone loves a good margarita – it’s the No. 1 cocktail on-premise for a reason and a natural fit for a brand like Topo Chico Hard Seltzer,” says Matt Escalante, vice president of hard seltzers at Molson Coors Beverage Co. “So we took what drinkers look for in a margarita – everything from the salty rim to the exotic fruit flavors and citrusy finish – and put it into an easy-drinking hard seltzer.”
Anheuser-Busch to Bring Ukrainian Beer, Chernigivske, to the U.S. Market
Anheuser-Busch will be launching Ukraine’s most popular beer, Chernigivske, in the United States to raise funds for humanitarian relief in the country. Starting in May the beer will be brewed at Anheuser-Busch’s factory location in Newark, New Jersey, and will be available for purchase in New York, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
A staple in its portfolio, AB InBev describes Chernigivske’s brand as a celebration of Ukrainian history, culture, and people and is named after the city of Chernihiv where it’s been brewed since 1988. The pale golden lager contains fruity notes and has a moderately bitter finish. In addition to the proceeds from beer sales, the multinational brewer will also donate at least $5 million to humanitarian aid organizations. AB InBev said the initiative is “aimed at providing humanitarian relief for those impacted by the crisis in Ukraine.”