Top 10 RTD cocktails for autumn
These canned and bottled cocktails prove that the ready-to-drink (RTD) category has staying power into autumn and beyond.
Alongside Tequila, RTDs are driving spirits sales. But now that summer is over, can canned and bottle cocktails continue to dominate? James Kerslake, CEO and founder of Tom Savano canned and bottled cocktails underscores the importance of catering to autumn occasions. "A lot of people usually only see RTDs as a summer thing, so it’s really key for brands like us to have seasonal appeal."
With a pinch of spice, a dash of pumpkin, and plenty of orchard fruit, these RTDs are giving the category new life and versatility, and drinkers even more options when it comes to staying warm or hosting this holiday season.
Cutwater Spiced Apple Mule
Earlier this month, Cutwater announced the return of its Espresso Martini and Peppermint White Russian and the debut of two new cocktails, Whiskey Sour and Spiced Apple Mule.
Canned at 7% ABV, the Mule features Cutwater, vodka, ginger beer, and spiced apple flavour. The recommended serve is with a cinnamon garnish over ice or straight from the can. The Spiced Apple Mule us available exclusively within Cutwater's Fireside Variety Pack, which features 12 200ml cans.
Dunkin' Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte
Everyone's favourite autumn coffee order now comes with a kick, courtesy of Dunkin'. The Dunkin' Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte comes in a four-pack of 12 ounce cans and is proofed at 6% ABV.
Dunkin' first launched its line of RTDs in August 2023, debuting Spiked Iced Coffees and Spiked Iced Teas in 13 states across the US.
This expression debuted in August this year, and is available in 27 states. The drink is made with coffee, pumpkin spice flavour, and a non-dairy creamer that is vegan and lactose-intolerant friendly.
Gold Fashioned (2024 Release)
Hoste Cocktails has revealed the specs for this year's Gold Fashioned, the brand's ultra-premium version of the whiskey classic released each autumn.
The 2024 release is made with nine-year-old Kentucky Bourbon from high-proof barrels that were finished in oloroso Sherry, 10- and six-year-old rye whiskey from MGP, saffron bitters, and fair-trade Demerara syrup. It is bottled at 42.24% ABV and priced at US$150. While the Gold Fashioned has been a staple for Hoste, the brand also added two cocktails this year with a Manhattan and Mezcal Negroni.
Captain Morgan and Pepsi
Co-branded RTDs continue to take off, with Captain Morgan teaming up with Pepsi for this release in late September.
The mix of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold Rum and Pepsi Max is canned at 5% ABV and priced at £2.59 (US$3.50). Diageo, which owns Captain Morgan, found that 81% of consumers are more likely to purchase an RTD with a branded mixer. This is the first alcoholic beverage from PepsiCo.
On the Rocks Spiced Pear Whiskey Sour
Released just last week and perfect for autumn, this new cocktail from On The Rocks mixes Old Overholt rye with lemon, caramelised pear, and a custom spice mix of cinnamon, brown sugar, allspice, and rosemary.
A seasonal offering, the Spiced Pear Whiskey Sour is bottled at 20% ABV and features packaging equipped with 'scratch and smell' technology, allowing consumers to smell aromas of pear and spices at the time of purchase.
Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini
From BrewDog's line of RTD's, Wonderland Cocktail Co, this Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini is canned at 14% ABV and uses BrewDog Distilling’s Abstrakt vodka, Arabica coffee, and orange liqueur.
The drink is one of twelve cocktails from Wonderland, and is available available exclusively in 460 Sainsbury’s grocery stores across the UK, priced at £3.90 per can.
Gardenista
The makers of Gardenista were inspired by a trip to Matsuhisa, a Japanese restaurant in Aspen, Colorado, where they tried the Gardener cocktail, made with a purée of coriander, ginger, Serrano peppers and simple syrup, as well as lime juice and choice of spirit.
The new line of bottled cocktails has vodka, Tequila, or Bourbon at its base, and blends garden flavours of herbs, fresh lime juice and ginger with a kick of jalapeño. They are bottled at 15% ABV priced between US$15 and US$17.
Deluxe Black Forest Gâteau
This dessert cocktail from Funkin Cocktails was designed for the holiday season and hosting.
Deluxe Black Forest Gâteau blends ripe cherries with a hint of chocolate and vodka and is bottled at 12% ABV. It was released alongside a Deluxe Chocolate Espresso Martini in late September and will be available at Sainsbury’s with additional rollouts planned across retailers and whole channels in the coming months. Both drinks are priced at £12.50.
Hot Honey Margarita
Tom Savano launched its Hot Honey Margarita and the product has already sold out once, and has outsold any of its other canned drinks by 300%.
Canned at 15% ABV, the drink is made with Ocho Tequila, lime juice, jalapeño-infused hot honey, and sea salt. It is available in a six-pack of 125ml cans for £24.
The brand favours Margaritas, but was looking to hop on the current trend of hot honey when imagining a spicy Margarita variant, tapping JD's hot honey to bring it to life.
Jack Daniel's and Cherry Coca-Cola
Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola launched their first co-branded RTD in June 2022, and this past September, the two beverage giants extended the partnership with a limited edition cherry variant.
The drink is canned at 7% ABV and available in a four-pack for US$13 or individually for US$3.50. Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman reported that 1.57 million 9L cases of Jack and Coca-Cola were sold in 2023.
Last month, Pennsylvania legalised the sale of RTDs in grocery stores and petrol stations in the US state.
