A Drink for Every Occasion: Inside the Evolving RTD Category
The desires of today’s drinkers are as unpredictable and fast-changing as the weather or Philly sports teams. Even five years ago, craft breweries could release lavish IPAs with numerous hops and expect customers to line up for cans. But taste preferences change quickly. Today’s drinkers want more choices with less carbonation and fewer calories making RTDs one of biggest success stories in the beverage alcohol industry.
Expanding Category
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails have become the new “it” category. After growing nearly 18% in 2025, the category has established itself as a driving force in the U.S. spirits market, raking in nearly 11 billion dollars in sales (1). As consumers continue to look for convenience without sacrificing choice, RTDs are becoming an increasingly popular option.
The demand for choice has fueled innovation across the category. From familiar flavors like lemonade and iced tea to sports-inspired beverages and traditional cocktails, consumers have more options than ever before.
For retailers and suppliers, this growing variety creates more opportunities to connect consumers with products that fit their preferences.
The Power of Choice
Gone are the days when consumers had to choose between just beer, wine, and spirits. Today, they can narrow down their options by carbonation, alcohol by volume (ABV), calories, gluten, and sugar. They can even choose brands that give back, allowing consumers to support causes they care about along with their purchase.
As the category continues to grow, brands are finding different ways to stand out. Some focus on familiar flavors and refreshing combinations, while others bring new twists to classic favorites. Spiked teas and lemonades are two examples of how brands are giving consumers more options within a familiar flavor profile.
Spiked Tea and Lemonade: Sun Cruiser and Lucky One
Spiked teas and lemonades from leading brands like High Noon, Sun Cruiser and Lucky One, make up 23% of the RTD category (1), and this number keeps growing year after year. Surprisingly, only six brands account for 63% of Hard Tea and 80% of Hard Lemonade purchases (2). Sun Cruiser has quickly emerged as a leader in the spirits-based tea space. Boston Beer reported triple-digit depletion growth for the brand in Q2 2026, while noting that Sun Cruiser has already grown into a top-five spirits RTD and ranks among the category’s fastest-growing brands by volume (6).
Lucky One is carving out its own place in the category with its Lemonade and Sweet Tea. Beyond its flavors, the brand donates a portion of every Lucky One Lemonade pack to support animal rescue organizations. With Miss Peaches on every can, the brand gives dog and animal lovers alike a reason to connect with what they are drinking.
All the Flavors: High Noon, Carbliss, and Long Drink
Brands like High Noon, Carbliss, and Long Drink are leaning into consumers’ desires for variety by delivering with expansive lineups that target almost every preference.
High Noon helped reshape the RTD market after launching in 2019 by bringing real spirits into category that was dominated by malt-based hard seltzers. Today, High Noon is the No. 1 spirits-based RTD brand in the U.S. by volume. Known for its premium, easy-drinking beverages, made with real vodka or tequila, the brand offers more than 15 flavors across their seltzer and iced tea lineup. With a wide range of flavors, variety packs, and new innovations, High Noon continues to give consumers more ways to enjoy the brand.
Carbliss has built its identity around more than an expansive lineup. This Wisconsin-based, veteran-owned brand offers zero carbs, zero sugar, and gluten-free cocktails made with real spirits. Carbliss currently offers a range of flavors including vodka-based Black Raspberry, Pineapple, Cranberry, Lemon Lime, Lemon Iced Tea, Black Cherry, and Peach.
“The concept of Carbliss is to blend the spirts-based seltzer and canned cocktail markets into one can,” Adam, President and co-founder of Carbliss, said on BeerNet Radio.
Carbliss continues to march to the beat of its own drum, but it appears the strategy is working. The brand remains staying focused on what has fueled its growth from the start: bold flavor, approachable nutritional facts, and a product that stands apart on the shelf.
The Long Drink portfolio also offers a variety of flavors, different ABV levels, and zero-sugar options, all with a historical kick. The Finnish Long Drink was originally created for the Helsinki Olympics as a grapefruit cocktail and can now be enjoyed across America in a variety of flavors, including classic Citrus, Peach, Cranberry, and more. The Long Drink brand has more than tripled in size since 2022 (3).
A Different Kind of RTD: AriZona Hard and Spiked Ade
Not every consumer is looking for bubbles. Brands like AriZona Hard and Spiked Ade are taking a different approach on the RTD experience, combining familiar flavors with smooth, noncarbonated profiles.
AriZona is a brand known and loved across generations. Recently, it added an alcoholic kick to its classic Green Tea with honey and ginseng. At 4.5% ABV, the beloved drink’s vodka twist offers refreshment without feeling too heavy, no matter the time of day.
Spiked Ade is a vodka-based, sports drink-inspired RTD featuring no carbonation and zero sugar. Born in New Jersey, the brand has carved out a distinct position in the emerging “ade” category. With the recent acquisition from Constellation Brands the growth potential is limitless with anticipation for expanded distribution and increased marketing investment. What started out as a golf course drink has grown exponentially, finding a new generation of RTD drinkers.
Higher ABV: Waterbird and Monaco
Choice goes beyond flavor. RTDs also come in a range of ABV levels, with brands like Monaco and Waterbird offering higher-ABV options.
Launched in 2012, Monaco helped ignite the RTD cocktail category and popularized the concept of canned cocktails for big nights, high-intensity sports and live events, drawing consumers to the brand and its flavorful lineup of modern classics like Citrus Rush, Watermelon Crush, Lime Crush, Black Raspberry and more.
Since launching 14 years ago, Monaco has grown to become a top-five RTD cocktail brand in the U.S. and holds a 5% market share of RTD singles, in addition to now being the #1 independently owned RTD singles cocktail brand in the U.S. across all tracked retail channels (5).
In what seems like a crowded RTD space, Waterbird stands out with its higher ABV canned cocktails, ranging from 10-13%. Recently, the brand expanded its lineup with a new Variety Pack, pairing the brand’s cocktail-forward approach while satisfying the growing demand for zero sugar options.
As brands continue to explore different flavors, formats, and ABVs, innovation is helping keep the category fresh; giving consumers even more reasons to explore what’s available.
Continuous Innovation
RTD brands are continuing to expand their lines to meet consumer demand and keep their offerings fresh. Spiked Ade is growing its sports drink-inspired lineup with refreshing Watermelon and bold Grape flavors, with more innovation on the horizon.
Many established brands are expanding their offerings to include RTDs, and Dogfish Head is doing just that. While beer is their bread and butter, Dogfish Head has brought its off-centered approach to canned cocktails, using a variety of their own spirits to put a unique spin on familiar flavors that consumers can enjoy.
Another new brand on the market is Sinless. This vodka-based drink comes in four flavors, all branded with themes of temptation and indulgence. Sinless is building momentum in the Atlantic City casinos where it found a natural fit with the provocative and sin-themed branding, combined with an easy, ready-to-serve format for bartenders.
The RTD’s non-stop innovation continues to give consumers more ways to explore the category.
No Signs of Stopping
With so many choices, there’s an RTD for a variety of tastes and preferences. From spiked tea and lemonade to noncarbonated options and canned cocktails, our portfolio offers plenty of ways to explore the category.
RTDs are projected to continue to show strong growth over the next five years. Gen Z is shaping drinking culture, and RTDs are becoming their go-to. Weekly consumption of RTDs has climbed from 44% to 55%, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge (4).
The younger generations asked for drink choices that fit into their lifestyle, and suppliers responded. The RTD is and will continue to be a bright spot for the beverage industry.
Sources
1 Circana, Total US MULO + Liq + Conv, 52 Weeks Ending 1/25/26; All RTDs. Supplier-provided data.
2 Circana Total US MULO 52 Weeks Ending 02-15-26; Dollar Sales by Brand Family, Tea and Lemonades. Supplier-provided data.
3 Kane, Jason. “The Finnish Long Drink Just Sold for $325 Million. Here Is What That Actually Means.” Liquid Opportunities, 2026.
4 IWSR. “Increased Gen Z drinking sustained, Boomers drinking moderates.” IWSR, 2026.
5 Nielsen xAOC + Convenience and Liquor, Open States, Period Ending 1/24/26.
6 Boston Beer Q2 2026 earnings commentary, as reported by Beer Business Daily, July 24, 2026.
About Kramer Beverage
Kramer Beverage is South Jersey’s largest beer wholesaler and is owned and operated by the Kramer family – through four generations – since 1924. They are based out of Hammonton and serve an eight-county footprint in South Jersey with top brands from Molson Coors, Constellation, Yuengling, Boston Beer, Heineken USA, Pabst, Diageo, FIFCO, and others. Kramer Beverage also distributes wine, spirits, and a variety of craft beers from suppliers such as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada to local favorites, including Cape May Brewing, MudHen, Double Nickel, Evil Genius, and Glasstown. For more information, please visit www.kramerbev.com.