WHAT ARE RTDs?

RTD stands for ready-to-drink, which means drinks that are premixed and ready for consumption. They are a convenient way to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at home or on the go. They typically have a similar alcohol content to beer.

There are three basic types of RTD beverages:
1. Malt-based begin with a malt- based alcohol source like hard selt- zers (43% of the RTD market), hard kombucha, hard tea, and other malt beverages (37% of the RTD market) 

2. Wine-based includes canned wine and wine cocktails (9% of the RTD market)

3. Spirits-based include ready-to- drink cocktails, shooters, and seltzers that are spiked with spirits (11% of the RTD market)

The RTD market was just under $800 million in 2021 and is expected to grow to as high as $2.5 billion by 2030. Spirits-based RTDs have experienced enormous growth since 2021.

WHY ARE RTD CANNED COCKTAILS SO POPULAR?
There has been an at-home cocktail culture emerging for years, and COVID accelerated its growth. Spirits-based RTDs make it easy to deliver high-quality drinks without the fuss of purchasing or making mixer ingredients (e.g., simple syrups, herbal infusions) that tend to be used once and then go to waste. As the market for RTDs grows, so does their variety and quality.

RTDs also meet the needs of more health-conscious consumers. Brands that have been around for years tend to contain a lot of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and coloring. The introduction of hard seltzers gave consumers a healthier option by providing a lighter drink with minimal sugars and carbs.

Producers have stepped up their game in recent years, providing higher- quality options, thus helping the RTD market expand. Customers are drawn to premium and high-quality products.

THE VERMONT RTD PROBLEM

Vermont is a “Control State,” and as a result, all spirits-based beverages are distributed by the State. Until 2022, this included spirits-based RTD products. Although malt-based RTD beverages enjoyed shelf space near their beer brethren, spirits-based RTDs had to be sold in the liquor section of 802 stores controlled by the State. This limited the sales outlets for spirits-based RTDs to around 80 stores. By contrast, over 2,000 stores could sell beer and malt-based RTD products. This was clearly not a level playing field.

A CHANGE HAS COME

During the 2022 legislative session, Black Flannel Brewing  worked with State legislators, the State Department of Liquor and Lottery, and other members of the Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont to change laws so that spirits-based RTDs would no longer be in the State’s control and could be distributed by private parties. RTDs could share shelf space with malt-based beverages at over 2,000 Vermont stores. The law passed in favor of private distribution and went into effect on July 1, 2022.

BLACK FLANNEL ENTERS THE RTD MARKET

Black Flannel looked at the range of products available in the RTD space and decided the market could benefit from a truly professional, creative cocktail version of a spirits-based RTD. They formulated their products to simulate a freshly made cocktail (as if you were sitting at our bar watching one of our professional bartenders mix your cocktail for you).

Black Flannel Distilling launched three varieties of RTD products on July 1, 2022.

 

Cool Hand Cuke is a London dry gin-based cocktail featuring fresh, cold-pressed cucumber, mint-infused simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and soda water.

 

T-Thyme is like a hard Arnold Palmer infused with our vodka and fresh thyme.

 

Ginger & Mary Ann is rum-based with fresh ginger, pineapple juice, lime juice, and Angostura bitters.
The spirits are the secret ingredient in all Black

Flannel RTDs, which are small-batch and craft-distilled locally in the same facility where the cocktails are mixed and canned. Creating all spirits, from sugar source to glass, means the level of freshness and quality is un- paralleled in the industry. It costs more to produce, but the results are worth it. Look for Black Flannel’s RTDs throughout Vermont. 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLACK FLANNEL 

BLACK FLANNEL DISTILLING COMPANY 

21 Essex Way
Essex Junction, VT 

www.blackflannel.com