Shake things up this May with no muss, no fuss RTDs.
Combining the taste of the most popular cocktail in the U.S. with the ease and convenience of the RTD format, FMB margaritas are a no-brainer for your customers’ Cinco de Mayo celebrations, whether they’re partying on your patio or theirs.
Margarita-inspired FMBs have quickly become the next big thing in RTDs, from hard seltzer variations to fuller-flavored FMBs. The original cocktail is simple, flavorful and refreshing, meaning it translates seamlessly into the FMB format, offering great taste and convenience at a great price point for the retailer. Even better, FMB margaritas offer every channel a piece of the Cinco cocktail pie. In the on-premise, FMB margaritas keep your behind-the-bar operations streamlined, freeing up precious time for your bartenders and waitstaff when the Cinco rush hits. And in the off-premise, RTD margaritas are a quick and easy option for any occasion, whether in slushy form, single serves from the cold box or a variety pack that’s perfect for a party.
While the FMB margarita category has taken off recently, plenty of great brands have been putting in the work for years to make it what it is today. Cayman Jack has seen growth year after year with RTD cocktails like Cayman Jack Margarita and Mojito. They’re the #1 FMB cocktail brand as well as the #1 margarita brand in FMBs/ RTDs, no small feat in this growing category. Fuller flavor and higher ABV FMBs have also had a huge impact on the FMB margarita scene, with products like Ten Ball Mango Margarita (10% ABV), TGI Fridays Margarita (10% ABV) and MXD Margarita (12% ABV) making for the perfect addition to your slushy lineup, with great bang for your buck.
And there’s a new wave of hard seltzer margaritas on the way. Truly Margarita burst onto the scene in a big way this year with a variety pack featuring Mango Chili, Classic Lime, Strawberry Hibiscus and Watermelon Cucumber margarita-style hard seltzers, as well as solid packs of Classic Lime. The latest range of Truly seltzers has already seen tremendous results, snagging over 5% market share of hard seltzer in just a month. Other big names in hard seltzer are following suit, with Topo Chico Hard Seltzer launching a margarita variety pack in April featuring Topo Chico’s mineral water and four flavors that play into the authenticity of the brand. Corona’s hotly anticipated Seltzerita is slated to debut this spring, with a variety pack that includes authentic margarita flavors like Classic Lime, Peach, Mango and Strawberry, each with a splash of real Mexican lime juice. Smirnoff’s new Poco Pico variety packs (both hard seltzer and Ice versions) will feature a Spicy Margarita flavor, and Lone River Ranch Water Hard Seltzer will launch Lone River RanchRita this April, a deliciously light-tasting margarita-style beverage made with real lime juice and organic agave nectar.
But is this a trend that will last through the summer? Experts say yes. A recent study showed that Gen Z overwhelmingly prefers FMBs to beer, from hard seltzers and hard teas to malt-based RTD cocktails. And when you add in that Gen Z’s favorite spirit is tequila, RTDs that play on tequila and tequila-based cocktails are sure to continue to be a smash hit with younger LDA consumers.
Even More-garitas: The Newest Margarita-style Hard Seltzers
Topo Chico Margarita Variety: A 12-pack variety of cans will be available in April and features Topo Chico’s mineral water in each authentic flavor: Signature Margarita, Strawberry Hibiscus, Tropical Pineapple and Prickly Pear.
Corona Seltzerita: The Corona Seltzerita variety pack features authentic margarita flavors like Classic Lime, Peach, Mango and Strawberry.
Smirnoff Seltzer Poco Pico Variety: The new Smirnoff Seltzer Poco Pico Variety Pack features four flavors with a kick, including Spicy Margarita.
Lone River RanchRita: Lone River RanchRita will deliver a fuller-bodied flavor profile similar to the taste of a classic margarita, while leveraging what consumers love about Lone River Ranch Water Hard Seltzer – its clean taste and high-quality ingredients.