US RTD cocktails surge as category nears 80m cases
Spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktails added more than 10 million cases in the US last year, according to new figures from Impact Databank. Growth continues to be driven by simple serves and familiar cocktail formats rather than experimental flavours.
Spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktails are making big inroads into the US alcohol market, according to figures from Impact Databank.
The category grew by more than 10 million cases in 2025 to nearly 80 million cases, reflecting changing public attitudes on how they consume spirits. And the evidence is that the category is becoming a firm part of consumers’ repertoires rather than an experimental or passing fad.
But rather than exotic flavours, the most solid gains came from simple combinations such as vodka and iced tea, spirit and seltzer drinks and packaged versions of classic cocktails.
Market remains highly concentrated
The market remains concentrated. The 32 leading spirits-based RTD brands account for 74 million cases, or 93% of the category, with 11 brands each selling more than 1 million cases. Combined, they account for more than 64 million cases or some 80% of total volumes in the US.
Gallo’s High Noon is the largest, selling 24.1 million cases, but last year the brand’s volumes actually fell by 3%. The group’s VMC RTD, which is popular within the Hispanic community, virtually doubled its sales in 2025 to 1.37 million cases.
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Surfside leads the charge
The biggest gainer was Surfside, owned by Stateside Brands, with the vodka and iced tea offering gaining 124% in the year to 10.5 million cases, making it the second largest spirits-based RTD brand in the US. It has grown from fewer than 1,000 cases in 2021 to become one of the largest labels in the US beverage alcohol sector.
Cutwater, owned by Anheuser-Busch, gained 61% in 2025 to 6.5 million cases, making it the third largest spirits-based RTD label in the country, while the giant brewer’s vodka and soda brand, Nütrl, put on 17.5% to 3.2 million cases.
Another big gainer was the independent Carbliss, whose volumes for its vodka and Tequila-based seltzers grew 50% to 4.2 million cases despite being available in only 22 of the 50 states.
Molson Coors’ Monaco sold 3.3 million cases, a rise of 6.5%, and came fifth in the growth league table.
Bottled cocktails show promise
Sazerac’s Buzzballz lines gained 50% to 2.6 million cases as consumers continued buying portable single-serve cocktails at lower price points, but Proximo’s Jose Cuervo Margaritas fell 9.5% to 2.1 million cases.
A likely contender for growth honours in 2026 is Suntory Global Spirits’ On the Rocks bottled cocktails. Last year, they rose 21.5% from a low comparative base to 963,000 cases.
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