Ready to drink alcoholic beverages: your ultimate guide

In recent years, the beverage industry has seen a significant shift towards convenience and innovation. One of the most popular trends is the rise of Ready to Drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages. These pre-mixed alcoholic drinks offer the perfect blend of flavor, convenience, and quality, making them a favorite choice for many. In this article, we'll dive into the world of RTD beverages, exploring their benefits and how to transport them.

What are ready to drink alcoholic beverages?

Ready to Drink alcoholic beverages or RTD’s, are pre-mixed alcoholic drinks that come in a convenient, ready-to-consume format. They typically combine spirits, wine, or beer with mixers and flavors, for an easy way to enjoy a cocktail. These RTD beverages come in various formats, including cans, bottles, and cartons, suitable for different preferences and occasions. 

The IWSR splits RTD into eight sub-categories

1. Cocktails or long drinks: Night-out favourites like mojito and cosmopolitan fall into this sub-category, alongside spirit and mixers like a rum and coke
2. Hard seltzers: Blended carbonated water and alcohol, sometimes with added fruit flavours. Usually these are malt-based but can be wine- or spirit-based
3. Hard coffees: Alcoholic coffee drinks like cold-brewed 
4. Hard teas: Alcoholic teas
5. Hard kombuchas: Alcoholic fermented drinks containing sweetened black or green tea
6. Wine spritzers/coolers: Wine mixed with carbonated water or sodas like lemonade
7. Flavoured alcoholic beverages (FABs): Other RTDs usually recognised by their brand name like Smirnoff ice
8. Ready-to-Serve (RTS): on-the-go alcoholic drinks with an ABV of 10% or more, usually presented in larger formats for sharing

The global pre-mixed alcoholic drinks market

According to data sourced from Euromonitor International, in 2017, the global RTD market was at 4.1 billion liters. By 2023, it surged to 7.9 billion liters. Interestingly, the USA, Japan, and Australia dominate 65% of this market. Looking ahead, the global RTD market is projected to reach an estimated worth of US$21.1 billion by 2027, which will make it one of the quickest-growing sectors in the spirits industry. 

The popularity of this category and its overall success can be attributed to it fulfilling a need in the market for convenience and fun! Here’s some more reasons why this category is taking off:

Benefits of RTD Beverages

• Convenience: One of the main advantages of RTD beverages is their convenience. They take away the inconvenience of having to mix ingredients, measure proportions and have the props to shake and serve them. You also don’t need to stock your home with lots of bottles of spirits in order to consume more than one type of cocktail.
• Consistent Quality: RTD beverages are crafted by expert producers, so the quality and taste with every sip is consistent and reliable. This can be particularly beneficial if you have no bartending skills but still want to enjoy a mixed beverage.
• Variety of Flavors: There are lots of flavors available under the RTD category, catering to diverse palates. This variety of tastes is what makes the category so attractive, alongside creative marketing and attractive packaging.
• On-the-go: The on-the-go alcoholic drinks packaging format of RTD beverages makes them highly portable. Wherever a consumer might be heading, these drinks is easy to carry on the journey.

How to ship RTD beverages internationally 

Transporting RTD beverages internationally involves more complexity than domestic transport as you need to comply with the laws, regulations and customs procedures at both origin and destination. Here are essential tips for a smooth logistics process.

Selecting the Right Type of Container

Choosing the appropriate container is crucial for international shipping. Dry containers are readily available world-wide and ideal if you are transport spirits, since these are unaffected by temperature and humidity during transport. If you're pre-mixed alcoholic drinks are wine or beer based however, you might want to consider insulated shipping containers to help stop thermal shocks from damaging their quality. 

Complying with Legislation and Regulations

Each country has specific regulations regarding the import and export of alcoholic beverages. Research and comply with these regulations to avoid legal issues. This includes obtaining necessary permits/licenses and ensuring that your shipment meets all labeling and packaging requirements.  If you are working with a specialist beverage logistics provider like Hillebrand Gori, we can take care of this for you.

Managing Customs Clearance

Customs clearance can be a challenging aspect of international shipping. Prepare all necessary documentation, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin. Clearly label your shipment to facilitate customs inspections. Working with Hillebrand Gori means this is easy, as we act as the customs broker and can simplify this process and help avoid delays.

Working with an Experienced Logistics Provider

Partnering with an experienced logistics provider who specializes in shipping alcoholic beverages can greatly streamline the process. At Hillebrand Gori we can offer valuable advice on transport modes, routings, documentation and compliance. Our expertise can help navigate the complexities of international shipping, ensuring that your RTD beverages arrive safely and on time. Request a quote online or contact your local office.

Reviewed by Hillebrand Gori