Coca-Cola and Bacardi are set to launch a ready-to-drink cocktail featuring Bacardi rum mixed with Coca-Cola in 2025, starting in select European markets and Mexico. The drink will have a standard alcohol content of 5%, though this may vary by region.
This partnership highlights a trend where major alcohol brands are collaborating with soft drink companies to tap into the growing ready-to-drink (RTD) market. Not long ago, the idea of Coca-Cola entering the alcohol space seemed unusual, but it’s now becoming a strategic move for the company.
James Quincey, Coca-Cola’s CEO, mentioned that this collaboration aligns with their goal of expanding their product offerings to include more alcoholic beverages. For alcohol companies like Bacardi, partnering with a well-established soda brand can enhance distribution and market reach.
While beverage alcohol companies find it relatively easy to enter the RTD category, soft drink giants face a steeper learning curve, from developing consistent alcoholic drinks to navigating complex distribution models.
Bacardi and Coca-Cola’s upcoming drink will showcase their iconic brands and is just one example of how these companies are merging efforts in the beverage market. Coca-Cola has also partnered with Brown-Forman to create a Jack & Coke RTD cocktail.
