Food

The Pre-Mixed & RTD Masters 2022 – The Spirits Business

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The increasing popularity of ready-to-drink and pre-mixed cocktails has gone hand in hand with an increase in the number of expressions on today’s market. But which brands are worth buying?

The ever-expanding ready-to-drink (RTD) sector has experienced a swathe of innovation in recent years, as alcohol firms have widened their product ranges with pre-mixed offerings. According to a recent report by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the RTD category is predicted to grow by 24% in volume over the next five years, led by spirit-based cocktails and long drinks.

Spirit-based RTDs – particularly vodka-based variants – held 45% of the category volume share in 2021 in the 10 markets surveyed, and were driving “the lion’s share of innovation”, the IWSR noted. To assess the large number of products on the market, The Spirits Business held its Pre-mixed & RTD Masters last month.

An expert team of judges gathered at the Ibis Styles in London’s Southwark to bestow medals on products made with a base of vodka, gin, rum, Tequila, and whisky.

The first panel was chaired by Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions. She was joined by: Elise Craft, co-host of Whisky Squad; Emilia Wrelton, bar manager at Electric House private members club in London; and Marko Stanar, head bartender at Annabel’s in London.

The second panel was formed of: Angelo Sparvoli, head bartender at St James Bar at the Sofitel St James hotel in London; Dimple Athavia, founder of All Things Drinks; and Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business, who chaired the panel.

Panel three comprised: Sarah Miller, founder of the Gin A Ding Ding blog; Stephen Kennard of SMJK Consulting; and Anthony Callegari, head of bars at the London Edition.

Matt Chambers, co-founder of the Whisky for Everyone blog and the North London Whisky Club, chaired the fourth panel. His team included: Sara Jane Eichler, founder of the Negroni Club UK; and Herchelle Perez Terrado, director of Drinks Partnership.

An expert team of judges gathered at the Ibis Styles in London’s Southwark for the tasting

Vodka-based variants were the first entries put to the test, with two Espresso Martinis scooping the top Master award. The Mixology Company’s Espresso Martini offered “rich mocha sweetness from melted espresso ice cream that delivers the smooth classic profile you expect”, said Craft. Curatif’s Archie Rose Espresso Martini had a “lovely thickness and texture to the liquid”, with a “wonderfully overwhelming deep coffee aroma, and great balance with the coffee bitterness”, Perez Terrado noted.

Fruity and moreish

The round saw a bumper 14 Golds awarded, including: Romance Apocalypse, with its “pleasant scent of rose” and sweetness; the “fruity and moreish” Pornstar Martini from Soho Street Cocktails; and Zing Zang Bloody Mary, lauded for its “inviting nose with seasoning and spice” and “nicely balanced heat on the finish”.

Other Gold medallists included NIO Cocktails’ “fruity and zesty” Vodka Sour; Lockdown Liquor Co’s “creamy and silky” Espresso Martini; and the “nicely balanced” Buddel Cocktail Mango Cooler, with its hints of “fresh mango”.

The flight concluded with 18 Silver medals.

A tasting of gin-based RTDs saw four Masters dished out, including two to Whitebox Cocktails for its Pocket Negroni, and Freezer Martini. Miller said of the former: “Bitter, sweet classic nose – looks and smells like a Negroni. Nicely balanced, not too sweet at all, medium-long finish with a good bitter note. A little bright orange might add a nice note but very satisfying.” The latter was praised by judges for being “clean and smooth” particularly considering its ABV at 34.4% ABV, with some “subtle sweetness” and a hint of olive.

Fellow Master medallist Curatif Never Never Distilling Negroni was described by one judge as a “bar-quality Negroni” with hints of “spices, orange and a herbaceous nose”.

Chako Sparkling Tea Cocktail – Mango and Blood Orange Tie Guan Yin completed the quartet of Master winners in the round. Craft called the expression “exceptional – fresh, elegant and grown up”, while Kiely enjoyed its “nice tea flavour” and “green mango and light mandarin sweetness”.

fruity RTD
Four gin-based RTDs secured Master medals

Twenty-one Gold medals were given out, including: Beefeater Blood Orange & Tonic, with its “lovely bitter zesty orange notes”; and Glaswegin Premixed London Dry Gin & Tonic, praised for its “citrus, floral character”. Other brands that walked away with a Gold included: the “very drinkable and approachable” Tom Collins from Vacay; Moth Negroni, with its “bitter herbal and orange” notes; Primo Aperitivo Negroni, lauded for its “luscious mouthfeel with peppery spice”; and Vickers Pink Gin and Soda, which offered a palate of “Parma violets, raspberry and summer fruits”.

Eleven Silvers were given out in the round. However, the judges noted that the juniper spirit was not often detected when tasting the RTDs. Perez Terrado said: “The common thread is ‘where is the gin?’. Tonic and flavourings dominated, and I would’ve loved to see the gin celebrated and more to the front – slightly disappointed as a result.”

Two Master medals were found in the next flight, Tequila/Mezcal Based, with Buddel Cocktail Margarita and Tequila Cazadores RTD Paloma taking home the top awards. Of the former Kiely said: “Tequila comes through prominently on the nose, with lots of agave. Tequila is balanced by some citrus on the palate.” The latter offered “nice sourness and slight bitter notes from the grapefruit on the palate. The Tequila is really well-balanced.”

Eleven Gold medals came to light in the tasting, including four for Tequila Cazadores. The brand’s Paloma had a “nice sourness and slight bitter notes from the grapefruit”, according to Kiely. Tequila Cazadores Spicy Margarita was described as a “nice, savoury, spicy twist on the classic Margarita”.

Gold medallist Mezcal Mirror Margarita offered a “wonderful smoky nose”, with “salt and lime” on the palate. Judges enjoyed Gold-winning Vacay’s Paloma hints of “grapefruit, lime and soda”, while fellow Gold-holder Curatif Tequila Tromba Margarita was praised for its “gentle herbaceousness”, with “lime and Tequila notes coming through”. The “super-zingy and refreshing” Tommy’s Chilli Margarita scored a Gold after it was enjoyed for having a “really enticing chilli heat on the palate”. Seven Silver medallists were also discovered.

Rum-based RTDs were put to the test next, where three Masters were awarded. The first went to Curatif Piña Colada, which impressed Chambers, who said: “Fresh pineapple with a good glug of rum, a hint of coconut on the nose, and a pinch of spice. Lovely mouthfeel with tangy pineapple and the coconut rum gives good power and structure. Delicious and creamy.”

Master winner Planter’s Punch had “amazing texture from real fruit, some subtle spice and dark rum, with a lovely delivery on nose and palate”, Perez Terrado noted.

Completing the trio of Master medallists was Curatif Jacoby’s Trader Vic’s Mai Tai. Eichler enjoyed its “wonderful dark fruity rum notes on the nose, rich orangey caramel notes with tangy pineapple and warm sweet backing spice”.

Twelve Gold winners also shone during the tasting, with Buddel Cocktail taking two home for its Mai Tai and Pusser’s Painkiller. Among the Gold medallists were: the “delicious and refreshing” Jamaica Rum Vibes ­– Ginger with Lime, Passion Fruit Mojito by The Cocktail Factory, enjoyed for its “hint of dark spices” and “passion fruit and mint”; and Beenleigh Artisan Distillers’ Spiced Rum and Ginger Beer with Native Botanicals, enjoyed for its “fresh ginger on the nose, spiced notes and chocolate on the finish”.

The round ended with six Silver medals. Chambers said: “An absolutely superb round, with the higher-ABV RTDs showing other producers the way to go. The rum added structure as well as great flavour.”

Rum Ready-to-drink
A Piña Colada, Punch and Mai Tai each secured Master medals in the rum-based category

The panels progressed to a flight of RTDs made with Cognac and brandy, a segment that remains small but with plenty of potential for producers. Three Gold medals were given to Féfé’s Cognac-based Espresso Martini and Calvados-based Apple Sour, as well as NIO Cocktails’ Sidecar, with “lots of lemon on the nose”. The Espresso Martini was lauded for being an “interesting take on a traditional Espresso Martini, lighter but boozier, and very sophisticated”. The Apple Sour offered “funky ripe apple on the nose, with fermented orchard fruits mingling with crisp apple”.

Two Master medals followed in the Whisky-Based flight. Starward’s (New) Old Fashioned took the top award, described as an “excellent Old Fashioned – delicious and sweet” with “great body and length”.

Lockdown Liquor & Co’s Master-winning Old Fashioned was “lovely and fragrant on the nose, with a hint of orange peel and cherry, lovely mouthfeel with plenty of vanilla and oak, good balance of Bourbon with hints of orange and maraschino cherry, and a pinch of warming wood spice”. Kennard described the flight as a “very consistent round, showing the versatility of whisky in cocktails”.

Seven Golds were given out, including to: Rock Island Scotch Whisky & Tonic Ready-to-Drink Cans, with its “smoky whisky notes”; Chipper’s Cherry Wood Old Fashioned, praised for its “amaro spice and light whisky notes”; and NIO’s Whiskey Sour, lauded for its “creamy vanilla” nose and “gentle Bourbon spice” on the finish.

Five Silvers ended the flight.

whisky RTD ready to drink
Two Master medals were found in the Whisky-Based flight

Next up came RTDs made with liqueurs and speciality spirits, with one Master going to Cocktail 43 Fresco Apple. The expression impressed Eichler with its “wonderful apple pie and baking spice on the nose and palate”, which she likened to “apple crumble and custard with toffee sauce on the palate”. Stablemate Licor 43 Carajillo took home a Gold for its “strong coffee aroma, delicious and boozy, rich and indulgent – a great pick-me-up”. The Way You Look at Me was described as “well-balanced”, with hints of “hibiscus and rose”; while fellow Gold medallist Curatif Bar Bambi Amaretto Sour had “sweet almond on the nose and hints of lemon and brown sugar”. Three Silvers concluded the flight.

Eichler said of the round: “A couple of incredible and well thought-out products – sometimes simplicity is best where you taste the base spirit.”

The Vegan flight saw Creamy Creation (B2B) secure a Master for its Coconut Winter Melon Concept, which particularly impressed Craft, who said: “Creamy coconut milk with a gorgeous light toasted nuttiness, just sweet enough. But the hero is the subtle fruitiness of the melon which is different in the very best way.” Creamy Creation (B2B) also took home a Gold for its Oats Spicy Coffee Concept, said to be “very indulgent” with “honeyed cereal aromas”.

Another emerging sector in RTDs is the low- and no-alcohol category, with four Golds dished out. The medallists included: Mocktail Beverages’ “very drinkable” Espresso Martini; the “spicy and flavourful” Forest Picante; and The Cocktail Factory’s “refreshing and light” Strawberry Daiquiri, and Mango Fizz, noted for delivering “fresh mango on the nose”.

The final round of the day was Hard Seltzers, with four Golds awarded to White Sands Lime, Mont-Rouge Seltzer Mango Yuzu, White Sands Berry and Phunk. Mont-Rouge Seltzer Mango Yuzu was enjoyed for its “green mango with chilli salt aroma, and light yuzu citrus”, while White Sands Berry was likened to “fizzy Ribena with a confected berry flavour”. Phunk offered “light but fresh ginger”, while White Sands Lime had a “crisp and light palate”.

As with every competition, the judges had the tough decision of retasting all the Master medallists to choose the product worthy of the Taste Master title.

Starward’s (New) Old Fashioned was the clear standout, made with the Australian distillery’s single malt whisky, orange bitters, and wattleseed syrup.

Celebrate the spirit

The rum-based RTD category was particularly loved by the judges. Perez Terrado called it a “round where the base spirit is celebrated, all classic rum cocktails delivered some superb results. Customers could not be disappointed if purchasing these”.

The judges also concluded that it was interesting to see more options for whisky- and brandy-based RTDs. As the pre-mixed sector continues to expand, the judges noted producers need to think about their target audiences and RTD occasions. Craft added: “I hope the category starts to get more depth because those moments and occasions are really important as to how you enjoy it and why you would pick it.”

Vodka Based

Company Product  Medal
The Mixology Company The Mixology Company – Espresso Martini Master
Curatif Curatif Archie Rose Espresso Martini Master
Angels Dare Cocktails Maverick Martini Gold
GoldenBird Romance Apocalypse Gold
Hard Rock International Hard Rock Expert Cocktails Passion Fruit Martini Gold
GoldenBird 42 Degrees Celcius Gold
NIO Cocktails Vodka Sour Gold
Lockdown Liquor & Co Espresso Martini Gold
Soho Street Cocktails Pornstar Martini Gold
Pals Pals Vodka, Mango, Pineapple and Soda Gold
Zing Zang Zing Zang Bloody Mary Gold
Moth Moth: Martini Gold
Black Cow Vodka Black Cow Negroni Gold
Caddy Clubhouse Cocktails The Wedge – Half & Half Gold
Pals Pals Vodka, Central Otago Peach, Passionfruit and Soda Gold
Buddel Cocktail Buddel Cocktail Mango Cooler Gold
Can‐to Cans Chako Sparkling Tea Cocktail – Peach & Ginger Oolong Silver
Pals Pals Vodka, Hawke’s Bay Lime and Soda Silver
Lockdown Liquor & Co Passion Fruit Martini Silver
Vacay Vodka Mule Silver
Moth Moth: Espresso Martini Silver
Aldi Stores (Australia) Striganov Guava Silver
Vacay Vodka Soda Silver
Caddy Clubhouse Cocktails The Driver – Transfusion Silver
Rola & Co Ready to Drink Sex on the Beach Silver
The Mixology Company The Mixology Company – Cosmopolitan Silver
Soho Street Cocktails Cosmopolitan Silver
Aldi Stores (Australia) Striganov Lemon and Lime Silver
Pals Pals Vodka, Watermelon, Mint and Soda Silver
AldiI Stores (Australia) Striganov Watermelon Silver
AldiI Stores (Australia) Striganov Raspberry Silver
MBG International
Premium Brands
Effect Vodka & Acaí Silver
MBG International
Premium Brands
Effect Vodka & Energy Silver
Soho Street Cocktails Espresso Martini Silver

Gin Based

Company Product  Medal
Whitebox Cocktails Pocket Negroni Master
Whitebox Cocktails Freezer Martini Master
Curatif Curatif Never Never Distilling Negroni Master
Can‐to Cans Chako Sparkling Tea Cocktail –
Mango & Blood Orange Tie Guan Yin
Master
Courageous Spirits Glaswegin Premixed Raspberry & Rhubarb
Gin and Lo‐Cal Tonic
Gold
NIO Cocktails Gimlet Gold
Angels Dare Cocktails Secret Orchard Gold
Brown‐Forman Up Or Over Fords Gin
Classic Dry Martini
Gold
Vickers Gin Vickers Pink Gin & Soda Gold
Anora Estonia Saaremaa Ras Gin & Tonic Gold
Vacay Tom Collins Gold
Buddel Cocktail Buddel Cocktail French 75 Gold
Pernod Ricard UK Beefeater Blood Orange & Tonic Gold
Goldenbird Room 302 Gold
Mercury Spirits Primo Aperitivo Negroni Gold
Moth Moth: Negroni Gold
The Mixology Company The Mixology Company ‐ Negroni Gold
Aldi Stores (Australia) Bellucci Negroni Gold
Lockdown Liquor & Co Negroni Gold
Pernod Ricard UK Beefeater London Dry & Tonic Gold
6 O’clock Gin 6 O’clock Gin Exotic Orange Gin & Tonic Gold
Courageous Spirits Glaswegin Premixed London Dry Gin & Tonic Gold
Silent Pool Distillers Silent Pool Gin & Tonic Can Gold
Vickers Gin Vickers London Dry Blended with Pink Grapefruit Gold
Can‐to Cans Chako Sparkling Tea Cocktail –
Apple & Elderflower White Tea
Gold
Anora Estonia Saaremaa Ore Gin & Tonic Silver
6 O’clock Gin 6 O’clock Gin London Dry Gin & Tonic Silver
Angels Dare Cocktails Cheeky Wee Kiss Silver
Pals Pals Gin, Hawkes Bay Lemon, Cucumber and Soda Silver
6 O’clock Gin 6 O’clock Gin Mango, Ginger & Lime Gin & Tonic Silver
NIO Cocktails Gin Sour Silver
Goldenbird Late Night Phone Call Silver
Anora Estonia Saaremaa Rhu Gin & Tonic Silver
Pernod Ricard UK Beefeater Pink Strawberry & Tonic Silver
The Cocktail Factory Gin Mango by The Cocktail Factory Silver
Anora Estonia Saaremaa Cur Gin & Tonic Silver

Tequila/Mezcal Based

Company Product  Medal
Buddel Cocktail Buddel Cocktail Margarita Master
Tequila Cazadores Tequila Cazadores RTD Paloma Master
Vacay Paloma Gold
Curatif Curatif Tequila Tromba Margarita Gold
Curatif Curatif Black Pearl Toreador 130ml Gold
Mirror Margarita Mezcal Mirror Margarita Gold
Mirror Margarita Tequila Mirror Margarita Gold
Lockdown Liquor & Co Picante Gold
Pimentae Tommy’s Chilli Margarita Gold
Tequila Cazadores Tequila Cazadores RTD Spicy Margarita Gold
Tequila Cazadores Tequila Cazadores RTS Paloma Gold
Tequila Cazadores Tequila Cazadores RTS Margarita Gold
Tequila Cazadores Tequila Cazadores RTD Margarita Gold
El Toro Tequila Lime Ranch Water Silver
Zing Zang Zing Zang Margarita Silver
Pimentae Cucumber & Elderflower Eclipse Silver
Brown‐Forman Up Or Over Herradura Premium
Margarita
Silver
Whitebox Cocktails Squeezy’s Margarita Silver
Vacay Margarita Silver
El Toro Tequila Grapefruit Paloma Silver

Rum Based

Company Product  Medal
Curatif Curatif Piña Colada Master
Rola & Co Ready to Drink Planters Punch Master
Curatif Curatif Jacoby’s Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Master
Buddel Cocktail Buddel Cocktail Mai Tai Gold
Buddel Cocktail Buddel Cocktail Pusser’s Painkiller Gold
Lockdown Liquor & Co Rum Rock Gold
Soho Street Cocktails Piña Colada Gold
Impression Beverages Jamaica Rum Vibes – Ginger with Lime Gold
Curatif Curatif Plantation Pineapple Daiquiri Gold
Vacay Mojito Gold
The Cocktail Factory Passion Fruit Mojito by The Cocktail Factory Gold
Curatif Curatif Plantation Hurricane Gold
Impression Beverages Jamaica Rum Vibes – Lime Gold
Beenleigh Artisan Distillers Spiced Rum and Ginger Beer with Native Botanicals Gold
Hard Rock International Hard Rock Expert Cocktails Mojito Gold
Soho Street Cocktails Strawberry Daiquiri Silver
Les Bienheureux Thoreau Silver
Goldenbird It Stays in Vegas Silver
NIO Cocktails Daiquiri Silver
Hard Rock International Hard Rock Expert Cocktails Pina Colada Silver
The Cocktail Factory Mojito by The Cocktail Factory Silver

Cognac/Brandy Based

Company Product  Medal
Féfe Espresso Martini (Cognac Base) Gold
Féfe Apple Sour (Calvados Base) Gold
NIO Cocktails Sidecar Gold
Féfe Pornstar Martini (Armagnac Base) Silver

Whisk(e)y Based

Company Product  Medal
Starward Starward (New) Old Fashioned Master & Taste Master
Lockdown Liquor & Co Old Fashioned Master
Buddel Cocktail Buddel Cocktail Whisky Sour Gold
Douglas Laing & Co Rock Island Scotch Whisky & Tonic Ready‐To‐Drink Cans Gold
NIO Cocktails Whiskey Sour Gold
Starward Starward Ginger Beer and Zesty Orange Gold
Whitebox Cocktails Chipper’s Cherry Wood Old Fashioned Gold
Starward Starward Whisky Negroni Gold
Brown‐Forman Up Or Over Old Forester Ginger
Citrus Old Fashioned
Gold
Springfield Distillery Scratch Blackberry Whiskey Sour Silver
Whitebox Cocktails Pret à Boire Boulevardier Silver
Brown‐Forman Up Or Over Gentlemen Jack
Tennessee Whiskey Sour
Silver
Pals Pals Whiskey, Hawke’s Bay Apple and Soda Silver
Zing Zang Zing Zang Bourbon Whiskey Sour Silver

Liqueur/Speciality Based

Company Product  Medal
Zamora Company Cocktail 43 Fresco Apple Master
Zamora Company Licor 43 Carajillo Gold
Goldenbird The Way You Look at Me Gold
Curatif Curatif Bar Bambi Amaretto Sour Gold
The Mixology Company The Mixology Company ‐ Amaretto Sour Silver
Tankyu Distillery Libre Silver
Creamy Creation (B2B) Creamy Grapefruit Paloma Blanco Concept Silver

Vegan

Company Product  Medal
Creamy Creation (B2B) Coconut Winter Melon Concept Master
Creamy Creation (B2B) Oats Spicy Coffee Concept Gold

Low/No Alcohol

Company Product  Medal
Mocktail Beverages Espresso Martini Gold
Lockdown Liquor & Co Forest Picante Gold
The Cocktail Factory Daiquiri by The Cocktail Factory Gold
The Cocktail Factory Mango Fizz by The Cocktail Factory Gold

Hard Seltzer

Company Product  Medal
Aldi Stores (Australia) White Sands Lime Gold
A Lassonde Mont‐Rouge Seltzer Mango Yuzu Gold
Aldi Stores (Australia) White Sands Berry Gold
Phunk Phunk Gold
Hard Fizz Hard Fizz Silver
Nütrl Nütrl Pineapple Vodka Seltzer Silver
Nütrl Nütrl Classic Lemonade Vodka Seltzer Silver
A Lassonde Mont‐Rouge Seltzer Grapefruit Rosemary Silver
High Water High Water Mango & Peach Gold
A Lassonde Mont‐Rouge Seltzer Lemonade Silver
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