The Coca-Cola Company and Pernod Ricard have announced plans to bring two of their brands together to launch a joint ready-to-drink (RTD) pre-mixed cocktail in 2024.
Absolut & Sprite will be made with Pernod Ricard’s vodka brand Absolut and Coca-Cola’s sparkling soft drink Sprite. The pre-mixed cocktail will be available in versions with Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar, with the initial launch planned for select European countries in early 2024, including the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.
“We keep consumers at the centre of everything we do as we continue to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are expanding in the alcohol ready-to-drink space, including products that use select brands from our core portfolio. We are excited about our new relationship with Pernod Ricard and look forward to the introduction of Absolut & Sprite.”
Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, added: “This very promising and pioneering project brings together two leading companies who are committed to offering their consumers new experiences around premium products.”
Vodka is one of the most popular bases for alcoholic RTD products, and lemon-lime soft drinks are one of the most popular mixers in pre-mixed cocktails.
“Sprite is a wonderful pairing for Absolut, and I’m convinced that our joining forces will bring the whole alcohol RTD category to the next level,” Ricard said.
The drink’s global benchmark for alcohol beverage volume (ABV) will be 5% but will vary depending on the market.
Earlier this year, Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola announced the launch of a joint RTD format in the UK.
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