Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland (SBF GB&I), the producer of Lucozade and Ribena, has announced the launch of a new ready-to-drink alcohol (ARTD) brand, La Casera, as it furthers its category expansion ambitions in Britain.
La Casera is a leading brand of ‘Tinto de Verano’ in Spain, combining wine and soda to create a drink that aims to appeal to UK consumers wanting an aperitivo moment.
La Casera, which translates to ‘the home’, is a brand that has been cherished in Spanish households for generations, dating back to its creation in 1949. Acquired in 2009, it continues to be a bestseller in the Spanish market.
Elise Seibold, Chief Operating Officer at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said: “This is another significant milestone in our ambitions to expand into new categories beyond soft drinks. We’re adding another well-loved heritage brand to our portfolio alongside Lucozade and Ribena, but this time with a Spanish twist. La Casera is a symbol of community and celebration, and we can’t wait to see UK consumers ‘spritz like the Spanish’ this summer.”
Last year, SBF GB&I moved into alcohol with the launch of Suntory’s Japanese pre-mix alcohol brand, minus 196. The brand brought something different to the RTD alcohol category in Britain, combining a traditional Japanese spirit with modern technology to deliver a new taste experience for consumers.
Alpesh Mistry, Sales Director at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, commented: “Spritz drinks have seen great growth in the on-trade and yet this category is only just getting started in the ready-to-drink format. A lot of the ARTD on shelves right now is spirit led, which gives us a brilliant opportunity to bring something new to the market. There is huge potential in this unexplored segment, and we can lead the way with the launch of La Casera.”
La Casera will be produced in Toledo in central Spain, where it is made by Suntory Beverage & Food Spain, and will be available in red and white wine flavours. La Casera has gone on sale in WHSmith stores and on Amazon.
