Industry News
All RTD News
Top stories summarized by our editors
Top stories summarized by our editors

Premier Protein debuts RTD shakes with oats

3/12/2021

Premier Protein has released the Protein Shakes with Oats line featuring three flavors and 20 grams of protein per container. The beverages may be consumed either cold or hot, according to the brand.

Starbucks debuts lower-sugar RTD coffees

3/11/2021

Starbucks aims to attract more people to the ready-to-drink coffee category with its new Cold & Crafted cold brew set, which includes the Sweetened Black, Milk & Mocha and Milk & Vanilla flavors. The new drinks are targeting people who avoid RTD coffees for health reasons by offering a lower sugar and calorie content, said Rebekah Lyle, Starbucks' vice president of North American channel development.

RTD tepache brand debuts in the US

1/6/2021

Design firm Here Studio is rolling out a line of ready-to-drink tepache beverages called De La Calle in 12-packs on its website as well as a Mexican restaurant chain in Arizona and California. Tepache is a fermented pineapple drink with a long history in Mexico.

BioSteel set for nationwide launch of RTD line

10/14/2020

Powdered sports drink brand BioSteel Sports Nutrition is debuting a zero-sugar, all-natural ready-to-drink line featuring five flavors in Tetra Pak carton packaging. The line is available online, and the brand has secured direct-store-delivery with Constellation Brands, Reyes and other distributors, aiming to "blanket the country in DSD," said BioSteel co-founder John Celenza.

RTD coffee debuts feature fizz, function to boost appeal

7/20/2020

Innovation in the ready-to-drink coffee category is driven by cold-brew, nitro, functional, as well as carbonated varieties, according to Christina Avison, insight manager at Zenith Global and author of its RTD Coffee Innovation report. "There could well be seasonal changes in demand for this type of beverage, which may appeal more in the summer months as a refreshing energy boost and interesting alternative to other soft drinks," said Avison about carbonated coffees.

SOS Hydration to roll out RTD line

5/27/2020

Powdered sports-drink brand SOS Hydration is releasing a ready-to-drink vitamin water line in four flavors. The line will debut online this summer with a retail launch likely to follow in early 2021 or potentially sooner in select stores, according to CEO James Mayo.

RTD green tea sales up nearly 73%

5/27/2020

Ready-to-drink tea sales are increasing, and green tea varieties are driving the most growth with dollar sales spiking 72.7% for the year ending April 25, according to Nielsen data. Consumers are seeking premiumization from the bagged tea market that addresses wellness benefits and unique functional properties, said Roger Dilworth, senior analyst at Beverage Marketing Corp.

Ghost Lifestyle teams with AB InBev for RTD line

5/21/2020

Sports nutrition brand Ghost Lifestyle is partnering with AB InBev to produce a line of ready-to-drink protein and energy drinks, according to Daniel Lourenco, CEO of Ghost Lifestyle. The company is also launching Ghost Gamer for the esports market that focuses on boosting cognition prior to competition, he said.

Rishi Tea & Botanicals launches RTD line

3/12/2020

Tea brand Rishi Tea & Botanicals is entering the ready-to-drink category with a set of canned sparkling botanical teas in six flavors. The drinks boast functional benefits without added sugar, according to founder Joshua Kaiser.