SouthNorte Brands will enter the ready-to-drink canned cocktail category this spring with three tequila-based cocktails—Paloma, Matador, and Mexican Mule. Founded in 2016 as a small craft beer company, SouthNorte Brands will add premium canned cocktails to its existing beer portfolio of import-style lagers and craft beers.
“Ready-to-drink cocktails are capturing consumers' interest, and parallel the increased consumer demand for tequilas and tequila-based cocktails and all things authentically Mexican," said John Gallegos, founding partner and majority owner of SouthNorte Brands,” in a statement.
SouthNorte's desire to share Mexican culture with others is expressed throughout its entire process, from quality and colors to taste and design. "Undeniably, the trend for RTD cocktails accelerated in the wake of the pandemic," said Paul Cummins, president of SouthNorte. "We saw an opportunity for SouthNorte to pave a new path forward and expand our flavor portfolio. For an increasingly omni-cultural generation, flavors and associations are tickets to places, feelings, ideas they may have never otherwise experienced. It's an exciting time for us to leave an imprint in this category."
The canned cocktails, packed in solo and variety packs, will include:
• Paloma, combines blue agave tequila with red grapefruit, infused with fresh lime.
• Mexican Mule blends blue agave tequila, ginger beer, lime, and a hint of jalapeño.
• Matador mixes blue agave tequila with natural pineapple and fresh lime.
Related: Hy-Vee Is Exclusive Retailer for Betty Buzz Mixers; Hella Cocktail Co-Founder, CEO Elected to SFA’s Board.