(Photo: Brown-Forman)
On Tuesday, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey announced the debut of Jack & Coca-Cola Vanilla, the third release in its canned pre-mixed cocktail line alongside the soda giant. The release will be exclusive to a new variety pack that includes the original flavor, Vanilla and a Cherry version that launched last September.
“We know today’s RTD drinkers are reaching for variety, convenience, and authenticity, and that’s exactly what our new Flavors Pack delivers by blending the bold taste of Jack Daniel’s with the classic notes of three Coca-Cola products,” Mary Beth O’Mara, Jack Daniel’s RTD brand director, said in a news release. “We’re proud of the innovation that has helped us develop a strong Jack & Coca-Cola lineup and are excited to make it easier than ever to offer a flavor for every taste.”
Each 12-ounce can of the iconic recipe clocks at at 7% ABV. The variety pack, which includes two of each flavor, is now available across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $17.99.
In hindsight, it was only a matter of time before Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola teamed up on pre-mixed cocktail. Originally launched in early 2023, the original flavor has gotten fairly great reviews from critics, most of whom have pointed out the obvious — it's whiskey, it's Coke and it's intended first and foremost for backyard parties. The brands didn't need to reinvent the wheel to have a hit on their hands. Within months of its debut, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola reportedly sold 5.3 million cases, handily making it the 10th best-selling ready-to-drink cocktail of that year.
However, they're not the only ones running with the concept.
In late 2023, Sprite (also owned by Coca-Cola) united with Absolut Vodka for pair of pre-mixed cocktails currently available exclusively in the UK, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. A few months after that, AB InBev unveiled a vodka-spiked twist on 7up. Inevitably, Pepsi became the next major name to jump on the trend when it debuted a canned cocktail alongside Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.
RTDs are here to stay, and no company is dominating the market like Coca-Cola. Just a day ahead of the debut of its latest vanilla Jack & Coke flavor, the conglomerate unveiled four new flavors of Minute Maid Spiked Vodka Punch. It joins a fast-growing portfolio that includes boozy twists on established favorites like Topo Chico, Fresca and Simply Lemonade.
In an interview with Yahoo Finance Live, Coca-Cola CFO John Murphy indicated that the company will lean full throttle into the alcohol category in years to come.
“There is a lot of white space out there [in alcohol],” Murphy said. “We believe that we have a right to both compete and to play in that space, and we are exploring. We are exploring in a number of areas.”
