Atomic Brands Re-energizes its Sustainable Cocktail Line with New Flavors

Creating the perfect cocktail often means using multiple types of juice, alcohol and carbonated beverages that many modern-day drinkers simply don’t have the time for. Enter Atomic Brands, a company that caters to those consumers with its ready-to-drink (RDT) line of cocktails, and they’re adding two new additions to the mix.

The Chicago-based company added the Moscow Mule and Kentucky Mule to its Monaco Cocktails line of vodka, rum, gin, and tequila instilled spirits earlier this week. The Moscow Mule uses Monaco vodka as its base, while the Kentucky version is made with Kentucky Bourbon whiskey.

“Enthusiasm for craft and artisan cocktails is an exciting consumer trend,” said Don Deubler, CEO of Atomic Brands CEO. “It’s our commitment to provide Monaco consumers with a premium on-premise, bar cocktail experience in a quality package for convenience and accessibility.”

In addition to promoting the cocktail’s flavor and convenience, the brand is also marketing the product’s sustainable packaging in order to capitalize on the environmentally friendly consumer movement. The new products will be packaged by the Ardagh Group in sustainable 12oz aluminum cans.

Claude Marbach, the CEO of Ardagh Metal, says sustainable packaging in the beverage industry looks to be on a steady growth incline, “We remain excited about the growth potential of the craft cocktail category as brands seek to extend their market reach, supported by the filling, distribution and retail display economics provided by beverage cans.”

Ardagh is also responsible for packaging the original Monaco line, including the Tequila-based Lime Crush, Blue Crush containing vodka, rum, gin and tequila and the vodka-based Cranberry, Citrus Rush, Mango Peach and Black Raspberry.

Aluminum offers several advantages to manufacturers, including protection from light, which preserves ingredient integrity, according to Deubler.  “Aluminum cans also provide the best in package integrity, enabling the retention of very specific and satisfying taste profiles,” he said.

The metal is also especially popular for sustainable packaging, according to digital clean industry publication AZO Cleantech, aluminum cans are one of the most recyclable materials available to the industry. Aluminum is 100 percent recyclable and can be reprocessed limitlessly. That’s why Atomic Brands is promoting not only its new beverages but its beverage containers, in hopes that will give them a competitive advantage.

According to Zion Market Research, the global demand for sustainable packaging was valued at 250 million in 2017 and is expected to reach 400 million by 2024 growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7 percent, as many consumers demand environmental accountability in their food and beverage products.