The inspiration for Canteen stems from a demand for more premium beverage options made with strictly high-quality spirits.

 

 

The team at Canteen saw an open door for a product that not only incorporated real vodka but also possessed a rich, bold flavor that didn’t come at the expense of quality ingredients.

 

The Canteen portfolio includes Vodka Soda, a vodka-based canned cocktail, Cantina, a tequila-based canned cocktail, and Gin Spritz, a gin-based canned cocktail. Each line contains a variety of delicious flavor combos, including Watermelon and Cucumber Mint Vodka Soda, Ranch Water and Grapefruit Paloma Tequila Soda, and Blossom and Citrus Gin Spritz.

 

These expressions are made with an impressive but simple list of quality and real ingredients making Canteen the better-for-you choice. We spoke with the team at Canteen about entering the RTD space.

 

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Talk to us about Canteen RTDs.

CANTEEN Spirits is an Austin-based, RTD beverage brand specializing in refreshing, low-calorie, spirits-based canned cocktails. All our offerings are crafted from premium spirits with natural flavors, making each can of CANTEEN low in carbs, sugar, and sodium, as well as gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan.

 

What inspired entry into the RTD category?

Creating an RTD beverage was always on our mind, and at the time of CANTEEN Spirits’ conception, we knew that there was a need for a more premium beverage made with high-quality spirits. We saw an opportunity to add to the category with a product that not only incorporated real vodka, but also delivered rich, bold flavor that didn’t come at the expense of quality ingredients.

 

Talk to us a bit about the different expressions.

Our current portfolio comprises CANTEEN, a vodka-based canned cocktail, CANTINA, a tequila-based canned cocktail, and CANTEEN Gin Spritz, a gin-based canned cocktail. Each line contains a variety of delicious flavors, including Watermelon and Cucumber Mint Vodka Soda, Ranch Water and Grapefruit Paloma Tequila Soda, and Blossom and Citrus Gin Spritz – among many others. Our expressions are made with an impressive list of healthy alternatives in their ingredients and approach, making CANTEEN the better-for-you choice when reaching for an RTD canned cocktail.

 

Now that this category is popular on-premise, what should bartenders know about RTDs?

Canned RTDs, CANTEEN Spirits for example, are both fun and flavor-packed, giving bartenders the chance to put a contemporary spin on the classics, like a Moscow Mule. Because they contain several ingredients in just one can, RTDs can be used as a sustainable alternative to creating cocktails while reducing waste in the process.

 

 

What should bartenders know about Canteen RTD’s?

One of the most notable points of differentiation between CANTEEN and other RTD brands within the space pertains to the canned cocktails’ flavor profiles and ingredients. All of CANTEEN’s offerings are delicious and refreshing, coupled with the fact that they are ultimately the better-for-you option.

 

Where do you see the category headed in the future?

We believe there will continue to be a high demand for RTDs in the future as more folks are leaning towards convenient, on-the-go, low-ABV options. We also feel that consumers are no longer settling for artificial additives, and are craving quality products, refreshing taste profiles, and portability. Along with CANTEEN, there are other leading RTD brands in the space reporting exponential growth, demonstrating that the future is in ready-to-drink cocktails.

 

What’s next for Canteen?

We recently revealed an all-new packaging design across CANTEEN’s three mouthwatering lines, alongside larger 8-can variety packs for the vodka soda line. The new Tropical Variety Pack includes the ultra-refreshing Strawberry, Pineapple, and Lime flavors, while the 8-pack edition of the Classic Variety Pack includes Watermelon, Black Cherry, and Lime. Moving forward, we want to continue providing customers with new ways to enjoy all our expressions.

As a beverage known for fun and functionality, we also plan on continuing to insert ourselves into verticals such as the health and wellness, fitness, sports, music, and hospitality spaces – consistently building relationships with the tastemakers and patrons that occupy them.