The Pre-Mixed, RTD & Hard Seltzer Masters 2024 results

RTDs have taken the world of spirits by storm, with producers all over the globe meeting consumer demand for handy formats. In our annual competition, the judges discovered which expressions were the best.

What is there not to love about a ready‐to‐drink (RTD) alcoholic beverage? Convenience in a can, bottle, or pouch – there has never been so much variety to choose from. Portability is also a key appeal of the category, and with creative colours and designs drawing more drinkers into the RTD sector, competition is rife. Plus, the rise of hard seltzers – particularly in the US – has put extra pressure on brands vying for consumers’ affection.

Like any category, emerging or established, the quality of the liquid is imperative to any future success. For 2024, RTDs, pre‐mixed serves and hard seltzers were grouped together to determine the best convenient tipples globally.

The judging of this year’s blind tasting took place at Sparrow Italia in London’s Mayfair. Three panels of independent judges put the entrants through their paces. The first team comprised Emily Webster, marketing and PR manager at Whisky.Auction, and Matt Chambers, spirits writer and co‐founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog. Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions, chaired the group.

Sarah Miller, founder of the Gin A Ding Ding blog, chaired the second panel. She was accompanied by Luke Williams, assistant buyer at Harrods, Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge, and Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant, Neo Margarita. The third team was led by David T Smith, spirits writer, consultant, and co‐founder of the Craft Distilling Expo. He was joined by Will Meredith, co‐founder of beverage consultancy Daisy Age Drinks, and Allison Strydom, spirits judge, and the founder of Gin Squares.

The judges did not have long to wait to enjoy the first Master‐worthy product of the day, which was discovered in the opening Vodka‐Based flight. The top accolade was bestowed upon De Kuyper Passionfruit Cocktail, which was praised for having “nice weight on the palate and good acidity on the finish”. The RTD was said to be “rich and fruity – exactly as it’s described”, with “bright orange, passionfruit, and light vanilla” notes.

The opening heat also delivered 11 Gold medals. One of the biggest branded collaborations of 2024, Absolut & Sprite, was among the Gold winners. The judges liked how the combination remained “light and refreshing”. Also in the Gold running was Libertine Blends Cucumber Mule, which impressed with its “good balance of ginger – not too spicy or overpowering. Cucumber offers a decent backbone; a good product marketed to the low‐sugar crowd.”

Thirteen Silver medals completed the flight, including awards for The Drinks Bureau’s Espresso Martini and Lychee Martini, and Intercontinental Brands’ Rozél Vodka with Raspberry & Rose Lemonade.

“The higher scorers in this flight had authentic flavours rather than confected ones,” noted Chambers. “There were some solid entries in the vodka‐based round.”

The tasting progressed to Gin‐based serves, where four more Gold medals were added to the growing tally. Two of those went to Det Norske Brenneri, one for the producer’s Harahorn Gin & Tonic and a second for its Harahorn Pink Collins. The G&T option had an impressive “citrusy, juniper and quinine aroma with good carbonation – lots of lemon zest and pith”. The Pink Collins serve secured its Gold medal for notes of “pink grapefruit and lemon” on the nose, which led to “pink sherbet lemon and a hint of bitterness” on the palate.

GinTing also won a Gold medal in this flight for its Passionfruit, Mango & Elderflower with Tonic. “The passionfruit, mango and elderflower flavours are balanced well in the gin – light, delicately made, and not overly imposing,” noted Kiely. “It’s fruity but not confected or domineering. A well‐made gin.”

Completing the Gold medallists in the Gin‐Based flight was Lind & Lime x Hey Palu White Strawberry Negroni. The judges detected a “a touch of balsamic” on the nose, with “herbaceous” notes. The palate brought “black pepper, subtle strawberry, bitter vermouth, and a lovely texture”.

Two Silver medals completed the flight, which were awarded to Dylan Alexander’s Passionfruit Gin Sour and De Kuyper Clover Club Cocktail.

The Tequila/Mezcal/Agave Spirit‐Based contingent really upped the ante, delivering a trio of Master winners. First of all, a Master medal was awarded to The Drinks Bureau’s Spicy Margarita. “Slightly smoky with chipotle‐esque or ancho chilli notes on the nose,” noted Meredith. “Peppery notes come through on the palate, which is nice; not too spicy and clean. Feels bright and not overly acidic, with some agave notes coming through and a touch of coriander on the back as well.”

The remaining Gold medal in this flight was awarded to Bar Strength Smoked Chilli Margarita, liked for “Tajín chilli notes, a lovely hot kick of spice”. Six Silver medals rounded off the flight, including medals for Badwater Tequila Grapefruit Paloma, and Pals Tequila Mango Margarita. Webster said: “I liked the experimentation, and some of the entrants had great flavours, authentically representing the fruit they claimed to be. It would be great to see RTD producers be a bit bolder with their use of Tequila, and to allow more of the Tequila character to shine through.”

From agave spirits, the tasting moved onto Rum‐based RTDs, pre‐mixed serves and hard seltzers. One entrant left a lasting impression on the judges, earning a top Master medal: Malibu Piña Colada. “This smells exactly like a Piña Colada,” complimented Chambers. “Tastes creamy, good coconut flavour, great balance. Delicious; light, well‐balanced and very tasty.”

A pair of Gold medals were also awarded alongside six Silvers. Hampton Court Spirits secured a Gold medal for The Father of the Fleet, which offered “ginger and some oaky spice, brown sugar and ginger ale” notes.

Vibrant coconut

Gold‐winning De Kuyper Piña Colada Cocktail impressed with aromas of “butter popcorn, desiccated coconut”. The palate delivered “creaminess, a touch of light citrus, corn, and more vibrant coconut”.

Among the Silver winners was Pernod Ricard’s Havana Club Raspberry Daiquiri.

Across the judging panels, while the medal winners were celebrated, the teams noted that there was room for more expressive rums to shine in this part of the RTD, pre‐mixed space.

The Master standard continued into the Whisky/Whiskey‐Based heat. Two top accolades were awarded in this flight, including a Master for Batavia Highball. “Light whisky flavour, refreshing, clean, crisp – easy to drink,” said Smith.

The second Master in this flight was bestowed upon The Fetichist’s Bourbon Old Fashioned. “Rich, fruity, with some orange, cherry and lovely spice” on the nose, noted Smith. “A beautifully balanced profile – a perfect blend of sweetness, spice, and a boozy hit,” added Meredith.

Next came a flight of Liqueur/Speciality‐Based products. Two Gold medals were collected by Curatif in this flight: Curatif Limoncello Sour, and Curatif Amaretto Sour. Commenting on the Limoncello Sour medallist, Neotia said: “When you’re in need of a lemon fix, this is it. Fresh lemon, citric acidity, and a zesty brightness. Well made and a good product to help expand the reach of limoncello.”

Five Silver medals closed the flight, including two flavours of the Creamy RTD Concept from B2B producer Creamy Creation: Caramel Fudge and Café Latte.

Slightly sparkling

A flight of Spirit Blend‐Based entries delivered a trio of Gold medals and four Silver awards. The Gold winners included two medals for the Sunnyside Drinks Co: “Warm, spiced ginger, and slightly sparkling,” Sunnyside Alcoholic Ginger Beer, and “juicy, sour” Sunnyside Alcoholic Tropical Ginger Beer.