The Pre-Mixed, RTD & Hard Seltzer Masters 2025 results
Pre-mixed cocktails, RTD beverages and hard seltzers come under scrutiny in our annual blind-tasting competition, with impressive results.
The outlook for the ready-to-drink (RTD) sector remains relatively bright. After an explosion during lockdown years, the category continues to find favour among consumers seeking convenient, quality drinks.
IWSR Drinks Market Analysis forecasts RTDs will hold a 3% share of the total alcohol sector by 2028. Its potential is evidently clear, as it was the only alcohol category to record growth in 2024 (up by 2%), with RTD volumes rising by 12% between 2019 and 2023.
Brands must be doing something right to gain such a strong following of fans. But which ones are worth the hype? The annual Pre-Mixed, RTD & Hard Seltzer Masters put multiple brands to the taste test.
Held at The Wren Tavern in London, the tasting was split between two panels of independent, experienced judges. Forming the first panel were: Matt Chambers, co-founder of Whisky For Everyone; Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge; and Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business magazine, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions, who led the team.
Panel two included: Elise Craft, Whisky Squad host; Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant and founder of Ruchira’s Table; and David T Smith, spirits writer, consultant and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo, who chaired the group.
Bright and fresh
The tasting began with a flight of Vodka-Based entrants, which delivered a trio of Gold medals and five Silvers. Pals Triple Distilled Vodka, Pink Lemon and Soda was one of the three Gold medallists, enjoyed for its “bright and fresh” aroma, which led to “zesty lemonade sharpness and light effervescence”.
Four Loko Maracuyá (LATAM version) also secured a Gold medal for its “tropical aroma, nice acidity on the palate, and slightly sweet finish”. Gold-winning Smirnoff Ice Original was found to have “a nostalgic palate, sweet tarts and candy necklaces” leading to “a zingy, sweet finish”.
In the Gin-Based flight, the first Master medal of the day was discovered: Bols Red Light Negroni. This expression “makes a great impression”, the judges enthused. “Classic profile, well balanced. The genever adds an edge of craft to the mix.”
Two Golds were awarded to “bright, jammy, fruity” Perry Road Peru, and “zesty, fresh, juniper-forward” Siegfried Gin & Tonic. A trio of Silvers completed the flight.
The Tequila, Mezcal or Agave Spirit-Based contingent proved to be particularly strong, delivering three Master medals. Mezcal Picante by the Lockdown Liquor & Co secured the top accolade for its “authentic, fresh and spicy” profile, with “gorgeous lime balanced with light mezcal smokiness”.
Mirror Margarita Sparkling Cans also collected the top Master award. The judges said the Tequila “jumps out of the glass”, and on the palate this was “balanced with citrus and sweetness – a deliciously made RTD Margarita”. Completing the Master run in this flight was Curatif Mango Margarita Spritz, enjoyed for having “plenty of bright fruit and juicy Tequila flavour – bright, zesty with good agave character”.
Ten Gold medals and nine Silver medals were also celebrated in this heat. Among the Gold winners were: “zesty and fresh” Jose Cuervo Sparkling Classic Margarita; Moth Spicy Margarita, with its “evolving chilli heat”; and “light, refreshing, day-drinking, food-pairing” Coppa Cocktails Paloma Spritz.
In the Cognac/Brandy-Based heat, Freshkiss won a Gold medal, particularly impressing with its “melon freshness” on the nose.
The Rum-Based segment delivered one Master, two Golds and two Silvers. Taking the Master award was Bacardí Rum Mojito. “Really lovely balance of the mint and lime, I’d have identified this as a Mojito a mile away,” said Craft.
In the Whisky-Based round, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola Cherry picked up a Master award. “Marzipan, almonds and some Cherry Drops on the nose,” the judges discovered. “All the flavours are harmonised nicely and linger – exactly what you’d expect,” said Kiely.
One of the Gold winners was Cutty Sark and Ginger Ale, which was enjoyed for “bright ginger and balanced whisky”.
Progressing to the Liqueur/Speciality-Based entrants, and Bols Margarita Azul collected a Gold medal. “Citrusy, sherbet and tart” is how the judges described the drink.
Three more Golds were awarded in the following Spirit Blend-Based round, one going to “plump, jammy, fruity” Cabaré Ice – Tangerina, and a second to Cabaré Ice – Limão. Neotia said of the latter: “Sicilian lemon, light, bright and refreshingly sour.” Fellr Real Fruit Crush Mango Passionfruit also won a Gold medal for its “tropical fruit’ aroma, and its likeness to “Um Bongo, and tangy-but-sweet profile”.
A Gold medal was also bestowed upon “lightly flavoured” Fellr Double Alcoholic Soda Watermelon in the Hard Seltzer heat. Two Silvers rounded off the heat.
In the Other round, malt-based Four Loko Camo impressed with notes of “frangipane, cherry Bakewell tart, and tropical hints”.
The closing round of the tasting was for Low & No products, which resulted in two Golds and one Silver medal. The Gold winners were Zato Cola and Zato Lemon, with the latter offering “lemon zest and a hint of sugar”.
Once the initial tasting was finished, fresh serves of the Master winners were put before the judges. Each was carefully reconsidered for the award of Pre-Mixed, RTD & Hard Seltzer Taste Master 2025. Lockdown Liquor & Co’s Mezcal Picante was the clear favourite to receive the Taste Master title.
Chambers noted: “It’s clear to see how the category is improving so much – we’ve seen that over the past three/four years. There is still room for development in some aspects, but today we saw that products are improving so much.”
| Vodka-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Pals | Pals, Triple Distilled Vodka, Pink Lemon and Soda | Gold |
| Phusion Projects | Four Loko Maracuyá (LATAM version) | Gold |
| Diageo | Smirnoff Ice Original | Gold |
| Alcoov | Espresso Martini Le Barteleur | Silver |
| MV Group Production | Mix Sex on the Beach | Silver |
| Phusion Projects | Four Loko White (EU version) | Silver |
| MG Destilerías | Coppa Cocktails Passion Star Martini | Silver |
| Gravity Drinks Co | Gravity Hard Soda Lemoncello | Silver |
| Gin-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Lucas Bols | Bols Red Light Negroni | Master |
| Third Eye Distillery | Perry Road Peru | Gold |
| Rheinland Distillers | Siegfried Gin & Tonic | Gold |
| Pals | Pals, Gin Citrus Twist | Silver |
| Electric Spirit Co | Electric Spirit Co – Blood Orange Negroni | Silver |
| Berry Bros & Rudd | No.3 Gin Vesper Martini | Silver |
| Tequila/Mezcal/Agave Spirit‐Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Lockdown Liquor & Co | Mezcal Picante | Master & Taste Master |
| Mirror Margarita | Mirror Margarita Sparkling Cans | Master |
| Curatif | Curatif Mango Margarita Spritz | Master |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Sparkling Paloma | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Sparkling Classic Margarita | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Ultimate Margarita (Original) | Gold |
| MG Destilerías | Coppa Cocktails Spicy Margarita | Gold |
| Pimentae | Spicy Margarita | Gold |
| Moth | Moth Spicy Margarita | Gold |
| Phusion Projects | Mamitas Tequila Sunrise | Gold |
| Phusion Projects | Mamitas Espresso Martini | Gold |
| MG Destilerías | Coppa Cocktails Paloma Spritz | Gold |
| Pals | Pals, Tequila, Mango Margarita | Gold |
| Pals | Pals, Tequila, Classic Margarita | Silver |
| MV Group Production | Mix Margarita | Silver |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Sparkling Pink Lemonade | Silver |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Wild Berry Margarita | Silver |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Pineapple Margarita | Silver |
| Pals | Pals, Tequila, Chilli Margarita | Silver |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Sparkling Strawberry Margarita | Silver |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Peach Margarita | Silver |
| Pimentae | Grapefruit Margarita | Silver |
| Cognac/Brandy-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Maison Ansac | Freshkiss | Gold |
| Rum-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Bacardi | Bacardí Rum Mojito | Master |
| MG Destilerías | Coppa Cocktails Coconut Daiquiri | Gold |
| Curatif | Curatif Trader Vic’s Mai Tai | Gold |
| Served Drinks | Served Mojito | Silver |
| Curatif | Curatif Piña Colada | Silver |
| Whisky-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Coca-Cola Europacific Partners | Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola Cherry | Master |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Cutty Sark and Ginger ale | Gold |
| Lucas Bols | Bols Very Old Fashioned | Gold |
| Curatif | Curatif Strawberry Old Fashioned | Silver |
| Liqueur/Speciality-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Lucas Bols | Bols Margarita Azul | Gold |
| Spirit Blend-Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Dom Tápparo/Grupo Petrópolis | Cabaré Ice – Tangerina | Gold |
| Dom Tápparo/Grupo Petrópolis | Cabaré Ice – Limão | Gold |
| Fellr Drinks | Fellr Real Fruit Crush Mango Passionfruit | Gold |
| Fellr Drinks | Fellr Real Fruit Crush Strawberry Lemon | Silver |
| Fellr Drinks | Fellr Pink Lemonade | Silver |
| Dom Tápparo/ Grupo Petrópolis | Cabaré Ice – Frutas Amarelas | Silver |
| Dom Tápparo/ Grupo Petrópolis | Cabaré Ice – Frutas Vermelhas | Silver |
| Hard Seltzer | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Fellr Drinks | Fellr Double Alcoholic Soda Watermelon | Gold |
| Gravity Drinks Co | Gravity Lime & Cucumber | Silver |
| Gravity Drinks Co | Gravity Watermelon & Salty Lemon | Silver |
| Other | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Phusion Projects | Four Loko Camo | Gold |
| Low & No | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Thai Beverage | Zato Lemon | Gold |
| Thai Beverage | Zato Cola | Gold |
| Rheinland Distillers | Siegfried Wonderleaf & Tonic | Silver |
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