Mizkan America buys Zing Zang mixers
Condiment maker Mizkan America has purchased non-alcoholic cocktail mixer brand Zing Zang, producer of the leading Bloody Mary mix in the US.
Private equity firm NexPhase, which purchased Zing Zang in 2016, has sold the US-based brand to Mizkan for an undisclosed sum.
Under NexPhase’s ownership, Zing Zang grew from a single product, a Bloody Mary mix with regional focus, to a full range of cocktail mixers that now includes a Margarita, Michelada, and Piña Colada, all sold across the US. During this period, Zing Zang invested in an in-house sales team and launched new packaging formats.
“With the strategic guidance and partnership of NexPhase, Zing Zang has grown into a full-fledged beverage platform beloved by consumers across the country – all while staying true to our roots and passionate customer base,” Zing Zang CEO Brent Albertson said.
“Together, we thoughtfully expanded into new formats and channels, introduced bold new cocktail mix products and maintained a relentless focus on quality, convenience and the overall consumer experience. We’re excited for this next chapter with Mizkan and grateful to the NexPhase team for their support every step of the way.”
Founded in 1997, Zing Zang surpassed the one million milestone in 2016, and hit 2.3m cases in 2023. In 2017 Zing Zang’s flagship Bloody Mary Mix became the biggest-selling Bloody Mary in the US.
Citing Nielsen data for the US off-premise, Zing Zang was predicted to overtake Mr & Mrs T as the top-selling cocktail mixer brand in 2024 – a position it also held between 2020 and 2022.
For Mizkan, the acquisition will contribute to the company’s expanded presence in the cocktail mixers category.
As a leading pasta sauce manufacturer in the US, Mizkan will leverage its expertise in tomato-based foods to innovate across the two organisations. Internally, Mizkan has used the phrase ‘Inspired Mixology’ to capture the company’s aim to reimagine the cocktail experience both at home and at the bar.
“As a leader in the US pasta sauce and vinegar categories, this acquisition solidifies the company’s position in a growing third space,” Diego Palmieri, America president and chief operating officer at Mizkan, added.
“It’s also a terrific opportunity for Mizkan to expand our scale and scope in an on-trend category.”
Zing Zang products are made with real fruit and vegetable juices and natural sweeteners. For the foreseeable future, Zing Zang will continue to operate as a separate business from Mizkan America.
In March, Zing Zang released a dill pickle-flavoured Bloody Mary mix made with pickle brine.
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