The pre-mixed cocktail will be available in regular and Zero Sugar versions, with the initial release planned for selected European countries in early 2024.

In a joint statement, Coca-Cola and Pernod Ricard announced their plan to introduce Absolut Vodka & Sprite as a ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktail in early 2024. This pre-mixed cocktail will come in versions with Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar, and the initial launch will take place in selected European countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany.

Over the past two years, Coca-Cola has ventured into the realm of alcoholic beverages by partnering with beverage companies like Molson Coors and Brown-Forman to bring some of its most popular brands into the alcohol market.

In 2021, Coca-Cola first introduced Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in the United States through a collaboration with Molson Coors. Since then, the beverage giant, known for its sodas, teas, waters, and sports drinks, has wasted no time leveraging its brand to further penetrate the alcohol space.

The company has partnered with Constellation Brands to create a Fresca Mixed cocktail. It has also worked with Molson Coors on ready-to-drink spiked lemonades with Simply, hard tea with Peace, and hard seltzer with the sparkling mineral water brand Topo Chico.

Coca-Cola has also joined forces with Brown-Forman to develop a ready-to-drink cocktail that combines Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey with the iconic soda brand. The combination of Jack and Coke has long been popular among consumers and bartenders, making it a logical choice for the companies to capitalize on that popularity with their own ready-to-drink product.

This latest addition follows a similar trend to Jack and Coke. Vodka is one of the most popular bases for ready-to-drink alcoholic products, and lemon-lime soft drinks are commonly used mixers in pre-mixed cocktails, according to the companies. It makes sense for beverage manufacturers to combine two already popular elements into a convenient offering for consumers.

“Sprite is a fantastic complement to Absolut, and I am convinced that our partnership will elevate the entire ready-to-drink alcohol category,” stated Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, in a press release.

It’s no surprise that companies like Coca-Cola and Pernod Ricard are delving deeper into the ready-to-drink product market. According to data from IWSR, the category is projected to grow by $11.6 billion between 2022 and 2026. During the same period, volumes are expected to increase by 24%.

Coca-Cola has been transparent about its interest in becoming a more significant player in the alcohol industry. Given the complex distribution system of this category and evolving consumer preferences, it makes sense for the beverage giant to collaborate with another company with deeper insights into the sector.

Additionally, a key part of Coca-Cola’s strategy is to combine a well-known brand with another iconic one. This strategy allows the new product to stand out on a crowded ready-to-drink shelf and instantly gain credibility.