Coca-Cola makes a new alcohol move with a test run of Bacardi rum and coke drinks

Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) announced on Tuesday that it is partnering with Bacardi Limited to debut a ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktail.

The BACARDÍ Mixed with Coca-Cola RTD product will be available in several markets around the world, with the initial launch planned for select European markets and Mexico in 2025.

BACARDÍ Mixed with Coca-Cola RTD packaging will feature two of the world’s most recognizable global trademarks. Family-owned Bacardi was first established in 1862 in Cuba before moving to Bermuda, while Coca-Cola (KO) debuted in 1886 in Atlanta. Going back a bit, the Cuba Libre cocktail was invented in 1900 using BACARDÍ rum, Coca-Cola, and lime at the American Bar in Havana. That combination of rum and the popular soft drink still remains among the top bar calls globally.

“We are continuing to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company, including in the growing alcohol ready-to-drink market,” stated Coca-Cola (KO) CEO James Quincey. “This new relationship with Bacardi Limited supports our strategic expansion, and we look forward to the introduction of BACARDÍ Mixed with Coca-Cola next year,” he added.

Of course, Coca-Cola (KO) is traditionally known for its non-alcoholic beverages, but has been strategically expanding into the alcohol market in recent years. The company’s approach focuses on the ready-to-drink formats of hard seltzers, hard alternatives, and pre-mixed cocktails. The first key development in Coca-Cola’s (KO) alcohol push was launching Lemon-Dou in Japan in 2018, marking the company’s first entry into alcohol beverages since the 1970s. The Atlanta-based company also introduced Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in over 20 markets, and partnered with Jack Daniel’s to create a pre-mixed Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola cocktail, set to launch first in Mexico. Coca-Cola (KO) also developed Simply Spiked Lemonade and Fresca Mixed for the U.S. market.

Bacardi Limited is a private company based out of Bermuda. It has the world’s largest rum distillery in Puerto Rico.