Topo Chico – the premium Mexican sparkling water brand Coca-Cola acquired in 2017 – is already launching its new hard seltzer in Latin American markets this year, marking a milestone leap from Coca-Cola into the alcoholic beverage category.
Now Molson Coors will bring the hard seltzer to the US in early 2021 through an agreement announced this morning.
Tangy lemon lime and tropical mango
Molson Coors says the partnership is another step in its ambitions to move beyond beer; growth the company’s premium portfolio, and become a ‘major competitor’ in the fast-growing attractive hard seltzer category.
The company – best known for brands such as Coors Light, Miller Lite and Blue Moon - already launched Vizzy and Coors Seltzer in the US earlier this year.
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer uses purified sparkling water, a gluten-free alcohol base and natural flavors, with minerals added for taste. In the US it will launch in four flavors in slim cans: Tangy Lemon Lime, Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava and Tropical Mango: available in a four flavor, 12-pack Variety Pack.
Molson Coors will be responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of the brand, prioritizing markets where Topo Chico already has a strong presence. Production and packaging of the products will be handled by a third party to start with.
Dan White, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “In bringing Topo Chico Hard Seltzer to market, our focus is speed, quality and efficiency. Our relationship with Molson Coors Beverage Company allows Topo Chico Hard Seltzer to launch with scale, at an accelerated pace, delivering a product that consumers will love.”
Gavin Hattersley, CEO of Molson Coors, said: “This is another significant step in growing our above premium portfolio and becoming a major competitor in the rapidly-growing hard seltzer segment, both key components of our revitalization plan.”
Molson Coors' Hard Seltzer brands
Vizzy: a 5% ABV hard seltzer made with antioxidant vitamin C from acerola superfruit which launched in the US in April and has been on Nielsen’s top-10 growth brands since August 8. Its flavors are pineapple mango, black cherry lime, blueberry pomegranate and strawberry kiwi.
Coors Seltzer (4.5% ABV) launched at the end of August, and early results have ‘exceeded expectations’, says Molson Coors. It comes in four flavors: black cherry, lemon lime, mango and grapefruit.
