Absolut & Sprite will be made with Pernod Ricard’s premium vodka Absolut and Coca-Cola's lemon-lime soft drink Sprite. The pre-mixed cocktail will be available in versions with Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar, with the initial launch planned for select European countries in early 2024, including the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.
“We keep consumers at the center of everything we do as we continue to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are expanding in the alcohol ready-to-drink space, including products that use select brands from our core portfolio. We are excited about our new relationship with Pernod Ricard and look forward to the introduction of Absolut & Sprite.”
“This very promising and pioneering project brings together two leading companies who are committed to offering their consumers new experiences around premium products,” said Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard.
Absolut was established in 1879 in Sweden. Since then, it has become a world-renowned premium vodka brand, crafted using Swedish winter wheat. Sprite was established in 1959 in Germany and has grown to be one of the biggest brands in The Coca-Cola Company’s global portfolio.
Cans will include clear responsibility symbols stating that the drink is to be enjoyed only by consumers of legal drinking age. Absolut & Sprite ready-to-drink will adhere to responsible marketing practices.
The global benchmark for alcohol beverage volume (ABV) is 5% but will vary depending on the market.
The partnership is the latest in a chain of alcohol tie-ups for Coca-Cola as it hopes to make the most of the popularity of RTD alcohol: including Jack and Coke (with Brown Forman); Topo Chico Hard Seltzer (with Molson Coors) and Fresca Mixed (with Constellation Brands).
