That’s the Spirit - El Luchador RTDs

THE PREMIUM SIDE OF CONVENIENCE

By Michael Tulipan

A bartender favorite, El Luchador Tequila, takes inspiration from the famed masked Lucha Libre wrestlers of Mexico to produce a tequila overflowing with personality. With its expansion into the RTD category, El Luchador now offers three different sparkling cocktails, each coming in an eye-catching can in one of the three colors of the Mexican flag and adorned with an icon of their signature masked wrestler. In green, the Classic Lime Margarita is tequila with natural lime and orange flavors. The white cans hold a zesty Paloma, a blend of tequila, crisp grapefruit, and lime. Red is for the vibrant Blood Orange Margarita, which is the classic Margarita crafted with natural blood orange juice. Each tall, slim can holds 344ml and can be easily distinguished from soda cans. El Luchador RTDs are available in four-packs and 24-can cases.

USE FRESH GARNISHES AND BEAUTIFUL GLASSWARE TO TAKE YOUR PREMIUM RTD TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF CONVENIENT COCKTAIL-MAKING.

Ready to Drink (RTD) cocktails are popping up everywhere as brands large and small join in the spirit industry’s hottest trend. In addition to being affordable and portable, RTDs have also proven pandemic-proof—while other categories faltered last year, they continue to take a significant market share.

According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the United States is poised to see a 35.3% compound annual growth rate in RTDs from 2019-2024, driven largely by Millennials who are increasingly demanding authentic, all-natural, low alcohol drinks brimming with flavor. While previously driven by hard seltzer, growth will increasingly rely on premiumization as brands like El Luchador Tequila up-the-ante and offer higher quality, more creative options.

El Luchador ultra-premium sparkling cocktails are crafted with 100% blue agave tequila and designed to be enjoyed wherever you are. The can-crafted cocktails are “Hecho en Mexico” (made in Mexico) with all-natural ingredients. David Ravandi, founder, and CEO of 123 Spirits says, “The ingredients reflect the brand’s ‘less is more’ philosophy: raw sugar, sparkling water, real fruit juice, and 100% blue agave tequila.”

To ensure authenticity and quality, each can bears El Luchador’s Mexican distillery registration number (NOM). “RTDs produced in the United States cannot use 100% blue agave tequila because it must be bottled in Mexico to be labeled and exported as such,” Ravandi explains. “RTDs canned outside of Mexico are made with bulk tequila which is not an ultra-premium product.”

Convenience is a major factor in the popularity of RTDs as they can be enjoyed directly from a chilled can or poured over ice in your favorite glassware. The cans can be consumed anywhere, making them a fun, portable option for summer consumption and family gatherings. And at just 8% ABV they make it easy to enjoy them responsibly.