COVER STORY: CAPTIVATING COCKTAILS IN CANS

ADVANCES IN METAL DECORATING, COLOR PERFECTION, CANMAKING Starred at Latamcan

With live and in-person events being held again this year after a long pause, LatamCan 2021 in Mexico City, Sept. 22-24, was a resounding success, especially with INX International’s substantial participation. The company’s metal decorating experts led and contributed to several metal ink presentations and panel discussions. A major highlight was the lifetime achievement award presented to INX metal decorating expert Jonathan Ellaby, who recently retired after an extensive run as Vice President of International Operations. Ellaby spent an extraordinary 50 years in the industry – most of which at INX.

Renee Schouten, INX Director of Marketing and current President of the International Metal

Decorating and Packaging Association (IMDB), kicked off the second day’s technical program with a discussion on improvements and advances in the art of metal decorating and packaging. Returning speaker Jack Knight, industry authority and INX Global Business Development Director of Rigid Packaging, moderated the Canmaking Forum, and led a discussion on what it takes to produce and commercialize 3-piece cans. Knight was joined by representatives from Applied Vision, Environmental Services & Technologies, KBA MetalPrint, PPG Industries and Alex Folloso, Director of Metal Decorating Technology for INX. Folloso focused on ink technologies and requirements for printing the 3-piece can, as well as the latest regulatory issues.

For more information, visit www.latamcan.com and www.inx international.com.

MORE RECYCLING FACILITIES Receive Grants for Can Capture Equipment

Recycling facilities in North Carolina and Texas were the initial recipients of the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI)’s aluminum beverage can capture grants earlier this year. The grants will be used to install equipment that will contribute to capturing 540 tons, more than 36 million aluminum beverage cans per year, that were previously missorted. The grant program was made possible with the support of can manufacturers Ardagh Group and Crown Holdings. CMI partnered with The Recycling Partnership to evaluate and select the grantees, execute the grant program and provide technical assistance. The program is an extension of CMI research released last year that found it critical to capture all used beverage cans (UBC) flowing through material recovery facilities (MRF). MRFs play a critical role in the U.S. recycling system of sorting recyclables. Collectively, the grant initiative will result in nearly 40 million aluminum cans recycled annually, CMI says.

Next in line to receive a grant is a facility northeast of Orlando, Fla., according to Craft Brewing Business. The third can capture grant was awarded to GEL Recycling’s facility in Port Orange, Fla. A MRF facility northeast of Orlando, GEL Recycling will install additional can capture equipment as part of a larger facility upgrade. Once installed, the equipment in Port Orange will result in nearly 3.5 million more beverage cans captured at the facility that were previously missorted. The GEL facility is the third MRF to receive funding from the CMI grants). Ardagh and Crown want all of the used cans back to make them into new cans. Additional grantees as part of this pilot phase of the can capture grant program will be announced later this year. “The environmental and economic impact of recycling aluminum cans is astounding,” says CMI president Robert Budway. “Aluminum beverage cans provide 33 percent of the revenue to MRFs in nondeposit states, which is more than any other residential recyclable. Can manufacturers like Ardagh and Crown ultimately convert billions of used beverage cans into new cans each year, which is why the aluminum beverage can is the textbook example of the circular economy.” Aluminum cans can be recycled over and over again, Budway emphasizes. ALUMINUM CAN BE RECYCLED REPEATEDLY

For more details on the can grant initiative, visit recyclingpartnership.org/ cancapture-grant. To learn more about the national trade association and aluminum canning visit cancentral.com.

Top Shelf Mixology Stylish Travels Easily In Canned Cocktails

Classic recipes, premium craft spirits, beautiful graphics, and new twists are shaking up – not stirring – the market in handy, totable ready-to-drink formats. Cheers!

Not afraid to ruffle some feathers, brand owners are launching several new breakout beverages with a retro twist, such highballs, citrusy vodka spritzes, tequila mixes, fizzy gin & tonics and more, bedecked in eye-catching, stay-cold metal cans. Decorated to attract, cocktails in cans are the easiest way to have happy hour anywhere. Canned cocktails incorporating “real, quality ingredients” have become one of the hottest categories of alcoholic beverages, and their explosive growth shows no hint of slowing down. In fact, quite the opposite is taking place as the overall category of ready-to-drinks, made with spirits, malt and hard seltzers, has grown at a rate of about 80 percent, from April 2019 to April 2020, according to Nielsen, and is said to be valued at $5.5 billion. Grand View Research states that the market will continue to increase in North America well into 2028 and beyond. CONVENIENCE MEETS CONSUMER NEEDS

These cooler-ready, premixed cocktails togo are a big hit, as brand owners boost the convenience by doing “all the work of mixing and measuring.” Years ago, if you wanted a whiskey sour cocktail or a tequila and limeade for a football tailgate, a day at the beach or any other on-the-go adventure, you needed a thermos, a bag of ice, disposable cups, the mixers and the alcohol.

“While the RTD category was initially created as an on-the-go solution, a majority of buyers are turning to them as convenient in-home solutions to unwind and relax,” says a report by trend forecaster WGSN. “Prepared cocktails are the fastest growing segment,” agrees Ned Duggan, global sales senior vice president for Bacardi, which offers its own line of ready-to-drink rum cocktails. “It is a very active space in the spirits landscape.”

U.S. CANNED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MARKET SIZE, BY PRODUCT (USD BILLION)

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

WineWine RTD Cocktails RTD Cocktails Hard SeltzersHard Seltzers Examples include Monaco Tequila Lime, Mango Peach, Cranberry, Tropical, Blue Crush and Citrus Rush Cocktails, from Miami’s Atomic Brands. The premium spirits-based, gluten- and malt-free mixed drinks are made with 100-percent, blue agave tequila or vodka, and fresh lime flavors. The tall, 12oz. cans sold in four-packs present clean, understated graphics and the Monaco logo, an emblem ablaze with a starburst of black spikes and a bright red rooster. Atomic also offers a Classic Cocktail line of bartenderinspired varieties, including a Moscow Mule made with vodka and ginger, a bourbon and ginger beer-containing Kentucky Mule and a Classic Mai Tai ― the latter, containing light and dark rum with tropical notes and orange curacao. All of the varieties feature two shots of alcohol in every 12-oz. can. “With the revival of classic cocktails on the rise, we are excited to bring consumers a new ready-to-drink variety that meets this growing demand for premixed premium cocktails,” explains Don Deubler, CEO of Atomic Brands. “Rum is increasing in popularity, and the launch of our Classic Mai Tai marks our first rum variety in our Craft Cocktail line. This modern twist on a retro tiki cocktail allows consumers to enjoy a classic cocktail bar experience on-the-go or at home, and transports them to an island paradise with every sip.” The debut of the Classic Mai Tai is Monaco’s next step in expanding its Craft Cocktail line to include a rum version. Cans for the Classic Craft cocktails feature a scroll-patterned background wrapping around the can against a deeply saturated dark blue, aqua or white background and are adorned with the bright red rooster element. BLASTS FROM THE PAST

Many RTD cocktails are buying into the rampant popularity and retro/classic vibe of Martinis, Manhattans, Sidecars, Whiskey Sours and highballs of the 1950s to the 1970s. Combining tasty recipes with attractive packaging, these new libations often do one better by adding artisan spirits, which makes us wonder why these throwbacks ever went out of style. Others are offering interesting options like Bloody Mary’s, White Russians and even Mimosas, as well as simple Whiskey & Colas and Gin & Tonics.

These blast-from-the-past favorites “cater to consumers looking for convenience and canned beverages are just really, really easy,” notes Ross Graham, CEO of Miami Cocktail Co., Miami. “Our focus is on creating authentic cocktails – we don’t produce ‘flavors,’” says Graham. “However, we do add our own twist to the classic cocktails we make, (like) adding just a hint of ginger and elderflower to our margarita spritz. Today’s RTD’s have come a long way from what they were just a few years ago. In the past, most RTD’s were sugary, syrupy concoctions, loaded with chemical flavorings. Today’s consumers value convenience, but they’re looking for cleaner products that allow them to enjoy a few drinks, without feeling like the health and wellness tradeoffs are too onerous.”

Another favorite is the paloma, a grapefruit concoction offered by several brands, including Two Chicks Cocktails. Two Chicks’ Sparkling Paloma in stunning, tall 12-oz. aluminum cans, blends tequila and tangy sparkling grapefruit. The cans are decorated in

an atypical shade of pink, adorned with floral graphic elements. This women-owned brand also produces eclectic sparkling cocktails like an Apple Gimlet or a citrusy New Fashioned. Currently, Two Chicks offers six canned craft cocktails across 40 states and counting. In addition to the sparkling paloma, there is a citrus margarita and vodka, gin and whiskey-based classic cocktails, all at five percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Likewise, San Diego-based Cutwater Spirits Tequila Grapefruit Paloma with house-made grapefruit soda puts its own spin on the south of the border favorite. The Tequila and agave nectar give a smooth, floral aroma that complement the sweet flavors of house-made grapefruit soda. Like Monaco, the Cutwater Paloma joins Cutwater Spirits’ roster of 18 canned cocktails, which include a Tiki Rum Mai Tai, an Elderflower Vodka Spritz, a Spicy Bloody Mary, a Vodka Mule and more.

Beam Suntory’s Hornitos® Tequila Seltzer ready-todrink beverages, made with leading premium Plata tequila brand, Hornitos, hits store shelves in the U.S. in March. A refreshing choice for those seeking a convenient cocktail for their high-energy moments, Hornitos Tequila Seltzer is available in Lime and Mango flavors without any artificial sweeteners. The tall 12-oz. cans feature a green agave leaf and a bright color-coded green or orange and white color scheme with the large brand name placed horizontally across the length of the cans.

“The tequila and ready-todrink cocktail segments are two of the fastest-growing segments in the spirits category right now, with hard seltzer retail sales up 225% in the last year alone,” reports Rashidi Hodari, Managing Director of Tequila at Chicago-based Beam Suntory. “With our pioneering history, we’re excited to seize this momentum and bring tequila and seltzer together to deliver a whole new Hornitos Tequila experience for those looking for a refreshing, premium readyto-drink beverage.” Beam also offers canned highball whiskey cocktails available in Bourbon & Seltzer and Bourbon & Ginger Ale. brewery also offers canned margaritas, a Bloody Mary, Moscow Mules and more.

Pumping up the volume, Canada’s Remix Beverages has a Canadian craft vodka and soda combination with natural flavors that are gluten-free, 100 calories per 12-oz. can and less than 1 g. of pure cane sugar per can. Created in East Vancouver and currently available in British Columbia and Alberta, the four flavors include Blood Orange Tangerine, Raspberry Lemon, Peach Nectarine and Guava Lime, with more hitting shelves soon. The can graphics have a musical, dance floor/club-scene vibe, as a DJ’s digital volume level pulses on the base of the cans, in colors corresponding to the cocktail flavors inside. Available in eight-packs and 12-pack multi-flavor assortments, REMIX can be enjoyed chilled, poured over ice, or as a mixer for a personalized cocktail creation. Though the trend of canned cocktails featuring high-end spirits is more recent in the U.S., it’s a popular way to drink cocktails elsewhere, and will only continue to feature more luxurious packaging. “In other places of the world, this is the primary way people drink cocktails,” Duggan says. “If we look to Western Europe and Asia, which has had a thriving ready to drink audience, in many ways, we’re seeing the U.S. catching up.”

VIVACIOUS VODKA COCKTAILS

While a tasty whisky drink or a smooth beer are always a fall favorite, vodka enthusiasts love all the flavor of a much-loved vodka & soda (or tonic) for its crisp, simple, citrusy taste. 10 Barrel Brewing Co., Bend, Ore., recently launched a refreshingly light Lemongrass Lime Vodka & Soda cocktail and Blood Orange Vodka & Soda in 12-oz. cans that convey the clean taste of its premium craft spirits, citrus flavors and pure water from the Cascade Mountains. The attractive can graphics feature slices of bright green limes or deep blood red oranges on a satiny white background. The