Melbourne distiller Starward is entering the ready-to-drink (RTD) category with a range of pre-mixed whisky products.
Taking inspiration from its bar in Port Melbourne, the brand has released three flavours of canned cocktails.
The RTDs will all include Starward whisky mixed with flavours including tonic and ruby grapefruit; ginger beer and zesty orange; or soda and finger lime.
The Ginger Beer and Zesty Orange product recently scored a Gold Medal at the 2022 The Spirits Business Pre-Mixed & RTD Masters.
Starward Marketing Director, Brendan Moynihan, said it was important the canned cocktails offered something new to the category.
“We didn’t want to follow the rulebook and mix our whisky with expected flavours,” he said.
“We’re lucky to have a whisky that can mix with light and bright flavours.
“We know that consumers will be on the hunt for convenient, yet delicious drink solutions this summer and breaking away from tradition with unexpected, yet highly refreshing serves could be key in recruiting a new wave of whisky drinkers.”
The category is more popular than ever with Roy Morgan research data to June 2022 showing 3.3 million Australians consumed RTDs, up 680,000 on the previous year.