Brewers Serve Up Ready-Made Cocktails For Drinking At Home

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Suntory Liquors Ltd. and other major brewers are releasing premixed cocktails targeting consumers who drink at home.

Suntory said Wednesday it will roll out six ready-to-serve cocktails. On March 19, it will release a mojito -- a rum-based highball that includes mint -- and a caipirinha, the Brazilian cocktail, as the first round of its new series of cocktails from around the world.

A blend of whiskey and black tea and two flavors of a vodka drink called -196 C Rock Style will be introduced the following month.

These products, served by simply pouring them over ice, have alcohol content ranging from 15% to 20%, so they are not as strong as spirits. With more products on the way, Suntory aims to sell 500,000 cases of these ready-to-serve cocktails this year.

Kirin Holdings Co. (2503) plans to release three cocktails developed jointly with major foreign spirit manufacturers in May. Among its offerings will be a blend of cranberry juice, orange liqueur and Smirnoff vodka. These ready-to-mix drinks can be served on the rocks or mixed with soda.

Sapporo Holdings Ltd. (2501) began offering mojitos to restaurants and bars last year. It will sell the product at stores starting in mid-March.

(The Nikkei, Feb. 28 morning edition)

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