RTD alcoholic beverages market in the UK- Statistics & Facts

Ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages entail drinks traditionally prepared or mixed but in a bottled or canned form, ready for consumption. Hard seltzer has gained the spotlight in recent years because of its impressive growth in the United States but cocktails are the predominant RTD beverage in the United Kingdom. Across the world, sales of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages are increasing with 2021's volume reaching 11 percent more than the previous year.

Market overview

White Claw, the hard seltzer social media darling, had the most sales any RTD alcoholic beverage brand in the world in 2021, with sales topping 65 million cases. In contrast, in the United Kingdom it is premixes and cocktails like vodka-based WKD Blue, and Jack Daniels & Cola that capture the most off-trade sales, while Smirnoff's Passion Fruit Martini dominates the on-trade channel. It is still early days for hard seltzer in the UK. The category is expected to nearly double by 2025.

Consumption

In terms of spirits-based RTD beverages, currently the most popular category in the UK, the volume cleared for consumption increased dramatically in 2020, growing by 75 percent to 35 million hectoliters. Volume remained relatively unchanged in 2021. Among hard seltzers, fruit blends are the preferred flavor and are expected to remain so going forward. Berry was the second most preferred flavor. Unsurprisingly, it is cocktail consumers, those who already prefer mixed drinks and fruit flavors who are most likely to purchase hard seltzer.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Jan Conway, Dec 19, 2023

Key insights

Global RTD alcohol sales volume in 2021
766m 9-liter cases
RTD alcohol sales value in the UK in 2020
412m GBP
Off-trade RTD alcohol sales in the UK in 2021
483m GBP
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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Annual volume of spirit based RTD's (ready-to-drink) cleared for consumption in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2005 to 2022 (in 1,000 hectoliters of pure alcohol)

Spirits

Spirit based RTD's cleared for consumption in the United Kingdom (UK) 2005-2022

Sales of the leading off-trade ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage brands in the United Kingdom in 2021 (in million British pounds)

Alcoholic Beverages

Leading RTD alcoholic beverage brands UK 2021

Leading brands of 'Pre-Mixed Spirits, Cocktails (Ready-Made) And Alcoholic Carbonates' in Great Britain (GB) 2019 - 2021, by number of consumers (in 1,000s)

Spirits

Leading 'Pre-Mixed Spirits, Cocktails (Ready-Made) And Alcoholic Carbonates' brands in GB 2019 - 2021, by number of consumers

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Overview

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Overview

Retail

5

Retail

Consumption

7

Consumption

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