Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are taking the alcoholic beverage industry by storm. From refreshing spiked seltzers to pre-made cocktails, RTDs offer consumers convenience without sacrificing quality or flavor. They’re a perfect choice for any occasion, whether it’s a poolside hangout or a rooftop party. As the demand for these delicious and convenient drinks soars, the need for efficient and reliable equipment to produce them also rises.

At Prospero Equipment, we offer state-of-the-art solutions to help you capitalize on the booming RTD market and meet this growing demand.

What are RTD Beverages?

RTD beverages, also known as pre-mixed cocktails, are alcoholic drinks that come ready to enjoy straight from the can or bottle. Their surge in popularity can be attributed to several factors, including their convenience – grab one and go, no bartending skills required! – variety, with options to suit every taste from fruity and light to spirit-based and complex, and moderation, as many RTDs boast lower alcohol content compared to traditional cocktails.

There are two main categories of RTDs: malt-based drinks, like White Claw and Truly, which are typically lower in alcohol and have a lighter, more refreshing taste; and spirit-based drinks, exemplified by High Noon and Cutwater Spirits, which tend to have a higher alcohol content and a more complex flavor profile.

Why You Should Care About RTDs

The RTD market is booming with no signs of slowing down, presenting a lucrative opportunity for producers. Consumers are flocking to RTDs for their convenience and variety, creating a golden chance to capitalize on this trend. The market is also ripe for innovation, with space for exciting new flavors and formulations. With the right equipment and creativity, you can develop unique and irresistible RTDs to grab market share. And because production scales easily to meet demand, whether you’re a small craft producer or a large-scale manufacturer, Prospero Equipment has solutions to propel your RTD beverage business forward regardless of size.

RTD Equipment You’ll Need

To produce high-quality RTD beverages, having reliable and efficient equipment tailored to your production needs is crucial. Whether you’re focusing on spirit-based or malt-based RTDs, Prospero is your trusted partner in finding the perfect equipment solutions.

We offer a range of equipment solutions for various stages in the RTD beverage making process. Whether you need stills, filling equipment, labelers, or packaging solutions, we’ve got you covered.

The most common need that we see from clients looking to expand into RTD’s is a need for a canning line. Enter the GAI-3621, a high-speed monoblock capable of filling up to 3,600 cans per hour, elevating your RTD production game. This monoblock features a high-pressure, electro-pneumatic volumetric can filler on a 10-valve rotary turret, along with a single-head seamer. Nitrogen injection for canning still products is available upon request.

Besides the GAI-3621, we have several other canning options to choose from, such as the GAI MLE-CAN,  a linear-designed monoblock, and the GAI 12021 FE-CAN, which features a head rotary seamer.

Our specialty filling equipment can handle still, carbonated, spirit-based, and viscous liquids. Additionally, our fillers are designed for efficient and reliable operations. For bottle fillers, we offer the FM Bier Series and the FE/RE Bier Series, specifically designed for bottling carbonated beverages while preventing oxidation and foam formation.

Our offerings include self-adhesive and glue labelers, as well as high-quality packaging equipment for the RTD beverage and cocktail industry. This includes palletizers, depalletizers, case erectors, partition inserters, case packers, top sealers, and weight check systems.

The RTD market offers a wealth of opportunities for producers to innovate and thrive. With Prospero Equipment as your partner, you can enter the market with confidence and set your brand on the path to success.