Welcome back to the BevNET spirits newsletter. Today we’re unpacking how two brands are betting on an iconic Spanish staple to make a splash in the ready-to-drink (RTD) market. 

What insiders are reading: the seasonal RTDs are in and two founders make a second attempt at a mid-proof vodka.   

Thanks for reading. 

-BevNET spirits editor, Ferron Salniker

Are U.S. drinkers ready to mix their wine with cola? 

Little Sun’s Calimocho and Wine and Cola, two Southern California-based companies inspired by the Spanish staple cocktail Kalimotxo, have hit the market recently with different spins on the liquid, branding and sales strategy. 

What’s Kalimotxo?

• The simple mix of wine and cola over ice was officially named in Spain’s Basque Country in the 1970s, where festival organizers facing a batch of red wine gone bad decided to mix it with Coca-Cola. 

• The name stuck, and has since found fame in Spain and beyond. But save for a viral bump (and stock jump) after Lady Gaga and Lionel Messi cited their favorite soda and wine concoctions, the combination – and the name – remains largely unknown in the U.S.

Here’s how these brands are tackling something that one even taglined, “sounds wrong, tastes right”:

• Calimocho is giving the drink a Cali spin (hence the name) by fusing central California wines with all-natural soda. 

• Wine and Cola, on the other hand, decided the Basque name was a liability for English speakers and has gone cola heavy on the ratio in an attempt to appeal to the fridge cigarette generation. 

The potential: While easier to pronounce for native English speakers, now Mark Anthony Brands-owned the Finnish Long Drink is one precedent for how far an unfamiliar international RTD can travel in the U.S., despite its gin alcohol base, which performs low in RTD cocktails. 

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Rohan Radhakrishnan and Fabian Clark’s first attempt at building a mid-proof spirits category didn’t go as planned. Now, they’re trying again.

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Diageo will layoff 305 workers at its North American headquarters in NYC, effective September 30, according to a WARN Act notice filed with the state on June 30 but not posted to its Department of Labor site until August 21. Diageo employs around 839 workers at its Three World Trade Center office. 

The layoffs are part of Diageo’s ongoing $1.2 billion restructuring effort. The company has said 90% of its restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of September. In FY26 the company laid off more than 6% of its workforce, cutting around 1,900 workers. 

Morales Beverage Group (MBG), the distribution arm of Mexcor International, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) Indiana assets and operations. The deal would add a sixth state to MBG’s distribution footprint.

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Several members of The Finnish Long Drink’s sales force have announced the elimination of their roles in the wake of the ready-to-drink cocktail’s (RTD) acquisition by Mark Anthony Brands earlier this year.

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Have a tip to share? Reach out to Ferron Salniker, spirits editor at fsalniker@bevnet.com

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