Have you noticed that ready-to-drink cocktails are rapidly emerging in recent years? And the RTD alcoholic beverage market is growing strongly, it will grow from US$23.13 billion in 2024 to US$25.29 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%.
The core driving force behind the rise of ready-to-drink cocktails comes from the new experience of extreme convenience, the upgrade of high-end quality and the change of lifestyle preferences that focus on health. For wine merchants, seizing new opportunities in ready-to-drink can help you solve a key challenge: balancing the convenience of packaging, reaching new markets and costs.
This blog will explore the embodiment of the ultimate convenience of spout bag in the RTD (Ready-to-Drink) wine industry, and delve into the economic benefits and RTD wine and beverage category analysis.
Why the liquid spout bag is the core embodiment of the convenience of the ready-to-drink market
The rise of RTD is not accidental, mainly because it accurately hits the preferences of contemporary consumers: extreme convenience, scene liberation, and fit in with lifestyle!
Lightness and safety
The reason why stand up pouch with spout is popular in the alcoholic beverage market is due to its friendly design that allows direct drinking and easy pouring. Compared with traditional glass bottles, plastic bottles or cans, the weight of the ready-to-drink pouch is significantly lighter and more compact. The process of shipping & storage reduces logistics costs, carbon emissions and warehousing costs.
The stand-up pouch with spout has good anti-breakage and anti-leakage effects. Flexible packaging is characterized by good flexibility and will not break easily under strong pressure. It can also safely drink wine in environments where glass is prohibited (such as swimming pools, beaches, sports events) or in environments with children. Wine refill pouch is usually made of multi-layer composite structural materials (such as BOPP-PET/AL/PE, including aluminum foil barrier layer), which can ensure the integrity of oxidation-sensitive wines (such as wine) during transportation and extend the shelf life. Importantly, the integrated spout and lid can be resealed. When customers enjoy a portion of alcoholic beverage, it can still be kept intact, reducing waste. It enhances the shopping experience and is also a very attractive point for brands!
Scene liberation
Flexible packaging for wine can save the trouble of carrying extra cups for people who need to go out, and avoid the risk of spilling drinks when drinking outdoors. Therefore, this packaging is particularly attractive to consumers who like outdoor sports, travel and small gatherings. The flexibility of the alcohol pouch makes it easy to put it in backpacks, pockets and handbags, and even put it in a cooler to enjoy cold drinks. Whether it is refreshing wine, convenient cocktails or high-end spirits, you can achieve a worry-free and easy drinking experience.
Consumers’ lifestyle changes
Consumers are paying more and more attention to health and wellness. RTD products with low sugar, low calories and simple ingredient lists are more popular with them. Real ingredients and spirit-based ready-to-drink products that avoid artificial additives are seen as symbols of high quality and “authenticity”. Millennials and Generation Z consumers dominate the alcohol market. They like to try new drinks but usually skip the trouble of mixing. For them who are savvy with social media, they will be happy to share their favorite RTD (Ready-to-Drink) spout pouches and flavors.
Therefore, launching a series of RTD alcohol spout bag packaging products can help you stay vibrant and relevant in the fierce market competition.
The economic benefits of RTD alcohol packaging to wine merchants
Optimization of production costs
Spout pouch redefines the packaging materials and shipping costs of alcoholic beverages. It is made of multi-layer material and weighs only 1/10 of a glass bottle. The materials required for packaging are reduced, reducing procurement costs by 30%-50%.
The spouted liquid drink bag pouch reduces the breakage rate to below 0.5% due to its flexible and puncture-resistant material. The breakage resistance significantly reduces transportation losses. The economic losses to the company are minimized, while also giving customers a better shopping experience and enhancing their sense of trust. Empty alcoholic beverage packaging can be stacked tightly for storage, which can save more space to accommodate other materials, making effective use of storage space and reducing warehouse rental costs.
Enhance brand image and marketing opportunities
Stand up pouch with spout packaging uses less raw materials than rigid packaging, which reduces the consumption of earth resources and alleviates ecological damage. Drink spout pouch is light in weight and can carry 3-5 times more than rigid packaging under the same capacity of transportation vehicles. The number of shipping times and fuel consumption are reduced, which reduces carbon emissions. Combined with the use of recyclable material packaging solutions, it can also cater to consumers' pursuit of sustainability and enhance the brand's image and appeal in terms of environmental protection. Spout pouch bag has a larger printing area to display more product information, attracting young consumers who are looking for fresh experiences.
Supply chain and channel management optimization
For new product development, cost control and efficiency optimization are key. The initial investment is relatively large, especially when rigid packaging is used. The alcoholic beverage packaging spout pouch has more significant advantages in this regard: low minimum order quantity, low printing costs, and is suitable for wine merchants with small batch customization needs. Lightweight and flattening can alleviate the pressure of goods hoarding and optimize warehouse management. Of course, liquid spout pouch is a flexible packaging, which can reduce product loss during transportation, reduce compensation and rework rate, and improve the overall profit margin and market competitiveness of new products.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol type analysis
Ready to drink pouches have significant advantages in the RTD alcoholic beverage market. They can meet the needs of convenience and portability, allowing consumers to enjoy alcoholic beverages or pre-mixed cocktails at home or on the go. Alcoholic beverages in the RTD market can be divided into three categories:
Malt-based drinks
Hard Seltzer and other beverages, including hard kombucha and hard tea, are made from malt fermented to produce alcohol. Compared with other products, they are usually lower in calories and sugar and retain a refreshing fruity taste. Most products have an alcohol content of 5%-12% ABV, suitable for consumers who pay attention to health and alcohol flavor.
Wine-based ready-to-drink
In this category, you'll find pre-mixed grape cocktails and sparkling wines, and even wine sodas. Their alcohol content is usually around 5%-14.5% ABV. Specific types include mulled wine, Sangria, and summer wine. Popular brands such as Lt. Blender's "Sangria in a Bag" are mixed cocktails made with red wine as the base.
Liquor-based drinks
The most familiar ones should be ready-to-drink cocktails. A variety of flavors meet the different preferences of consumers and dominate the ready-to-drink market. Other drinks mixed with liquor, such as soda water with liquor, Shooters. The common point of all three is that they are made with liquor (whiskey, tequila, gin, vodka, rum, etc.) as the base. But the difference is that cocktails emphasize flavor balance and visual presentation, soda water highlights the original flavor of liquor and has a lighter taste, and shot wine can quickly get the "impact" of alcohol, so this type of alcoholic beverage is probably between 10%-50% ABV.
When a new product is born, packaging is its "first language", from the material, printing texture, to the way it is opened. Choosing a partner with both stable supply chain and reliable production process is the key. The new alcohol pouches are not only the ultimate convenience of ready-to-drink, but also a new opportunity to open up the young market and enhance brand vitality.
If you have any new design requirements or printing ideas for portable alcohol packaging, you can send an email (