Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! This actually looks like a partnership, adds Bichsel. The SONIC Hard Southern Sweet Tea is offered in one original flavor, while the SONIC Hard Slush is being offered in three flavor offerings for fans to enjoy. Enjoy Responsibly.SONIC, double-delta logo and Ocean Water are trademarks of Americas Drive-In Brand Properties, LLC used under license. SONIC is part of the Inspire Brands family. In addition to Oklahoma, SONIC Hard Seltzer is now available in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri & Texas! They were just undrinkable. You asked and we delivered: SONIC Hard Seltzer is now available across nearly half the country! Sign up for VP Pro now! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. This unique flavor, which combines blue coconut syrup and Sprite to create a taste reminiscent of sunscreen, has become so popular that the company even copyrighted its name! Facilitating deals between brands like 3M and DuPont and major retailers like Lowes and Home Depot gave him an appreciation for the upside of licensing deals and an intimate understanding that the devil is in the details. Score a FREE cheeseburger & more yummy deals with the SONIC app! We enjoy Mango White Claw, so we enjoy this too. The popular Easter snack consists of solid Amid Maryland mayor Patrick Wojahns arrest and subsequent resignation, we take a look at the politicians political party. Well, not actually like mango, but like the ersatz mango we've come to expect from hard seltzer flavorists. SONIC Happy Hour, redefined. No cherry taste to the cherry limeade, so disappointing. This is one of the best, if not the best, of the Sonic Seltzer bunch and definitely beats everything else in the tropical box. "Expanding into more markets is a natural extension for us as we continue to grow the brand.". Your email address will not be published. Slinging hard seltzer through Americas variously applied, post-Prohibition three-tier system of alcohol commerce is a different challenge entirely from selling fast food and fountain drinks to sweaty motorists on the quick. And if you do everything right, your liquid stays solid, and you get a little lucky, your rocket just may go well, supersonic. But having already cracked into the categorys upper echelon after less than a year on the market, its worth taking a closer look at how COOPs pioneering QSR deal came to be, how its structured, and what it means for the collapsing landscape of American alcohol. Hard Seltzer Market Size Worth $49.4 Billion By 2028: Grand View Research, Inc.. [online] Prnewswire.com. In fact, demand for this flavour-packed hard seltzer has grown from a regional Oklahoma, U.S. launch in May 2021 of this year to. COOP Beverage Works is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oklahoma City-based craft brewery COOP Ale Works. Sour fake orange dominates this seltzer, with pineapple playing a supporting role. Unlike the classic soft drinks from drive-ins which contain added sugars and artificial sweeteners, these hard seltzers have minimal sugar content. To do that, Mossman needed to find new wholesalers and a lot of them. You need relationships with chain retailers, strong distribution, and licensed brands that the American drinking public would actually reach for instead of owned-and-operated brewery brands. OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SONIC Hard Seltzer today announced the expansion of its hard seltzer into six new markets: Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska . According to Velocity, Sonic Hard Seltzer arrived in the state of Oklahoma on 17 May, where it can be found in most liquor, convenience and grocery stores. Order up! COOP Ale Works COOP Ale Works is a craft brewery based in Oklahoma City, OK, dedicated to brewing full-flavored beers with the greatest attention to quality. When looking for this fruity essence among different items such as seltzer beverages, one may find that they cannot detect any hints within them despite claims from manufacturers demonstrating how elusive. Where do the calories come from? The firms eagerness stunned the brewery president. Sonic has decided to capitalize on its fast-food beverage supremacy by hopping on the hard seltzer bandwagon, releasing a lineup of eight flavors. Get SONIC Hard Seltzer Citrus Variety Pack delivered to you in as fast as 1 hour via Instacart or choose curbside or in-store pickup. SONIC Hard Seltzer is sold in two variety packs inspired by the fruity flavors of SONICs iconic frozen slushes Tropical (with Ocean Water, Melon Medley, Mango Guava, and Orange Pineapple) and Citrus (with Cherry Limeade, Original Limeade, Classic Lemonade, and Lemon Berry). The choice toward cans was an easy one as this is the iconic package for the hard seltzer market, Daniel says. But for the uninitiated reading this: Cherry limeade is Sonics signature fountain drink, a refreshing concoction of juice, flavor syrups, and Sprite served over the chains beloved pebble ice. The Cherry Limeade IS Sonic. Over a half century later, Sonic Drive-In has expanded to a total of 3,549 locations across the United States. It would definitely be worth picking up as a standalone six-pack if you had the opportunity. Like all the Sonic Seltzers, there's a good level of carbonation in this, which combined with the orange makes it seem like a chiller version of a mimosa (or a classier version of a brass monkey). In its home market, Mossman says, the synonymity is more pronounced (if thats even possible.) Though it certainly wont surprise you with its bold guava notes, fans of these drinks will likely find much to savor here as well! The R&D process at COOP would eventually coalesce as Will & Wiley, a hard seltzer line named for actor Will Rogers and boundary-pushing pilot Wiley Post, two native Oklahomans. Its extreme sweetness and sourness are sure to make an impression, though some may find the flavor too intense if you prefer natural fruit flavors in your beverage options, this one isnt for you. Cherry Limeade Sonic Seltzer is a genuinely bold soda experience! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Greatest Hits Pack features fan-favorite flavors such as Cherry Limeade, Ocean Water and Lemon Berry. In 2018, the category grew by 4%, making it the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. market. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (A little oasis in [customers] days, as Springer puts it.) Required fields are marked *. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. We moved very fast, remembers Mossman. Pick up a pack and host your own happy hour any time you want! The fake cherry flavor is big and bold, calling to mind memories of eating cherry snow cones in the summertime. Home An additional 22 new U.S. states will be added this January with plans in place to extend distribution to retail stores across the rest of the country by the end of the year. SONIC Hard Seltzer is not available for purchase at SONIC Drive-In locations. Sonic Hard Seltzers, which were previously only sold in Oklahoma, are now . If youre reading this, you probably know what came next: The craft beer industry, eyeing slowing growth in its maturing category, went looking for an answer to the White Claws of the world. That doesn't mean it tastes bad, but it does mean it's putting on airs and pretending to be more special than it actually is. IRVING, Texas Big 12 Sports Properties, the LEARFIELD team dedicated to the Big 12 Conference as its sponsorship rights holder, announces a multi-year agreement with Oklahoma City-based COOP Beverage Works, makers of SONIC Hard Seltzer. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Sonic Hard Seltzers are an exemplary contender in the crowded hard seltzer market, boasting a classic beverage profile and unique flavor options. Ill have to try the blue one! Now, on Christmas Eve 2020, it was coming to fruition. Truly Hard Seltzer, a leader and innovator in the hard seltzer category, will officially open its first brick-and-mortar location, Truly LA, in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 25. To find a local retailer where SONIC Hard Seltzers are sold, click here. It is over-saturated with an extreme sourness that can be unpalatable for some, leaving only plain sparkling water without any sweetness or fruit flavor. SONIC Hard Seltzer COOP Ale Works partnered with SONIC Drive-In to license their iconic name to create SONIC Hard Seltzer. It definitely gives a lack of longevity to whatever youre trying to extend with that branding. He thinks that Sonic hard seltzer has found success in part because of the aesthetic continuity from restaurant to package, and in part because Sonic has spent so much time and effort building its QSR business as a beverage-centric destination. I'm a food photographer and recipe developer with a passion for creating healthier alternatives to all time favorite recipes. We expected the plain Limeade seltzer to be kind of boring, but it was actually one of the tastier options. Not only is it delicious, but it doesn't taste like any other hard seltzer we've tried. All in all, these seem healthier than most items on the drink menu at Sonic restaurants (except for the fact that they contain alcohol, of course). Expanding into more markets is a natural extension for us as we continue to grow the brand.. Cant wait to try this!! Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-seltzer-market-size-worth-49-4-billion-by-2028-grand-view-research-inc-301438691.html, Media Contact:Jessica Zweigbaum(631) 624-2705[emailprotected], Cision Distribution 888-776-0942 Sonic has taken a bold leap into the melon-flavored hard seltzer market, offering a refreshing take on the genre. Thanks for the honest feedback. Its not just orange juice- this drink has a unique and delicious taste reminiscent of those classic corn syrup drinks from years ago now, excited for adults who want more than a refreshing treat! Oh darn! Sonic has got the middle of America, and theyve had a grip on it for years, says Donn Bichsel, the founder of 3 Tier Beverages, an independent beverage-alcohol consultancy that provides data analytics for COOP. Sonics Hard Seltzer Is Hot. We Tried Every Sonic Hard Seltzer So You Don't Have To. SONIC Hard Seltzer will move into six new markets: Texas Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arizona. Sorry, Chili Cheese Tot lovers.) Sonic Hard Seltzer comes in two themed 12-packs: Citrus and Tropical. The Big 12 is an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics conference that encompasses five states with over 40 million people within its geographic footprint. Will & Wiley debuted in early 2020, and grabbed up around 8 percent of Oklahomas hard seltzer market in its opening weeks, according to Mossman. . By Christmas Eve, Springer had secured the green light, and the two firms set about developing Sonic-specific flavor formulas and packaging to evoke the drive-ins neon Americana branding. Now, Sonic Hard Seltzer is entering a new phase of its nationwide rollout by adding eight states to the list of locations where it can be purchased. Limeade, however, has got it all juicy lime notes in combination with refreshing zesty elements that create a harmony as pleasing on the tongue as it is stimulating. With its continued market expansion, SONIC Hard Seltzer is on track to see significant growth across the US. Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! A Sooner State fast-food staple for nearly eight decades, Sonic has national name recognition and legions of fans. Its sales velocity in major chain retailers is strong. Because the brand had made it to retailers just before the coronavirus made it to Oklahoma, he was able to monitor scan data to see how the various Will & Wiley offerings were performing off-premise, which, if you recall those chaotic early days when the -demic was still epi-, was the only place anyone was buying. The original, nonalcoholic version from the drive-in is almost painfully sweet and instantly gives you a brain freeze because of Sonic's magical pellet ice. SONIC Hard Seltzer is available in two variety packs, Tropical and Citrus and our Greatest Hits Pack. Ultimately, whether these are worth seeking out in the crowded hard seltzer market comes down to taste, so it's time to start cracking some cans. The Tropical offers Mango Guava, Melon Medley, Orange Pineapple, and Ocean Water. All your favorite SONIC flavors are now available as hard beverage! Sonics lineup consists of eight flavors and is currently available across seven states throughout America! Nothing was the same after the summer of White Claw. Ocean Water is perhaps the most distinctive item on Sonic's massive slush menu. The Citrus Variety Pack features Cherry Limeade, Original Limeade, Classic Lemonade and Lemon Berry. The Citrus pack has Lemonade, Limeade, Lemon Berry, and Cherry Limeade. At first, the brewer was plugging the resulting variety packs directly into its existing distribution network. In this video I try the Sonic hard seltzer! Thanks so much for sharing your honest thoughts with us, Jessica! A licensing deal between Oklahomas iconic fast-food franchisor and one of its longest-running craft breweries was ready for John Hancocks. The press release does not specify when the SONIC Hard Seltzers will be available in St. Louis or where they will be purchased. Speaking of the past: Even as recently as a decade ago, it would have been anathema for a legitimate craft brewery to partner with a major fast food chain. But in a multibillion-dollar hard seltzer market, regional and nearly national longtail brands can stack tremendous cash without leading the category. Couple this with our craft beer tradition of manufacturing quality and excellence and youve got a winning combination for a leading hard seltzer entry that is shaking up the category and driving extraordinary growth.. | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/favorite-way-to-drink-bourbon/, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Bourbon, bourbon, drinking, happy hour. With Sonics iconic branding and flavors ranging from Pineapple to Ocean Water for all taste preferences, this refreshing drink deserves its place among cold drinks on those hot days! Your email address will not be published. . Licensing corporate brands to build out parallel commodity businesses targeted to mass consumers? It is both sweeter and more sour than its brethren, with an assertiveness that may prove divisive. Orders . So in mid-2020, they went back to the well, whipping up another Sonic-inspired hard seltzer, modeled after the restaurants polarizing, electric-blue Ocean Water to release in spring 2021. 1Source: Grand View Research, I., 2022. But given the turmoil in the restaurant industry over the course of the past couple years, big hospitality brands with household names are thirstier than ever for opportunities to monetize their intellectual property and diversify their revenue streams. | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/ask-bartender-secret-to-margarita/, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Tequila, agave, blanco, lime, margarita, tequila. And its no secret why cans are the answer for this market. We know there are people out there who claim to enjoy sucking on wedges of lemon or lime for fun. Given that, you might assume that COOP is using the Sonic name as a foot in the door to expand its owned-and-operated beers and hard seltzers with new wholesale and retail partners. Following the initial excitement for SONIC Hard Seltzer, we have accelerated product availability for customers who are brand fans or excited to try it for the first time, saidSean Mossman, president of COOP Ale Works, makers of SONIC Hard Seltzer. Follow me on tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinestalker Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.co. Combine all ingredients, except for the Lemon Berry SONIC Hard Seltzer, into a cocktail shaker and muddle the berries. Site by Over a half century later, Sonic Drive-In has expanded to a total of 3,549 locations across the United States. Prior to July 18, Sonic Hard Seltzer was available in a total of 31 states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Whether its their famous pellet ice, chopped fruit additions, or extra flavor syrups Sonic brings us as close to that classic soda fountain experience we all long for. Make sure to check this post about Sonic Shark Week Slush! The first you know about. I wonder how they measure up to the competition. Because Sonic hard seltzer is sold in third-party retailers, not the chain's 3,500 locations nationwide, getting the look and feel just right is paramount to the partnership. Mossman says Sonic hard seltzer is firewalled from the rest of the business to make sure COOP services the license as best it can and to give the former licensing executive an opportunity to keep his brewerys partnership momentum going. Sorry, Chili Cheese Tot lovers.) FA Cup prize money has become a trending topic after the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham and Grimsby took part in the 5th Find out how much tickets are for Post Malones just-announced UK tour in May 2023. Hed been thinking about the line as a bolt-on to COOPs traditional beer portfolio, an effervescent ancillary revenue stream that would run in tandem with the core business. The alcoholic beverages are not available at SONIC Drive-In locations, according to the press release. The closest positive comparison we can make to this is the San Pellegrino citrus sodas, but that's honestly a real stretch.