How To Sell RTD Beverages Successfully Online in 2025

In the ever-evolving world of beverages, one trend that keeps making waves is the rise of Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages. The number of RTD cocktail options that consumers have to choose from In the ever-evolving world of beverages, one trend that keeps making waves is the rise of Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages. The number of RTD cocktail options that consumers have to choose from shows no sign of slowing down. In the past 12 months, Drizly saw over 400 new RTD cocktail SKUs added to its catalog. The alcoholic beverage market continues to grow, with ready to drink products, including ready to drink cocktails, representing a significant and rapidly expanding segment.

RTD beverages are pre-packaged drinks that are designed for immediate consumption. These products come in a diverse array of options, including cocktails, wines, and hard seltzers, as well as low-alcoholic options. Canned cocktails and hard seltzer have become especially popular, offering consumers convenience and a wide selection of different flavors to suit every taste. These beverages are professionally mixed and packaged, ensuring a consistent taste and quality. The RTD category is particularly appealing to consumers due to its convenience—there’s no preparation needed. Simply open, pour, and enjoy. Whether you’re on the go, at a party, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, RTD beverages provide a hassle-free, high-quality drinking experience.

Health conscious drinkers are increasingly seeking options that feature organic ingredients, premium ingredients, and low sugar options, making these attributes important selling points for brands in the RTD space.

Even traditional wine brands are recognizing the potential of the RTD market and are actively expanding their portfolios to include canned categories. This shift not only allows them to cater to the growing consumer preference for convenience and variety but also presents an opportunity to attract a younger, more adventurous demographic. By offering smaller serving sizes, these brands can provide a lower commitment option for consumers to explore their offerings. Established brands like High Noon have also made a significant impact, leveraging their influence and marketing power to shape trends and consumer preferences in the RTD market.

Furthermore, the use of ecologically responsible materials as a packaging choice aligns with the rising consumer consciousness about sustainability, adding to the overall appeal of these products. These packaging and sustainability trends are evident across various industries, including beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Key takeaways

1. Consumer demand: The RTD beverages market is burgeoning with numerous opportunities, driven by the growing demand for convenience and quality in the alcoholic beverages sector.
2. Niche markets: Unique and innovative RTD beverage offerings can attract niche markets, increasing your chance of securing a loyal customer base.
3. Regulatory compliance: Selling alcoholic beverages online requires adherence to certain regulations. Ensure your business is fully compliant to avoid potential hurdles.
4. Online marketing: Utilize social media, SEO, and email marketing strategies to reach your target audience and drive sales.
5. Outshinery’s role: Outshinery can help navigate these complexities, positioning your RTD beverages successfully in the online market, while ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing marketing strategies.

Understanding Ready-To-Drink (RTD) Beverages

Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages have transformed the beverage industry by offering consumers a convenient, on-the-go solution for enjoying their favorite drinks. The RTD market has seen remarkable growth, fueled by a shift in consumer preferences toward products that deliver both quality and ease of use. Today’s consumers are not only looking for convenience but also for beverages that align with their health and lifestyle goals. This has led to a surge in demand for low-calorie, low-sugar, and gluten-free ready to drink options, appealing especially to health conscious consumers.

For any beverage company aiming to succeed in this space, understanding the nuances of the RTD market is an important factor. It’s essential to recognize the diverse needs of your target audience, from those seeking functional ingredients and unique flavor profiles to those prioritizing low sugar or gluten free choices. By staying attuned to these evolving consumer preferences, brands can develop marketing strategies that resonate and create ready to drink RTD products that stand out in a crowded market. Ultimately, a deep understanding of the RTD landscape enables beverage companies to craft drinks that not only meet demand but also foster brand loyalty and long-term success.

The power of visual content

In today's digital age, consumers often make purchase decisions based on the visual content they see online. High-quality and visually appealing images can make your RTD beverages stand out among the competition, capture the attention of potential customers, and ultimately drive sales.

Outshinery specializes in creating exceptional visual content for alcohol brands, including those offering RTD beverages. Our range of services includes Product Shots, Lifestyle Images, Product Videos, Recipe Pairings, and Product Lineups.

Visual cues play a pivotal role in consumers' decision-making processes, particularly when exploring new product categories like RTD beverages. A high-quality image or video provides a virtual 'taste test,' allowing potential customers to envisage the product experience even before they've tried the beverage.

This visual storytelling creates an emotional connection, building anticipation and curiosity about the taste, texture, and overall experience of the product. By leveraging compelling visual content, brands can effectively convey the uniqueness and quality of their RTD offerings, attracting wider audiences, expanding their customer base, and stimulating online sales.

Showcasing your products digitally

With Outshinery, you don't need to send us physical product samples. We create digital visuals that accurately represent your products. You can choose from a wide range of options and customization, including branding elements, labels, and packaging, to ensure your products are showcased exactly as you envision them.

Our visuals not only highlight the look of your products but also their context. For example, our Lifestyle Images can showcase your RTD beverages in various settings, such as beach parties, cozy home gatherings, or rooftop get-togethers, helping customers imagine enjoying your products in their own lives.

Even if your RTD beverage isn't packaged yet, that's no obstacle for Outshinery. We can create stunning visuals of your products before they're even in their final packaging. This is a major advantage for brands looking to market their products and garner consumer interest ahead of launch.

With our digital rendering technology, we can create accurate, detailed, and visually compelling images of your upcoming RTD beverages, encapsulating the allure and quality of the product and enticing potential customers from the get-go. This means you can start building buzz and excitement around your product even before it hits the shelves.

Boost your brand visibility

Outshinery’s high-quality visuals can enhance your brand visibility across various platforms. Whether it’s for your website, social media posts, email marketing campaigns, or sales presentations, our images will make your RTD beverages shine.

In addition to online marketing, point-of-sale (POS) displays can also play a crucial role in promoting your RTD beverages. These displays, strategically placed where the purchase decision is made, serve as a powerful marketing tool to stimulate impulse purchases. They can be digitally rendered by Outshinery to showcase your products in a retail environment, providing customers with a sense of how your beverages look on a shelf or in a cooler. Retailers and convenience stores are key outlets for RTD beverages, making it essential to capture attention in these high-traffic locations.

This virtual representation helps consumers visualize the product in their shopping environment, which can significantly influence their purchasing decisions. By leveraging POS displays, you can create an effective touchpoint that can drive higher sales for your RTD beverages. A strong distribution and distribution network are vital to ensure your products are consistently available in these retail locations, maximizing your reach and impact.

Regulatory compliance and labeling

Navigating regulatory compliance and labeling requirements is a critical step for any RTD brand entering the market. The beverage industry is highly regulated, and RTD beverages must meet strict federal and state guidelines to ensure consumer safety and transparency. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) mandates that RTD brands clearly display key information on their labels, including alcohol content, ingredient lists, and health warnings. Additionally, federal excise taxes must be properly accounted for, as non-compliance can lead to costly legal issues and damage to your brand’s reputation.

Beyond meeting legal requirements, effective labeling plays a significant role in influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Informative, attractive, and compliant labels help build trust and communicate the quality and uniqueness of your RTD beverages. As the RTD market becomes more competitive, brands that prioritize regulatory compliance and thoughtful labeling will be better positioned to earn consumer confidence and stand out on both digital shelves and in retail environments.

Time-efficient and accessible

1. Outshinery understands that time is of the essence in the fast-paced beverage industry. That's why we strive to deliver our services within 3 to 5 business days.
2. You'll get various digital image formats so you can quickly update your online presence with stunning visuals wherever your audience sees them.
3. For those who are new to Outshinery, we offer a free trial so you can experience the difference our services can make for your brand.
4. If you release various flavors, want to feature a Product Lineup, or want to show your RTD alongside other products, we can do that too!

The bottom line

In 2025, selling RTD beverages online successfully requires more than just a great product. It requires an effective visual marketing strategy. With Outshinery, you have a partner who understands the importance of high-quality visuals in showcasing your products and enhancing your brand visibility.

So, are you ready to take your online sales to the next level?

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Outshinery provide for my RTD beverages brand?  

Outshinery offers a wide spectrum of services including Product Shots, Lifestyle Images, Product Videos, Recipe Pairings, and Product Lineups. All these services are aimed at creating exceptional visual content for your RTD beverages.

Why is visual content important for my RTD beverages?  

High-quality visual content allows customers to envision the product before actual purchase. This virtual 'taste test' creates an emotional connection with potential customers, thereby driving online sales.

Do I need to send physical samples to Outshinery?  

No, there is no need to send physical product samples to Outshinery. We create digital visuals that accurately represent your products.

Can Outshinery create images of products not yet in final packaging?  

Yes, Outshinery can create stunning visuals of your products before they're even in their final packaging. This allows you to start building buzz and excitement around your product even before it hits the shelves.

How can Outshinery's visuals boost my brand visibility?  

Outshinery's high-quality visuals can enhance your brand visibility across various platforms like websites, social media posts, email marketing campaigns, sales presentations, and POS displays. This increased visibility can attract wider audiences and stimulate online sales.

How long does Outshinery take to deliver its services?  

Outshinery strives to deliver its services within 3 to 5 business days.

Does Outshinery offer a free trial?  

Yes, for those new to Outshinery, we offer a free trial (with 2 Shine Credits) so you can experience the difference our services can make for your brand.

How does Outshinery help in selling RTD beverages online?  

Outshinery understands that selling RTD beverages online requires an effective visual marketing strategy. By creating high-quality visuals, we help in enhancing your product's appeal, showcasing its uniqueness, and increasing your brand's visibility, thereby boosting your online sales.