Plymouth, Wisconsin-based Carbliss is stepping into the high-ABV ready-to-drink arena with a new 12% ABV Cocktail Collection, launching in November across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota before a broader national expansion in 2027.
The four-SKU lineup—Margarita (tequila-based), Mango Margarita (tequila-based), Blackberry Moscow Mule (vodka-based), and Mai Tai (rum-based)—carries the brand's signature nutritional positioning: zero carbs, zero sugar, gluten-free, and 250 calories per can. The collection uses limited carbonation, a format choice the brand says lets cocktail flavors lead rather than effervescence.
The Strategic Play
For on-premise and off-premise operators tracking the ready-to-drink beverage segment, the Carbliss move reflects a broader industry pattern: established RTD brands that built audiences at 5% ABV are now chasing the premium, full-strength consumer. Carbliss built its original 5% Cocktail Collection as a direct counter to hard seltzers it felt lacked genuine cocktail flavor. That same rationale now underpins the 12% extension—targeting consumers who want the convenience of a canned drink without trading down from the alcohol content of a poured cocktail.
"Flavor has always been where we start," said Adam Kroener, Cofounder and CEO of Carbliss. "This is a full strength cocktail built to get the party started, with the flavor people expect from Carbliss and zero carbs and zero sugar. More alcohol didn't mean we were willing to compromise on anything else."
Category Context
The high-ABV RTD shelf has grown competitive, with several national brands pushing into the 8–12% range over the past two years. What distinguishes the Carbliss positioning is the combination of a 12% ABV with a calorie count that stays at 250—a figure the brand frames as a meaningful differentiator in a segment where higher alcohol content typically correlates with higher sugar and calorie loads. The new line also arrives with distinct packaging—bold colors and ingredient illustrations—clearly separated from the existing 5% portfolio, a practical consideration for retail buyers managing shelf sets and bar directors curating can programs.
Carbliss has twice earned the No. 1 Food & Beverage Company ranking on the Inc. 5000 list, giving distributors and retail buyers a growth-validated brand entering a category with strong consumer tailwinds. Hospitality operators sourcing premium RTDs for pool decks, event venues, and convenience-forward beverage programs will find the full-strength, low-sugar profile relevant to health-conscious guests who still want a genuine cocktail experience.
For a deeper look at where the RTD cocktail category is heading, see our restaurant beverage program coverage and reporting from our sister publication Food & Beverage Magazine on emerging alcohol trends.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
