grown-up refresher with 5% ABV. With its monochromatic flavor profile and lack of complexity, there is no incentive for palates looking for an exciting adventure. They were terrible imo. Recipe. The brand manager at Sonic called me and said, Were a go, recalls Mossman in a recent interview. This new offering makes a splash in the growing beverage category by re-creating fan-favorite beverage flavors in a new format. Sipping this reveals no evidence at all of the raspberry flavor promised by the illustration on the can. Follow @birdstorc and @goldenwitchfire on Twitter and Instagram for daily updates!Feb.. Although the ingredients on the label didn't include artificial sweeteners, it had a little bit of that kind of flavor, with a saccharine aftertaste that smacked of diet soda. $14) + More, Best Subway Coupons | BOGO Free Footlong Subs + More Deals, Best Cheesecake Factory Coupons | FREE Cheesecake Slice w/ $45 Purchase (Last Day!) 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Make sure to check this post about Sonic Shark Week Slush! 2023 LEARFIELD. We sure appreciate you sharing your experience, Amy! Weve worked for the last year-plus on executing 198 new distribution agreements in 25 states, he says. Hi, I'm Ana! No way. The Cherry Limeade IS Sonic. Not going to be my go-to, but they are worth a try IMHO. The Tropical Variety Pack features Ocean Water, Melon Medley, Mango Guava and Orange Pineapple. Pick up a pack and host your own happy hour any time you want! Powered by WordPress VIP. Ill second and third and fourth this comment section. It was announced that the fast-food chain has expanded its eight hard seltzer drinks to other . 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. I did drink them all because I refuse to waste alcohol (unless its Whiteclaw surge I just couldnt finish them) but I will not buy again unless its the only thing available. That sounds kind of unsexy, but your brand is one of your strongest assets, and you have to be really, really diligent about managing that and putting in the right places and treating it the right way, being consistent, he tells VinePair. SONIC Hard Seltzer is not available for purchase at SONIC Drive-In locations. Testers found its coconutty notes, along with sour citric acid flavors plus hints of saltiness, unsatisfying compared to other offerings like Cherry Limeade. 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. . It would definitely be worth picking up as a standalone six-pack if you had the opportunity. But times have changed, and these days, for a regional craft brewery, its as good a place as any to stack your chips. As the past 18 months of alco-llaborations demonstrate, pretty much any brand with a functioning marketing department can develop a crossover alcoholic beverage brand on a lark. The restaurant wowed diners with then-innovative curbside service, which let visitors order burgers without leaving their cars, and led to the catchphrase, Service at the Speed of Sound (i.e. You can update your preferences by clicking the "Cookie Policy" link at the bottom of any page on our website. Trew Knowledge. But in the 11 months since launching the brand, COOP has expanded its footprint twice: first to an additional six Midwestern states in October, and then to 24 more in March 2022. The Citrus pack has Lemonade, Limeade, Lemon Berry, and Cherry Limeade. Guava is one of those fancy-sounding names that manufacturers can just throw onto products because they know that not that many people will call their bluff. SONIC Hard Seltzer is currently available in eight flavor offerings and provides a modern and craveable take on classic SONIC flavors. 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice. Sonic's Mango Guava seltzer tastes like pure mango. Brand stewardship and licensing partnership was something that was in my set of experiences previously. After all, here in fast-food nation, a drive-thru dynasty and a red-hot booze category is a compelling combo meal. Beverage Cans . Bummer! The firms eagerness stunned the brewery president. With this drink on your side, youll never have to worry about running short of sweet refreshments! If somebody put a gun to your head right now and told you to describe the flavor of guava, would you know what to say? Sonic continues to capitalize on this success by encouraging customers to join either Team Ocean Water or Team Cherry Limeade in promotional materials for their Hard Seltzer brand. And if you do everything right, your liquid stays solid, and you get a little lucky, your rocket just may go well, supersonic. In 1953, the first model of the drive-in restaurant opened in Shawnee, Okla., originally named Top Hat. About Big 12 Conference The Big 12 Conference is comprised of 10 Universities - Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia. To be frank, it tastes exactly like Mango White Claw. Some states clearly have a greater appetite for the restaurant than others, though. 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). I was SOOO excited to try them, I assumed they were so bad that they just kept it to OK. As thats where they were being made. Sleek cans. The Citrus Variety Pack features Cherry Limeade, Original Limeade, Classic Lemonade and Lemon Berry. Sorry to hear you didnt care for them. To do that, Mossman needed to find new wholesalers and a lot of them. Dont love them unfortunately, here in TN. Sign up for VP Pro now! Required fields are marked *. This one is a big departure for Sonic, as they don't have any melon-flavored beverages in their restaurants. The Greatest Hits Pack features fan-favorite flavors such as Cherry Limeade, Ocean Water and Lemon Berry. Visit fal.cn/3jx7J to find your nearest retailer. Its the brewerys ballgame. 2014 - 2023 VinePair Inc. Made In NYC. We got some in Oklahoma. On the heels of our continued expansion into 39 states and being recognized as one of the top 10 fastest selling seltzer brands, were excited to deepen our product integration responsibly within the Conference and with its fans of legal drinking age.. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and to the associated processing of personal data to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing and performance efforts. To find SONIC Hard Seltzer near you, visit https://sonichardseltzer.com/locator/ or learn more at @sonichardseltzer on Instagram. In addition to Oklahoma, SONIC Hard Seltzer is now available in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri & Texas! SONIC Drive-In has licensed its iconic name to COOP Ale Works to create a family of hard beverage products that includes SONIC Hard Seltzer, SONIC Hard Southern Sweet Tea and SONIC Hard Slush. 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 . Expanding into more markets is a natural extension for us as we continue to grow the brand.. Contactless delivery and your first delivery or pickup order is free! That's not a knock on it whatsoever; SunnyD is delicious, and drinking something that kind of has that flavor but also gives you a mild buzz is wonderful. As long as COOP keeps executing on the flavor-fidelity of original Sonic beverage combos (of which there are literally hundreds of thousands), and keeps supermarket and big-box chains stocked, Bichsel sees open road ahead. 1Source: Grand View Research, I., 2022. 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. Residents of the 46 states where Sonic operates brick-and-mortar drive-in locations implicitly understand the gravity of this otherwise mundane sales insight. Its a winning combination indeed, including the delivery of variety across a unique combination of fruit flavors. Sonic hard seltzer is another opportunity for us to reach our Sonic fans outside of the drive-in, explains the firms director of brand marketing and activation, Grant Springer, in response to emailed questions from VinePair. SONIC Hard Seltzer is currently available in eight flavor offerings and provides a modern and adult take on classic SONIC flavors. 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 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. SONIC Hard Seltzer became one of the top 10 fastest-selling seltzer brands in the country within its first three months and is on track for significant growth across the U.S., according to the press release. "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," says Sean Mossman, President of COOP Ale Works, makers of SONIC Hard Seltzer. Pick up a pack and host your own happy hour any time you want! Required fields are marked *. I searched high and low for these and my husband finally found them and got me the red citrus pack. The Lemonade Sonic seltzer fails to bring the same refreshing satisfaction as its Limeade counterpart. But Sonic was thinking bigger, and COOP came calling at the right time. Whether you are kicking back and relaxing while watching sports or sitting and soaking up some sunshine poolside, you'll be tasting the good vibes with every sip. We got Big SunnyDand Tang vibes from this. If you drink seltzers, try it! After earning an enthusiastic reception in its Oklahoma test market, SONIC Hard Seltzer began its coast-to-coast rollout in January, with the goal of becoming available nationwide by the end of 2022. If a bottle of Orangina lived a hard life that drained it of all sweetness and light, leaving only sourness and disappointment, this is what you'd get. The ratio between sweetness and acidity is properly calibrated, but there's no depth to keep your palate engaged. Cookie Policy | Privacy Statement | Terms&Conditions. I was not impressed maybe I had my expectations set too high. Sonic stands out from the competition with an extensive beverage menu and various unique customizations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. According to Sonic's website, each flavor has 100 calories, one gram of added sugar, and one gram . The thought occurred to him on a socially distanced jog a few months prior. Maybe Sonic had this demographic in mind when they formulated the Lemonade flavor, because we don't know who else this could possibly be for. (If you sense in the moniker a vague echo of Bartles & Jaymes, a before-its-time wine cooler marketed with before-its-time whimsy in the 80s, Mossman would be delighted to hear it: The nod was intentional.). Served by SONIC's iconic Carhops, the restaurant's expansive, award-winning menu offers unique, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and drink options for the whole family. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. The hint of sweetness leaves your tongue pretty quickly, making way for an acidic, cucumbery aftertaste that's a little bit like Pepino Limon Gatorade. Luxembourg B 251465, Modern Slavery Statement From the jump, COOP has carved Sonic hard seltzers out of its owned-and-operated brand portfolio, for reasons well discuss in a moment. Each offering provides a modern and craveable take on fan-favorite beverage flavors. Along with serving up never-before-seen Truly concoctions, we work with . It was announced that the fast-food chain has expanded its eight hard seltzer drinks to other markets, including Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut,Georgia,Iowa,Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The first you know about. Ill have to try the blue one! The Sonic Hard Seltzer website contributes to America's worsening polarization by exhorting visitors to publicly declare whether they stand with Team Ocean Water or Team Cherry Limeade. "Colder faster, 360-degree branding on the vessel and leading recycling rates and recycled content rates make this the . SONIC Hard Seltzer is available in two variety packs, Tropical and Citrus and our Greatest Hits Pack. SONIC Drive-InSONIC, founded in 1953, is the largest drive-in restaurant brand in the United States with more than 3,500 restaurants in 46 states. Rather, it tastes like a watered-down version of cheap pink lemonade, which is not a bad thing at all. It's more reminiscent of actual ocean water than anything you'd get from Sonic. Yet, sought-after actual guava flavoring can be. . We moved very fast, remembers Mossman. Its sales velocity in major chain retailers is strong. 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! Offering less tartness than other options, it evoked subtle similarities to soda beverages like 7UP. Additionally, Missouri residents are now able to get their hands on SONIC Hard Seltzer in St. Louis. Copyright 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme, Sonic Shark Week Slush: What It Is + Review, Wendys Cheddar Bun: Everything About Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger, Sonic Milkshakes: Their Milkshake Menu Ranked, Chocolate Ganache Brownies: Most Fudgy Recipe, Oreo Milk Tea: How To Make Cookies & Cream Boba, Tapioca Syrup: What It Is & Hows Different from Corn Syrup. Lemon Berry SONIC Hard Seltzer. COOP brews Sonic hard seltzers which now number eight flavors total in its home region, and contract-brews a third-party co-packer for the volume it needs across the rest of its footprint. 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. Nov. 3, 2021, 09:55 AM. It just made sense for us to look at a COOP partnership with a mirroring regional footprint, Sonic chief marketing officer Lori Abou Habib told Forbes in March 2021. Were actively negotiating with several parties to bring more licensed brands to market because we really feel like convergence between non-alc[oholic] and alcoholic beverages will continue to be a trend that grows moving forward here., Thats not to say its easy. Some people go to Sonic just for this combination of blue coconut syrup and Sprite that smells vaguely like sunscreen (in a good way). They were just undrinkable. For more information, visit COOPAleWorks.com. 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. Where else can you customize your soda or slush with chopped fruit, an array of flavor syrups, and Nerds candy? SONIC Happy Hour, redefined. 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. Sonic Hard Seltzers are an exemplary contender in the crowded hard seltzer market, boasting a classic beverage profile and unique flavor options. We like the blue one (maybe its ocean) the best (?). Nestled in the vibrant Downtown LA Arts District, Truly LA contains everything from our small-batch flavor innovation lab to a concert venue where we host a myriad of events ranging from weekend artist markets to live music collaborations with our friends at Live Nation. (A little oasis in [customers] days, as Springer puts it.) It did make sense, at first. 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! This post is an update of: Truly Hard Seltzer Opening New Downtown Los Angeles Taproom in Early 2022. We generously provided a few cases for us to test out all these delicious flavors so we could report back our results. Site by If youre within striking distance of a Sonic, assume youre surrounded by cherry limeade acolytes. Pick up a pack and host your own happy hour any time you want! This is one of the best, if not the best, of the Sonic Seltzer bunch and definitely beats everything else in the tropical box. Ocean Water is perhaps the most distinctive item on Sonic's massive slush menu. SONIC Drive-In, founded in 1953, is the largest drive-in restaurant brand inthe United Stateswith more than 3,500 restaurants in 46 states. As the Official Hard Seltzer of the Big 12, SONIC Hard Seltzer will have category exclusivity and use of Conference and Championship marks at the retail level, along with social and digital engagement on the official Big 12 Conference channels and receive exposure in conjunction with the Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship; Phillips 66 Big 12 Mens Basketball Championship; and Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. While Texas boasts nearly 1,000 drive-in locations, there are zero Sonics in Maine and New Hampshire. SONICDrive-In According to a Sonic press release, the seltzer was originally only available in the company's home state of Oklahoma, but now it can be found in six more states. (The firm is not involved in COOPs sales, marketing, or external partnerships, including the one with Sonic.) 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. OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --SONIC Hard Seltzer, a rising fan-favorite, announced the continued expansion of its eight hard seltzer offerings into new states: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. 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. Sonic Hard Seltzer. They come in two variety packs, Tropical and Citrus. At first, the brewer was plugging the resulting variety packs directly into its existing distribution network. You asked and we delivered: SONIC Hard Seltzer is now available across nearly half the country! Sonic Hard Seltzer has crafted a unique beverage experience with its two themed 12-packs: Citrus and Tropical. | 2400 Dallas Parkway, Suite 500 Plano, TX 75093 | Phone: College Football Season Ticket Pricing Analysis, Athletics, LEARFIELD Ink Multi-Year Contract Extension with iHeartMedia Minneapolis, Jacksons Expands Official Trading Card Promotion with Boise State Athletics, Harris Teeter and LEARFIELD to Assist in Fighting Hunger at the Feb. 25 Mens Basketball Game, LEARFIELD and SIDEARM Sports Executive Jeff Rubin to receive Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award; Basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli selected Jake Wade Award winner. This one is certainly better than the regular Lemonade seltzer, as it's not painfully sour. This seltzer might also please fans of black cherry soda. 21 New States Welcome SONIC Hard Seltzer. About Big 12 Conference The Big 12 Conference is comprised of 10 Universities - Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia. In addition to the packages environmental advantages, brands also enjoy leading filling, distribution and retail display economics as there is no wasted space due to cans stacking abilities. The zesty taste and refreshing complexity make it the perfect choice for those looking to take their seltzer experience up a notch worth picking up if available! Sonic, the beloved fast food restaurant that has made its mark in supplying drinks to quench your thirst, is now joining the increasing trend of hard seltzer with its lineup. After just under a year on shelves, Sonic hard seltzer is doing both. Some states clearly have a greater appetite for the restaurant than others,. Mossmans six-year tenure at the brewery was immediately preceded by another half dozen years as a CPG licensing executive focused on the hardware industry. As one of the chain's signature items, this flavor features prominently in Sonic Seltzer's marketing materials. Thanks for the honest feedback. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. From the chains perspective, hard seltzer was an intriguing new vessel for its familiar flavors, one that could carry the brand onto supermarket shelves and into off-premise drinking occasions that even the cheesiest of footlong chili cheese dogs would have trouble reaching. All these flavors come in at only 100 calories each while containing no added sugar or gluten, making them healthier alternatives than many other items on Sonics restaurant drink menu (excluding alcohol). 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 now including availability in retail stores in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas. SONIC Hard Seltzer is only available at select retailers, so you will not find it on the menu at SONIC Drive-In locations. It is both sweeter and more sour than its brethren, with an assertiveness that may prove divisive. The Citrus pack includes four flavors - Lemonade, Limeade, Lemon Berry, and Cherry Limeade; while the Tropical boasts Mango Guava, Melon Medley, Orange Pineapple, and Ocean Water. With 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar per can, SONIC Hard Seltzer is a gluten-free seltzer with a 5% ABV. 1.5 oz Vodka. Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Save your money, these are not tasty, they are very artificial tasting. This week, the sitting US Lego has announced some new sets for Disneys 100th anniversary including 18 adorable collectable minifigures. Cant wait to try this!! Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Win a Midday Makeover from Studio STL and West County, Hold my beer its time to sign up for the St. Patricks, Tims Travels: Dreaming in silestone and slabs its, Downtown is turning green for St. Patricks Day Parade, The 7brew Crew brings kindness, joy and of course,, Freshen up finds: Give your skin a slug-hug, What the Cluck! Tags: Colder faster, 360-degree branding on the vessel and leading recycling rates and recycled content rates make this the easy choice for quality and environmental superiority for the market and for SONIC., Claude Marbach, CEO, Ardagh Metal Packaging North America, agrees, confirming hard seltzers are a beverage category increasingly committing to cans. I wonder how they measure up to the competition. Hard seltzer is expected to gain in popularity as the years go by. Warns Bichsel: Consumers have the knowledge to sniff through bullshit, and [licensing] is one of those things that when you make products that tack too far away from what a brand traditionally does, it does risk damaging the mothership. Produced by COOP Ale Works in Oklahoma City, the line includes eight seltzers, three frozen offerings, and one hard sweet tea (though they arent offered at any of the chains restaurant locations). Back in OKC, Mossman is banking on it. But in a multibillion-dollar hard seltzer market, regional and nearly national longtail brands can stack tremendous cash without leading the category. Born from the collaboration between SONIC Drive-in, a 68-year-old brand powerhouse, and COOP Ale Works, a 12-year-old quality craft brewery, SONIC Hard Seltzer continues to gain a devoted customer following. This seltzer is by far the most candylike of any of the flavors, which is what we really wanted from Sonic seltzers. Though no artificial sweeteners were listed on the label, its taste exhibited slight saccharine qualities that made for an overall pleasing flavor profile full of citrusy lime essence and oil notes. We loved it, but if you like your fruit-flavored things to taste like real fruit, this isn't the seltzer for you. Jenna has a Bachelor's Degree from Lycoming College and her Master's from Penn State, holding 4 years of writing experience between a variety of publications and Hip2Save. To learn more about SONIC Hard Seltzer and where to purchase product, visit sonichardseltzer.com. Sonic prominently features Ocean Water as an iconic item on their expansive slush menu. Your email address will not be published.