RTD sales up 12% in Australian on-trade in 2025
Why does this matter?
RTDs are the fastest-growing alcohol category with major CPG investment (Coca-Cola acquiring Billson's), providing BevTech founders valuable market intelligence on consumer preferences, distribution channels (draught vs. packaged), and demographic targeting opportunities in a $1.76B market.
Highlights
The ready-to-drink (RTD) category generated AU$2.5 billion (US$1.76bn) in Australia’s bars last year after rising by double digits. NIQ’s On Premise Measurement data explored the growth of the RTD category in Australia’s on-trade. It revealed that the category’s value rose by 12% last year versus 2024, and by 35% when compared with 2023. As such, RTDs are now the fastest-growing alcohol category in the Australian on-trade and the third-largest segment by value across spirits, beer and cider. RTDs now attract 15 cents in every Australian dollar spent on drinks in the country’s on-premise, compared with 12 cents in 2023, NIQ noted. The NIQ figures also revealed that RTD sales totalled around 198 million serves in 2025. Of this figure, 58% came from draught lines, while packaged products accounted for 47%. Draught pre-mixed sales have soared by 57% in two years, more than three times the 17% growth in the packaged RTD segment. Vodka remains the dominant RTD base, representing 48% of the category’s total sales. Whisky-based serves took a 27% share of the segment. In terms of demographics, NIQ said RTDs were particularly popular among younger adults, with 46% of RTD consumers aged between 18 and 34. This audience tends to consume RTDs made with vodka, whisky and gin, while older drinkers showed a preference for dark spirits-based RTD options. Ryan Winslade, client associate director – Australia at NIQ, said: “The ready-to-drink category is one of the hottest parts of Australia’s on-premise at the moment. “From price to convenience to refreshment and much more, RTDs tick a lot of boxes for consumers and we’re likely to see more growth throughout 2026. But in an increasingly competitive space, all brands and venues will have to work hard to stand out from the crowd.” Major drinks companies have invested in the Australian RTD category in recent years. In December 2024, The Coca-Cola Company agreed to acquire Australian RTD brand Billson’s, six months after the business went into administration. Last October, Australian spirits producer Top Shelf International and RTD brand Gravity joined forces to create a new company called Blue Sky Drinks Co. Meanwhile, IWSR data showed RTDs rose by 2% in volume globally last year, and grew by 4% in value. It was also the only major category to experience growth in 2025 across the 22 markets listed.
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