Arrowtown (www.arrowtowndrinks.co.uk), one of the UK’s fastest-growing ready-to-drink (RTD) brands, has secured a major nationwide listing with Sainsbury’s. Launching in July, the brand’s premium, all-natural Vodka Sodas will hit the shelves of 285 Sainsbury’s stores just in time for peak summer picnicking and festival season.
Sainsbury’s will stock two of Arrowtown’s signature (there are four delicious products in the range), full-flavour variants: Mango & Pineapple and Black Cherry & Apple. Both come in 330ml cans at 4.5% ABV, with an RRP of £2.95.
James Smith, co-Founder of Arrowtown, comments, “Securing a nationwide listing with Sainsbury’s is a massive milestone for us. We started Arrowtown to prove that you don’t need to compromise on flavour to make a lighter, cleaner drink. Partnering with one of the UK’s major supermarkets allows us to take that mission nationwide, making it easier than ever for consumers to find a premium, low-sugar alternative on the shelves.”
Market data reveals that 57% of adults are actively taking steps to cut their sugar intake, while 45% of consumers globally now judge the overall health of a product strictly by its sugar levels. As shoppers reject sugary alcopops, the premium sector of the RTD market is exploding, witnessing a massive 84% year-on-year growth.
Arrowtown sits squarely at the intersection of two massive consumer trends: the booming growth of the RTD market and the ever-growing shift toward health-conscious drinking. Proudly made in the UK, the range is crafted with triple-distilled vodka, sparkling soda, and 100% natural ingredients. Boasting premium flavours, low sugar, and just 109 kcal per can, Arrowtown avoids the artificial sweeteners common in competitors to deliver a delicious, lighter alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
Two brothers thirsty for change
The inspiration for Arrowtown was born in 2021 when brothers James and Rob Smith were traveling through New Zealand straight out of university. While exploring the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island, they discovered a local appreciation for lighter vodka-and-soda pairings, a massive trend they also saw exploding via hard seltzers in the US.
Inspired by Arrowtown, a picturesque and historic gold-mining village they visited, the brothers returned to the UK determined to do things differently. Armed with their degrees and a desire to take on the world’s biggest drinks brands, James (then 22) and Rob (then 24) launched Arrowtown to create a drink fit for the 21st-century consumer.
“The world of alcohol consumption is changing,” says co-Founder James Smith. “Consumers want transparency, sustainable authenticity, and great taste without the artificial ingredients. We wanted to make a drink that keeps the good times flowing but aligns with a modern, balanced lifestyle.”
630,000 bottles saved from our oceans
Born and raised in a coastal town, the Smith brothers are driven by an environmental mission to protect the natural world, Arrowtown has baked sustainability directly into its core operations. Through an official partnership with Ocean Co., every single can of Arrowtown enjoyed funds the collection and removal of two ocean-bound plastic bottles, stopping them from ever reaching our oceans. 630,000 bottles saved and counting.
With its nationwide rollout this July, Arrowtown is primed to bring its refreshing drinks to a massive new audience.
