Waitrose is reporting a significant shift in consumer drinking habits, as sales of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages and canned wines skyrocket, marking a major ‘tinification’ trend.
Waitrose has seen the following increases of sales compared to last year, :
Ready-to-drink category +11%
Whisky-based ready-to-drink cocktails +73%
Canned sparking wine +70%
Vodka-based ready-to-drink cocktails +28%
Canned rosé wine +23%
The impressive growth showcases a move towards convenience, with customers increasingly seeking portable, perfectly portioned options for socialising, picnics, and travel.
The perceived quality of canned drinks has also seen a substantial improvement, challenging the long-held notion that premium beverages must be bottled. Producers are now using high-quality ingredients and advanced canning technology to preserve flavour and effervescence, making RTDs and canned wines a genuinely appealing alternative to their bottled counterparts.
Waitrose has expanded its offering, to meet demand, by releasing five new canned cocktails this year. The range now includes diverse flavour profiles like the new Spicy Pineapple Daiquiri and Peach Melba Spritz. Crucially, the range also caters to the growing moderation movement with non-alcoholic options, such as the new Non-Alcoholic Mojito, Non-Alcoholic Spicy Margarita, and Non-Alcoholic Paloma.
New canned cocktail launches:
Waitrose Spicy Pineapple Daiquiri, £2.50
Waitrose Peach Melba Spritz, £2.50
Waitrose Non-Alcoholic Mojito, £1.80
Waitrose Non-Alcoholic Spicy Margarita, £1.80
Waitrose Non-Alcoholic Paloma, £1.80
MOTH Strawberry Daiquiri, £4.15
MOTH Mango Margarita, £4.15
Sarah Holland, Waitrose ready-to-drink buyer, says: “We’re seeing a huge trend of customers picking up canned cocktails for that ultimate summer convenience. Whether it’s for a sunny picnic or a weekend festival, you can enjoy a top-tier drink without having to play bartender!
They are such a great, cost-effective way to enjoy high-quality cocktails on the go. Plus, with our current 4 for 3 offer – where the cheapest can is free – our cocktail-loving shoppers can really stock up for the sunshine.”
Top selling cocktails at Waitrose include:
Ciroc Red Berry & Lemonade +60%
MOTH Passionfruit Martini +70%
Funkin Passion Fruit Martini Nitro +60%
Bottlegreen Edwards Vodka Elderflower +76%
Absolut Raspberry Lemonade +26%
Absolut & Sprite +25%
Funkin Strawberry Daiquiri Nitro +73%
White Claw Tequila Strawberry & Lime +116%
The 80s food and drink revival is in full swing, bringing with it the era’s sophisticated cocktail culture. While Screwdrivers and Harvey Wallbangers ruled the 1980s, today those retro flavours dominate the ready-to-drink market with sales of canned cocktails like Malibu Piña Colada (+170%), Wonderland Cocktail Co. Long Island (+65%), and MOTH Paloma (+19%).
The dynamic ‘tinification’ trend is also prevalent within the world of wine. This evolution is far more than just a packaging shift; it coincides with a significant customer demand toward high-quality, vintage-dated, and coveted DOC-level wines, where there is focus on provenance and quality in portable formats. Beyond their notable ‘glow up’ in quality and sophistication, canned wines are also emerging as an increasingly compelling sustainable option.
Our range is continually being refreshed with exciting, high-calibre new additions such as: Canned Wine Co. Old Vine Garnacha 2022 Aragón (£5.75) and Canned Wine Co. Organic Grüner Veltliner 2025 Niederösterreich (£5.75).
Top selling canned wines at Waitrose compared to last year include:
Canned Wine Co. Gamay +89%
Terre di Faiano Primitivo +14%
Hardys VR Shiraz +26%
JP Chenet Pinot Noir +18%
La Vieille Ferme Rosé +91%
Italia Pinot Grigio Rosé +18%
La Gioiosa Rose Sparkling Can +122%
Tiki Ridge Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Can +30%
