The Coca-Cola Company has officially entered the Latin American hard seltzer market as Topo Chico Hard Seltzer hits stores in Mexico and Brazil. Select US markets

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will follow in early 2021.

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is available in three inaugural flavors: Pineapple Twist, Strawberry Guava, and Tangy Lemon Lime. Each can contains 100 calories and 4.7 percent ABV, both of which are pretty on par for the category.

“Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will appeal to consumers looking for a lighter, refreshing alternative to other high-calorie, high-sugar alcoholic beverages,” (translated) said Khalil Younes, executive vice president of strategic platforms for Coca-Cola. The company is eager to enter the hard seltzer space via one of its beloved brands.

“This is a great opportunity to venture into the growing carbonated water category with a strong brand that features delicious natural flavors,” said Younes. “This is a natural evolution of the beloved Topo Chico brand, which is a favorite of home baristas and mixologists.”

Topo Chico enjoys cult status in Texas and Latin America and is a favorite cocktail base among mixologists. The soda giant first acquired the iconic Mexican mineral water brand in 2017. Coca-Cola says that the idea came to fruition in just about six months, an impressive feat given that this time coincided with closures and quarantines caused by the novel coronavirus.

But as Younes pointed out, sometimes such restraint can be beneficial to the creative process. “Paradoxically, the difficult confinement environment due to COVID-19 was the accelerator for the project. And, probably, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer might not be where he is today without that unexpected context,” said the VP.

“The new virtual work environment meant the removal of many of the usual work constraints, and unleashed new ways to share knowledge quickly, collaboration without limits and the ability to move quickly” (translated).

Coca-Cola is moving quickly to bring its new hard seltzer to the US as well. At the end of last month it announced a new partnership with Molson Coors for Topo Chico Hard’s domestic distribution. US markets will receive similar flavors as Mexico and Brazil with Exotic Pineapple and Tropical Mango joining Tangy Lemon Lime and Strawberry Guava.

Henrique Braun, president of Coca-Cola Latin America, offered a cheerful toast to Topo Chico’s new adventure via his LinkedIn profile. “My next toast will be with Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. Refreshing and with an alcoholic graduation of 4.7%, the drink [has] launched in Mexico (Mexico City, Acapulco and Monterrey) and in Brazil (states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro).”

“It is inspired by the Topo Chico sparkling mineral water, which was born in Mexico and is widely used by bartenders in drinks. I am sure that the novelty will surprise and conquer the palates of Mexicans and Brazilians, especially those of the millennial generation. I’m from another target, but I’m already a fan. Who [will] toast with me?” (translated).”

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer actually marks Coca-Cola’s second foray into the drinks industry since it sold its wine imprint – Wine Spectrum – in the early 1980s. It introduced a spiked and sparkling beverage called Lemon-Do to Japanese consumers in 2018.

Erin Grafton
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