The hotel industry is embracing canned cocktails as a savvy post-pandemic alternative to made-to-order drinks. Cambria Hotels and Marriott both recently reported that ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails are checking in and it appears the canned beverages are planning for an extended stay.

Canned cocktails became wildly popular during the pandemic. Along with hard seltzers, the ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages dominated the market as consumers shopped for quality options that required minimal effort and could be easily enjoyed at home. A year and a half later, as quarantine regulations ease and venues reopen, canned cocktails are continuing their reign in new territory.

Choice Hotels International, Cambria’s parent company, recently announced a new, cost-efficient hotel prototype aimed at the secondary and leisure markets. According to Patrick Pacious, president and CEO of Choice Hotels, the new concept will offer developers “the right-sized Cambria for the right market to help maximize their investment — while also preserving the core upscale brand hallmarks guests love.”

Cambria’s new prototype will reportedly include canned cocktails as part of its compact yet upscaled concept. The brand’s new concept will feature amenities such as luxurious guest rooms, modern bathrooms featuring Bluetooth mirrors and a spa-style design, comfortable outdoor areas, a thoughtful lobby design, and more. In addition to new layouts and designs, the brand will also focus on upgraded food and drink options.

The hotel plans to offer elevated bar foods made with fresh ingredients, locally sourced craft beers, wine and cocktails. Canned cocktails will be available at the hotel’s marketplace, along with splits of wine and an array of intriguing grab-and-go food options.

Cambria isn’t the only hotel brand exploring canned cocktails. Marriott International was forced to streamline its food and beverage service in a major way as a result of the pandemic. In an effort to continue providing quality food options for guests while complying with heightened safety measures, the company introduced new options such as canned cocktails as well as scaled-down menus, mobile food ordering and contactless pickup.

Turns out many of the Marriott’s Covid-era changes were positive and sustainable. The company was able to weed out underperforming menu items and offer only the most popular choices. “We’ve pared back to the top sellers and the food is more reflective of what people want to eat,” stated Dana Pellicano, the Vice President of Food and Beverage, Global Operations for Marriott International.

Canned cocktails are among the pandemic changes that will be sticking around. “Consumers are still gravitating toward known brands and safety,” Pellicano stated regarding the increased popularity of RTD beverages, which are often produced by major liquor brands.

Canned cocktails were even recently spotted in “the happiest place on earth” at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando. The RTD beverages are also becoming commonplace on hotels’ casual dining menus. H2Oasis, the poolside restaurant and bar at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa At Gainey Ranch, for instance, offers several specialty cocktails as well as a canned Tequila Paloma from Cutwater Spirits. The bar also serves hard seltzers such as White Claw and the Long Drink, a canned Finnish cocktail crafted with gin, grapefruit and seltzer.

Premixed cocktails have become a post-pandemic staple in on-premise bars and restaurants across the country and beyond. RTD beverages can even be found in the sky, on the menus of major airlines such as Delta and Spirit. It is not surprising that hotels near and far are welcoming canned cocktails as a part of their new normal.

Canned beverages and RTD cocktails offer a hygienic option, requiring less contact than a made-to-order cocktail. The drinks often contain real juices and natural ingredients, eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for additional ingredients and keeping inventory costs low while venues attempt to recover from recent closures. As an added bonus, many canned cocktail brands are produced by popular spirits companies that consumers are already familiar with.

In addition, canned cocktails offer a respite for over-extended bartenders and understaffed businesses as the hospitality industry faces unprecedented labor shortages nationwide. The drinks, which can be served in their cans, help venues conserve ice and cut down on the need for glassware and dishwashing, a win-win for employees, customers and venues.

Canned cocktails may have become part of the hotel experience out of necessity but the RTD beverages offer a convenient new way for hotel guests to enjoy quality cocktails. It doesn’t look like canned cocktails will be checking out anytime soon.

Shirani Jayasuriya
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