SweetWater Brewing Company has teamed up with RIFF Cannabis to create SweetWater RIFF, a premium line of ready-to-drink (RTD) vodka sodas. Both brands are owned by Tilray, the publicly traded Canadian cannabis and pharmaceutical giant. SweetWater RIFF, which will be launched exclusively in the United States, is SweetWater’s first canned cocktail and its only spirit-based offering. 

SweetWater RIFF will launch in two fruit-forward flavors including Citrus and Strawberry Mule. Both flavors are made with real vodka and real juice. RIFF may be a cannabis brand, but its new line of vodka sodas does not contain THC, CBD or any ingredients derived from cannabis. 

SweetWater RIFF Citrus features orange juice and lime juice as well as coriander and sea salt, which, according to the brewing company, creates “a unique flavor RIFF.” 

SweetWater RIFF Strawberry Mule is crafted with strawberry juice, lime juice and ginger. Both flavors contain 105 calories, 1 gram of carbohydrates and no added sugar. The 0.5 grams of sugar on the beverage’s nutritional label comes from fruit. 

According to SweetWater the beverages are “Made for creatives, by creatives. These non-conventional cocktails are for discerning drinkers who know what’s the real deal and want to make sure everyone knows it. Inspiring individuality and creativity, RIFF Vodka Sodas from SweetWater are the cocktails for a higher experience.”

The canned cocktails are packaged in 12 ounce slim cans and will be sold in 6-packs of individual flavors. SweetWater RIFF will be available at alcohol retail locations throughout the US as well as on-premise venues such as bars and restaurants.

“SweetWater’s entry into the spirits category reflects the essence of the SweetWater brand: original, compelling and enticing,” said Brian Miesieski, SweetWater’s Chief Marketing Officer. “SweetWater RIFF delivers a great-tasting ready-to-drink cocktail with a premium taste developed in partnership with RIFF’s own highly curated, expertly made approach. We are incredibly excited to expand and create something that is a great alternative to our incredible selection of beers and seltzers – and believe consumers will love it.”

In January of this year SweetWater launched Oasis Premium Hard Seltzer. The brand’s line of spiked seltzers is enhanced with Vitamin C and electrolytes. Oasis debuted in four flavors including Raspberry Lemon, Strawberry Kiwi, Mango Passionfruit, and Black Cherry Lime. 

Even though SweetWater RIFF does not contain cannabis, it is possible that Tilray partnered the brands as part of a forward-thinking strategy. SweetWater, a successful and well-known craft brewery in the US, was originally acquired by the Canadian cannabis company, Aphria, in 2020. 

In 2021 Aphria merged with Tilray. At the time of the merger, the newly formed cannabis powerhouse announced it would be “well-positioned to pursue an accelerated rate of growth in the Canadian and the U.S. beverage industries by leveraging SweetWater’s innovation, knowledge, and expertise to introduce adult-use cannabis brands via craft beers and other beverages. This includes leveraging both companies proven distribution networks in Canada to sell SweetWater’s 420 cannabis lifestyle brand in Canada.”

Prior to the merger Tilray had been working with Anheuser-Busch to create CBD and THC beverages, a partnership that fizzled out after Aphria came into the picture. It would make sense for Tilray to begin introducing its cannabis brands to US consumers via a beverage like SweetWater RIFF. The move will foster brand recognition and put the company in a strong position if, or when, it chooses to release a cannabis beverage in the US.

“From day one, RIFF has been built on collaborations and creative product innovation,” explained Bernie Yeung, the SVP of Sales & Marketing at Tilray. “Consistent with this approach, we are thrilled to harness the power of Sweetwater and RIFF, two of our leading brands, to launch Sweetwater RIFF. We are equally thrilled that the launch itself introduces U.S. consumers to RIFF, our creatively crafted cannabis brand that loves a joint effort. The SweetWater RIFF drinks are a true ‘RIFF’ on the classics and an elevated spin on consumer expectations.”

Shirani Jayasuriya
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