Canned cocktails are taking the country by storm. They are sold at bars, hotels and supermarkets. It’s easy to open a can and enjoy a cocktail with no preparation or fuss — perfect for a day on the lake, in the woods or on the mountain.
Canned-cocktail sales skyrocketed in 2021 with 42 precent revenue growth making it the fastest-growing spirits segment, according to Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. People love the variety of flavors and ease of a canned cocktail.
Five months ago, Tif Trevethan and her daughter Kelsey launched their made-in-Tahoe, canned cocktail Tif’s Spiked, eponymously named. I met the Trevethans at the recent Tahoe City Oktoberfest at their booth tucked in amongst the Kolsch and Pilsners booths. Their newly minted product, TIF’S Spiked Lemonade was debuting at the event. The coconut-forward cocktail provided a hint of lemon and definitely packed a punch. The consensus around the booth was positive.
“I actually began making it in my kitchen 12 years ago. I made cocktails and experimented with vodka and Malibu [rum] combined. By the third batch, people were like, this is insane.” –Tif Trevethan
“I actually began making it in my kitchen 12 years ago. I made cocktails and experimented with vodka and Malibu [rum] combined. By the third batch, people were like, this is insane,” says Trevethan.
She made pitchers of her cocktails for people to take to parties. Eventually, the idea of canning the product became a reality. Trevethan worked with a flavor house to get the cocktail close to the one she made in her kitchen. In her words: “We nailed it.”
“The Spiked Lemon is a blend of vodka, rum, lemonade, acai berry and coconut flavor. It’s very summery,” she says.
The canned cocktail packs a punch with 12 percent alcohol. There are two servings per can.
Tif’s Spiked is working on introducing new flavors to the canned cocktail line in the not-too-distant future. The new canned-cocktail flavors include Spicy Margarita made with passionfruit, jalapeño and coconut tequila; Rum Punch and Cucumber Melon Cooler. The cooler will offer a lower ABV (alcohol by volume). And, 5 percent of profits benefits Clean Up the Lake.
Daughter Kelsey is the COO and husband Kelly helps with finances and sales.
“It is a women-run and family-owned business,” she says.
Trevethan is excited about the future and is planning to launch a luxury cocktail line that will include Old Fashioned and Manhattan canned cocktails. My whiskey-loving self looks forward to sampling these cocktails.
The lightly carbonated spiked lemonade is unique. It’s light and easy and available for purchase online or at various Tahoe locations. | tifsspiked.com
