How Carbliss Is Reshaping Ready to Drink Cocktails With Better Nutrition

The alcoholic beverage industry is undergoing a major shift, with ready to drink (RTD) cocktails taking the lead as consumers’ preferred indulgent drink. Once dominated by sugary mixers and unflavorful and overly carbonated hard seltzers, this sector has now grown into a $10.7 billion market. People prefer RTD cocktails because of their convenience, premium base of ingredients, and often flavor that doesn’t compromise on a better nutritional profile. Leading this industry wide transformation is Carbliss, a Wisconsin based brand proving that spirit based RTDs can align with health conscious lifestyles while still having enjoyable flavors. 

A Market Looking for Change

In just two years, consumption of RTDs has grown by more than 104%, outpacing nearly every other alcohol category, as reported by NielsenIQ. Hard seltzers, which were once considered the future of alcoholic drinks, experienced a 10% decline in sales in 2022, while spirit based RTDs grew nearly 58% at that time.    This growth reflects a shift in the market’s preference: consumers want bold taste and labels that align with special dietary needs like keto, gluten free, or low carb. Carbliss co-founder Adam Kroener captured the reason for this shift, sharing, “The products on the market had no flavor and a great nutrition panel, or an unappealing nutrition panel with good taste. We combined the concepts.”  

Built on Flavor and Balanced Nutrition

Carbliss’s products were created out of necessity. Adam and his wife Amanda, who were both committed to a keto lifestyle, were tired of mixing their own low carb cocktails at every beach day, boat ride, and backyard cookout. Finding a solution then turned into a business idea: a canned cocktail with zero carbs, zero sugar, just 100 calories, and the bold flavor of a vodka cranberry, vodka lemonade, margarita or mojito that you’d expect to get at a bar.    Their business approach put Carbliss in a unique position in the middle of the RTD surge. It’s not just about the convenience of an RTD, and also getting to indulge in mouth watering flavors without guilt. For consumers balancing health goals with their vivid social life, the brand has created a rare win-win beverage. 

A Culture That Rewards Loyalty

The success of Carbliss has also been fueled by something less visible, and just as powerful: a supportive company culture. Every employee receives a $5,000 vacation each year, fully covered by the company. The result is zero burnout among full-time staff, even as the company grows at unbelievable speeds.    “I am most proud of the company’s culture… To date, we have had only one employee quit, even though we continue to grow at rapid rates,” the founder said. By committing to the people behind the product, team members double as passionate, grateful brand ambassadors.   

Redefining the Future of RTDs

Although Carbliss was rooted in humble Wisconsin, the company is no longer just a local name. Some big league sponsorships include the Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Royals as well as NASCAR racing, putting the brand in front of millions of fans nationwide. Media spotlights like Discover Wisconsin and Inc. Magazine named Carbliss the Midwest’s fastest-growing private company in 2024 and 2025 as well as the fastest growing Food & Beverage Company Nationwide.    Yet, Carbliss hasn’t lost sight of its roots. The company continues to give back with fundraisers and donations to local partners. They represent where the entire RTD category is headed. By prioritizing convenience and nutrition conscious ingredients, the company shows how spirit based cocktails aren’t just a trend.    As Adam puts it, “We want to be the number one RTD in every state we touch.” Carbliss proves that even a small canned cocktail created and made in Wisconsin can become a nationally recognized phenomenon for its grounded, consumer first heart.