The News
The Gambrinus Company and Margaritaville Alcohol Beverage Trust have launched LandShark Vodka Seltzer, a ready-to-drink beverage made with real vodka. It will ship for an April retail launch in Texas, Florida, Delaware, and Kansas, with additional states to follow. Production occurs at the K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery in Shiner, Texas. The product is part of a collaboration that maintains the brand's lifestyle focus.
Eight‑pack LandShark Vodka Seltzer is priced at $17.99 ($2.25 per can).
The spirits‑based ready‑to‑drink (RTD) category grew 22.7 % last year, reaching 61.28 million cases, according to Impact Databank. High Noon alone captured 24.85 million of those cases—over 40 % of the top volume. LandShark’s 12‑oz can delivers only 90 calories and zero sugar, positioning it for Gen Z consumers who favor low‑calorie options.
The brand’s April launch will start in Texas, where a September 2025 law now allows spirits‑based RTDs up to 17 % ABV to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. This gives LandShark immediate access to a large retail channel that many competitors still lack.
Gamblinus, founded in 1986, brings four decades of distilling expertise to the production line at its K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery in Shiner, Texas. Operators should focus on securing shelf space for the eight‑pack in Texas grocery chains, highlighting its low‑calorie profile as a differentiator against higher‑priced RTDs.
Original Press Release
The Gambrinus Company and Margaritaville Alcohol Beverage Trust introduce LandShark Vodka Seltzer, a new ready-to-drink beverage crafted with real vodka and inspired by the relaxed, beach-loving spirit of the LandShark brand.
Shipping now for an April retail launch, LandShark Vodka Seltzer will debut in Texas, Florida, Delaware, and Kansas, with distribution to additional states coming soon. Production will take place at the K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery in Shiner, Texas, Gambrinus’ principal facility. The Margaritaville Trust and Gambrinus will work together so the seltzer remains rooted in the vision and lifestyle synonymous with the Margaritaville Trust’s other alcohol brands.
The collaboration expands the globally recognized LandShark brand into a new segment. Gambrinus will oversee production, sales, and marketing, leveraging its deep expertise in alcohol beverage production and distribution to bring the brand to market across key coastal and lifestyle-driven regions.
The launch comes as the spirits-based ready-to-drink segment continues to see strong growth across the United States, creating unique opportunities for brands with strong lifestyle equity and established production credentials.
The collaboration also reflects a strong alignment between the two companies. Both the Margaritaville Trust’s LandShark brand and Gambrinus’ Shiner brand resonate with consumers seeking authentic, approachable brands that embody carefree moments and easy refreshment, while their consumer bases show meaningful overlap across key demographics and geographic markets. Together, the companies see an opportunity to bring a tropical-inspired vodka seltzer that delivers laid-back refreshment and an anytime escape in a can, extending the LandShark lifestyle into the fast-growing spirits-based RTD category.
“This is a true collaboration in every sense of the word. The Margaritaville Trust and Gambrinus are two family-run organizations who pride themselves on building world-class brands and world-class experiences. We’re proud to build on the LandShark legacy started by Margaritaville nearly two decades ago,” shared The Gambrinus Company CEO, John Brozovich.
Douglas McCreadie, President of the Margaritaville Trust, noted, “We are thrilled to work with Gambrinus to expand the LandShark brand into vodka seltzer, marking an exciting new chapter for the brand. This extension brings LandShark’s easygoing, beach-inspired spirit into a fresh, modern format perfectly suited for today’s consumer.
With this launch, LandShark fans can now enjoy the brand across an even broader range of occasions, from laid-back afternoons to lively social gatherings, all with the same refreshing taste and unmistakable island attitude.”
LandShark Vodka Seltzer is available in four-flavor variety packs including Lime, Pineapple, Mango, and Fruit Punch. Each 12 oz (355 mL) can contains 0g sugar, 1g carbs, and 90 calories.
Eight-pack Shoreline Variety packs will have an SRP of $17.99, while four-packs of Lime and Fruit Punch will have an SRP of $9.99.
Sources consulted (web research):
- https://www.marketwatchmag.com/spirits-based-rtds-continue-to-surge/
- https://www.zappi.io/web/blog/innovation-trends-shaking-up-the-alcohol-industry/
- https://rtdmagazine.com/blogs/rtd-cocktail-news/new-landshark-vodka-hard-seltzer
Source: BevNET