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Custom Ready-to-Drink Glasses: glass design that enhances premium cocktails

Custom Ready-to-Drink Glasses: glass design that enhances premium cocktails
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In recent years, the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) market has experienced steady international growth. Pre-mixed cocktails, premium aperitifs and canned drinks are increasingly attracting consumers who are looking for a high-quality experience, not just an enjoyable taste.

While cans were initially associated mainly with convenience, today brands are investing in the premiumization of the entire consumption experience. This is where custom ready-to-drink glasses play a key role, transforming a simple canned cocktail into a distinctive, elegant and memorable drinking experience.

For spirits producers, beverage companies and RTD cocktail brands, the glass is no longer just an accessory, but a powerful branding tool capable of increasing the perceived value of the product.

Why choose custom ready-to-drink glasses?

Modern consumers choose RTD cocktails not only for convenience, but also to enjoy a premium drinking experience.

Serving a cocktail directly from the can does not enhance the product’s visual appeal and sensory experience as much as a glass specifically designed to highlight its appearance, colour and aromas.

Custom ready-to-drink glasses allow brands to:

  • strengthen brand identity;
  • create a consistent consumer experience;
  • increase the perceived value of the product;
  • stand out on shelves and in venues;
  • support promotional activities and marketing campaigns.

More and more brands are using glassware as an extension of their packaging, turning it into a recognisable element of their communication strategy.

Premiumization in the RTD market also passes through glass

One of the most significant trends in the beverage industry is the so-called premiumization.

Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for products that communicate quality, attention to detail and exclusivity, and glass is one of the most effective materials for conveying these values.

A well-designed glass:

  • enhances cocktail presentation;
  • highlights beverage colours and decorative elements;
  • makes the serving experience more elegant;
  • increases brand recognition in photography and social media content.

For this reason, more and more companies are developing their own range of RTD beverage glassware coordinated with their product packaging.

The “Can” Design: when the glass echoes the can

One of the most interesting trends is the development of glasses inspired by the shape of aluminium cans.

This solution creates strong visual continuity between packaging and serving experience.

VDGLASS offers two models that are particularly suitable for this purpose:

Can 35

The Can 35 reproduces the classic profile of a can in transparent glass.

It is ideal for:

  • hard seltzers;
  • sparkling cocktails;
  • spritz;
  • ready-to-drink gin & tonic;
  • summer beverages.

The result is modern, informal and highly recognisable.

Can 47

For larger formats, the Can 47 maintains the same iconic design while offering a greater capacity.

It is particularly suitable for:

  • premium cocktails;
  • long drinks;
  • signature RTDs;
  • limited editions.

Both models can be fully customised using VDGLASS decorative technologies.

The city collection: versatility for every rtd format

When a brand aims to develop a complete family of coordinated products, the City collection represents one of the most versatile solutions.

The range includes different formats that allow brands to maintain a consistent visual identity across multiple products.

The most interesting models include:

  • City 110
  • City 185
  • City Acqua
  • City Long Drink
  • City 110 Liquore

The latter is particularly suitable for:

  • tasting kits;
  • welcome boxes;
  • gift sets;
  • guided tasting experiences;
  • promotional campaigns.

Its compact size makes it ideal for creating premium packaging solutions dedicated to tasting-size cocktails.

Casablanca: vintage appeal for premium cocktails

Many RTD brands are now embracing an image inspired by the cocktail bars of the 1950s and 1960s.

For this type of positioning, the Casablanca collection represents a particularly effective choice.

Its vintage lines communicate:

  • authenticity;
  • elegance;
  • craftsmanship;
  • personality.

It is the ideal glass for:

  • RTD Negroni;
  • Americano;
  • Old Fashioned;
  • Boulevardier;
  • reinterpretations of classic cocktails.

The retro design helps strengthen brand storytelling and differentiate the product from competitors.

Jackie 320 and Marty 23: crystal glass for the premium segment

When the goal is to communicate high quality, the material plays a fundamental role.

The Jackie 320 and Marty 23 models, made from crystal glass, offer exceptional brilliance, transparency and superior elegance.

Jackie 320

Perfect for:

  • premium spritz;
  • gin & tonic;
  • aromatic cocktails;
  • signature drinks.

Its modern silhouette enhances cocktail presentation, even in the most exclusive environments.

Marty 23

The Marty 23 is a low tumbler ideal for:

  • whisky cocktails;
  • Negroni;
  • Manhattan;
  • premium cocktails.

The quality of crystal glass further increases the perceived value of the final product.

Digital customisation: turning glass into a branding tool

Customisation is one of the key elements in the development of premium cocktail glassware.

Thanks to VDGLASS digital decoration technologies, brands can create:

  • high-definition logos;
  • photographic gradients;
  • metallic effects;
  • multicolour decorations;
  • customised graphics even for small and medium production runs.

This allows brands to develop seasonal campaigns, limited editions and special collaborations without the constraints of traditional decoration methods.

Glassware as a marketing tool

Today, a glass accompanies consumers far beyond the moment of purchase. It is photographed, shared on social media and reused over time.

For this reason, it represents one of the most effective communication tools for a brand.

A customised glass can become:

  • official merchandise;
  • a promotional gift;
  • a corporate gift item;
  • an event support tool;
  • a distinctive element in cocktail bars.

Every use extends brand visibility and strengthens the relationship with consumers.

VDGLASS: custom solutions for the ready-to-drink market

The RTD market continues to evolve towards increasingly premium and distinctive products.

To support this transformation, VDGLASS develops glass solutions that combine design, quality and advanced decoration technologies.

From the Can 35 and Can 47 models, perfect for recreating the can-inspired look, to the versatility of the City collection, the vintage elegance of the Casablanca collection, and the refined crystal glass of the Jackie 320 NEW and Marty 23 NEW models, every glass can be customised to reflect brand identity.

Investing in custom ready-to-drink glasses means offering consumers a complete experience, capable of enhancing the product, strengthening the brand and creating differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.