1. KFC x Dead Man’s Fingers: KFC has partnered with UK rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers to conjure a limited-edition spirit named 11 Herbed and Spiced. It blends notes of the rum brand’s Cornish flavours (like treacle toffee and nutmeg) with KFC’s secret blend of herbs and spices.
2. Doritos x Empirical: US tortilla chip brand Doritos and Danish flavour firm Empirical have designed a limited-release alcoholic beverage called Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit that tastes and smells like Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips. This is achieved by using real Doritos during Empirical’s low-temperature vacuum distillation process, which preserves the full flavour spectrum of the tortilla chips.
Alcohol Round-Up: Fast-Food Brands Launch Liquor Products
Published 26 January 2024
3 min read
Hoping to access new consumption occasions, snack and fast-food brands are releasing alcoholic expressions that embody fun and novelty. While some are partnering with established alcohol brands and benefiting from their industry kudos, others are going it alone. Both tactics can succeed, so long as the products’ taste credentials hit the mark.
1. KFC x Dead Man’s Fingers: KFC has partnered with UK rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers to conjure a limited-edition spirit named 11 Herbed and Spiced. It blends notes of the rum brand’s Cornish flavours (like treacle toffee and nutmeg) with KFC’s secret blend of herbs and spices.
2. Doritos x Empirical: US tortilla chip brand Doritos and Danish flavour firm Empirical have designed a limited-release alcoholic beverage called Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit that tastes and smells like Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips. This is achieved by using real Doritos during Empirical’s low-temperature vacuum distillation process, which preserves the full flavour spectrum of the tortilla chips.
KFC x Dead Man’s Fingers
Doritos x Empirical
Doritos x Empirical
Doritos x Empirical
 Doritos x Empirical |  Doritos x Empirical |  Doritos x Empirical |
3. Krispy Kreme x Ethical Spirits: In 2023, US donut brand Krispy Kreme partnered with Japanese spirits company Ethical Spirits on a gin product called Little Joy Spirits. Sold in Japan, the ethical tipple used surplus donut scraps as well as donut glaze, citrus and other botanicals to achieve its sweet taste profile.
4. Dunkin’ Spiked: In the US, Dunkin’ Donuts has launched an own-label line of alcoholic canned drinks featuring eight popular coffee and tea flavours, such as caramel, mocha and vanilla. Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees are 6% ABV, while the hard Iced Teas are 5% ABV.
3. Krispy Kreme x Ethical Spirits: In 2023, US donut brand Krispy Kreme partnered with Japanese spirits company Ethical Spirits on a gin product called Little Joy Spirits. Sold in Japan, the ethical tipple used surplus donut scraps as well as donut glaze, citrus and other botanicals to achieve its sweet taste profile.
4. Dunkin’ Spiked: In the US, Dunkin’ Donuts has launched an own-label line of alcoholic canned drinks featuring eight popular coffee and tea flavours, such as caramel, mocha and vanilla. Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees are 6% ABV, while the hard Iced Teas are 5% ABV.
Krispy Kreme x Ethical Spirits
Krispy Kreme x Ethical Spirits
Dunkin' Spiked
 Krispy Kreme x Ethical Spirits |  Dunkin' Spiked |
Dunkin' Spiked
5. Eggo x Sugarlands Distilling Company: Having previously collaborated on a cream liqueur (Eggo Nog), US frozen waffle brand Eggo and Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distilling Co. have now launched Eggo Brunch in a Jar – a ‘sippin’ cream’ which tastes of Eggo waffles, maple syrup, butter and smoky bacon. The beverage is designed to serve as an after-dinner drink or night-time treat.
For earlier research into brands extending their products towards new categories, see Brand Stretch: Elastic Food & Drink Development. Meanwhile, Alcohol Packaging Trends: 24/25 conveys aesthetic and structural developments within the liquor landscape.
5. Eggo x Sugarlands Distilling Company: Having previously collaborated on a cream liqueur (Eggo Nog), US frozen waffle brand Eggo and Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distilling Co. have now launched Eggo Brunch in a Jar – a ‘sippin’ cream’ which tastes of Eggo waffles, maple syrup, butter and smoky bacon. The beverage is designed to serve as an after-dinner drink or night-time treat.
For earlier research into brands extending their products towards new categories, see Brand Stretch: Elastic Food & Drink Development. Meanwhile, Alcohol Packaging Trends: 24/25 conveys aesthetic and structural developments within the liquor landscape.
Eggo x Sugarlands Distilling Company
Eggo x Sugarlands Distilling Company
 Eggo x Sugarlands Distilling Company |  Eggo x Sugarlands Distilling Company |