BuzzBallz
BuzzBallz is range of US owned ready to drink cocktail mix currently manufactured by Sazerac Company, Inc. Originally devised as a Master's degree project it was incorporated as BuzzBallz, LLC and markets itself as an woman-owned and family-run business. it was Acquired by Sazerac in 2024.[1] The company manufacturers a wide range of beverages sold domestically and internationally and describes itself as a distillery, winery and brewery in the state of Texas. [2]
History
[edit]Originally devised as a college project by Merrilee Kick in Dallas, Texas while working on a high school teaching degree, the company launched in 2009 and expanded as a family-owned enterprise with assistance from her sons. [3] In a 2016 interview with Forbes, Kick described her difficulties raising money for her business.[4] It was acquired by Sazerac Company, Inc. in 2024. Sazerac is a US owned private company owned by chairman William Holdring with an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion.[5] The concept for the drink originated from the shape of a spherical glass.[3]
Reception
[edit]The companies drink range has received mixed reviews which are generally favourable in regards to taste[6][3][7]
Marcie Seidel of the Drug Free Action Alliance, an Ohio-based substance abuse prevention group, described the 20% alcohol content (40 proof) of the cocktails to be "really scary" and said that the packaging, which targets young people, is concerning for them. The drink also attracts controversy from various substance abuse prevention groups for it's promotion of drinking around water activities, marketing focus towards Gen Z, bright colours, bright labels and designs which are attractive to children. [8] Buzzballs are regarded as an alcopop or hard liquor in some juristictions and it's sale is restricted or prohibited to prevent underage drinking and problem drinking. Complaints in the US in regards to it's underage appeal have been dismissed as the labels contain all the legally required information.[9] Schools have reported buzzballs as being a product of abuse favoured by students, and questions have been raised over the products intended market. Retailers in the US often choose to stock the drinks behind shelves to prevent direct access by underaged persons.
Matt Merkin of Liquor.com described the cocktails as "strong, cheap and ... a lot of fun" and the line of products to have created "an underground drinking phenomenon", stating that they have "colorful containers and equally colorful names".[10]
References
[edit]
- ^ The Drinks Business https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/05/sazerac-completes-buzzballz-acquistion/
- ^ PRNE News Wire Spirits Company Sazerac Signs Deal to Acquire Buzzballs
- ^ a b c Merkin, Matt (22 September 2014). "The Strange, True Story Behind BuzzBallz". Liquor.com. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ Adams, Susan (5 December 2016). "How A High School Teacher Turned BuzzBallz, A Single-Serve Cocktail, Into A $20 Million Business". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ Coffey, Brendan (December 16, 2016). "Cheap-Liquor Billionaire Looks Abroad as Sales Slow". Bloomberg. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Tasting Table https://www.tastingtable.com/755557/popular-store-bought-canned-cocktails-ranked-from-worst-to-best/
- ^ Burneko, Albert (24 September 2014). "Hey Look, It's The Sad Cocktail Grenades You Always Wanted". Deadspin. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ "'BuzzBallz' Sending Conflicting Messages To Consumers". 10tv. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- ^ The Spirits Business: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/12/portman-group-quashes-buzzballz-complaint/
- ^ Orlady, Katie (27 October 2016). "The Unofficially Official Ranking of BuzzBall Flavors". Spoon University. Retrieved 2017-08-21.