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# RtD Cocktails, Light Lager Beat Hard Seltzer Over July 4
- URL: https://bevnews.net/rtd-cocktails-light-lager-beat-hard-seltzer-over-july-4/
- Published: 2023-08-15T22:09:02.000Z
- Updated: 2023-08-15T22:09:02.000Z
- Author: Joel Whitaker

Both RTD cocktails and light lager surpassed hard seltzer over the Fourth of July weekend, marking a reversal in trends from 2019, when hard seltzer first topped light lager as Drizly’s top-selling beer category.

Within the beer category, light lager came out on top with 20% share of the beer category; hard seltzer trailed slightly with 19% share. Overall, hard seltzer held just 3.5% of total share, while RTD cocktails held 5.5% share (up slightly from 5.4% in 2022). This also marks a continued year-over-year decline in share over this important weekend for hard seltzer: it held 5.9% of share over Fourth of July weekend 2021, 4.7% share in 2022, and 3.5% share in 2023.

In the wine category, rosé was less popular over the July 4th weekend, experiencing a 16% decrease in share year-over-year. Conversely, the non-alcoholic wine, beer, and spirits category experienced a 33% increase in share versus Fourth of July weekend 2022.

**July’s Breakout Beverage Brands**

Unsurprisingly, given news of its imminent shutdown, Anchor Brewing Co. experienced a spike in year-over-year sales in July. The brewery’s bestseller was its classic Anchor Steam, followed by the variety pack, Christmas Ale, California Lager, and Porter.

Tequila brand **Mijenta**, which launched in fall 2020, also had a breakout month in July. Its top seller was the blanco, followed closely by its reposado. Within the wine category, **Domaine Jean-Paul Balland** experienced strong growth, driven by the producer’s Sancerre and Sancerre Rosé.

**Consumers Are Making Cocktails**

“Cocktail-making appears to be spiking this summer compared to last,” says **Liz Paquette**, Drizly’s head of consumer insights. This is indicated by the year-over-year share increase for the liqueur category, which held 6% of liquor sales share in July 2023 (up one percentage point from 5% in July 2022). **Aperol** and **St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur** have both seen share growth year-over-year, likely due to the rising popularity of the **Aperol Spritz** and the **St-Germain-based Hugo Spritz.**