The canned cocktail brand is a combination of iced tea, lemonade, or green tea with vodka. At just 100 calories, no carbonation, and a clean, beachy aesthetic, Surfside has skyrocketed in popularity among the ready-made cocktail drinkers. Launched in 2022 by Philadelphia-based Stateside Brands, the brand has quickly become one of America’s fastest-growing spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail lines.
From Philly Streets to National Spotlight
Surfside’s story starts in Philadelphia, where the Quigley and Pappas brothers, already behind Stateside vodka, noticed an unusual sight: discarded iced tea cans littering sidewalks. They dubbed it “shrapnel” and turned it into inspiration for a new, better-for-you hard tea beverage.
Unlike fizzy rivals, Surfside opted for a spirit-forward, non-carbonated format that felt both refreshing and modern. When it hit shelves, the product’s appeal exploded. From modest beginnings—just 200,000 cases in 2022—Surfside soared to 1.3 million cases in 2023, then nearly 4.9 million in 2024, representing surging triple-digit growth.
Why Surfside Stands Out in a Crowded Market
1. Product Differentiation
Low sugar, low calories, no carbonation—Surfside positioned itself as a thoughtful alternative to heavy, bubbly options. The clarity of its value—real tea, real lemonade, premium vodka—made the brand immediately accessible.
2. Smart, Grassroots Marketing
Surfside leaned into its Philly roots while scaling fast. The “shrapnel” insight lent authentic storytelling, which translated into stadium visibility through partnerships with major sports teams. At Citizens Bank Park, the iced-tea-and-vodka cans became a fixture, sparking social buzz and organic growth.
3. Rapid Distribution & Innovation
Surfside expanded from seven states in early 2023 to availability in all 50 by late 2024—adding international markets like the Bahamas along the way. They also kept momentum with fresh flavors—green tea, raspberry, black cherry, strawberry lemonade—and introduced the “Longboard” resealable 700ml can designed for convenience and venues.
Financial Momentum & What It Means
Surfside is now expected to hit as much as $300 million in revenue this year, up from around $100 million just a year ago, making it arguably the fastest-rising RTD cocktail success story in the U.S. Its profitability and distribution muscle are drawing acquisition interest—yet the founders remain determined to scale independently.
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