Bacardi Brown-Forman is expected to sign a deal with three major pub chains for its recently unveiled ready-to-drink (RTD) Bacardi Originals cocktail range.
Mitchells & Butlers is widely mooted to be one of the three chains to take on the Bacardi Mojito and Bacardi Cuba Libre.
The Bacardi Mojito is made from Bacardi Superior Rum with soda, mint & lime and has an ABV of 5.4%. The Cuba Libre is made with Bacardi Gold Rum, cola & lime and has a 5% ABV.
Bacardi considered a range of options for the RTDs, including draught, it said, but in the end chose 275ml bottles with a retail price of £3.75.
The move is to open up the market to pubs and bars which don't serve cocktails and provide an alternative to beer and wine.
The drink is aimed at the 18 to 24-year-old market. Bacardi Brown-Forman will spend £3m in the next nine months to promote the brand. It will focus on digital marketing and driving trial of the product through word of mouth.
Liam Newton, marketing director at Bacardi Brown-Forman, said: "The perception is that cocktails are time-consuming and complicated to make.
"A major barrier we have seen is that not all bars can, or want to, make cocktails.
"These are long, classic drinks with the authentic taste of classic Bacardi — perfect for when you want a break from wine and beer."
Newton added that the new launch should have no impact on its Bacardi Breezer range.
Pubs will be provided with branded glassware, PoS material, including both poster and digital formats, and bar runners and mats.
The range is likely to be expanded into other cocktails. The official launch date for the range is Friday, 4 February.
The product launch is exclusively for the on-trade but the range will later be extended to the off-trade.