Spiked Coolers was Big Machine Distillery's first nationally distributed product in 2021. Within the first year, over 1 Million pouches were sold across 26 U.S. states. Spiked Coolers are Ready-To-Drink (RTD) cocktails in an eco-friendly flask style pouch, featuring Big Machine Vodka, real fruit juices, and natural flavors (no artificial flavors or sweeteners).
The goal for the Spiked Coolers brand and product design is all about fun, refreshment, and convenience. Nostalgic vibes, colorful palette, edgy, and in a league of its own, disrupting the RTD cocktail market. These ready-to-go party pouches can be enjoyed in any season - drink chilled or frozen as a squeezable slushy. Great on the water, camping, tailgating, outdoor festivals, or any occasion.
As a child of the 80s & 90's I was born ready to design, brand, and develop this product for a modern market.
Client
Big Machine Distillery
Big Machine Distillery
My Role
Brand Development, Sr. Designer, Art Direction, Production Specialist
Brand Development, Sr. Designer, Art Direction, Production Specialist
Year
2020 - Present
2020 - Present
Website
Spiked Coolers is the original RTD straw in pouch product for BMV. I wanted this to look like mouth watering candy with vibrant high contrast neon color palettes. I wanted it to feel familiar, but also completely new. Something that would make you discard a crappy RTD seltzer and make the consumer feel cool with it in hand. I took inspiration from brands like Starburst, Laffy Taffy, Monster Energy, and Red Bull. The goal was to make this brand noticeable on any promotional application, from vehicles, to gaming, to outdoor sports, to fashionable apparel.
PRODUCT • SALES • APPAREL • MERCH
Double Spiked came quickly on the heels of the success and demand for OG Spiked in 2022. The market wanted something more boozy and we gave it to them with this double shot product. Still the same familiar aesthetic as Spiked original, but this time we went with a resealable screw-top spout. This streamlined production as well as made these pouches into a disposable to-go flask. More bang for your buck and just as delicious. My personal favorites!
PRODUCT • SALES
Spiked Light was released in 2023 because the market asked for a product with less calories and sugar. This was meant to be a day drinker, giving brunch vibes. Lighter color palettes were used for a softer feel. While this product was not a success like its predecessors and is being discontinued, we learned a lot from this launch about what Spiked consumers really want. Know your brand, be confident in that brand identity, and run your own race!
PRODUCT • SALES
MEDIA
VEHICLES
2022
2021
Spiked Coolers was a sponsor of the inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, featuring the return of Indy Car racing to Nashville, August 5-7th, 2021. Spiked Coolers was also the title sponsor of the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix in Indianapolis on August 14th, 2021.
