Trade Eights Wins Big at the 2025 San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition
We’ve always believed that ready-to-drink cocktails should be crafted the right way — with real spirits, real ingredients, and real balance. This year, that belief was validated on one of the industry’s biggest stages.
At the 2025 San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition, Trade Eights Cocktails was honored across our entire lineup — led by a major win for our flagship vodka cocktail.
🥇 Double Gold + Best of Class Finalist
Grapefruit Honey + Vodka
Our Grapefruit Honey + Vodka earned Double Gold, one of the competition’s highest honors, awarded when judges unanimously agree a product is exceptional. Even more exciting, it was named a Best of Class Finalist, placing it among the very top RTDs in its category.
The recognition didn’t stop there.
The Tasting Alliance, the organization behind the San Francisco competition, also featured Grapefruit Honey + Vodka in its editorial roundup of “The Best Vodka-Based RTDs from the 2025 San Francisco RTD Competition.” Being singled out nationally as one of the best vodka RTDs of the year is an honor we don’t take lightly.
So what makes it stand out?
Bright, zesty grapefruit juice.
Smooth premium vodka.
Wildflower honey for natural depth.
A subtle touch of cinnamon for warmth and structure.
It’s layered but incredibly drinkable — refreshing upfront with a balanced, slightly spiced finish. Seeing it resonate with both consumers and expert judges means the world to us.
A Win for the Whole Lineup
While Grapefruit Honey + Vodka led the charge, we’re especially proud that our full core lineup was recognized:
Silver Medal
Ginger Citrus + Whiskey 2025 San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition
Bronze Medal
Hibiscus Lime + Gin 2025 San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition
Each of these cocktails reflects our commitment to crafting spirit-forward, thoughtfully balanced drinks:
Ginger Citrus + Whiskey delivers bold whiskey character layered with bright citrus and warming ginger.
Hibiscus Lime + Gin is vibrant and botanical, with floral hibiscus and fresh lime complementing the gin’s natural complexity.
To see all three expressions recognized by one of the most respected beverage competitions in the world is incredibly meaningful — especially for a Seattle-based, husband-and-wife-founded company that set out to do things differently.
Why This Matters
The San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition is judged by seasoned industry experts through blind tastings. Medals aren’t given lightly. Double Gold, in particular, represents unanimous agreement among judges — a rare and significant distinction.
For us, these awards validate what we’ve focused on since day one:
Real spirits — never malt-based shortcuts
Real juices and botanicals
Only natural ingredients
Flavor profiles that feel handcrafted, not manufactured
We built Trade Eights to prove that canned cocktails can be elevated, intentional, and genuinely delicious. This recognition tells us we’re on the right path.
To everyone who has supported us, stocked us, shared us, poured us, and believed in us — thank you! We’re just getting started.
Here’s to raising the bar for ready-to-drink cocktails in 2025 and beyond!