Hunky Dory Cocktails, the ready-to-drink martini brand co-founded by television personality Kathy Hilton and business partner Nicola Verses, has gone to market in Florida and Connecticut with four canned vodka martinis carrying a $23.99 SRP for a 12-ounce 4-pack. The launch follows preview placements at private events in New York and Los Angeles this fall and adds direct-to-consumer shipping in eligible U.S. states.

The SKU Lineup

The core four — Cosmo, Citrus Blossom Martini, Green Tea Martini, and Espresso Martini — all clock in at 12% ABV in 12-ounce cans. Each is formulated with 6x-distilled premium vodka, 100% natural flavors, and pure cane sugar, and the brand flags the full lineup as gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and free of artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup. Limited-edition seasonal expressions include a Pom-Tini, a vodka-forward Margarita, a Peppermint Plot Twist, and a Crème Brûlée Espresso Martini. Retail distribution is anchored by BevMax locations in those two states, putting the brand squarely in premium off-premise liquor-store and package-store accounts — the same channel that feeds consumer trial before products migrate into c-store cooler sets.

Channel & Category Context

The canned cocktail segment has been one of the fastest-growing fixtures in the c-store cold vault over the past three years. NACS data consistently shows spirits-based RTDs gaining shelf space at the expense of legacy malt-beverage FABs, and bar-strength (10%-plus ABV) formats command premium price points that lift basket averages. At $6 per can implied by the 4-pack SRP, Hunky Dory sits at the top tier of the RTD cooler — above most hard seltzers and in line with premium canned cocktail brands that have already secured c-store distribution. For operators evaluating the canned cocktail and RTD spirits category, the brand's clean-label positioning and fashionable packaging are designed to attract the same LDA shopper who currently gravitates toward premium wine spritzers or seltzers.

Retail Footprint and What's Next

Beyond the Florida and Connecticut footprint, the brand is leaning on licensed third-party fulfillment for DTC shipping to adults 21-and-over in compliant states — a go-to-market model common for emerging spirits-based RTDs that need to build velocity data before approaching regional c-store chains at scale. Verses noted plans for a VIP Member Club offering seasonal drops, gift boxes, and branded barware, elements that could feed an alcohol loyalty and subscription strategy relevant to operators tracking shopper retention trends. No chain-wide c-store distribution agreements were announced at launch.

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the SRP and per-unit price on Hunky Dory's 12-ounce cans?

$23.99 for a 4-pack works out to $6 per can — that's premium-tier RTD pricing, positioned above hard seltzers and aligned with established canned cocktail competitors. You're looking at a 12% ABV spirit-based format formulated with 6x-distilled vodka and 100% natural flavors.

Which states have retail distribution right now?

Florida and Connecticut are the initial launch markets, with BevMax anchor accounts driving placement in premium off-premise liquor and package stores. D-to-C shipping is also live in eligible states, giving operators insight into brand momentum before a potential c-store push.

Who's behind Hunky Dory, and what's the four-SKU lineup?

Kathy Hilton and business partner Nicola Verses co-founded the brand, bringing celebrity name recognition to the RTD space. The core four are Cosmo, Citrus Blossom Martini, Green Tea Martini, and Espresso Martini — all 12% ABV, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan, with no artificial colors or HFCS.

Why should c-store operators care about the canned cocktail category right now?

NACS data shows spirits-based RTDs are the fastest-growing segment in the cold vault over the past three years, gaining shelf space at malt-beverage expense. Bar-strength formats (10%-plus ABV) command premium price points that lift basket averages — exactly what your margin targets need.

What limited-edition SKUs is Hunky Dory offering beyond the core four?

Seasonal rotations include Pom-Tini, Margarita, Peppermint Plot Twist, and Crème Brûlée Espresso Martini, giving you trial drivers and repeat-visit incentives. These limited expressions are standard velocity-building tactics in premium RTD playbooks.