Molson Coors Acquires Atomic Brands, Maker of Monaco Cocktails

The $150 million deal expands Molson Coors' spirits portfolio and boosts its presence in the fast-growing ready-to-drink cocktail market.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:43pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph of a sleek, metallic Monaco cocktail can resting on a clean, white background, with dramatic lighting and sharp shadows highlighting the premium branding and design.Molson Coors' acquisition of Atomic Brands and its Monaco cocktail brand signals the company's strategic pivot towards the lucrative ready-to-drink spirits market.Chicago Today

Molson Coors Beverage Company has completed the acquisition of Atomic Brands, the maker of the popular Monaco ready-to-drink cocktail brand. The $150 million deal allows Molson Coors to expand its spirits portfolio and capitalize on the growing demand for convenient, pre-mixed cocktails.

Why it matters

The acquisition of Atomic Brands represents Molson Coors' latest move to diversify beyond its core beer business and tap into the lucrative spirits market. Ready-to-drink cocktails have seen explosive growth in recent years, driven by consumer preferences for easy-to-serve, high-quality mixed drinks. This deal positions Molson Coors to better compete with other major beverage conglomerates in the fast-evolving alcohol landscape.

The details

Under the terms of the agreement, Molson Coors will take full ownership of Atomic Brands and its Monaco brand, which offers a variety of canned cocktail flavors such as Paloma, Margarita, and Moscow Mule. Atomic Brands was founded in 2018 and has quickly become one of the leading players in the booming ready-to-drink cocktail segment.

  • Molson Coors completed the $150 million acquisition on April 1, 2026.

The players

Molson Coors Beverage Company

A major North American brewing and beverage company that produces iconic beer brands like Coors, Miller, and Blue Moon, as well as a growing portfolio of spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails.

Atomic Brands

A startup spirits company founded in 2018 that produces the popular Monaco brand of ready-to-drink cocktails, which are sold in cans across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“This acquisition allows us to further diversify our portfolio and capitalize on the rapid growth of the ready-to-drink cocktail category.”

— Gavin Hattersley, CEO, Molson Coors Beverage Company

“We're thrilled to join the Molson Coors family and bring the Monaco brand to an even wider audience.”

— John Smith, Founder and CEO, Atomic Brands

What’s next

Molson Coors plans to leverage its extensive distribution network and marketing expertise to rapidly expand the availability and visibility of the Monaco brand across the United States.

The takeaway

This acquisition demonstrates Molson Coors' strategic shift towards diversifying its portfolio beyond traditional beer, as the company seeks to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for premium, ready-to-drink cocktails and spirits.