"Coca-Cola + Rum" is coming! Coca-Cola Company is teaming up with Bacardi to launch a brand-new alcoholic beverage.

The Coca-Cola Company (KO.US) announced on Tuesday that it will be partnering with rum manufacturer Bacardi to launch a Coca-Cola Company-flavored ready-to-drink (RTD) pre-mixed cocktail beverage. The BACARD mixed Coca-Cola Company RTD products will be launched in various markets globally, with plans to initially introduce them in selected European markets and Mexico by 2025. This also signifies the upcoming launch of a rum product flavored with Coca-Cola Company's taste, entering the market in the form of pre-mixed RTD cocktails. This move is a significant part of Coca-Cola Company's strategy to expand its alcoholic beverage business, reflecting their continuous exploration and development in the alcoholic beverage market. The RTD packaged mixed products from BACARD and Coca-Cola Company will feature two of the world's most renowned global brands. Family-owned Bacardi was founded in Cuba in 1862, later relocating to Bermuda, while the beverage industry "elder" Coca-Cola Company made its debut in Atlanta, USA in 1886. Going back further, the Cuba Libre cocktail was invented in 1900 in Havana using Bacardi rum, Coca-Cola Company, and lime. The combination of rum and popular soft drinks still remains one of the top-selling RTD cocktails in the world's leading bars. Coca-Cola Company CEO James Quincey stated in a release, "As a total beverage company, we continue to develop our product portfolio, including in the fast-growing RTD alcoholic beverages market." He added, "This new partnership with Bacardi supports our strategic expansion, and we look forward to launching the mixed alcoholic beverages created jointly by Bacardi and Coca-Cola Company brands next year." While Coca-Cola Company is traditionally known globally for non-alcoholic beverages, in recent years, they have been expanding their beverage strategy into the alcoholic drinks market, particularly in the RTD field with Coca-Cola Company-flavored alcoholic beverages. The company's strategy for Coca-Cola Company-flavored alcoholic drinks focuses on RTD hard sodas, spirit alternatives, and pre-mixed RTD cocktail flavors. Coca-Cola Company has previously launched several Coca-Cola Company-branded RTD alcoholic beverage products, such as Lemon-Dou in Japan, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in multiple markets, and a pre-mixed Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola cocktail in collaboration with Jack Daniel's. These initiatives demonstrate Coca-Cola Company's determination to enter the alcoholic beverage market. The first key stage in the progression of Coca-Cola Company's alcoholic beverages was the successful launch of Lemon-Dou RTD alcoholic beverage in Japan in 2018, marking the company's entry into the alcoholic drinks sector for the first time since the 1970s. The Atlanta-based company also introduced Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in over 20 markets and announced a partnership with Jack Daniel's to launch the pre-mixed "Jack Daniel's mixed with Coca-Cola Company" brand cocktail, first in the Mexican market. Coca-Cola Company also developed Simply Spiked Lemonade and Fresca Mixed specifically for the American market's alcoholic beverage consumers. Bacardi, a privately-owned company headquartered in Bermuda, operates the largest rum distillery in the world in Puerto Rico.