Angled bottle adds flair to Mojitos, glass contest

-- Packaging Digest, 5/1/2007

Hoping to throw the cocktail world a new curve, Rose's nonalcoholic Mojito Mix cocktail mix from Cadbury Schweppes is now available in an angled, "designer" glass bottle produced by Vitro Packaging, Inc. (www.vitro.com). Cadbury partnered with Vitro to introduce the faceted, 21-oz bottle, which Vitro embosses for one-of-a-kind attention. Designed to nest perfectly, side-by-side for a high-impact display on store shelves, the flint glass bottle bends in a sweep to one side. It's decorated with vibrantly printed, pressure-sensitive clear-film labeling from Brook & Whittle, Ltd. (www.brookandwhittle.com). The p-s label appropriately showcases an island-themed graphic design. According to Vitro, the bottle's unique shape presented a number of glass-forming challenges. Its VitroSolutions' fast-track mold-development team turned the project around quickly, working with a production group in its Guadalajara plant to ensure Cadbury's market introduction deadline was met. Offered in three flavors: Traditional; Mango; and Passion Fruit, the Mojito cocktail mix is part of Cadbury's strategy to boost its portfolio in the nonalcoholic cocktail mix segment, which it reports has taken off in recent years due to new consumer appetities and awareness.

Topped with a threaded closure from Kerr Group (www.kerrgroup.com), the glamourous and curvy Mojito Mix bottle makes this trendy cocktail a snap to make: Just add rum and it's ready to drink. There's more excitement to this curvaceous package: Vitro entered it in the 2007 Clear Choice Awards competition, sponsored by the Glass Packaging Institute (www.gpi.org).

It's one of the more than 110 intriguing glass package entries PD spotted at a presentation in April. The entries in 11 different categories were judged on their esthetics, creativity, marketability and form and functionality. Look for all of the winners to be announced during the Food Marketing Institute Show in Chicago's McCormick Place, on May 7. Watch for more news in PD to come about packages in GPI's Clear Choice competition.