New ready-to-drink (RTD) challenger SpikedAde has announced a significant acceleration of its U.S. market presence, closing a $10 million financing round just ten days after opening the offering.
The capital injection supports the rapid scaling of the brand's unique proposition: a vodka-based beverage inspired by iconic sports drink flavours. Having launched in the highly competitive New Jersey market in 2025, SpikedAde is now positioning itself to lead a new sub-segment of the alcohol industry, bridging the gap between functional hydration cues and spirit-based indulgence.
Non-Carbonated & Vodka-Based
SpikedAde differentiates itself from the saturated hard seltzer market through texture and formulation. The product is non-carbonated, mimicking the "gulpability" of traditional isotonic sports drinks, but fortified with a vodka base rather than malt.
Technical Specifications:
Base Spirit: Vodka.
Caloric Profile: 100 calories per can.
Sugar Content: Zero sugar.
Format: Sleek can, non-carbonated.
Jason Cohen, Founder and CEO of SpikedAde, commented on the category gap:
"Consumers don’t want to choose between fun and function anymore. Sports drink flavours are universally loved, but no one had successfully brought them into spirits—until now. We were first to market because we saw a cultural shift coming: consumers want drinks that can keep up with modern social lives."
Commercial Traction and Distribution
Since its debut in New Jersey, the brand reports robust performance metrics. Through partnerships with MolsonCoors and Constellation distributors (Peerless, Shore Point, and Kramer), SpikedAde activated over 1,500 accounts within its first two months. Notably, the brand claims a 100% reorder rate across all Total Wine locations in the state.
This early proof of concept has unlocked agreements with key strategic partners, including Manhattan Beer Distributors. Consequently, the brand has confirmed plans to expand into 15–30 U.S. markets by March.
Leadership Pedigree
The brand's rapid ascent is underpinned by a leadership team with deep CPG and spirits experience. Founder Jason Cohen brings a track record of 10 successful exits in the sector. He is supported by a bench of executives with backgrounds at Diageo and OWYN (Only What You Need), bringing institutional rigour to the startup's go-to-market strategy.
The $10 million raise underscores strong investor conviction in the "vodka-based sports drink" concept as the next evolution of the RTD category for 2026.
SpikedAde Secures $10m Funding and Rapid Expansion for Vodka-Based Sports Drink RTD
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News
January 16, 2026
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