Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1013885
august 2018 / the tasting panel / 1 17 THE FRESH IDEA: BUZZBALLZ If everyone loves a good success story starring an underdog, they'll find it easy to root for Merrilee Kick. Instead of spending years working in the spirits industry before launching her first product, Kick was a teacher who had an epiphany while cleaning up a broken glass from the side of a pool. After conceptualizing a shatterproof drink to safely enjoy poolside, Kick used her savings to launch a new career with no related experience. Refusing to be intimidated, she forged ahead and built the wildly successful BuzzBallz brand, which now earns more than $20 million in revenue annually. The brand's original 200-milliliter packaging offers a wide range of flavor options—among them Tequila 'Rita, Choc Tease, Lotta Colada, Stiff Lemonade, and PeachBallz—and, depend- ing on the expression, feature vodka, rum, or tequila blended with real fruit juices. Judging by the cocktail names, it's clear this lighthearted brand isn't taking itself too seriously, so it's hardly surprising that it's a favorite among concert, beach, and pool goers, particularly during the summer months. Due to BuzzBallz's popularity, Kick decided to give consumers and trade members more of what they want with the 1.75-liter Biggies. Equivalent to eight original BuzzBallz drinks, Biggies are available in three of the brand's most popular small-format flavors: Stiff Lemonade, Choc Tease, and Tequila 'Rita. Kick's success story proves outsiders and underdogs can lend fresh perspectives the industry desperately needs. No need to cry over broken glass: The only thing your guests should worry about is which flavor they'd like to enjoy next. SOUTHERN CHAMPION story spirits an glass shatterproof poolside, Kick a new experience. she them Lemonade, depend- feature blended Judging clear this taking itself too itself too itself surprising that it's a shatterproof goers, decided drinks, guests like CHAMPION