• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon

2

Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026

3

Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates

1

Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon

2

Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026

3

Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
RetailCampari

Why Liquor Makers Are Promoting Cocktails Over Shots

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 18, 2019, 8:00 AM ET
Campari

When Italian liquor giant Campari Group bought Grand Marnier in 2016, it had a problem and her name was “GrandMa.”

“They were called GrandMa shots,” said Ugo Fiorenzo, managing director of Campari America, explaining how consumers would often order Grand Marnier at the bar. “Shots. A lot of shots—it is not so premium.”

The new strategy: make a Cognac-blended liquor that was born in 1880 trendy again. To start, Campari is encouraging drinkers to try Grand Marnier in elevated cocktails like the “Grand” Sidecar or Margarita. “We haven’t focused on one cocktail,” explained Melanie Batchelor, vice president of marketing at Campari. “We think Grand Marnier is a wonderful base spirit because of the complexity and versatility of the cognac core.”

“You’ll dare to put a twist on the traditional” is how Campari spelled out the classic cocktail strategy in a national ad campaign it started to run last year called “Live Grand.” The company also plans to revamp the Grand Marnier expressions all the way up to the most premium—the $1,000 per bottle Grand Marnier Quintessence.

“People are drinking better and the brands that we have are going in that direction,” said Fiorenzo. Higher-priced liquors have been stronger sellers than cheaper spirits in recent years, so a move toward the top shelf is a sensible strategy—when it works.

Campari has already had success with a similar turnaround. When it bought Aperol in late 2003, that brand was mostly sold in a tiny sliver of Italy. But the Aperol Spritz is a major hit, proof that a cocktail-focused marketing push can be a success. Grand Marnier, which Campari bought in a roughly $760 million deal, is already seeing some sales success. Nielsen data shows volume is up 3.6% over the last year in the United States for the 52-week period ending April 20.

But Campari, which also sells SKYY vodka and Wild Turkey bourbon, isn’t the only company aiming to take a shot at a new marketing strategy. Pernod Ricard’s Jameson Irish Whiskey and German digestif Jägermeister are also pivoting.

Consumers consistently say they are focusing more on wellness: a 2018 Nielsen survey found that 67% of “on premise” consumers (those surveyed at bars, restaurants, and clubs) say they are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. A recent IWSR beverage alcohol study found that roughly half of Americans are trying to reduce their alcohol intake.

And then there’s the social component: cocktails really shine on Instagram, while shot glasses are dull in comparison. And downing shots at 2 A.M. on your Instagram story isn’t exactly appropriate content if your coworkers are watching.

Nightclubs—where shots especially popular—are also increasingly closing their doors. Roughly 7% of those locations closed over the past year, Nielsen data shows.

“This all leaves shots, in general, out in the cold,” said Matt Crompton, a director within Nielsen CGA, which is the company’s on-premise measurement arm. “People grow up with a certain type of shot but they aren’t going to stick with it when they stop going to nightclubs.” And with so many clubs closing, some younger legal-age drinkers aren’t even getting into shots in the first place.

That isn’t to say it is “last call” for the shot. Shot drinkers, on average, spend 20% more each month at the local watering hole than their less spirited peers. And nearly one out of every four beer drinkers say they are either “extremely likely” or “somewhat likely” to drink shots with their beer, says Nielsen.

With that in mind, Jameson has been running a partnership with craft brewers in which the breweries create Jameson-barrel aged beer. Harpoon Brewery and Cigar City Brewing are among the craft brands taking part of that program. Pernod Ricard is also rebalancing how it spends money to market Jameson to focus less on the shot-heavy St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

This month, Jägermeister launched a marketing program called “Deer & Beer,” aiming to encourage a pairing of a shot with a specific beer that meets a consumer’s flavor preferences. (The deer represents the Jägermeister logo.) When I told the Jägermeister website that I preferred a bitter orange taste, with steamed mussels and a ginger beer, it recommended I pair the digestif with an IPA from Lord Hobo Brewing.

Of course, free promotions work. At a Chicago pizza restaurant called The Boiler Room, a sign posted on the ATM informs customers that they will reimbursed for their ATM fee with a free Jameson shot with proof of usage. Sometimes, people visit the restaurant for quick cash and a shot—they don’t even stay for the fussier drinks.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Can music change the way you taste your favorite drink?

—Acclaimed chef Thomas Keller on fine dining and eating local

—A tequila sommelier on how to drink Mexico’s favorite spirit

—Meet the data-obsessed collector tracking million-dollar whiskies

—Craft cocktails on Vancouver Island, Canada go beyond “drink local”

Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

Matt Damon and Gary White.
EnvironmentWaters
Corporate America has been draining the world’s water. Matt Damon’s new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back
By Catherina GioinoJune 9, 2026
4 hours ago
Chinese beauty brands flock to Southeast Asia as their first step in going global
RetailChina
Chinese beauty brands flock to Southeast Asia as their first step in going global
By Angelica AngJune 9, 2026
13 hours ago
John Furner, CEO, Walmart US
SuccessCost of living
Walmart CEO John Furner says even wealthy shoppers are now shopping at the discount grocery chain as high prices stretch six-figure earners
By Emma BurleighJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
Gas over $4 looks like tipping point as Walmart customers don’t fill tanks, fast food loses cheapest diners
Retailgas prices
Gas over $4 looks like tipping point as Walmart customers don’t fill tanks, fast food loses cheapest diners
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressJune 7, 2026
2 days ago
Allison Sheehan
SuccessJobs
This Gen Zer got reprimanded at Goldman for making cake videos as the ‘Investment Baker.’ She quit her job and is building a dessert empire
By Emma BurleighJune 7, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
Environment
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
By Sasha RogelbergJune 8, 2026
21 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
Success
Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
By Preston ForeJune 7, 2026
2 days ago
'We didn’t see this coming': Wall Street eats its forecasts as stocks sell off globally on fear of AI bubble ahead of SpaceX IPO
Economy
'We didn’t see this coming': Wall Street eats its forecasts as stocks sell off globally on fear of AI bubble ahead of SpaceX IPO
By Jim EdwardsJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
'The golden years are not golden': Boomers are hoarding most of America's wealth and power because they're terrified of outliving their money
Economy
'The golden years are not golden': Boomers are hoarding most of America's wealth and power because they're terrified of outliving their money
By Nick LichtenbergJune 7, 2026
2 days ago
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
19 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.