The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea segment is decidedly no longer a niche market within the United States. The segment racked up retail sales of almost $7 billion during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 9, 2020, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.

Nondairy beverages mainly painted on smiles this year. Ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee was the master of ceremonies at retail, shining in both the shelf-stable cappuccino/iced coffee and refrigerated coffee segments.

Neenah, Wis.-based Horseshoe Beverage Co. — known for its Black Stag brand of premium craft coffee beverages — said it is introducing a new ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee line to consumers.

The retail ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee category found itself in a good news/bad news situation over the past year.

Pursue Happiness, Union Springs, N.Y., said it launched cold-brew Cowffee — a blend of cold-brew coffee and trademarked CLA Plus whole milk.

La-Di-Da, a brand of New York-based Lala Brews LLC., said it debuted the world's first ready-to-drink "oatmilk" latte infused with full-spectrum hemp extract.

Humblemaker Coffee Co., Seal Beach, Calif., said it released a line of premium functional cold-brew shots under its Humblemaker Coffee Co. of California brand.

New York-based Illycaffè introduced Illy cold brew: a ready-to-drink canned cold-brew coffee made with Illy's iconic blend of 100% Arabica beans, perfected over 85 years.

Silk, a Broomfield, Colo.-based brand of Danone North America, debuted ready-to-drink dairy-free lattes.

Three or four decades ago, consumers had few choices when it came to ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The available assortment consisted mainly of milk, soft drinks, juice/fruit drinks and alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.