The Coca-Cola Company drinks up Billson's beverage brands with Addisons' help

This is TCCC's first alcoholic beverage brand pickup in Australia

The Coca-Cola Company drinks up Billson's beverage brands with Addisons' help
Laura Hartley

Addisons has advised The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) as it acquired Billson’s alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage brands, including Vodka with Tangle, Vodka with Grape Burst, and Vodka with Portello.

The deal was completed last Friday after first being announced by TCCC in December 2024. It represents TCCC’s first alcoholic beverage brand buy in Australia and is also the quickest deal completed by TCCC due to an administration process.

“This acquisition allows us to expand in the dynamic and growing alcoholic ready-to-drink category in Australia and aligns with our vision to provide a beverage for every occasion, always keeping the consumer at the centre of everything we do”, said Matthias Blume, Coca‑Cola’s vice president of marketing, ASEAN and South Pacific. “Of course, we know that offering options with alcohol brings new responsibilities for us, and we take these seriously. Our Responsible Alcohol Marketing Policy determines how we responsibly go to market with alcohol brands.”

Billson’s beverage sales bloomed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the operational assets’ seller subsequently recorded cash flow concerns and entered into administration mid-last year. Thus, the complicated transaction involved two sellers: one in administration and the other not.

Laura Hartley and Renee Shipp led Addisons’ M&A team on the deal, supported by Sarah Best, CC Ma, Rachel White and Lisa Csomore. Steve Mattiussi, Vivien Botsikas and Harry Bowers pitched in on the insolvency side.

Penny Murray, Pauline Adraskelas and Jasleen Atwal offered liquor licensing advice.

Coca-Cola confirmed in a media release that there were presently no plans to grow the Billson’s brand outside of Australia. Billson’s owners Nathan and Felicity Cowan will still produce their cordial, soda, and beer products with a new brand name.