You've probably heard by now, Clean Collective has launched a brand new range. We welcome to the family Clean Collective Double - it's in a bigger can and it's 6% alc, but it's still made with no sugar, no carbs, and natural ingredients. Cheers to that!
But why did we create this, what makes it different, where can you get it?
We sit down with Clean Collective's co-founder, Holly McGrath, to answer these burning questions.
Emmelita: For those who haven’t heard yet, what is Clean Collective Double and why did you create it?
Holly: Clean Collective Double is our first-ever 6% vodka RTD range. It’s bigger, bolder and stronger, basically, it’s all about more. More flavour. More liquid. More fun. More of everything – except sugar and carbs. You know – we still have to make sure we are ticking all the boxes people know us for, right?
Making a stronger RTD isn’t exactly revolutionary. We didn’t wake up one morning and invent fire. But it’s probably not something people expected from us either. Our customers are incredibly loyal, and we never want them to feel like they know exactly what’s coming next.
Emmelita: So, why now? What was happening in the category that made you think it was the right time to launch Double?
Holly: Drinking culture has changed so much since we first launched Clean Collective. People these days are much more conscious about wellness. They want balance, people want to know what goes into their body, but at the same time they still want to celebrate and have a good time. People really do want it all now don’t they?
We’ve seen the change in lifestyle choices reflected in the drinks category too. It just felt like the right time. After nearly nine years, we still want to surprise people and keep our customers guessing. Double is our latest little plot twist.
Oh, and did I mention the cans are bigger? In the case of Double… size really does matter! Lol.
Emmelita: What makes Clean Collective Double different from other 6% RTDs?
Holly: Did you know that now 17 of the top 20 RTDs in New Zealand are now 6% ABV? (Source: NielsenIQ RTD Scan Data, QTR ending 28 June 2026).
I always laugh because everyone says people are drinking less these days, and in many cases that’s absolutely true. The irony is that when people do drink, they’re reaching for stronger RTDs.
It’s a funny contradiction, but consumer behaviour doesn’t always make perfect sense. So we figured it was time to pull up a chair at the cool kids’ table and expand our range but we wanted to create it our way.
Double is made with the same flavour profile, the same considerations, I think everyone is going to be surprised. It doesn’t leave that harsh burn that other 6% RTDs do. For us, it wasn’t just about making a stronger drink – it was about making a better one.
Emmelita: Let’s talk flavours. Why Blackcurrant and Mango & Yuzu?
Holly: I don’t think anyone reading this would disagree that the RTD aisle is full of lemon and limes, oranges, and we don’t want to be doing the same thing everyone else is doing – we wanted to create something completely different, something unexpected.
Blackcurrant is bold, it’s juicy, it isn’t a flavour we see much at all and it is very sessionable. The Mango & Yuzu is so vibrant, it is really tropical, has a slight mix of sweetness from the mango and the yuzu brings a tangy finish. Both are a really unique flavour and nothing like what we are currently seeing in the drinks space.
Getting the balance right was tricky, it always going to be when you add more alcohol to a drink and don’t have the option to balance it out with extra sugar – we got the mix right though, when you drink them they are unmistakable Clean Collective, they really do make you go ‘wow, I can’t believe this is all natural’.
Emmelita: What was the biggest challenge in creating Double?
Holly: Getting the flavour exactly right. It is such a process bringing a new drink into the Clean Collective range. As I mentioned, a lot of liquid tastes the way it does because of the additives, the sugars, they really help in masking the burn that comes with a higher alcoholic content but that is something we completely avoid.
Increasing the alcoholic content to 6% while maintaining the smoothness took, and I am telling you, took LOTS of development, lots of trial and error. I think we got the balance right. Once you guys try it you will need to let us know, slide into the DMs please.
Emmelita: We have to ask, are you team Blackcurrant or team Mango & Yuzu?
Holly: Oh no, you can’t ask me that! That’s like asking me to choose a favourite child! I would never choose who I love more lol. Honestly, it really depends on the day. They really are different drinks, which is exactly what we wanted, and we wouldn’t have created two flavours in this range if I didn’t believe in them equally.
Once you’ve had a chance to try it, come and tell us what you think. Tag us on social! Team Blackcurrant or Team Mango & Yuzu? Since I can’t pick – I will let the internet do it for me.
Emmelita: What do you hope people think after their first sip?
Holly: I would say to them… can I swear? “Holy shit this tastes way better than I was expecting for a 6% RTD! I can’t believe this has no sugar and more alcohol! I will never drink anything else ever again.”
Emmelita: Alright, you’ve convinced us… where can we get it?
Holly: Set your alarms – you’ll find Clean Collective Double at leading liquor retailers across New Zealand from August 13.
