Wait, why are BuzzBallz basically Gen Z’s official summer accessory?

BuzzBallz are the tiny round plastic cocktails that have taken over every picnic, party, and festival this summer.

Invented in 2009 by Texan teacher Merrilee Kick, BuzzBallz were inspired by a Swedish snow globe and made of plastic so they wouldn’t smash. Fast-forward to 2022, and Sazerac bought the company for around $500m (£405m). By 2025, the family had stepped back, leaving a company valued at over $1 billion (£810m).

Here’s a look at why BuzzBallz are suddenly the drink of the summer for Gen Z.

They’re tiny, bright, and impossible to miss

BuzzBallz are everywhere where Gen Z are. Walk through London and you’ll spot students, festival-goers, and even office workers clutching neon-coloured spheres of booze. The packaging is gaudy, round, and chaotic in a way that screams fun. TikTok and Instagram have turned them into a visual obsession. Sip a Strawberry ‘Rita in the park, and boom, instant content.

It’s cheap to get tipsy

At £2.99 to £4.99, they’re cheap enough to grab on a whim. And with 13.5 per cent ABV packed into a 200ml container, they give a serious kick without looking intimidating – perfect for anyone who wants to be seen having fun.

@lupeslively

I drink one BuzzBall and all of a sudden I’m fluent in bad decisions

♬ Luxurious x Be Your Girl (Jersey – Slowed) – VIP & archangel

They’re a surprisingly clever sweet treat

BuzzBalls are made with tequila, vodka, and Triple Sec. They come in fruity flavours like mango, pineapple, and strawberry, as well as creamy, indulgent options like Choc Tease and Pina Colada. According to Kick, she created BuzzBallz because she wanted a cocktail “that she could sip from a plastic container rather than a fragile glass”.

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Social media made them cool

It’s no coincidence that BuzzBallz exploded on TikTok and Instagram. Influencers post clips showing how deceptively strong they are, how small they fit in a bag, and how photogenic they look in the sun.

@gurlcaneat_

Buzz balls everytime #buzzballs #womenownedbusiness #fyp

♬ Easy – Commodores

Their marketing hits the streets

The brand has leaned into this social media energy with clever real-world stunts. In Clapham Common, their BallzMobilez (yes, really) handed out free drinks. The campaign didn’t stop there. A giant BuzzBall perched atop a Brixton bus stop and ads plastered on Tube escalators are making the brand impossible to miss across London.

@tylersines

#buzzball #fyp #brixton

♬ original sound – T 💥

Basically, they just make cheap alcohol look fun, convenient, and a little rebellious.

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