The Australian drinks combine, Lion Nathan, has announced that it is merging its ready-to-drink (RTD) subsidiary, Indio, into a 50/50 joint venture with the international spirits group, Bacardi-Martini.

The new venture, Bacardi Lion, is a 50/50 joint venture with Bacardi-Martini’s subsidiary, Quality Brands International. The company will begin trading within the next two months, Lion Nathan said.

In addition to selling, marketing and distributing RTD brands in Australia, it will also distribute Bacardi spirits brands such as Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Bombay Sapphire Gin and Dewar’s Whisky. The RTD brands in the portfolio will include Bacardi Breezer, Bacardi and Cola and Lion Nathan’s Citro and Kentucky Rebel.