M&A bankers at Rothschild toasting 2016 with something bubbly might consider Coca-Cola over champagne, after the US soft drinks company handed the advisory firm a chunky mandate to help round out the year.

Rothschild has advised The Coca-Cola Company on its $3.15 billion acquisition of a 54.5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa from Belgian brewing group AB InBev, announced on December 21. Akeel Sachak, Rothschild's global head of consumer, is among the bankers working with Coca-Cola, a spokesperson for Rothschild confirmed.