Acquisition (Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 03, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011		Jan. 02, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring charges (credits)		$ (0.5)		$ (0.5)		$ 1.5
Intangible asset impairments	1.4		1.4			3.5
Cliffstar [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue				2,206.5		2,268.0
Net income				67.0	[1]	87.1	[1]
Net income per common share, diluted				$ 0.78		$ 0.93
Restructuring charges (credits)				(0.5)		1.5
Intangible asset impairments						$ 3.6

[1] For the year ended January 2, 2010, Cott recorded restructuring charges of $1.5 million due to the 2009 Restructuring Plan (as defined in Note 3) and $3.6 million of asset impairments primarily related to the write-off of a customer list. For the year ended January 1, 2011, Cott recorded a restructuring gain of $0.5 million related to the North American Plan (as defined in Note 3).