The Best Canned Cocktails for 2023
Sate your thirst with these exciting and ready-to-drink canned cocktails!
Canned cocktails are pre-mixed alcoholic beverages that are packaged in cans and sold ready to drink. They can come in a variety of flavors and types, such as beer, wine, and spirit-based cocktails. Canned cocktails are becoming increasingly popular because they are convenient and easy to transport, making them a popular option for outdoor events and gatherings. These cocktails require no effort to enjoy and still provide good vibes and a nice buzz. Plus, in the sweltering heat, sipping on a cold canned cocktail can help you cool down and relax.
Wondering which are the best canned cocktails? Let’s look at some fan favorites.
Our Top Picks
Runner Up
BACARDĺ
If you’re looking for a ready-to-drink rum cocktail with tropical flavors, the Bahama Mama Cocktail will hit all your buttons!
Most cost-effective
Smirnoff Ice
Thirsting for a classic citrus-flavored liquor with a hint of your favorite red berry? We’ve found it for you!
Our Picks For You
Best Pick - Cutwater Spirits
Best Pick
Cutwater Spirits
Looking for a refreshing tropical taste in a can? You’ve found it!
The Tiki Rum Mai Tai is a cool mix of tropical sensations served as a canned cocktail to cool your summer heat. Made from a combination of pineapple, citrus, and coconut, this refreshing cocktail is just the thing to start the party. But drink responsibly because a can has around 12.5% alcohol. You can buy it individually or in a four-pack.
Who it is for
If you are looking for a cocktail with a moderately robust taste for this summer, this is the pick for you. Cutwater Spirits’ Tiki Rum Mai Tai is a ready-to-drink canned cocktail with coconut rum and pineapple that gives you a refreshing flavor.
Why it is great
Cutwater Spirits’ Tiki Rum Mai Tai is our first choice for canned cocktails. This 12-ounce sugar-free rum with a mix of citrus, pineapple, and coconut flavors is the perfect ready-to-drink canned cocktail for your summer.
Potential flaws
The cocktail has a high alcohol percentage (12.5%). So, you should drink responsibly.
Other features
The Tiki Rum Mai Tai cocktail is one of the most affordable and tasty choices on this list. Plus, it’s available for purchase at your favorite store and online. You can get a four-pack of this cocktail if you want to stock up.
Product specifications
Brewery: Cutwater Spirits
Volume (per can): 12-ounce
Alcohol volume: 12.5%
Calories: 350 calories per serving
Carbohydrate: 24 grams per serving
Fat: 0
Runner Up - BACARDĺ
Runner Up
BACARDĺ
If you’re looking for a ready-to-drink rum cocktail with tropical flavors, the Bahama Mama Cocktail will hit all your buttons!
A mixture of premium rum and 5.9% alcohol, this canned cocktail is just right if you’re looking to get a little buzzed. You can also chug two or three to get more relaxed. Plus, with orange, strawberry, and red berry hints, this high-quality rum-based cocktail is just enough to sate your fruity desires. It comes in various packaging sizes, from a single 16-ounce can to a 60-ounce monster.
Who it is for
If you are looking for a rum-flavored canned cocktail with a taste of exotic tropical fruits like orange, strawberry, and red berries, the Bacardi Bahama Mama is just the thing for you!
Why it is great
If you like rum mixed with fresh, exotic tropical fruits, you’ll like the Bahama Mama. This ready-to-drink cocktail is made from the highest quality rum and has no added sweeteners, helping you stay on your diet while enjoying the party.
Potential flaws
The Bahama Mama cocktail has barely any alcohol at 5.9%. So, if you like your cocktails to give you a little buzz, you should probably skip this.
Other features
Unlike the cocktails on this list, the Bahama Mama comes in various packaging sizes, from a single can and a four-pack to a 60-ounce monster. So, you can enjoy as much of it as you want.
Product specifications
Brewery: BACARDĺ
Volume (per can): 12 fl. oz. (355mL)
Alcohol volume: 5.9%
Calories: 163 calories per serving
Carbohydrate: 11 grams per serving
Fat: 0
Most cost-effective - Smirnoff Ice
Most cost-effective
Smirnoff Ice
Thirsting for a classic citrus-flavored liquor with a hint of your favorite red berry? We’ve found it for you!
This lemon-strawberry cocktail is the least expensive on our list. It’s also malt-based, making it a unique choice. Plus, the cocktail has around 8% alcohol per serving, which may get you a bit tipsy. But you can still go for another without ending up face-down.
Who it is for
Looking for a taller, but basic cocktail at a lower price? The Smirnoff Ice Smash Strawberry + Lemon will meet all of your expectations.
Why it is great
The Smirnoff Ice Smash Strawberry and Lemon cocktail is heaven for anyone looking for a quick hit. Its lemony strawberry flavor is just what you need when lying under the hot sun.
Potential flaws
This cocktail is made with malt liquor, so it might taste slightly different from the other options. It also has around 8% alcohol per serving, which may get you tipsy.
Other features
The value-for-money offered by this zesty cocktail is second to none on this list. Plus, it also comes in a larger 23.5-oz. can, which is excellent for anyone looking to enjoy a smashing summer.
Product specifications
Brewery: Smirnoff
Volume (per can): 16-ounce
Alcohol volume: 8%
Calories: 110 calories per serving
Carbohydrate: 111.8 grams per serving
Fat: 0
Almost made the cut - Fling Craft
Almost made the cut
Fling Craft
With a daring mix of 360 vodkas and a pinch of blood orange, this Fling Craft cocktail is made for those looking for a good time.
With just 100 calories and 2.4% carbs, this Italian-style cocktail is just the thing for a bright summer day. It is made from 360 vodka, soda water, and all-natural ingredients, making it gluten-free. So, drinking one or even two won’t make a dent in your figure. Plus, the cocktail has around 5% alcohol per serving, making it the least likely on this list to tip you over.
Who it is for
The Fling Craft Blood Orange Vodka Soda is for anyone looking for a summer beverage with low calories. It only contains 100 calories.
Why it is great
Produced by the Boulevard Brewing Company, the Fling Craft Blood Orange Vodka Soda is a ready-to-drink vodka base cocktail with an energizing blood orange flavor. Plus, it’s made from 360 vodka, soda water, and all-natural ingredients.
Potential flaws
As a vodka-based liqueur, the Fling Craft Blood Orange Vodka Soda may have a burn-your-throat taste you may not be a fan of. This is a step down compared to the sweet and smoky flavors of malt alcohol and rum.
Other features
Compared to all the other options on this list, the Fling Craft Blood Orange Vodka Soda Is the only low-calorie option. This vodka-based cocktail also has the lowest volume of alcohol at 5%, making sure you won’t get drunk anytime soon.
Product specifications
Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Company
Volume (per can): 12-ounce
Alcohol volume: 5%
Calories: 100 calories per serving
Carbohydrate: 175 grams per serving
Fat: 0
Who This Is For
Canned cocktails are for anyone looking for a ready-to-drink shot of energy to ease the heat. They can help you sate your thirst and cut the sun’s heat at the same time. Plus, you save the hassle of fiddling around with a glass while tanning on the beach!
Do canned cocktails taste good?
Cocktails from a can are just as good as those made from scratch. Some even taste better! The flavor of canned cocktails varies according to brand, ingredients, and personal taste preferences. Some canned cocktails are made with high-quality ingredients and are intended to taste similar to their traditional, hand-crafted counterparts, while others may have a distinct flavor.
Canned cocktails are made in such a way that the quality and taste of the drink are preserved, and many of them are pasteurized to keep them fresh for a longer period of time. The canning process also aids in the preservation of the taste and aroma of the ingredients.
However, how canned cocktails are stored and consumed can have an impact on their flavor. If a canned cocktail, for example, is stored in a warm or sunny location, the heat can cause the ingredients to degrade and affect the taste of the drink.
Are they worth it?
As a ready-to-drink product, canned cocktails help you save money, time, and hassle whenever you want a quick drink.
Do canned cocktails expire?
Canned cocktails have an expiration date. It’s often written at the top, side, or bottom of the can and can be anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
Will I need to add anything to the cocktail?
As a ready-to-drink beverage, you can drink your cocktail without having to add anything to it.
But if you want, you can mix your choice of canned cocktails with other spirits.
Why You Should Trust Us
Taste, texture, alcohol quantity, and a million other factors make a good cocktail. So, you never know what a cocktail tastes like unless you’ve tried it. Fortunately, we have done that for you, so all you need to do is enjoy the refreshing and bold fruits of our labor this summer.
How We Picked
As mentioned, several factors determine if a cocktail is tasty. And to find out which cocktails had the best taste, we began our selection based on the following criteria:
Taste
Canned cocktails should have a refreshing taste; otherwise, why are you drinking them? Plus, you don’t want to drink a spicy cocktail while tanning under the sun. So, when choosing our list of cocktails, we made sure those we picked were fruity, exotic, and refreshing.
Packaging
When you’re wading through sand or high-fiving your friend on the beach while drinking some fruity sensation, being able to carry your cocktail in one hand is essential. So, we made sure the packaging of the canned cocktails on our list was easy to hold.
Price
Price determines whether you say “yes” or “no” to a product. So, it’s one of the most crucial factors on our list. Plus, as a ready-to-drink beverage, a cocktail shouldn’t be too expensive.
Availability
Recommending a cocktail when you can’t get it anywhere near you is a waste of time. That’s why we’ve made sure the cocktails we select are available countrywide, making sure you get the summer sensation you want.
How We Picked
Taste
Taste is an essential part of a beverage. A good canned cocktail should taste as good as the ones you make at home, if not better. We picked those that give you a refreshing flavor and make you feel energized.
Packaging
Aluminum cans are commonly used to package canned cocktails because they are lightweight, strong, and effectively block oxygen and light. There are several sizes available, but the most popular are the 12 and 8-ounce cans.
Availability
Overall, the availability of canned cocktails is increasing, but it may differ by location and local regulations. Besides local convenient stores, you can purchase canned cocktails online from stores like Amazon.
Price
Paying through the roof for a beverage is a no. The price varies depending on the brand and ingredients.
Some premium or high-end canned cocktails can be more expensive. These premium cocktails often use high-quality, premium ingredients and may have a higher alcohol content.
Care and miantenance
After you pick your choice of canned cocktails, you are primed and ready for some fun in the sun. But your canned cocktails should be stored and served properly to maintain their freshness and flavor characteristics.
Here’s how to store your liquor correctly:
Store It in a Cold Place
Typically, room temperature is fine for storing alcohol. But since cocktails contain fruit essence and volatile liquids, storing them in the refrigerator is much better, as it helps preserve their flavor.
Avoid Direct Contact with the Sun
Do not risk your liquor coming into direct contact with the sun or heat because it may affect the drink’s flavor, causing it to become undrinkable.
But if you want to sip on your canned cocktail on a sunny beach, bring a cooling box to store it and immediately drink it after you crack the can open. This will prevent the flavor from deteriorating.
Further Reading and Similar Topics
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