Are cocktails in a can the real deal? One 99p winner suggests so... (2024)

The sophisticated sip of choice for this on-again, off-again summer? The canned cocktail.

And to be clear, I don’t mean a pre-mixed gin and tonic that’s a pale imitation of the real thing. The canned cocktails you can now find in the supermarket boast expertly blended recipes and stylish packaging. But it’s fast becoming a crowded market.

So whether you’re a fan of a classic cosmo or partial to a pina colada, read on to find out which tipple is worth cracking open this summer...

Sweet, simple Daiquiri tipple

Strawberry Daiquiri, 250ml, 5%, £1.95, morrisons.com

This Morrisons strawberry daiquiri tastes somewhat like red Starburst sweets and goes well with a hearty serving of ice and chopped berries

If you’ve ever tried red Starburst sweets with their pale pink hue and creamy strawberry feel, you’ll recognise that flavour here. A simple, guilty pleasure for those with a sweet tooth, there’s still a lot to love. Serve it with lots of ice and some chopped berries to jazz it up a bit.

VERDICT: Sweet and simple — a well-priced tipple.

3/5

Cosmopolitan with lots of zing

MOTH Cosmopolitan Vodka, 125ml, 14.9%, £3.95, sainsburys.co.uk

There’s a simplicity to the cosmopolitan that has helped to define its cult status, but it can be hard to get the balance right. This MOTH version does an excellent job: not too sweet, just about complex enough and with a refreshing lime zing. At 14.9% it’s the kind of can you’d fancy after finishing work on a Friday.

VERDICT: Not the most exciting cocktail, but for cosmo fans this is the best pre-mix on the market.

3/5

Refreshing drink right on cue

Pimentae Cucumber Margarita, 125ml, 14.5%, £4.25, waitrose.com

This cucumber margarita combines a complex flavour with an invigorating elegance for a supreme tasting experience

Why the cucumber margarita hasn’t been a ‘thing’ before now escapes me, given how good this is. Super refreshing with the perfect balance of elderflower and cucumber with a lovely agave hit, it’s perfect for hot summer days.

Made by female-founded brand Pimentae, which exclusively sells premium pre-mixed margaritas, it’s delightful served freezing cold with slivers of cucumber.

VERDICT: The best surprise, combining complexity with a invigorating elegance.

5/5

Margarita that packs a punch

The Marksologist Blood Orange Margarita, 150ml, 14%, £3.50, M&S, ocado.com

The Marks & Spencer blood orange margarita tastes just as bold as its can would suggest

Marks & Spencer has a vast pre-mixed cocktail range, comprising 26 flavours, and this canned margarita is new this year.

This is a proper cocktail, packing an agave punch at 14%. With intense flavours of tangy, savoury orange and earthy tequila, this feels like something the leading brand MOTH would make. Serve with a big chunk of ice and a slice of orange.

VERDICT: Great for tequila lovers wanting a powerful hit of zesty orange flavour.

4/5

Popstar’s passion for ace martini

Served Premium Cocktail Passion Fruit Martini, 250ml, 8%, £3.25, tesco.com

Singer Ellie Goulding’s new brand Served has impressed with its quality ingredients and balanced blends. Her mojito is arguably the best canned version out there, and this passion fruit martini brings fantastic concentration of flavour. It’s a big can, too. Great stuff.

VERDICT: Brilliantly balanced and excellent value. A brand you can rely on.

4/5

Deliciously perky pina colada

Sunrise Pina Colada, 250ml, 5%, 99p, Lidl, in store only

Surprisingly (and thankfully) pale in the glass, this perky little pina colada is exceptionally well judged with its alternating notes of pineapple, coconut and general tropical deliciousness. Not as sweet as others, it comes across as pretty classy — and for the low price point, you can’t argue. Perfect for picnics!

VERDICT: For the price, this punches above its weight. 5/5

Mojito for the less minted

The Distiller Raspberry Mojito, 250ml, 4%, £1.25, asda.com

ASDA's raspberry mojito by its mixology own-brand, The Distiller, tastes like a fruity alcopop... but is still easy to drink when chilled

The Distiller is ASDA’s own mixology range. The raspberry mojito is almost fluorescent pink and tastes more like a red, fruity alcopop than a seriously mixed cocktail, with very little mint. Having said that, when well-chilled it’s very easy to drink. More fresh mint might pep it up.

VERDICT: Gluggable. You can’t fault it for the price.

2/5

Little kick from Espresso martini

Funkin Nitro Cocktails Espresso Martini, 200ml, 5%, £2.20, tesco.com

The canned tipples from Funkin Nitro can be a bit of a mixed bag and this espresso martini is... almost lovely. There’s an authentic coffee flavour and a good kick of booze, but it’s let down by being a bit sweet and thin with a head that disappears quickly.

VERDICT: An easy-going tipple that cuts out the work but leaves you wanting more.

2/5

Are cocktails in a can the real deal? One 99p winner suggests so... (2024)

FAQs

Are canned cocktails real liquor? ›

That's what canned cocktails contain — actual distilled alcohol. RTD cocktails are therefore not interchangeable with something such as a canned wine spritzer.

How many cocktails will get you drunk? ›

Three drinks cause BAC to elevate to . 05%. Noticeable effects include reduced alertness, problems with response time, lowered small muscle control, and decreased visual tracking ability. While not over the legal limit, three drinks can still have an impact on driving ability.

What cocktails are in the Diageo RTD? ›

The Cocktail Collection range includes a Johnnie Walker Old Fashioned (20.5% ABV), a Tanqueray Negroni (17.5% ABV), and a Cîroc Cosmopolitan (17.5% ABV). Each 500ml bottle contains five servings and will be available for £15 (US$19) from March in UK supermarkets.

What cocktails are in Diageo Premix? ›

The 'Cocktail Collection' includes pre-mixed cocktails Ketel One vodka espresso martini, Ketel One vodka cosmopolitan and Tanqueray gin negroni. The line will be available in two formats, 350ml and 750ml, with an average abv of 20%.

Can you drink directly from a can? ›

Contamination: The top of the can may have come in contact with germs, bacteria, and dirt during transportation, storage, or handling. Drinking directly from the can can transfer these harmful substances into your body, leading to infections or illnesses.

Can a cocktail be non-alcoholic? ›

When it comes to making a non-alcoholic cocktail feel special, color can do a lot of the heavy lifting. Just look at this beauty. Fresh beet juice is paired with a quick syrup made from tangy sumac. Then you have bit of spritz from soda water, and a jolt of fresh lemon.

What alcohol gets you drunk the fastest? ›

Highly concentrated beverages, like vodka and gin, are absorbed faster by your body. It also absorbs fizzy and bubbly drinks, like champagne or soda mixes, quicker than other drinks. How fast you drink: Chugging rather than sipping will increase your BAC faster and cause you to feel drunker.

How much alcohol is in 1 cocktail? ›

Each beverage portrayed above represents one standard drink (or one alcoholic drink equivalent), defined in the United States as any beverage containing 0.6 fl oz or 14 grams of pure alcohol.

How much BAC is one cocktail? ›

Depending on your weight, it can take far longer. On average, one standard American drink will produce a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.02 and 0.04. Most light and moderate drinkers will feel subtle effects at this level.

What alcohol is owned by Diageo? ›

Distilleries owned by Diageo produce 40 percent of all Scotch whisky with over 24 brands, such as Johnnie Walker, J&B and Old Parr. Its leading brands include Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys liqueur, Captain Morgan rum and Tanqueray and Gordon's gin.

Why are RTD cocktails popular? ›

Convenience: RTD cocktails offer a hassle-free alternative to traditional cocktails, eliminating the need for multiple ingredients and precise measurements. This makes them an attractive option for consumers seeking a quick and easy way to enjoy their favorite drinks.

What brand of rum did Diageo buy? ›

Almost one year ago to the day, Diageo – arguably the spirits' industry's foremost global leader – acquired Don Papa Rum for €260 million ($284 million), with the potential bonus of a further €178 million ($194 million) added over the following five years.

What is the most popular alcoholic mixed drink in the world? ›

1.OLD FASHIONED

This simple classic made with rye or bourbon, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, a thick cube of ice, and an orange twist delivers every time. That's it — the most popular cocktail in the world. What you need: 2.5 oz Bourbon, 1/4 oz Simple Syrup, 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters.

What is the most ordered mix drink? ›

Even today the Old Fashioned has been the number one selling cocktail in many bars. You just can't beat a classic! Buy the Old Fashioned here.

What are the strongest alcoholic mixes? ›

As William Weis mentioned below, the Aunt Roberta cocktail is considered one of the strongest, because the top ingredients are absinthe and vodka, followed by gin, brandy, and berry liqueur. Right up there with that is the Long Island Iced Tea - with 5 liquors in it: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec.

Does canned fruit cocktail have alcohol? ›

Even though the word cocktail is in the name, fruit cocktail contains no alcohol. The term itself refers to a mixture and can be food or spirits. For example, the secondary definition of a cocktail is “An appetizer made by combining pieces of food, such as fruit or seafood.”

How are canned cocktails made? ›

High-quality canned drinks use the same spirits as a freshly mixed bar cocktail. Real tequila, gin, rum, vodka, barrel-aged whiskey, and quality liqueurs are used to create the authentic taste you expect. You can often find a simple recipe printed on the can, so you know exactly what you're getting.

What is the canned drink truly? ›

Truly Vodka Seltzer contains vodka and real fruit juice. The four initial flavors include Blackberry & Lemon, Cherry & Lime, Peach & Tangerine, and Pineapple & Cranberry. At five percent ABV and 110 calories, the canned cocktails are comparable to the classic malt-based seltzer.

What are the benefits of canned cocktails? ›

Are There Any Benefits to Canned Cocktails?
  • Convenience - There is no doubt that canned cocktails are a convenient way to enjoy a fun drink. ...
  • Portability - The fact that you can take canned cocktails pretty much everywhere is amazing! ...
  • Consistency - Each can of cocktail will have the same taste as the other.

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