The Best Canned Cocktails of Summer & Some Misses

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Best Canned Cocktails of Summer — Is it too much to hope for?

This summer, I made it my mission to try canned beverages to make my own vacation easier.

I really wanted to enjoy myself and lay poolside, while not having to worry about mixing any drinks.

This goes for any beach day as well.

There is something so incredibly taxing about taking a bunch of ingredients to the beach or pool for a drink or two.

Granted, my drink of choice is always a gin and soda with lime, but I couldn’t be bothered to play mixologist this time around.

Maybe next year?

So, I decided to really buy into the idea of taking canned beverages a bit more seriously.

Pro: You don’t have to worry about any extra baggage. It’s all in a can.

Con: It’s going to cost you for the convenience and will never match a properly mixed drink. It just won’t.

I did find one that I really loved. However, margaritas are too sugary for me and can leave my throat feeling raw. 

Besides that, it was a joy to try most of these.

Let’s go.

G&J Greenalls Wild Berry Gin & Tonic

This has to be my favorite canned beverage of the summer.

Please note my love of a good gin and soda.

But the flavors are great, and it’s surprisingly not too sweet, but just sweet enough.

Rating: 10/10

Craftwell Cocktail’s Hibiscus Lemonade – Best Canned Cocktails of the Summer

My friend had me try this (as it was one of hers) —

It’s so good that in my head it’s tied with the G&J’s G&T.

This is also a sweeter drink, and equally light and refreshing.

Rating: 10/10

Cutwater’s Mango Margarita

I was pleasantly surprised by this beverage.

It is super crisp, not so sweet that it burns your throat. 

Great flavor.

Rating: 10/10

Betty Booze – Sparkling Tequila

Great packaging.

Expensive.

Tastes moderately watered-down for $17 + tax – yet, has a great mezcal smokey quality to it.

If your personal trainer is drinking anything from a can this summer — it may be this sparkling tequila.

This will get you toasted fairly quickly, so drink responsibly.

Ratings online are raving about it.

I do wish it had more fizz.

Rating: 9/10 (due to cost and mild watered down taste).

Dry Fly’s Gin and Tonic

This was very weird win for me.

It tastes nothing like a gin and tonic (my tastebuds were confused).

Still drinkable, still smooth, and tastes great — but convincing yourself that you’re drinking gin may prove difficult.

Would I buy it again? For a quick beach trip — I would.

However, don’t let this review stop you from frequenting this amazing Spokane establishment.

One of the best venues to eat at in town.

Truly, don’t sleep on this place.

Rating: 9/10 (due to cost-effectiveness, smooth taste, yet a very confusing taste).

Luxardo Bianco Spritz

This drink is not for me.

I have never had a true Bianco Spritz before and I really did not enjoy this.

It has an odd taste to it.

A bit smokey, a bit bitter, and a lot watered down.

It tastes as if you let your ice run all the flavor out.

Probably wouldn’t buy again.

However, it does have rave reviews on Total Wine’s website.

Rating: 5/10

Conclusion

Everyone’s drink choice is different so my views are subjective.

If you have tried these, please let me know in the comments.

I do have to say — sticking to the top three, you won’t be disappointed.

If you like a bitter beverage like I do, you may be shocked that you don’t love the last three.

I really went into trying these with such high hopes and thought I had chosen the best.

Turns out — I learned that canned beverages will never be as great as a crafted cocktail made in a glass.

Hope this helps as you head out for the long weekend.

Fin.

xx,

Nikita