12 cocktail cans you need to try this weekend
Cocktails are to summer what a home-cooked family dinner is in winter. Comforting, perfect for the weather and exactly what you need to relax after a long week at work. But do we need to buy endless ingredients and add to our washing-up pile? Canned and pre-mixed cocktails can be a great alternative to getting the same taste of your favourite drink at home, without the stress of battling the cocktail shaker.
Read on to see the Gathered team’s ranking of the best pre-mixed cocktails you should be adding to your weekly shop, from budget bargains to sharing crowd-pleasers.
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Best for on the go
1. MOTH Espresso Martini, 14.9%
Caffeine in the evening has never been so sweet or chic. With MOTH’s espresso martini, this coffee flavour has a velvety taste with a subtle chocolate aftertaste. This drink is perfect for catching up with friends, having a quick pre-drink before an event or enjoying with a picnic on a hot summer’s day. Skip the martini glass and indulge in this cocktail straight from the can.
(MOTH, 125ml, £4.00 per can)
2. The Marksologist Spicy Mezcal Margarita, 14%
@becamorgan Run to m&s for the new spicy margs 👀🫢🌶️ #marksandspencer #mands #spicymargs #margarita #alcohol ♬ Follow Excitement! - Rizzle Kicks & Rachel Chinouriri
Jalapeno and chilli marry the mezcal flavours found in this can with a kick, amplified by the salt added to the cocktail. If you enjoy your tequila with a good level of spice, this will be your new favourite drink to savour. Serve it at home with a glass rimmed with salt and you’ll hardly be able to tell that you’re not at a cocktail bar.
(Marks and Spencer, 150ml, £3.50 per can)
3. Tiny Tee’s Dirty Martini, 34.6%
On the go to a great party with friends, craving a cocktail that hits the spot with no hassle? Whitebox Cocktails has you covered.
With this crisp take on the James Bond classic, you can throw a can of dirty martini in the freezer to quickly chill. In no time, this martini is the perfect temperature to serve, with no shaking over ice needed. Pair this crisp vodka martini with your favourite salty bar snacks to fuel you throughout the night.
(Whitebox Cocktails, 100ml, £5.80 per can)
Best for sharing
1. Johnnie Walker Old Fashioned, 20.5%
Whisky cocktails are easy to mess up. When you’re trying to harness such a smoky or ashy flavour, adding too much sugar or mixer can ruin an expensive blend of your favourite whisky.
Johnnie Walker takes out the hassle for you, blending the perfect cocktail for you to enjoy in a chilled glass with ice. We recommend adding an orange peel for a warming citrus twist to help elevate this classic.
(Johnnie Walker, 500ml, £15.25)
2. The Marksologist Amaretto Sour, 17.5%
@ellieavalonmae Amaretto Sours are one of my FAVOURITE cocktails and this is truly a strong rival for some of the bar-made Amaretto Sours I’ve had! 😍 @M&S Food have truly nailed it with this 🍸✨ #mands #mandsfood #mandscocktails #rtd #readytodrink #cocktail #amaretto #amarettosour ♬ Dance You Outta My Head - Cat Janice
Making a batch of cocktails for your friends can be fun, but it’s time-consuming during dinner parties or when making last-minute decisions to make cocktails. Keeping a sharing bottle in the fridge for a special occasion can be a sweet, carefree indulgence to enjoy when you wish.
This amaretto sour is tart, with a sweet, marzipan-like flavour that you won’t want to stop sipping.
(Marks and Spencer, 500ml, £18.00 per bottle)
3. MOTH Taster Pack
Want to take a drink to a party, but want to please the pickiest of eaters and drinkers? With this pack, your fears are dissolved, offering something sweet, spicy or strong that will get everyone excited to try out.
In this eight-can bundle, you can enjoy one can each of: margarita, strawberry daiquiri, espresso martini, mojito, passionfruit martini, spicy margarita, mango margarita and piña colada.
(MOTH, 8 cans, £26.00 per pack)
Best value for money
1. Spicy Margarita, 14.9%
It’s hard to believe that a cocktail at this high alcohol content is so low in price, but ALDI have made it possible. With a tequila that packs a punch and a light spice that stays on the lips, this short but sweet cocktail is a great taster and even greater value for money.
(ALDI,125ml, £1.99 per can)
2. Jameson, Ginger Ale & Lime, 5%
@tripleeatsfood Trying NEW Jameson Ginger Ale and Lime Whiskey from Morrisons! #jameson #morrisons #gingerale #whiskey #jamesonwhiskey ♬ Old Disney Swing Jazz - Nico
This 330ml can is the fiery mixer and warming spirit to keep you energised on a long summer night. Without compromising on flavour, this long cocktail will gently introduce you into an evening, compared to the high alcohol content of the rest of our recommendations.
(Jameson, 330ml, £2.60 per can)
3. Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Gin & Tonic, 6.5%
A gin and tonic is a staple cocktail that you can order at any great cocktail bar. It’s tart and refreshing, and Tanqueray’s take on the drink is unbeatable. If tonic water is too sweet for you, why not try their gin and soda? It’s still packed with citrus flavours but with a more subtle flavour.
(Tanqueray, 250ml, £2.70)
Worth the price
1. Pocket Negroni, 21.8%
Compared to the price of a negroni ordered at your local cocktail bar, £5.50 is a great value for a punchy Italian classic drink. Mixing gin, vermouth and rosso in one glass, this cocktail is best served over ice in a glass, topped with a wedge of orange to add a citrus hit to a bold flavour.
(Whitebox Cocktails, 100ml, £5.50)
2. Celebration Box, 22 – 27%
You may recognise these cocktails as they’re not technically in cans. These bagged cocktails are in sleek square boxes that you can pour into a glass and trick your dinner party guests into thinking you made them yourself. This celebration box is the perfect way to prepare high-quality drinks for even the fussiest of drinkers.
In this six-drink selection, you can find a Cuban negroni, gin sour, mai tai, daiquiri, Manhattan and margarita. If the variety available in the celebration pack doesn’t suit your taste, you can build your own box or choose one of their curated selections around your favourite spirit, including whisky, gin, vodka, rum and tequila.
(NIO, 6 cans, £39.00)
3. Dram In A Can Fruit Drop Apple Cask Whiskey, 50%
For people who like a drink with a punch, this one’s for you. It may not technically be a cocktail, but this drink fits our definition of a canned drink you need to try. Boasting flavours of green apple, vanilla and oak, this whiskey is a crisp and light nightcap that can help you end the night.
(Two Stacks Irish Whisky, 100ml, £6.50)
Disclaimer: This article is for drinking recommendations. You should always drink responsibly and within the legal limit.
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