As the sun ascends and festival season beckons, the quest for the perfect libation to accompany your musical escapades becomes paramount. Enter the world of ready to drink cocktails, where convenience meets craftsmanship, allowing you to savor bar-quality concoctions without the fuss of mixing. Whether you’re dancing under the desert sky at Coachella or lounging at a local summer fest, these portable potables are your ticket to elevated imbibing.
Are Premade Canned Cocktails Worth It?
Ready to drink cocktails have surged in popularity, offering a hassle-free way to enjoy a perfectly balanced drink without the need for a full bar setup. These expertly crafted beverages combine high-quality ingredients like natural chocolate flavor, sweet vermouth, and lime juice to create unique and delicious taste experiences. The rise of canned cocktails has made it easier than ever to enjoy a refreshing drink on-the-go.
Whether you’re a fan of margarita cocktails, old fashioned cocktails, or espresso martinis, there’s a ready to drink option out there that’s perfectly balanced and ready to enjoy. These cocktails are not just convenient; they’re a testament to the art of mixology, crafted to deliver a bar-quality experience in every sip.
Benefits of Ready to Drink Cocktails
One of the standout benefits of premade cocktails is their sheer convenience. These perfectly balanced drinks can be enjoyed straight from the can or bottle, making them ideal for outdoor events, parties, or a quick and easy drink at home.
Many of these cocktails are also gluten-free, catering to those with dietary restrictions without compromising on flavor. With a wide range of options, from tequila and vodka to rum-based cocktails, there’s something to suit every palate. Whether you prefer a sweet and fruity flavor or a bold and tangy taste, ready to drink cocktails offer a diverse range of flavors that are ready to enjoy whenever you are.
Top-tier Canned Cocktails that Promise to Amplify your Festival Experience:
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1. Mission Craft Cocktails
Hailing from California, Mission Craft Cocktails epitomizes the fusion of quality and conscience. Crafted with locally sourced ingredients within a 100-mile radius of their Ventura bottling facility, each bottle reflects a commitment to freshness and community support. Their philanthropic ethos shines through, with a portion of proceeds dedicated to local food banks, contributing to over 100,000 meals for families in need.
Highlights:
- Margarita Cocktail: A harmonious blend of 100% agave blanco tequila, zesty lime, and California-crafted orange liqueur. Perfect over ice with a salted rim.
- Mai Tai: Coconut-infused West Indies white rum meets local orange liqueur, delivering notes of almond, pineapple, and vanilla. A tropical escape in a bottle.
- Cosmopolitan: Premium vodka infused with fresh cucumber, complemented by orange liqueur and cranberry juice, with hints of rosemary and pink peppercorn. An invigorating twist on a classic.
Each 375ml bottle yields four bar-strength servings, making them ideal companions for festival festivities.
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2. Onda Tequila Seltzer
For those seeking a lighter, bubbly option, Onda Tequila Seltzer delivers with its crisp profile. Made with blanco tequila from a woman-owned distillery, this sparkling sensation combines real fruit juice with carbonated water. At 100 calories, zero sugar, and less than 1g of carbs, it’s a guilt-free indulgence that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Flavors to Savor:
- Blood Orange: A zesty citrus kick that invigorates the palate.
- Lime: A classic, refreshing tang with a tart lime flavor perfect for sun-soaked days.
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3. Post Meridiem Spirits
Bringing the integrity of classic cocktails to the portable format, Post Meridiem prides itself on authenticity. Their Real Lime Juice Margarita is a bold testament, blending silver tequila, orange curaçao, and 100% real lime juice. At 27.5% ABV, it’s not for the faint of heart—it’s a full-flavored, full-strength mix that transports you straight to a rooftop cantina.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Espresso Martini – A rich, velvety blend of vodka, cold brew coffee, and coffee liqueur that’s perfect for that post-sunset festival boost.
- Double Old Fashioned – A bourbon-forward fashioned cocktail with demerara syrup and real bitters, this one’s for the whiskey lovers who like their cocktails strong, smooth, and unapologetically timeless.
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4. Cutwater Spirits
Embark on a Polynesian journey with Cutwater’s Bali Hai Tiki Rum Mai Tai. This canned treasure is a swirl of Bali Hai White Rum, exotic pineapple, toasted coconut, and bright citrus—like a vacation in every sip. It’s one of the most transportive ready to drink cocktails on the market.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Vodka Mule – Spicy ginger beer and tangy lime with award-winning Cutwater vodka, offering a crisp and revitalizing kick.
- Mai Tai – Lush, fruity, and dangerously smooth, this tiki-inspired classic features a blend of different rums, coconut, orange liqueur, and tropical fruit notes that’ll make your cooler the life of the party.
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5. Social Hour Cocktails
Elevate your festival aperitif game with Social Hour’s Pacific Spritz—a blend of passionfruit, grapefruit, and a house-crafted aperitivo over a crisp Finger Lakes rosé. Their lineup is as refined as it is refreshing, with a focus on flavor complexity and mixologist-quality balance. These cocktails are crafted with the expertise of a bartender to ensure mixologist-quality balance.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Black Pepper Paloma – A bold twist on the classic Paloma, this cocktail combines herbaceous blanco tequila with tart pink grapefruit soda, a hint of lime zest, and a subtle kick of black pepper heat. The result is a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, savory, and fiery notes, making it a standout choice for those seeking a complex and refreshing beverage.
- Yuzu Sunset Fizz – Capturing the essence of a sunlit evening, this vibrant vodka-based cocktail artfully blends tangy yuzu, luscious peach, and zesty key lime, all accented by a delicate whisper of jasmine. It’s a perfectly balanced, irresistibly delicious, and endlessly refreshing option for festival-goers looking to indulge in a sophisticated fizz.
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6. Long Drink Traditional
Step into Scandinavian summer with Long Drink Traditional Citrus, a carbonated concoction of natural citrus soda and premium liquor that’s both exotic and easygoing. Originally crafted for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, this is one of the oldest and most revered ready to drink cocktails globally.
Enjoy the Long Drink Citrus as ‘liquid sunshine,’ evoking a sense of joy and refreshment with every sip.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Long Drink Citrus – The original classic: zesty, bright, and invigorating. Think grapefruit meets gin fizz with a sparkling twist that dances across the palate.
- Long Drink Peach – Bursting with ripe, sun-kissed stone fruit flavor, this smooth and subtly sweet variation brings southern charm to Finnish fizz. It’s a summer anthem in a can.
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7. Two Chicks Cocktails
For a flirtatious twist on a Mexican classic, Two Chicks Sparkling Paloma brings pink grapefruit and blanco tequila together in bubbly harmony. This woman-owned brand is known for its elegant cans and unexpectedly sophisticated taste profiles. Their cocktails offer a tasting experience that enhances the enjoyment of their sophisticated flavors.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Lemon Strawberry Kiss – A romantic blend of vodka, bright lemon, and ripe strawberry that’s juicy, citrusy, and just the right amount of sweet. Ideal for a warm afternoon set or a golden-hour cheers.
- Apple Gimlet – A sophisticated riff on the gin classic, with crisp apple notes and a refreshing botanical finish. It’s light, tart, and undeniably chic.
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8. High Noon Hard Seltzer
High Noon breaks from the malt-based seltzer pack with real vodka and fruit juice, setting a higher bar for summer sips. Light, fizzy, and festival-approved, these ready to drink cocktails are ideal for daytime hydration with a buzz. Enjoy them over rocks for a sophisticated yet relaxed experience.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Watermelon – Light, subtly sweet, and endlessly crushable. This crowd-pleaser captures the juicy essence of summer and pairs perfectly with beach blankets or open-air stages.
- Passionfruit – Tropical and tangy with a hint of floral aroma, this one brings exotic flair to your festival lineup with every sip.
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9. BuzzBallz
Round, colorful, and unapologetically bold, BuzzBallz are the party starter you didn’t know you needed. Each orb packs a punch at 13.5% ABV and delivers on both flavor and flair.
BuzzBallz challenge preconceived things about whiskey-based drinks, offering a bold and flavorful experience.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Pineapple Jalapeño – This tart, summery drink is the perfect blend of lime and pineapple with a spicy jalapeño finish. The initial citrusy sweetness is swiftly followed by a gentle heat, creating a dynamic flavor profile that’s both refreshing and exhilarating.
- Lotta Colada – Escape to a tropical paradise with the fresh flavors of pineapple and coconut in this cream-based cocktail. Reminiscent of a classic piña colada, it offers a sweet, smooth, and indulgent experience that transports you to sun-soaked beaches with every sip.
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10. BeatBox Beverages
BeatBox is the Gen Z lovechild of a juice box and a cocktail bar—offering vibrant, sweet, and fruit-packed punches in resealable tetra packs. With 11.1% ABV and no need for mixers, they’re built for long-haul dance parties. You can buy these vibrant and fruit-packed punches for your next festival to ensure a hassle-free and flavorful experience.
Notable Flavor to Try:
- Hard Tea – A refreshingly boozy twist on a Southern staple. This iced tea-inspired flavor blends real black tea essence with a smooth, slightly sweet finish. Ideal for chilled-out sets, campground hangs, or vibing in the shade.
- Blueberry Lemonade – Tart citrus meets lush berry in this bright and balanced sip. It’s sweet, zingy, and totally crushable—made to match the energy of your favorite headliner.
These elevated ready to drink cocktails offer the perfect blend of mixology, mobility, and mood—tailor-made for the modern festival-goer who refuses to compromise on flavor or aesthetic. Whether you’re soaking up the beats in Indio, swaying under string lights at a local jazz fest, or glamping in the woods with your closest crew, these cocktails are your all-access pass to effortless sophistication.
Gone are the days of hauling mixers, glassware, and half-melted ice to your tent or tailgate. Today’s ready to drink cocktails bring the bar to your blanket, the speakeasy to your campsite, and the happy hour to your hammock. With flavors that range from tropical and tart to spicy and bold, there’s a can or bottle to match every mood, moment, and music genre.
Even better? Many of these brands are not just about great taste—they’re rooted in sustainability, community, and craft. From Mission Cocktails’ locally sourced, small-batch ethos to the playful innovation of BeatBox and BuzzBallz, you’re not just sipping—you’re supporting the next wave of mindful, mission-driven drink culture.
So as you prep your cooler for festival season, don’t just pack beer and bland seltzers. Stock up on the bold, the bubbly, and the bar-worthy. These canned cocktails are here to level up your summer soundtrack—one delicious pour at a time.
Packing Ready to Drink Cocktails
When it comes to packing premade cocktails, convenience and portability are key. Canned cocktails are a fantastic option as they are lightweight, easy to transport, and can be enjoyed straight from the can. Bottled cocktails are equally convenient, fitting easily into a bag or cooler for a day out. With a hint of lime or a dash of bitters, these drinks add a touch of fun and freshness to any occasion. Whether you’re heading to the beach, a park, or a friend’s house, ready to drink cocktails are the perfect companions, ensuring you have a refreshing and enjoyable drink at hand.
Drink Responsibly
Enjoying cocktails responsibly is essential. Always check the label for ingredients and allergens, and be mindful of your limits when it comes to drinking. Store your cocktails in a cool, dry place and make sure to consume them before the expiration date.
With a bit of common sense and caution, you can safely enjoy your favorite ready to drink cocktails. Whether you love margarita cocktails, old fashioned cocktails, or espresso martinis, remember to drink in moderation and never drink and drive. Enjoy your cocktails responsibly to make the most of your summer festivities.