Lately, it feels like there’s more choice than ever when it comes to boozy canned drinks. Thankfully for you, we taste tested them all so you don’t have to. This summer, it’s all about the ranch waters, nostalgic throwbacks and new flavours of beloved hard seltzers. Read on for the ultimate guide to your summer sipping.
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Margarita Prickly Pear, 4.5%
Topo Chico Seltzers are always one of our go-to’s, and this new margarita is no exception. All of the new margarita flavours are delightful, but we especially enjoyed the Prickly Pear. It’s lightly sweet with one gram of sugar from the agave syrup, and reminds us a bit of dragonfruit. We love the idea of serving it alongside some crispy fish tacos.
Reid's Gin and Tonic, 6.5%
This made-in-Canada gin and tonic gets it just right. Although it’s a more simple cocktail than some of the others on this list, it can be hard to achieve a good gin and tonic in a can, but if you poured this into a glass we’d never know the difference. Made with Reid’s Gin 1642 Premium Tonic Mixer, it’s crisp, well-balanced and perfect for taking on the go.
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BFF. Peach Vodka Soda
Flavoured with white peach and sweet apricot, this yummy drink reminds us of the peach juice we grew up drinking. It hits all the right nostalgic notes without being overly sweet. And our favourite part is that five cents from the sale of every can helps animals in need.
Smirnoff Ice Creamsicle Blast, 5%
If you’re a creamsicle lover, you must try this Creamsicle Blast from Smirnoff Ice. Lightly carbonated, it features the retro flavours of orange and vanilla for a sip that will take you back in time. It’s fairly sweet, so we definitely recommend serving it over ice.
Lone River Ranch Water Original, 4%
All of a sudden, ranch waters are absolutely everywhere, and we’re especially loving this one from Lone River. It feels a bit like White Claw’s southern cousin, and tastes like a hybrid between a beer and a tequila soda. It’s extremely drinkable and is sweetened with agave for two grams of sugar per can.
Collective Arts Citrus Gin Collins, 5.6%
Fresh and zesty, this herbal gin cocktail from Collective Arts feels so sophisticated. Poured in a glass over ice, you’d never know it’s from a can, which we really love. Featuring Collective Arts Artisanal Dry Gin, grapefruit, lemon and a touch of thyme, this is not your average canned cocktail. Try pairing it with Cold Rice Noodle Salad for a simple yet elevated summer dinner.
Simply Spiked Lemonade, 5%
If you’re a fan of Simply Juice, this cocktail is exactly what you hope it would be. It’s fizzy, bright and lemony without being too sweet. We truly could not taste the alcohol in it, and overall just really enjoyed drinking it. It’s made with real fruit juice, and we think it would be a fun bevvy to take with you for a beach day or picnic alongside a Buttery Bombay Sandwich.
Truly Tropical Punch, 5%
This fun tropical fruit punch from Truly tastes like a grownup take on a Capri Sun from our childhood. It only contains one gram of sugar, but definitely tastes sweeter than other low-sugar bevvies. Made with real fruit juice, it’s also available in Fruit Punch, Berry Punch and Citrus Punch flavours. Perfect for getting the party started!
Wyatt Rose Ranch Water Mexican Lime, 5%
Another refreshing ranch water option, this hoppy canned bevvy tastes like a tequila soda and beer hybrid. With notes of cucumber and lime, it’s lightly perfumed and very drinkable. It’s not too sweet and with just one gram of sugar, it’s perfect choice for those who can never decide between beer and tequila.
White Claw Blackberry, 5%
Say hello to your new favourite White Claw flavour. It’s light, refreshing, and reminds us a lot of the Blackberry Bubly sparkling water. Unlike some other berry-flavoured canned cocktails that can taste a bit synthetic, this has a natural berry flavour that is seriously delicious. We think it would pair perfectly with these Smash Burger Tacos.
Coors Seltzer Cherry Slushie, 4.5%
Another delightfully nostalgic drink to add to your summer lineup, this slushie-inspired seltzer from Coors manages to capture that cherry slushie flavour we grew up drinking. Also available in grape and orange flavours, these vodka-based bevvies are a fun way to feel like a kid again.
Moosehead Chelada, 4%
Although not technically a cocktail, we couldn’t resist including this Moosehead Chelada on the list. The Moosehead you know and love is amped up with a touch of lime and salt, and the playfully tart combination tastes like summer. Fire up the grill and pair it with Grilled Sticky-Sweet Lemongrass Chicken Thighs.