The sophisticated sip of choice for this on-again, off-again summer? The canned co*cktail.
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 co*cktails 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
The MOTH cosmopolitan vodka can is not the most exciting option out there, but is both satisfyingly sweet and has a refreshing lime zing
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 co*cktail, 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 co*cktail range, comprising 26 flavours, and this canned margarita is new this year.
This is a proper co*cktail, 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 co*cktail 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 co*cktail, 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 co*cktails 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
