Back in the day, we'd pop open a cooler at a party only to find beer, beer, and more beer. And if you weren't hopping on the beer bandwagon, your options were even slimmer. Sipping on neon-tinted wine coolers and sickly sweet Smirnoff Ices weren't exactly the upgrades we were hoping for—and they almost always led to nasty hangovers the next day.
Thankfully, save for parties on college campuses, those days are largely in the past. The ready-to-drink beverage industry is booming with new and exciting craft canned cocktails. We've come a long way from the sugar-spiked malt liquor in a can. Now you can find ready-to-drink cocktails made with premium spirits and fresh ingredients.
There are even cans that replicate some of the trendiest drinks du jour. If we told our past selves that we'd be able to enjoy an espresso martini from a can today, they probably wouldn't believe us.
We've rounded up some of our favorite canned cocktails so you know what to look for next time you're at the liquor store. Want more beverage inspo? Check out our favorite canned wines, hard seltzers, and homemade cocktail recipes.
Do you like sipping espresso martinis? Of course you do! And with Tribini's lineup of canned and caffeinated cocktails, you don't have to visit a trendy restaurant to get your fix. They also offer a martini spiked with cream liqueur and a hazelnut version, if you're into that kind of thing.
Did you know that the Dirty Shirley was apparently the unofficial drink of the summer last year? We didn't either, but we can't deny that we love the grown-up nostalgic vibes of this canned cocktail. It's made with real organic cherry juice too! All you need is a maraschino cherry to top it off.
If you're looking for the perfect canned cocktail to give you the summer feeling all year long, Miami Cocktail Company has got exactly what you need. Offered in five delicious flavors (Bellini, Mimosa, Paloma, Margarita, and Sangria), each of the organic spritzers has just 110 calories and offers up a 4.2 percent ABV.
If you plan on indulging in any picnics this summer, you'll want to consider these canned mimosas. They're made with sustainably produced Italian wine and organic Californian orange juice. Better yet, you won't have to lug an entire bottle of champagne and orange juice around.
The bourbon you know and love is now available in canned cocktails, including a Ginger Highball and Classic Highball. The new releases come in at 5 percent ABV each and are available as a four-pack or as single 355ml slender cans at select retailers nationwide.
Onda one-ups the standard hard seltzer with blanco tequila from Jalisco, Mexico. Each can contains five percent ABV, has zero sugars and carbs, and is only 100 calories. It scored four out of five in our celebrity canned cocktails taste test and we especially liked the lime flavor.
This can holds 12 servings of margarita so you can bring the party with you. It's made with blue weber agave tequila, fresh lime juice, premium orange liqueur, and a bit of spice. It is also shelf-stable for months with a resealable lid, so the perfect marg is just a pour away.
It's not every day you see whiskey drinks in the canned cocktail aisle. These drinks from Boulder, CO-based Cocktail Squad also come in Greyhound, Margarita, Gin & Tonic, Vodka Soda, and Bourbon Smash, and clock in around 10 percent ABV.
Frat fave Pabst Blue Ribbon has a coffee infused with alcohol. Before you get it twisted, no, this is not a coffee-flavored beer. The drink is made with a "rich, creamy milk and vanilla flavor." Oh, and it's five percent ABV.
Fans of Bravo's Summer House will know this canned hard iced tea drink created by stars Amanda Batula and Kyle Cook. It comes in sweet flavors like Lemon Iced Tea and Hibiscus Pom that don't contain any sugar and are only 90 calories.
This female-owned cocktail company is all about fragrant sparkling drinks. Made with natural botanical essences, Two Chicks is keeping things simple with an introductory line of three beverages, including Paloma (Tequila & Grapefruit), Vodka Fizz (Vodka, Pear & Elderflower), and Citrus Margarita (Tequila & Citrus).
Consider these a skinny margarita in a can. Ranch Rider's Ranch Water is made with tequila, sparkling water, and real lime juice, though the drinks can also be found in Paloma, Chilton, and Jalapeño flavors.
Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Ni'Kesia Pannell is an entrepreneur, multi-hyphenate freelance writer, and self-proclaimed Slurpee connoisseur that covers news and culture for The Kitchn. She's the former Weekend Editor for Delish who also writes about faith, health and wellness, travel, beauty, lifestyle, and music for a range of additional outlets.