Happy Galentine's Day cocktail lovers! I love *any* excuse to get together with my girls. Throw in some love-themed cocktails and I'm doubly excited!
As I'm sure you know by now, I love easy entertaining which is why canned and ready-to-drink cocktails are so close to my heart. And they are perfect for parties like Galentine's Day because you don't need to buy a bunch of special ingredients and there is no mixing require to serve your gals delicious cocktails. You get to just pop the top and have an instant cocktail.
But cocktails are even more fun when you add a drink garnish which has always been tricky to say the least with canned cocktails. Which is exactly why I invented the Swizzly Stick™. A Swizzly Stick fits perfectly on most cans, allowing you to finally add a garnish to your canned cocktails. And the best part is, it will stay in place as you sip, chat, and even dance.
With Galentine's Day right around the corner, I wanted to share how I'm dressing up canned cocktails for my girls.
Step 1: Grab your some yummy ready-to-drink cocktails. This year I'm serving up bellinis and mimosas from Ohza. I love that these are sparkling cocktails and they are the perfect fit for Galentine's Day.
Step 2: Pick up some Valentine's Day cocktail garnishes. I stopped by Trader Joe's for some strawberries, heart-shaped macarons, and gummy XO candy. I also spotted some heart-shaped marshmallows in the Valentine's Day section at Target so I grabbed those as well.
Step 3: Grab your Swizzly Sticks. I picked a few of my favorite red and pink Swizzly Sticks from my collection. You can check out all of the Swizzly Stick designs here.
Step 4: Dress up those cocktails!
Idea #1: Gummy XO candies from Trader Joe's
If this is your first time using a Swizzly Stick, let me give you a close up to show how it works. The cocktail stick itself has three strategiclly placed notches. The notch closest to the ring in the photo below lines up with the outer rim of the can. The notch in the middle lines up with the underside of the tab. And the final notch lines up with the other side of the tab and will end up on the top.
To attach your Swizzly Stick, pop the top of your can leaving the tab up slightly. Hold the Swizzly Stick with the wider side facing up and slide the pointed end of the Swizzly Stick through the hole in the tab. Line up the notches and then rotate the Stick to an upright position. Then slightly twist the Swizzly Stick to lock it in place against the rim of the can. If it is on correctly, you will be able to pick up the can without the Swizzly Stick moving.
Now you are ready to add your garnish! As you can see below, I utilized the pointy end of the stick to slide the gummy candies onto the Swizzly Stick. Total game changer right?!?!
Love-themed cocktail garnish idea #2: Heart-shaped marshmallows from Target
Galentine's Day drink garnish idea #3: Strawberries
Strawberries are such a versatile cocktail garnish. Use them whole, cut them into heart-shaped slices, or go all out with a chocolate dipped strawberry.
Valentine's Day cocktail garnish idea #4: Trader Joe's heart-shaped macarons (this one is my favorite!)
Which idea is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
Happy Galentine's Day girlie!!
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We know you don't need an excuse to celebrate your friends but maybe you need a good excuse to get a girl date on the cally. May we suggest a Galentine's Day Party?
]]>Photos by Alyssa Poland Photography & Someplace Images
We know you don't need an excuse to celebrate your friends but maybe you need a good excuse to get a girl date on the cally. May we suggest a Galentine's Day Party?
It's the perfect, girly excuse to have a fun, cocktail filled friend sess. I've rounded up a few of my favorite cocktails, a super unique party game, and a sweet Galentine's Day card idea you can send to your girls in case you can't get together in person this year.
First up, two girly Galentine's Day cocktail ideas:
If you've been following me for awhile (Hi!), then you know I am all about easy cocktails. And if you haven't been following me (Hi, welcome to our cocktail loving girl gang!), then you should know that I whole-heartedly believe in finding delicious, simple cocktails for you to whip up and then enjoy WITH your girls instead of playing bartender the whole time. I want you to have time to actually hang with your girls and enjoy your girl time. SO for your Galentine's Day party I'm suggesting two easy breezy but super special drink options
Cocktail option #1: A boozy coffee cocktail because we are all running on coffee by this point right?
I'll be picking up a bottle of Cafecito for my girls. It is a take on Cuban coffee that is dark and sweet. Artisan Craft Cocktails version of this nostalgic beverage is a sweet and smooth combination of rum, cacao, vanilla liqueur, and coffee flavors. Enjoy it chilled and sipped slowly.
Order a bottle (or two) of this ready-to-drink coffee cocktail here >>
Cocktail option #2: Go bubbly with a little international flair
I love to pop the bubbly when I'm with my girl friends so I also have my eye on this Aprés Sol. It is an Italian sparkling rosé that claims to taste is like nothing you've had before. "The bubbles are creamy, the taste is fruity, and the effects are fun" I can get on board with that!
Order this bubbly Aprés Sol option here >>
Oh, and if you need some cute cocktail glasses - you know I've got you covered. Grab these hot pink, glitter-dipped cocktail glasses for your Galentine's Day party from my shop.
Photo by Alyssa Poland Photography
Two words. Boozy. Piñata. This unicorn filled with mini bottles of alcohol is guaranteed to get the party started and be the exact break we could all use from regular life right now.
Filled with a mix of 12 different mini bottles including Bacardi® Rum, Smirnoff® Vodka, Deep Eddy® Lemon Vodka, Jim Beam® Whiskey, Jim Beam® Honey Whiskey, Fireball®, Sauza® Tequila, Wheat Penny® Bourbon, and my personal favorite - Skrewball® Peanut Butter Whiskey.
Order your boozy unicorn piñata here >>
I spotted this DIY table cloth idea on Pinterest and decided this was the perfect addition to a Galentine's Day party and it literally couldn't be simpler.
I used a full roll of bulletin board paper from Michaels, a sponge brush and cheap craft paint. I rolled the paper out on the floor and then went to town making X's and O's across the paper. My one tip would be to start in one corner at a 45 degree angle. From there you can just go left to right repeating the pattern row to row until you get to the end of the paper. It is so easy and it looks so pretty!
Photo by Alyssa Poland Photography
I also wanted to make a little Galentine's Day gift for all of you so I whipped up this banner using my Silhouette and some yarn I had laying around. You can download my free cut file here and make one for your party.
Photo by Alyssa Poland Photography
So much of our life is on screen, especially the last two years with all the super fun pandemic stuff 🙄 , so I love the idea of spoiling your girls with some quality snail mail. Not only is it super fun to get something in your mail box that isn't a bill, it's pretty great to have a real life experience. Aaaand because we all love a good cocktail around here, can I introduce to you - boozy Valentine's Day cards!
This site offers a few different options and you can even pick what liquor you'd like to send to your Valentine. I think it's genius.
Order a boozy Valentine's Day card here >>
I hope this post gave you a few ideas for how to celebrate your girls this Galentine's day. For more Galentine's Day party ideas check out my Pinterest board for more:
]]>We love an easy cocktails around here and it doesn't get much easier than having a full cocktail making kit shipped right to your house. So I'm rounding up 10 monthly cocktail subscriptions I want to try including a mix of cocktail subscription boxes with alcohol, monthly cocktail making kits where you provide the alcohol to practice your mixology skills, and a mocktail recipe kit for making great non-alcoholic craft cocktails at home. Cheers to being a home bartender!
Both of these monthly subscription boxes come with everything you need to make multiple cocktails, including the booze, for ultimate ease.
Saloon Box - This monthly cocktail kit is designed for two people and includes two cocktail recipes plus all of the ingredients needed including the alcohol.
American Cocktail Club - This cocktail subscription box is focused on curating Michelin-star quality cocktails for you to enjoy at home. It comes with all of the ingredients you'll need including the alcohol.
These monthly cocktail subscription boxes come with everything except alcohol giving you the flexibility to use your preferred brand of liquor.
Shaker & Spoon - Each monthly cocktail box is themed around a single liquor to demonstrate a range of what each spirit can do. You'll get three cocktail recipes plus everything you need to make twelve drinks (four from each recipe) minus the alcohol, which you'll need to pick up separately.
Missologist Monthly Cocktail Box - The Missologist boxes are also themed and use a single liquor to make three different cocktails per box.
Box on the Rocks™ Cocktail Kits - This cocktail subscription box focuses on helping you build your home bar and each kit includes a high quality bar tool plus all the ingredients you'll need to make 10+ drinks with liquor from your own bar.
5 O'Clock Box Cocktail Kit - This cocktail kit subscription box is all about making artisanal cocktails quick, easy and fun using small-batch flavors. Their mixes let your inner mixologist shine and you just add your spirit of choice.
Jolly Hour - This monthly cocktail subscription box comes with all of the ingredients, garnishes, and instructions needed to make three separate cocktail recipes using one liquor. You just provide the alcohol.
Bitters Lab Club™ | Quarterly Cocktail Bitters - This quarterly cocktail subscription box is all about the bitters. It gives the most creative mixologists a chance to experiment with a brand-new, limited-edition bitters flavors.
Curious Elixirs - This non-alcoholic cocktail line is super unique! They are curiously complex, booze-free cocktails infused with adaptogens to help you unwind. I have tried them and fell in love. You can read my full review of Curious Elixirs booze-free cocktails here. They are definitely worth a monthly subscription!
We Are Raising The Bar - This cocktail subscription box is perfect for when you still want to practice mixology but without the alcohol. Each kit helps you make craft mocktails including ingredients, recipes, and often an alcohol-free spirit.
Which craft cocktail box are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments and make sure to come back next week when I'll be reviewing Shaker and Spoon.
Until then, cheers!
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Hi cocktail lovers! Dry January is almost over but I didn't want it to pass by entirely with out trying our first ever alcohol-free cocktail.
I recently connected with the team at Curious Elixirs and they generously sent me a box of their booze-free cocktails. Each of their cocktails are named with numbers and the sent me Number 1, Number 2, Number 3, and Number 4 plus a little card that explained the flavors and specific health benefits of each cocktail.
This is my first time trying a non-alcoholic cocktail line so I'm excited, I don't know what to expect, and I have nothing to compare it to. So let's do this!
I did pour each of these cocktails into glasses and man, are they pretty! These might be the prettiest cocktails I've reviewed, boozy or not. I mean, look at that color!
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
The booze-free Curious Elixir cocktails are not at all sweet and they are earning the first ever, zero out of five cocktail shakers on our sweetness scale. They are super flavorful cocktails, just without any sweetness to speak of.
Another first! These non-alcoholic cocktails are our first ever zero out of five cocktail shaker on our boozy scale too. While the Curious Elixirs are alcohol-free cocktails they do still give you a little bit of a boost in a way that is super similar to kombucha. I really enjoyed to mood enhancing benefits of these cocktails. I had a pretty rough day yesterday and these really did help.
Yes, I think so. The flavors are complex and interesting. The drinks are pretty so they feel fancy. And I also super enjoyed the added benefits that come with the booze-free Curious Elixirs - and not just the lack of a hangover.
The Curious Elixirs did boost my mood and provided a little extra relaxation so they are a great replacement to an alcoholic drink for the nights when all you are seeking is something to mellow out your day but is more than just a hot tea or sparkling water.
Overall I think this alcohol-free cocktail trend is pretty interesting. Personally I love cocktails for the uniqueness, the complex flavor combinations, and most importantly - the fancy feeling that cocktails have that no other drink can match. So why not a booze-free version?
If you want to give a non-alcoholic cocktail a try I definitely recommend checking out Curious Elixirs. You can peruse all of their flavor options and order them right from their website here:
Order Curious Elixirs booze-free cocktails here >>
Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
This post included paper straws from our shop:
Whether you are participating in Dry January, taking a bit of a break from booze, or are sober full time, here are our favorite non-alcoholic cocktail options.
Cocktails are special! They come with garnish. They are served in cute glasses. They are available in loads of different flavor combinations, both hot and cold. And honestly, they make even a regular day feel like a bit of a celebrations. Which is why we definitely don't want you to miss out on that special feeling just because you are going alcohol-free. Don't worry. We've got you covered, cocktail lover!
Nanobar
Nanobar is an awesome source for non-alcoholic cocktails, beer and wine. They are all about "better beverages without the buzz." All of the drinks they sell are non-alcoholic so you don't have to worry about making sure you don't accidentally pick up a boozy version when you are shopping for alcohol-free drinks.
Check out their non-alcoholic cocktail options from major booze-free brands like Ritual, Lyre's, Kin, Ghia, Crisp & Crude, and Fauxmosa.
Shop the alcohol-free Nanobar here >>
Curious Elixirs
These curiously complex booze-free cocktails infused with adaptogens to help you unwind. They come in dark beer bottles and what they might lack in booze they make up for in that cocktail flavor x factor. Curious Elixirs are available to buy online for delivery to your house once or as a monthly alcohol-free cocktail subscription.
Check out Curious Elixirs here >>
Aura Bora
You may have seen these drinks on Shark Tank a few years ago. I know I immediately wanted to try them when I saw them. Aura Bora is a fun cocktail alternative with really unique flavor combinations like peppermint watermelon and cactus rose that sound so intriguing. Beside the benefit of being booze-free with fun flavors, I love that you can order these in a variety pack to test out all of the flavors.
Check out Aura Bora here >>
Moment
Moment cocktails are another sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktail option that is full of cocktail flavors sans alcohol. They boast having all of the good, none of the bad with no caffeine, no added sugar or artificial flavors.
Check out Moment here >>
hiyo
hiyo a social tonic that provided a similar stress-relieving, mood-boosting effect that people usually seek from alcohol, but instead from healthy, functional ingredients.
Check out hiyo here >>
Bonbuz
Bonbuz is made with active ingredients heighten your senses and boost your mood transporting you to a deeper mind-body experience. tune in to your inner wildness + social hype minus the toxic additives and hangovers.
Check out BonBuz here >>
Psychedelic Water
This one is mild psychoactive blend is non-alcoholic and lightly carbonated without any unnatural ingredients. It tingles your tongue but won't leave you hungover or jittery.
Check out Psychedelic Water here >>
We Are Raising The Bar
Raising The Bar is a subscription box, delivering alcohol-free craft cocktail ingredients to make incredible zero-proof, booze-free drinks at home! Each month a different themed box will arrive with everything you need to make four amazing, alcohol-free cocktails.
Check out We Are Raising The Bar here >>
Soul Spirits
Soul Spirits subscriptions and individually curated boxes to introduce you to a broad range of unique non-alcoholic products from around the world, including many not available in your local market. Each box you receive will be unique and will contain a selection of premium non-alcoholic spirits, a variety of top-shelf mixers to create perfect pairings, and a selection of ready-to-drink options for when you want a quick refreshment + recipes and info to help you make delicious drinks!
Check out Soul Spirits here >>
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
]]>Whether you've waited till the last minute or you just want to make sure your gifts arrive on time, we've rounded up our favorite gift ideas for cocktail lovers that don't require shipping this holiday season. These no ship gift ideas for cocktail enthusiasts include virtual mixology classes, cocktail subscription boxes, and monthly whiskey club memberships. Cheers to this year's gifts not getting lost in the mail!
These live virtual classes from expert bartenders are the perfect gift idea for cocktail lovers - especially when you don't have time to ship them a gift. Each of these classes is taught live AND comes with a cocktail tool or set that takes the experience to the next level. It is one part physical gift and one part virtual experience. And don't worry if you don't know your gift recipients schedule, they can easily reschedule it for a time that works for them.
➣ Mixology Class + four Root 23 simple syrups
Spend 90 minutes with one of Brooklyn's most engaging mixologists, Amy K, and learn how to make three craft cocktails using included the Root 23 flavored simple syrup set. Amy K will teach them how to make Cucumber Chili Margaritas, Cherry Almond Manhattans, Grapefruit Basil Vodka Gimlets.
Gift this Mixology Class here >>
➣ Smokin' Spirits Smoked Cocktails + The Gourmet’s Smoking Cloche
In one hour, Brooklyn-based master mixologist Matt Levy will teach how to conjure up two hauntingly delicious smoky drinks—a shaken Mezcalrita and a stirred old-fashioned—with a dramatic assist from The Gourmet’s Smoking Cloche.
Gift this Smokin' Spirits Smoked Cocktails Class here >>
➣ Hot Cocktails 3 Ways + Warming coaster and mug set
In 90 minutes, mixologist Margaret Fitzgerald will teach how to craft a trio of seasonal specialties that expand your gift recipients winter drinks repertoire beyond the hot toddy. She’ll start with Mexican Horchata (think cinnamony rice pudding all grown up into a cocktail), move on to a spicy, warming Golden Nog, and finish with a lusciously creamy hot take on the White Russian. This class also comes with a warming coaster and mug set to keep the hot cocktails warm as they are enjoyed.
Gift this Hot Cocktails 3 Ways Class here >>
➣ Shaker N Spoon
Gift a single monthly box, a full year membership, or something in between. These monthly cocktail boxes are perfect for anyone who is wanting to learn more about making cocktails at home. Each box includes all of the ingredients (other than the alcohol) for 12 cocktails (4 from each recipe). Everything they'll need—syrups, bitters, garnishes, mixers, citrus—is included; they'll just add the liquor.
Gift a Shaker N Spoon cocktail membership here>>
➣ Haus
Haus is the traditional wine club model meets a customizable monthly subscription. This is a great option for cocktail lovers that want a little more control over what cocktails come in their monthly box. You can send them a virtual gift card and then let them select the cocktails they would like to receive.
Gift a Haus cocktail membership here >>
➣ Saloon Box
Saloon Box gives you the option of gifting a themed cocktail box, like their Classic Cocktails Kit, or you can gift a membership to their monthly cocktail boxes. Either way, your cocktail lover will get everything they need - alcohol included - to whip up some bar worthy cocktails at home.
Gift a Saloon Box cocktail membership here >>
➣ Curious Elixirs
For all the non-drinking cocktail lovers, Curious Elixirs is the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail box. Curious Elixirs are curiously complex booze-free cocktails infused with adaptogens to help you unwind. You can gift your non-drinker a monthly variety pack so they can enjoy booze free cocktails all year long.
Gift a Curious Elixirs alcohol cocktail membership here >>
If your cocktail lover is most in love with whiskey drinks, then a whiskey club membership might be the perfect gift. Each month they will get to try new whiskeys and learn more about their favorite liquor.
➣ Flaviar
Flaviar's monthly whiskey club is perfect for newbies and experts alike because the gift recipient will get to choose the spirits they'd like to try. Plus they get access to hard to find bottles, virtual tasting classes, and discounts on anything the decide to pick up from Flaviar's online shop.
Gift a Flaviar monthly whiskey membership here >>
➣ Caskers
For the true whiskey aficionado, Caskers lets you gift your favorite whiskey lover with expertly curated selections of either American whiskey or whiskeys from around the world. Each month they will receive two full sized bottles of whiskey plus tasting notes and they never repeat bottles.
Gift a Caskers monthly whiskey membership here >>
I hope this cocktail lover gift guide has been helpful! I'll be adding more cocktail gift ideas that don't require shipping as I find more so make sure to check back. And don't miss our other gift ideas for cocktail lovers here:
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Note: We hope you this gift guide. If you do decide to purchase these any of these items using the links provided, we may collect a small share of the sale.
]]>Order a full baff of DRNXMYTH's outstanding ready-to-drink cocktails:
The holidays are approaching quickly and if you have a cocktail lover or home bartender on your shopping list, I've got you covered. I'm rounding up some of my favorite gift ideas for cocktail lovers including unique barware, virtual mixology classes, and even a cocktail making machine that will do all the work. Enjoy this gift guide and cheers to making bar quality cocktails at home!
Is a cocktail without a little flair even a cocktail?
Gift your favorite home bartender with fun and unique cocktail sticks. The patent pending design on these Swizzly Sticks™ provides bartenders with new ways to place garnish - on regular cocktail glasses AND for the first time ever, on canned drinks. With tons of seasonal designs and classics that are fun all-year round, these are the perfect addition to any home bar cart.
Shop Swizzly Sticks here >>
Did you know you can personalize a Yeti? Me neither!
Adding that little extra customization makes gifting a Yeti perfect for cocktail lovers. Bonus points if you pick up a can koozie for the canned cocktail lover in your life. The Yeti can insulators come in sizes for both standard cans and slim cans.
Or go for a wine tumbler or mug. Either way, when you order it directly from their site you can pick from *all* the colors.
Three words. Infused. Ice. Cubes.
This super unique take on making drinks lets you get all the flavor of a sophisticated cocktail without having to have all of the ingredients on hand.
Just freeze, pop out of the package, drop into your favorite liquor or mixer, and sip in style. Each variety is crafted to complement cocktails with artisanal pairings of botanicals and flavors, like blood orange with a ginger Old Fashioned. Shake them up with liquor and mixers for a quick cocktail, or let liquor slowly dissolve the cubes for a refined drink on the rocks.
Order these cocktail infused ice cubes online here >>
You know I'm all about easy cocktailing around here and canned cocktails are perfect for that! This cocktail lover advent calendar has a top notch lineup of 12 canned cocktails, each hidden behind a secret door. Light and refreshing vodka spritzers to fruity rum punch, this assortment includes a winning variety of ready to drink cocktails delivered directly to your doorstep - no bartender necessary! This boozy assortment includes cocktails from premier brands like Hornitos, Ketel One, Bacardi, Absolut and more. Cheers to 12 days of canned cocktails.
Order a canned cocktail advent calendar here >>
Gift your favorite cocktail enthusiast a live virtual class with one of Brooklyn's best bartenders complete with a set of simple syrups to use during the class.
They will spend 90 minutes with Amy K learning how to make three craft cocktails using the included flavored simple syrup set. The class will go over making Cucumber Chili Margaritas, Cherry Almond Manhattans, and Grapefruit Basil Vodka Gimlets. Maybe your gift recipient will even ask you to be the taste tester. Talk about a win-win!
Reserve a spot in this Simple Syrup Mixology Class here >>
First, fill a glass with your favorite boozy drink. Next, place the hand-carved white oak design on top, add the included smoking chips (which are made from a blend of teas, woods and spices) to the mesh cup inside, apply a flame and voila: a complex, smoke-infused spirit sure to impress even the most discerning cocktail enthusiast. The process is entertaining and easy to master which makes it perfect for home bartenders that love to show off their skills.
Order this glass topper cocktail smoker here >>
I hope this gift guide has been helpful! I'll be adding more cocktail gift ideas all the time so check back next time you are shopping for your favorite home mixologist. And don't miss our other gift ideas for cocktail lovers here:
Photo by Shangyou Shi on Unsplash
Note: We hope you this gift guide. If you do decide to purchase these any of these items using the links provided, we may collect a small share of the sale.
]]>I am always on the search for the perfect coffee cocktail. Espresso martinis, Irish coffees, Spanish coffees - if I see one on a cocktail menu I am 100% ordering it. So naturally I am also on the hunt for the best ready-to-drink and canned cocktail versions of coffee cocktails. I've tried a handful so far - you can read all of my RTD coffee cocktail reviews here - and this week I'm adding one more to the list.
My friends at Post Meridiem saw how much I loved a different brand's espresso martini and wanted to throw their hat in the ring as well. I've reviewed several of Post Meridiem's canned cocktail in the past and they are always a winner. They are seriously one of my favorite ready-to-drink cocktail brands so I'm over the moon to get to try their espresso martini!
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This ready-to-drink espresso martini is not at all sweet. Not even a little bit. The star here is the espresso flavor.
Buuuut, if you are like me and crave a sweet, dessert cocktail, then this Post Meridiem coffee cocktail is perfect for adding a splash of your favorite coffee creamer to to dial up the decadence. I added pumpkin spice coffee cream and I had zero regrets. Next up, peppermint mocha coffee creamer!
Officially this one rings in at 22.5% ABV or 45 proof . . . so very strong. I love that this cocktail is equally boozy and coffee-y (I know that's not a real word but you know what I mean. LOL)
1000% yes! This might be my favorite canned coffee cocktail to date. It is perfect for Fall, Halloween night, those long winter nights that are just around the corner. If you like coffee and cocktails, do not sleep on this one!
Order the Post Meridiem Espresso Martini online here >>
Or check out the other Post Meridiem canned cocktails here >>
Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
This post included Swizzly Sticks from our
Halloween Collection.
Hi cocktail lovers! This week I'm trying my second spiked agua fresca. If you aren't familiar with agua frescas they are a traditional Mexican drink - usually without booze - that are typically fresh fruit blended with water and a touch of sugar. They are so refreshing and I highly recommend trying them any time you get a chance. The best ones usually come from the push cart of a sweet older gentleman.
It would be pretty easy to top off your street cart agua fresca with a little tequila or maybe vodka so a premade, canned cocktail version is kind of interesting. I was not a huge fan of the one I tried previously. You can read that review here. But I'm not one to judge a whole category based on one experience so I'm excited to try this version from Honcho. Plus, did you see that packaging?!?!? Five out of five for the can alone!
But let's go ahead and try it before we judge this book by it's cover.
I like this spiked agua fresca sooooo much better! For this review I tried both the prickly pear and the mango. I started with the prickly pear and it was lightly flavored, super easy to drink. it had no bitterness at all which is my main hang up with hard seltzers in general. Overall, I found the prickly pear to be very drinkable.
Next up I tried the mango expecting to find it pleasant but nothing crazy. Color me surprised!! The mango was so good! The mango version has a lot more flavor. It is wonderfully tropical and light and refreshing. I'm a big fan!
I really liked the Honcho agua frescas. I'm giving them a 3/5 for flavor simply because there isn't a ton of flavor there. These are lightly flavored cocktails similar to other hard seltzers. And because the base of these is actually fruit wine, there isn't a liquor flavor either. That's not a bad thing at all and I will totally recommend these to a friend that prefers a light on flavor + light on booze cocktail. Plus bonus points for them only being 100 calories.
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This canned cocktail was not at all sweet in either flavor. In both cases, it was more refreshing than anything else. It mango may have been slightly sweeter but not in a way where you'd even think about it being sweet.
Officially this one rings in at 4% ABV so it matches up with a lot of the other hard seltzers on the market. I can't say that I noticed any type of buzz from this cocktail but I did enjoy the flavor and the bubbles so I'll keep this option in mind for anytime I have a long day of day drinking ahead of me at a festival or other event.
Possibly, probably. I really enjoyed the mango and it is different than any other cocktail I've tried so far. Plus the cans are so cute. I would consider picking this up to take to a low-key party.
AND their website shows a blueberry lemon version which I will 100% pick up if I spot it.
If you want to buy them online, use this link: https://drinkhoncho.com/
Before you go, don't forget to pick up some Halloween party goodies from my shop including the Swizzly™ can drink markers I used in the photos.
Cheers! See you next week!
Did you spot the ghost and jack-o-lantern drink marker / garnish holder in the photo? That is one of my new patent pending Swizzlys™ and you can pick up a set in my shop.
**puppy not included ;)
Hello cocktail lovers! If you are looking for the perfect boozy advent calendar, this is the post for you. I am rounding up eight cocktail advent calendars worth checking out this year.
#1 Canned Cocktail Advent Calendar - $79
Order it online here >>
Count on being surprised with the best assortment of canned cocktails from brands like Hornitos, Ketel One, Bacardi, Absolut and more! This cocktail advent calendar includes 12 canned cocktails.
#2 Your-Choice-of-Liquor Advent Calendar - $89 - $139
Order it online here >>
Choose an advent calendar with a mix of liquors or choose just one liquor to be featured in your advent calendar. Options include advent calendars dedicated to whiskey, vodka, tequila, or rum.
#3 Sheelin 12 Days Of Irish Cream Calendar - $20
Order it online here >>
This boozy advent calendar is a flavor exploration that includes 12 original Sheelin Irish Creme flavors ranging from tropical tastes to warming notes. Examples include: chocolate cherry, colada, creme brulee, key lime, mango, mocha and more! This alcohol advent calendar would be perfect for making boozy coffee cocktails this winter.
#4 Heritage Distilling Spirit Advent Calendar - $46
Order it online here >>
This liquor advent calendar for Heritage Distilling includes 24 minis of their award winning vodkas, gin, whiskey and bourbon. It is the only craft spirits advent calendar made in the U.S. Plus we love that this one will take you all the way through December with a boozy treat for every day! This one sells out every year so be sure to grab one ASAP.
#5 Firerball's Countdown Advent Calendar - $24
Order it online here >>
Add a little cinnamon to your holiday countdown with this boozy advent calendar from Fireball. Each day for 25 days, you'll open a door to a brand new bottle of Fireball. This one is sure to help warm up your inside as the weather gets colder outside through the holiday season!
#6 Jack Daniels Holiday Countdown Calendar Twenty Pack Gift - $69
Order it online here >>
Jack Daniels Holiday Countdown Calendar comes with more than just liquor. This boozy advent calendar includes 20 50ml bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey plus 4 shot glasses. The flavors include Tennessee Honey, Old No. 7, Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel Select, and Tennessee Rye. This one is perfect for whiskey lovers or anyone aspiring to be a whiskey drinker.
#7 Crown Royal Whisky Tasting Calendar Gift - $50
Order it online here >>
If Canadian whiskey is more your thing, check out this whiskey advent calendar from Crown Royal. It includes mini bottles of their peach, salted caramel, black blended, fine de luxe blended, regal apple, and vanilla flavored whiskey.
#8 Hard Seltzer Advent Calendar - $59
Order it online here >>
If you've followed me for a while then you know I am *not* team seltzer. But I still wanted to include this hard seltzer advent calendar for the cocktail lovers who do enjoy a seltzer. This boozy advent calendar includes 12 different hard seltzers to try.
#9 Flaviar's Whiskey Advent Calendar - $260
Order it online here >>
I saved the best, most over-the-top boozy advent calendar for last. This whiskey advent calendar also includes a free membership to their whiskey club. The liquor advent calendar itself includes 24 spirits samples, a glencairn glass, Flaviar coaster, and tasting notes booklet. You'll open a new whisky vial every day of December and learn by doing (tasting). This is the ultimate in whiskey exploration.
#10 NIPYATA Boozy Advent Calendar - $120
Order it online here >>
I discovered this shot filled advent calendar and I had to add it to the list. This one is filled with 12 mini bottles of booze from around the world including Skrewball peanut butter whiskey which as become a personal favorite of mine.
BONUS LAST MINUTE ADDITION:
Total Wine's 12 Days of Spirits Advent Calendar - $20
Order it online here >>
Brand new for 2022, Total Wine has created an advent boozy advent calendar with spirits from Veil, Ellington, King's Creek, Largo Bay, Mr Stacks, and Skatterbrain AND included cocktail recipes on the box! I can't wait to try this one!
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash
]]>Everyone has their own Halloween aesthetic. Are you more scary or cute?
We are team cute around here and we've pulled together a few of our favorite *cute* Halloween ideas. I mean, get out of here with those cute ghost pinatas!
1. Halloween mantle decorations from A Kailo Chic Life
2. DIY Halloween pinatas from Make & Tell
3. Pun-pkins from Studio DIY
4. Funny ideas for decorating with skeletons from A Beautiful Mess
Is it even a party if there isn't a signature cocktail? We think not.
Here are four yummy options to get you started. We have even more on our Halloween Cocktail Pinterest board so if these don't strike your fancy head over there for more. We are all about the booze after all.
1. Halloween sangria from Well Plated.
2. Spiked Jolly Rancher party punch from Sugar and Charm
3. Pumpkin punch from Honestly Yum
4. Blackbeard martini from Honestly Yum
Decor - done, cocktails - check. Now onto the snacks.
Halloween snacks can definitely look bit kid-y but we think these treats could be a fun addition to your party. As we were cruising the interwebs we learned that if you put candy eyes on any food it instantly becomes a Halloween snack. Pizza with eyes? Why not? If you have trouble finding the eyes locally, you can grab them online here.
1. Toxic waste mac 'n cheese from Cooking with Curls
2. Jalapeno mummies from Frugal Coupon Living
3. Skull gourmet chocolates from andSons
4. Zombie nachos from Shaken Together Life
1. Halloween Swizzly Sticks for drinkware from The Pursuit of Cocktails
2. Here for the boos plastic straws from The Pursuit of Cocktails
3. Orange paper bendy straws from The Pursuit of Cocktails
4. Halloween Swizzly Sticks for cans from The Pursuit of Cocktails
Strictly speaking, if you've decorated, stocked the bar and fed your guests you are already an incredible hostess!
But if you want to take it to the next level, why not add a few party favors to the mix. Add a little flair to your cocktails with our "here for the boos" Halloween straws or go for our paper straws in orange. Then top off everyone's drink with a Halloween themed Swizzly Stick. We have them for both canned drinks and cocktail glasses so no matter what kind of drinks you are serving, you can add a little Halloween shaped drink marker to everyone's drink.
If you try any of these Halloween ideas, we'd love to hear from you in the comments. And check out our Pinterest boards for even more Halloween ideas:
]]>This post was created in paid partnership with Total Wine.
Hey there cocktail lover! You know I love an easy entertaining hack and whipping up a big batch cocktail is one of my favorite hostess moves. Which is why I can't wait to share this super easy Sparkling Margarita recipe that you can make by the pitcherful. It is sparkling but boozy, light but flavorful, and most importantly - this easy cocktail recipe serves a crowd. That means you'll be able to spend more time enjoying your own party and less time playing bartender. Cheers to that!
What you'll need:
1 Lime
1 1/2 cup(s) Lime juice
1 cup Orange liqueur
1 bottle La Vostra Prosecco
Margarita salt for the rims
Ice
Instructions:
What do you think? Will you try this margarita recipe? Let me know in the comments or share your favorite big batch cocktail recipe.
Note: We hope you enjoy this recipe. If you decide to purchase items using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale. Thank you for supporting my small business!!
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TGIF cocktail lovers! If you are even slightly interested in ready-to-drink cocktails then I'm guessing you've probably picked up on this trend of mainstream "regular" aka non-alcoholic drink brands jumping on the canned cocktail bandwagon. So much so that it's almost hard to tell sometimes if you are buying the regular version or their new spiked version. Case in point, Simply Lemonade.
The regular blueberry Simply Lemonade is a staple in my summer routine. I love it. I've often thought it would be perfect to add a little splash of vodka or maybe some coconut rum to. Clearly the brand was thinking the same thing and they have now rolled out a boozy version of their lemonade. I've mostly seen it in a variety 12-pack which is too much of a commitment for me because 1) this is a malt beverage, also known as a flavored beer, and has no actual liquor in it and 2) I literally have a house full of canned cocktails and if I hate it, where am I going to put 11 more cans. But as luck would have it, I found a single can - in blueberry no less - at my local grocery store and I scooped it up immediately for a taste test.
A spiked lemonade calls for a sunny day at the park so I brought my Simply Spiked Blueberry Lemonade to a Fourth of July event. I styled it up with a pink paper straw and beach umbrella Swizzly Stick from my shop, did a little photoshoot with lots of interested onlookers, and then sipped in the shade for the rest of the day.
So how did it taste?
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This ready-to-drink cocktail from Simply Spiked Lemonade is SWEET. So sweet. But in a really good way, with the good cane sugar.
I love a sweet cocktail and this one was right on the edge of being too sweet for me. If you are in the market for a sweet, lightly boozy canned cocktail, definitely check this one out.
Officially this one rings in at 5% ABV which is in line with light beer and hard seltzers. The lower booziness makes it a great day drinking option but for me, I would have a hard time drinking several of these in a row due to the sweetness.
However, I have come up with a solution because I really do love the flavor of these Simply Spiked Lemonades. Add vodka. I think adding more vodka to this canned cocktail would make it the perfect boozy lemonade because you'd be preserving the yummy flavors but amping up the booziness - eliminating the need to drink several of them.
Possibly, with a bottle of vodka to top them off with (as mentioned above.) I did really enjoy this blueberry Simply Spiked Lemonade and now I'm interested in the other flavors in the variety pack. If I go to a beach day or camping trip this summer I might pick up a pack of these for the group. If you'd like to try them to, you can order them online here:
Order Simply Spiked Lemonade canned cocktails here >>
Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
This post included Swizzly Sticks and paper straws from our shop.
SHOP UMBRELLA DRINK MARKERS // SHOP PAPER STRAWS
With summer in full swing I wanted to talk about something super important - boozy popsicles!!! 🤣 But seriously, if you haven't tried any of the alcoholic popsicles that have flooded stores the last few summers, you should give them a try. They are such a fun childhood throwback but with a spin that make them fun for us adults all over again. I've try a few and I can't wait to try even more this summer. Personally I like the ones that are made with real liquor like the Cutwater popsicles, but there are also hard seltzer versions like the Truly Lemonade Freeze Pops if that is more of your thing.
Here are a few of the boozy alcoholic popsicles worth checking out:
Alcohol popsicles can be a bit hit or miss to find in stores. I've linked most of these to Total Wine because that's where I've had the most luck finding them. But you can also get a lot of these from Drizly, and depending where you live, they might even deliver them right to your party.
Are there other boozy popsicles I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
Until next week, cocktail lovers! Cheers!!
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
Photo credit: Cutwater Spirits
]]>After falling in love with Cutwater's spicy bloody mary, I knew I had to try more and more of their ready-to-drink cocktail line up. Cutwater currently has 14 canned cocktails on the market. That's nuts! I'm not saying I'll try them all - but I'm not saying I won't either.
I love that these come in so many cocktail options and that they are sold in four packs. Cutwater is making it suuuper easy on us to make everyone in our crew happy. You can easily stock your mini bar or cooler with a few different cocktails and keep everyone happy without having to play bartender all night - which is always a major goal of mine.
But which of the 14 cocktails should you try? Let's find out.
My new besties over at Cutwater sent me four more cocktails to try. Plus, we know the spicy bloody mary is a win, you can read my full review here. So this week we are going to try the Lime Margarita and the Vodka Mule with the Tequila Paloma and the Vodka Soda waiting in the wings for next week.
First up, let's try the marg:
Overall score:
3 out of 5 cocktail shakers
This is a solid margarita choice when you really want to have an on-the-go marg. I would 100% bring this to a tailgate or backyard party.
This margarita doesn't tasted canned in any way and it has a nice fresh lime flavor. It is definitely a major step up from using one of the old school margarita mixes.
The only thing missing for me was the salt but I think you could get creative and salt the rim of your can. Top it off with a lime and suddenly you've got a fancy pants canned cocktail.
Order the Cutwater ready-to-drink margarita online here >>
Overall score:
4 out of 5 cocktail shakers
This is the best ready-to-drink Moscow Mule I've tried to date.
What really sets this one apart is how much stronger and fresher the ginger taste is. The ginger comes through right away with a spiciness that took me by surprise.
I'm not a big fan of ginger, so I've always been a little skeptical of mules, but in this case it totally worked for me. This Vodka Mule was strong, spicy and just darn good. Another hit from Cutwater!
Order the Cutwater ready-to-drink Vodka Mule online here >>
Yes, and I'll keep trying more canned cocktails from Cutwater.
Y'all know that I get sucked in by cool packaging so I obviously adore how all the different Cutwater canned cocktails look tossed together over ice. But these cocktails are more than just a pretty face. They really deliver on taste!
If you'd like to try these cocktails but haven't seen them in stores near you, don't worry. You can order these online!
Order the Cutwater Spirits Margarita online here >>
Order the Cutwater Spirits Vodka Mule online here >>
Check out more canned cocktails from Cutwater Spirits here >>
Have you tried this drink? What did you think? I'd love to hear from you in the comments section. The more opinions the better! Let's "drink together" and share our cocktail stories.
Make sure you come back next week to check out two more Cutwater canned cocktails.
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
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Hi cocktail lovers! This week I am trying a new ready-to-drink margarita - the Tia Linda's canned margarita which comes in the smaller can size, making it a little hard to spot on the shelf. I picked up on a whim at Total Wine a few weeks ago. I was originally drawn to it because I could tell it was a smaller, indie brand which are my favorite to support. Plus the label is my favorite color. Other than that, trying Tia Linda's margarita is a total flyer and I'm crossing my fingers that it was a good risk.
After a quick photo shoot with some barware from my shop, I was ready to sip.
Hot damn! Tia Linda's is exactly what I want in a ready-to-drink margarita. Boozy. Great flavor. Easy to drink. And it 100% does not taste like it came out of a can. You could easily pass this canned cocktail off as your own secret family recipe if you poured it into a fancy salt rimmed margarita glass for serving.
This ready-to-drink margarita is loaded with traditional margarita flavors. It is more sweet than tart. And it has a healthy amount of boozy goodness with no tequila burn in sight.
I am totally impressed by Tia Linda's and given how many margaritas I've tried up to this point, that is saying something. 10/10 would recommend to a friend!
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This ready-to-drink margarita is on the sweeter side and less tart than you might expect. The overall flavor is rich, sweet, and indulgent which I personally loved. It is not a "skinny margarita" by any means. This is a full flavor beauty.
Officially this one rings in at 18% ABV which I find to be perfection. You can feel the instant, boozy relaxation without any overwhelming blast of tequila taste. This ready-to-drink marg is exactly the flavor and booziness I want in my life.
Oh yeah! I love that Tia Linda's margarita comes in cans, and small cans at that, so they will be easy to toss in even the smallest cooler this summer. My neighborhood has a summer concert series and these will be perfect to take and enjoy at the park.
I did see that this margarita also comes in a larger bottle which would be perfect for parties. Next time I have the girls over I will definitely be getting a bottle of Tia Linda's Margarita to make us a pitcher of margs.
This one get's my stamp of approval for sure. It is a little harder to find but you can order it online from Total Wine here:
Order the Tia Linda's Margarita here >>
Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
This post included Swizzly Sticks and paper straws from our shop.
SHOP STRAWS // SHOP SWIZZLY STICKS
Hi cocktail lovers! I'm really excited about this week's post because I'm sharing a cocktail topic that I've personally been getting more and more interested in - alcohol-free cocktails, aka mocktails. I *love* cocktails because they feel special. They are something that is different than drinking regular old tea, lemonade, soda, they are often served in way cuter glasses, and they can give you a gentle relaxation (or not so gentle if you pick something with a higher ABV to sip on.) But sometimes I'm not really feeling like drinking alcohol yet I still want something special to sip on. And I must not be the only one that feels this way because there are a bunch of exciting brands with alcohol-free cocktails, like my favorite - Curious Elixirs - brands with mocktails that utilize alcohol alternatives to still deliver that gentle relaxation, and brands that are making straight up awesome flavor combinations that just happen to be booze-free, all hitting the market. I have tried a few of them so far and I can't wait to try more.
To help us all navigate this exciting alcohol-free cocktail landscape I've created a cheat sheet for us.
Here is a list of some of the mocktails I'm excited to try this summer.
Do you know of another booze-free option I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
And a bonus summer mocktail essential I'm obsessed with:
As an avid canned cocktail lover, I am obsessed with my YETI can insulators. They keep all of my drinks so cold and it makes them easier to hold. I have a slim can insulator in seafoam but they just came out with the cutest pink color so now I need that color too, probably in the regular can size.
If you love to drink anything canned outside during hot weather, I cannot recommend these enough. There is a reason YETI is so well known for keeping things cold.
Until next week, cocktail lovers! Cheers!!
SHOP PAPER STRAWS // SHOP SWIZZLY STICKS™
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
Photo by ShengGeng Lin on Unsplash
]]>Happy Memorial Day weekend cocktail lovers! To kick off the summer right, I wanted to share with you ten canned cocktails worth checking out as we switch to the long days of summer. Some of these are ready-to-drink cocktails I've already tried and love - like DRNXMYTH. Some are ones I've had my eye on and plan to order asap like the Ohza mimosas. And others are canned cocktails I've just discovered and can't wait to try like Spirited Hive.
So in the spirit of warm nights spent with good friends this summer, here is my list of ready-to-drink cocktails I'll be enjoying this summer. In no particular order:
And because you'll need a way to carry your canned cocktails with you, I just have to share this awesome backpack cooler from YETI. I live near Lake Tahoe which has lots of great beach options but mostly they require a bit of a hike to get to, often without a trail, so this cooler is going to save my summer. You won't catch me trying to lug my regular cooler through the woods to get down to the water this year!!
Also, if you are looking for some booze-free options, make sure to come back next week for my full list of alcohol-free mocktails to try this summer.
Until then, cheers my dears!
Don't forget to dress up those cocktails with some cute flair from our shop!
SHOP PAPER STRAWS // SHOP SWIZZLY STICKS™
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash
A little over a year ago I was introduced to the amazingness that is the long drink, also known as the official cocktail of Finland, also known as a cocktail invented for Olympic tourists. And lucky for us Americans, a few cool guys decided to share this cocktail gift with us in the form of a canned cocktail. This refreshing gin cocktail is definitely a category of it's own and something every cocktail lover should try. You can read my original review of the OG Long Drink here.
Now my Finnish BFFs are back with two new versions - a Strong which has more booze and a cranberry version. And if all of this wasn't sounding intriguing enough, check them out on Instagram for their "pants drunk" tradition that will help you survive this era of social distancing and drinking at home.
Naturally, I tried both of the new Long Drink cocktails for this week while "pantsdrunk" 😜
My favorite thing about The Long Drink is how refreshing it is. This cocktail is basically the world's best combination of gin and a high quality citrus soda. Real soda - not that hard seltzer crap. My favorite thing about their new Strong version is that it has all of my favorite things about the OG Long Drink but with more booze. The original version has 5.5% ABV so it holds it's own, but this new version is exactly what it's name says - it's stronger at 8.5% ABV. Which I think is wholly appropriate given the current state of the world. I may or may not be drinking one for breakfast right now as I type this. (I'm not really. I'm not nearly that much of a bad ass. But you totally could because it's such a refreshing beverage.)
Order The Long Drink Strong online here >>
Okay, so I was super excited to try this one! You may have seen me drinking one while video happy hour-ing with my girls on Instagram. This version of The Long Drink trades the citrus soda for cranberry soda it it is sooooooo good. Again, I really enjoy the bubbles and flavor that come from The Long Drink cocktails being made with actual soda and this cranberry one is perfection.
Don't worry if cranberry juice isn't your favorite - like in the cheap cocktails you get at open bars that are 99% bargain basement cranberry juice and 1% cheap vodka - this is NOTHING like that. The cranberry soda is more refreshing than anything else. It does have a cranberry flavor but it is really subtle. I think if the can didn't say it was cranberry I wouldn't necessarily name that as the fruit flavor I was tasting. I'm also not a flavor expert who can identify notes of organic grass - eye roll. The flavor is definitely berry and definitely awesome. Let's leave it at that. Actually, you should go try this cocktail right now and let me know in the comments what you think.
Order The Long Drink Cranberry online here >>
Hell to the yes! All of The Long Drinks are staples in my cocktail bar. Anytime I have the girls over, this canned cocktail is one of the first drinks I offer them. I almost don't want to share the new cranberry Long Drink with them . . . but I will. When I get to see them again in a hundred years. What a wild ride 2020 has been so far!
If you want to try The Long Drink gin canned cocktails, you can order them online here:
Order any of the Long Drink canned cocktails online here >>
Have you tried any of The Long Drink canned cocktails? What did you think? I'd love to hear from you in the comments section. The more opinions the better! Let's "drink together" and share our cocktail stories.
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
]]>If this canned cocktail is new to you, it is a grapefruit paloma made with the really good tequila (i.e. 100% blue agave tequila) and sweetened with agave nectar. It actually only has a handful of ingredients, all of which you can pronounce which is a major win. After trying so many ready-to-drink cocktails I've developed a pretty good eye for what is going to be good and having really good, natural ingredients like Superbird does is my #1 indicator that it is going to be a good cocktail.
Let's just hope I don't have my expectations too high! You know I had to add a bendy paper straw in a coordinating color because that is who I am as a person. Now let's sip!
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
The Superbird Paloma canned cocktail is fairly sweet in the best way. This cocktail is sweetened with agave nectar which is my very favorite sweetener because it makes everything sweet without being sugary and it is a natural sweetener so you don't get any of that yucky chemical sweetness a lot of RTD cocktails rely on.
In this Superbird canned cocktail, the agave perfectly balances out the tart of the grapefruit juice while keeping everything tasting really fresh and natural. It is a masterpiece!
Officially this one rings in at 5.9% ABV which is light but not too light that it seems pointless. My friend and I agreed that this is a perfect day drinking cocktail. It is flavorful, boozy but not too boozy, and the ingredients are so good that it won't leave you feeling gross.
I can already tell the Superbird Paloma will be a go-to cocktail for me this summer!
All the yes! The Superbird Paloma is officially on my top 10 favorites of all times list. I'm only mad that it took me so long to try it. I could have had so many Superbird Palomas during the pandemic if I'd just tried it sooner. *face palm*
If you need me, I'll be sipping a Superbird in my back yard. I highly recommend picking up this canned cocktail asap. Don't be like me and wait just because you can't find it in your area. Go ahead and order it online. It will be worth it!
Order the Superbird Pink Grapefruit Paloma online here >>
Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.]]>Hot days always make me crave light, bubbly cocktails and a lemonade cocktail will always catch my eye which is what drew me into picking up the Cape Line Hard Strawberry Lemonade this week. I've been seeing this line all over the Gram this summer dubbing it the "cocktail of the summer" so I was eager to try it. Plus the packaging is super cute. How clever is it to design a can that looks like an actual cocktail glass?!?!
But beyond the cute design, the can detailed several of my favorite things to look for when I'm cocktails shopping - including real cane sugar and natural ingredients. Plus it is gluten free which is important to several of my girl friends. Side note: Did you know that there are a lot of "cocktails" on the market that are actually malt beverages, which means they are beer, which means they have gluten? Rude right? Luckily though the Cape Line Sparkling Cocktails are not in that category.
The can - and all the media hype - had me really excited to try this canned cocktail. So how did it turn out .... keep reading.
I was underwhelmed. This canned cocktail was a let down for me. I can't quite put my finger on what it is but I just did not care for it. The flavor was just okay. I didn't get lemonade or strawberry flavors - just a tartness. And something about the booziness was just off. I would be worried about what kind of hangover this cocktail would give me if I had more than one.
I am going to add a disclaimer here that I picked this up as a single can from the grocery store so I'm wondering if a) it wasn't that fresh or b) it when through too many hot/cold cycles before it made it to me.
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This canned cocktail is not sweet at all. It is probably just one step above unflavored sparkling water in terms of sweetness. The label does boast real cane sugar which always makes these pre-made cocktails better so it has that going for it for sure.
Officially this one rings in at 4.5% ABV so it is not very strong. I'm going to take the cans word for it this week because honestly, I only made it a few sips in.
I'm torn. I really really wanted to like this cocktail. And there are two other flavors - margarita and blackberry mojito - so I would like to try at least one of those before I rule out the Cape Line Sparkling Cocktails all together.
Have you tried Cape Line canned cocktails ? What did you think? Should I give one of the other flavors a go?
I'd love to hear from you in the comments section. The more opinions the better! Let's "drink together" and share our cocktail stories.
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Fancy cocktail making doesn't have to be intimating - apparently. Personally I've always been a little nervous to making cocktails for my guests which is why your girl loves a good ready-to-drink cocktail. BUT I do want to improve my mixology skills so I have found a bunch of online mixology classes I want to try and I thought I'd share the list with you.
At the end you should be able to comfortably make a quality Old Fashioned, Gin & Tonic, and a Salty Dog. It sounds intense but what a great way jump right in.
Sign up to join me in this virtual mixology class here >>
During this class we'll learn how to make a expert Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, sparkling French 75, Pomegranate Egg Flip, and Gin & Tonic. Plus how to use bar tools like a pro, create beautiful garnishes, and how to come up with your own signature cocktails.
This class sounds like so much fun and the perfect way to send a Wednesday night once a month all summer long.
You can join me for this online cocktail making class here >>
Amy K will teach you how to make three craft cocktails with our Flavored Simple Syrup Set: Cucumber Chili Margarita, Cherry Almond Manhattan, Grapefruit Basil Vodka Gimlet.
This class is perfect for a home bartender, this class requires no special equipment.
Reserve a spot in this Home Bar Hero Mixology Class here >>
Lynnette Marrero & Ryan Chetiyawardana's MasterClass on Mixology
This virtual cocktail class is a part of the MasterClass curriculum. I watched it a few years ago and learned so much - specifically to "beat" the mint before I put it in a drink - and I think it's time to watch it again. The teachers are so different from each other and have completely unique takes. Watching the two of them side by side making cocktails is so informative.
During the class they teach you the essentials of cocktail making, from developing your palate to building your home bar. You learn how to mix a perfectly balanced drink for every occasion and mood—and become your friends’ new favorite bartender.
I highly recommend this one. Plus there are so many awesome skills and teachers on MasterClass, it's the perfect platform to join when you are eager to learn new things.
Check out this virtual mixology class here >>
I hope you enjoy this list! Please note, if you do decide to purchase these any of these items using the links provided, we may collect a small share of the sale. Cheers to making all the best cocktails this summer!
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Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and I wanted to share with you my favorite ready-to-drink margarita options for traditional, spicy, and fruity margaritas plus a premade virgin margarita for a booze-free option. And don't forget to dress up your cocktails for the festivities! Shop our Fiesta Collection for fun cocktail sticks and colorful paper straws that will make these cocktails even more fun!
Both of these are my personal favorites and I would 1000% recommend them to my closest friends. The Cayman Jack margaritas are one of the very first ready-to-drink cocktails I tried and they are part of what got me hooked on canned cocktails. I tried a Cayman Jack marg again a few weeks ago just to see if I still loved it and I do. This is just a super solid pre made margarita!
Tia Linda's Margaritas are a new favorite of mine. I just picked them up on a whim at Total Wine a few weeks ago because I love to support smaller brands and dang! That is a gooooood margarita. It is a small can but it is packed with fresh margarita flavor. I highly recommend trying Tia Linda's!!
Pick up the the Tia Linda's canned margaritas online here >>
Order the Cayman Jack ready-to-drink margarita online here >>
DRNXMYTH also has a really unexpected but totally delicious Cucumber Margarita. This one is sort of like spa water kicked up about 100 notches. It does have a strong cucumber flavor so keep that in mind but I highly recommend this one as well.
You can order the DRNXMYTH premade margaritas here >>
Full disclosure - I haven't had a chance to try this one personally just yet but it always gets rave reviews online so I am adding it to my shopping list right now. I really love a frozen margarita on a hot day so I can't wait to try this one pool side in a few months.
Grab the 1800 Ultimate Peach Margarita online here >>
You can order the Curious Elixirs virgin margarita online here >>
Happy Friday cocktail lovers! I have exciting news to share in the form of a brand new line of canned cocktails. The hard kombucha makers over at JuneShine have added spirits to their lineup and developed three brand new canned cocktails. And they were sweet enough to send me samples as part of their official launch.
There are a few pretty exciting things about these new JuneShine canned cocktails worth noting right off. First, each can has two shots for real liquor! Two shots! Of real liquor! Those are both excellent right off the bat. Second, they do not have added sugar which means they are relying on the real fruit juices for flavor which is another great sign. And then there is the packaging.
If you saw my IG Reel then you already got a peek at how cool the packaging is on these cans. They each have a designated color and a slightly different vibe for the label design depending on the cocktail. As a designer myself, those details always make an impression on me - and make me hopeful that the cocktails inside are equally as well thought out.
I love the colorful energy the JuneShine canned cocktails are serving so I decided to join in and I dressed up each can with a bendy paper straw and fiesta-themed Swizzly Stick from my shop.
Now let's sip!
My very first thought with my first sip of this ready-to-drink margarita was "wait, did I salt this rim?" I didn't. But this cocktail has a hint of that salty goodness right in the cocktail. A quick peek at the label confirmed that JuneShine did add a touch of sea salt to their pre-mixed margarita and it is everything!
The JuneShine Tequila Margarita checks all the boxes for a quality margarita. It has a fresh citrus flavor with the perfect amount of tartness and no yucky, overly sweet margarita mix in sight. The extra touch of salt really rounds off the flavor and makes it darn close to a freshly mixed margarita. I was also impressed by the quality of the tequila and the sparkling water gave it a little extra kick.
Overall, I really enjoyed this JuneShine canned cocktail marg.
If you want to try it too, you can order the JuneShine Tequila Margarita canned cocktail here
I am generally a little nervous about trying vodka sodas. I prefer a really flavorful cocktail so vodka sodas do not usually fit the bill for me. But this Passion Fruit Vodka Soda from JuneShine won me over.
It is way more flavorful that I was expecting. It took me a few sips to realize I wasn't sure what the fruit flavor was exactly and I had to peek at the can to see. It has passion fruit, pineapple, and lemon! And it is soooo good!
The JuneShine Vodka Soda is a touch sweeter than the margarita but you can tell the sweetness is naturally from the fruit and not a bunch of added sugar. The hint of sweet is nicely balanced with the fruit flavors, vodka, and bubbles. I enjoyed this JuneShine Vodka Soda!
You can grab this JuneShine Vodka Soda canned cocktail to try online here
This canned cocktail has layers! Layers of flavor. First sip, tropical. Second sip, pineapple. Third sip, is that coconut?? YES!
This JuneShine Rum Mai Tai is very unexpected. It has so many flavors going on that with each sip you pick up on something a little different. This Mai Tai has a great coconut-y rum flavor plus pineapple, orange, cherry, and lime! And for once, I think I really did taste each of those. The cherry really surprised me yet it fits perfectly.
It think this might be my cocktail of the summer!
Don't sleep on this JuneShine Mai Tai canned cocktail, order it online here
Yes please! Especially that Mai Tai. But I really liked each of these canned cocktails.
They were each very different from on another with their own signature flavors - which is not necessarily standard from some ready-to-drink cocktail lines. I've tried *a lot* of full canned cocktail line ups and it is actually more common to have them all taste fairly similiar. But JuneShine does not fall into that category. They have created three distinct, super tasty canned cocktails.
If you want to get your hands on some JuneShine canned cocktails to try as well, you can order them online here:
Order all of the JuneShine canned cocktails online here >>
And don't forget to pick up some cocktail flair from my shop as well. Until next week cocktail lovers. Cheers!
This review used Swizzly Sticks™ and paper straws from our shop:
This marg from Cayman Jack was one of the very first ready-to-drink cocktails I tried and reviewed. I was shocked at how good it was - which only spurred me to try more pre-made cocktails. If only they were all as good as the Cayman Jack margarita, our lives would be much tastier.
Cayman Jack is at the very top of the list for us for both "best margarita" AND "best bottled cocktail." If you haven't tried one yet you really should.
Order the Cayman Jack margaritas online here >>
This margarita from the Austin Cocktails line wins are vote for fancy, non-traditional margarita. It is rich with orange flavor (not traditionally found in a margarita) and has a booze kick without a ton of sugar that some margaritas have.
If you are looking for an elevated margarita then definitely check this one out.
Order this Austin Cocktails Bergamot Orange Margarita online here >>
Discovering the Crafthouse Cocktails has been one of my favorite experiences as a cocktail blogger. This full line is amazing and their Smoky Margarita is perfection.
Not only is the Crafthouse Cocktails Smoky amazing - it is also available in single serve aluminum bottles, wine sized glass bottles, and the game changing BOX OF COCKTAILS that has 15 margaritas worth of goodness tucked inside. And if there is a margarita that is worthy of having a box, it's this one!!
Order the Crafthouse Cocktails Smoky Margarita online here >>
This DRNXMYTH marg is something special. It is still true to it's margarita roots but it also has this extra layer of yummy cucumber, almost like spa water, and a little bit of spice. It's not hot spice, just spice. It's incredible! (I don't think I've ever used that word on this blog.) I'm obsessed. You *have* to try this Cucumber Margarita ASAP!
The Drnxmyth bottles each contain two cocktails so you can share with a friend. And I will NOT be sharing this one with a friend. I will be drinking every drop by myself and loving it. I will however buy a friend their own bottle. I'm just not sharing mine. LOL
15/10 possibly my favorite cocktail this year.
Order the Drnxmyth Cucumber Margarita online here >>
While this might not be a high brow canned cocktail, it certainly has it's place on my list of favorite margaritas.
I love how there are so many Rita flavors and their accessibility is top notch. You can find these babies almost anywhere. Heck you can even get them in a multi-pack.
Don't over look these for a fun party or camping addition. They might not be the fanciest margarita on our list but they are super tasty and fun.
Order Peach-A-Ritas online here >>
This is a damn good margarita. The tequila is a really nice, high quality - which I can especially attest to since I accidentally took a few shots of it straight. The lime and orange liqueur is perfect. It is slightly sweet. But the thing that strikes me the most is that you can actually taste the margarita salt. I sipped this straight out of the bottle (don't come for me, I was being lazy), so I didn't have a salted rim but I still got a full margarita, salted rim experience. Upon further inspection the label does mention "salt drops" which is not something I've ever seen on another ready-to-drink cocktail label. I am telling you, this brand is onto something with multiple unique, out of the box takes on what a ready-to-drink cocktail can be. Plus this Classic Margarita might be my new favorite pre-made marg.
10/10 would highly recommend
Order the Drnxmyth Classic Margarita online here >>
Don't let the size of this can fool you, there is a strong, super tasty margarita waiting for you inside. And this one has real lime juice which might not seem like that big a deal but I promise you it's magic. The lime juice sets this one apart from the pack. it is so good. I want another can of it right now just thinking about it!
One more thing important thing to note about this one is that it is boozy af. This can is small because the cocktail inside is 27.5% ABV - just like a margarita should be in my book.
Order the Post Meridiem Margarita online here >>
If there was a ready-to-drink margarita award for best can design, this one would win hands down for me. I love how colorful and festive this can is. But most importantly, it is not just a pretty face. There is a really solid, super traditional margarita inside that can.
I originally described this canned margarita as reliable and I'm going to stand by that description. This marg is like an old friend. You know what to expect from it and it won't let you down.
Order the 10 Barrel Classic Margarita online here >>
And one more margarita tip because I don't want any other cocktail lovers to suffer...
I still shutter a little bit thinking about this one. It was just bad. Like really bad. The flavor was flat. The sweetness was all wrong with an overwhelming fake sweet taste to it. And it was booze in a cheap drunk kind of way that left her with a headache before she'd even finished my drink.
If you are going to a party at someone's house you don't like and you are going to just drop in and leave - then maybe consider taking this margarita as your hostess gift. But don't drink it yourself under any circumstances!
We are always trying new margaritas. In fact we try a new ready-to-drink cocktail every Friday. Come back each week for a fresh cocktail review or stay tuned into our margarita reviews exclusively using the link below.
FULL LIST OF READY-TO-DRINK MARGARITA REVIEWS HERE: https://www.thepursuitofcocktails.com/blogs/the-pursuit-of-cocktails/tagged/margarita
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Hi cocktail lovers! It has been a couple of years since I originally tried the Cutwater cocktails. Now that I've tried 200+ canned cocktails I wanted to revisit the Cutwater margarita and see how it stacks up. I first tried the Cutwater tequila marg in 2018 when they were calling it a lime margarita and I'm secretly hoping they updated the flavor with the name change.
I wasn't a huge fan of this ready-to-drink margarita back then - I only gave it 3 out of 5 cocktail shakers - but I really don't remember much about it. So I'm trying it again and serving up a fresh review of the Cutwater marg. If you want to take a peek at my original review, you can check it out here.
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This ready-to-drink margarita is not sweet at all. Some margaritas have a hint of sweetness from the citrus but the Cutwater margarita does not. This one is more tart if anything.
Officially this one rings in at 12.5% ABV so it is stronger than a lot of the canned cocktails on the market. I can't say that I got a buzz right off but I'm guessing if you finished the whole can you would catch one.
Nah, I think I'll skip this one in favor of other Cutwater canned cocktails. Their marg is not my favorite cocktail in their line up and there are a lot of other ready-to-drink margaritas that I like better.
If you want to try the Cutwater Tequila margarita or any of the other Cutwater canned cocktails, you can order them online here:
Order the Cutwater Spirits Tequila Margarita here >>
Or if you want to check out which premade margaritas I do like, check out my post all about my favorite margs here: https://www.thepursuitofcocktails.com/blogs/the-pursuit-of-cocktails/best-ready-to-drink-margaritas
Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.
I have had a lot of fellow cocktail lovers ask me what I thought of the canned cocktails from Crown Royal. I was initially a little skeptical of them because after trying 200+ ready-to-drink cocktails, I've found that the "big brands" rarely do this type of cocktail well. Instead of creating a great canned version of their iconic cocktails, they phone it in with weak, flavorless, or otherwise subpar versions in an effort to jump into this trendy market.
BUT my whole motto for this blog is that I'll try *all the cocktails* so you don't have to waste your time (and money!) on crappy cocktails. So of course I picked up all three of the Crown Royal canned cocktails to try for you guys!
I have now tried the Crown Royal Peach Tea cans, the Crown Royal Washington Apple cans, and the Crown Royal Whiskey and Cola cans and I have some final thoughts I wanted to share with you.
The Crown Royal canned cocktails are definitely above average for the what the major brands are serving these days. I would 100% drink all of these cocktails again . . . but I probably won't repurchase them.
(If you are curious about what canned cocktails I will always rebuy, check out this link to my favorite, five-star cocktails)
I really really wanted to love the Crown Royal Peach Tea canned cocktail but that one left me a little disappointed. However, the Whiskey and Cola surprised me in the opposite way. I ended up liking that one the best with the Washington Apple a close second.
How is that for a backwards compliment? LOL But seriously, while these are not my all-time favorite canned cocktails I'm still fairly impressed with Crown Royal's attempt to jump into the ready-to-drink cocktail market.
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Until next week, cocktail lovers. Cheers!
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.]]>
Hi cocktail lovers! I have one more Crown Royal cocktail can review for you. So far I've tried the Crown Royal Peach Tea cans and the Crown Royal Washington Apple cans. This week it is finally time for the Crown Royal Whiskey and Cola canned cocktails - otherwise known as the original Crown Royal cocktail to many people.
The Crown Royal Whiskey and Cola cans capture that true Crown Royal look with the deep purple and gold. I know I said this before but these Crown Royal cans are a class act! They are so well done and just straight pretty to look at!
But how does it taste? Let's do this!
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
This Crown Royal canned cocktail was sweeter than the others. It has sweetness from both the whiskey and the cola but it is not overly sweet. I would say it is pretty much exactly what you'd expect in terms of sweetness from a whiskey and coke.
Officially this one rings in at 7% ABV again so it is about the same as a darker beer. I did not get a buzz from this one right away but I could taste the whiskey so I know it is there somewhere. :)
Maybe. If I do it would be for the pretty packaging and the brand recognition mostly. For me the aesthetics of these canned cocktails are great and the drinks themselves are okay, but I'm not dying to get my friends to try them. I have other cocktails I would probably share with my closest friends before I offered them these BUT if I was going to an event with people I don't know as well, these would be perfect. They are eye catching and everyone recognizes the Crown Royal name.
If you want to give the Crown Royal Whiskey and Cola cans a try, you can pick them up online here:
Order the Crown Royal Whiskey and Cola canned cocktails here >>
Or check out all of the ready-to-drink Crown Royal cocktails here >>
I'll be back next week with my final thoughts on the Crown Royal canned cocktail so make sure to come back then. Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
SHOP OUR BENDY PAPER STRAWS HERE >>
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.]]>
Hi cocktail lovers! I am back with more Crown Royal cocktail cans. If you missed it, last week I tried the Crown Royal Peach Tea cans. (You can read that full review here if you want to catch up.) This week I'm trying the Crown Royal Washington Apple cans and I am hoping that I like the apple more than I liked the peach. Fingers crossed!
Even though the Crown Royal cocktail cans are stunning on their own - and textured even! - I still wanted to add a garnish to dress up my cocktail so I grabbed a "Cheer" Swizzly Stick from my shop. I love how the lime green of this Swizzly Stick matches the green of the apples on the can. For this garnish, I cut thin slices of apple and slide it onto the end of the Swizzly Stick. I love having the option to add garnish to canned cocktails because it makes them feel just as fancy as a cocktail that is served in a glass.
Now it is time to sip!
One shaker = not sweet at all // Five shakers = your teeth may curl
The Crown Royal Washington Apple cocktail in a can isn't as sweet as I expected. It is right in the middle for me on the sweetness scale.
I would like to note that I didn't pick up any of the whiskey sweetness that usually comes from whiskey cocktails. It might be there but if it is, it is masked by the apple flavor.
Officially this one rings in at 7% ABV. I will say I did feel more of an instant buzz from the Crown Royal Washington Apple than I did from the Peach Tea. It is 7% which is nothing to sneeze at (do people still say that? or is that just my family?) but it isn't as strong as some of the other ready-to-drink whiskey cocktails I've tried.
Yes. Probably. I probably would buy the Crown Royal Washington Apple cans again for a party or event. I liked this cocktail and Crown Royal is a brand that people ask me about pretty often so I know people would be excited to try these if I brought them to the party.
I have one more Crown Royal cocktail can to try - the Whiskey and Cola - so I'm excited to see which Crown Royal cocktail will end up being my favorite.
If you want to give the Crown Royal Washington Apple cans a try, you can pick them up online here:
Order the Crown Royal Washington Apple canned cocktails here >>
Or check out all of the Crown Royal cocktails in a can here >>
I'll be back next week to try the Crown Royal Whiskey and Cola canned cocktail so make sure to come back then. Until next week cocktail lovers, Cheers!
Note: We hope you enjoy our reviews. If you do decide to purchase these cocktails online using the links provided we may collect a small share of the sale.]]>