Now that we have a little over a year of these reviews under our belt, I thought it was time to do a round-up of our favorite canned cocktail options just in time for those 4th of July parties. There are so many great options - and a few terrible ones - and it's getting harder and harder to pick when your at the store so I've created a little cheat sheet for you. Bring on the easy cocktailing!
Ready-to-drink cocktail cheat sheet:
Best bet when you have a lot
of people to please:
Cutwater Spirits
I love this line of ready-to-drink cocktails because not only are they super easy to find AND they have a ton of options, they are also just dang good cocktails. You can pick up several different four packs and be sure that everyone will find a cocktail they love. The surprise hit for us is their Grapefruit Vodka Soda. I'm not generally a vodka soda kinda girl and I really don't love grapefruit but this canned cocktails surprised the heck out of me.
Best bet when you want a craft cocktail
your friends will believed you
mixed yourself: TIED
Austin Cocktails Bergamot Orange Margarita
Crafthouse Cocktails Moscow Mule
Both of these bottled cocktails are bringing their mixology A game and I couldn't bring myself to pick. You can pour these cocktails right into your cocktail glasses, add a garnish, and relish in all the bartending glory that is sure to come your way.
Austin Cocktails Bergamot Orange Margarita 
The Austin Cocktails marg is unexpected with its use of oranges rather than just lime juice and the result is a cocktail that will easily trick you into thinking it came from a swanky, hipster bar. So. Good. They have several other bottled cocktails in their line and I can't wait to try them all.
Crafthouse Cocktails Moscow Mule
The Crafthouse Cocktail mule is the best ready-to-drink moscow mule I've tried to date. I served this one to my girl friends and no one could believe it came premade.
Best bet when you are obsessed
with iced coffee in the summer:
Spiked Cold Brew
I'm sure I'm not the only person who has had the internal debate about "which do I need more? A coffee or a cocktail?" Or maybe you partied a little too much last night but you have another gathering to attend today. I can attest that these little coffee numbers serve as hair-of-the-dog and a caffeine kick. But they are also just a super delicious cocktail for any time of day and they can be enjoyed at room temp or poured over ice for a true iced coffee experience. I highly recommend tossing a few of these in your cooler the next time you do a little day drinking.
Honorable mention:
These our some of our very favorite ready-to-drink cocktail mixed buuuut they are a little harder to find.
If you see these in the store, don't hesitate - just buy them!!
The Long Drink
34 North Cocktail Co Barrel Thief
10 Torr Lavender Lemonade
Nothing trumps a wine bar at a summer party. Two weeks ago during the coronation weekend we had a entire street party in order to relax. We had free cocktails and white wine. We played some live music too and even had a cheap ice cream van. I drank white wine on the actual day. Some folks prepared all the food. I was happy.
We hired that. We even hired a small bouncy castle. There were children playing table tennis in addition. I had a lot more fun talking to a lady at the free book stall as well. The party food in question was quite good. There were decent variety of games for the children. I probably had two or three big plates of party food at one stage. I ate red white and blue cupcakes, followed by mini sausage rolls and finger sandwiches. To conclude my meal I tried to eat a few of the quiches and biscuits.
They had fed us very well. There was face painting and lots of conversation and laughter. We had themed bingo. I took home some leftover food in the end. I had a fork so I could eat my food safely. No photographs however. That was a real shame. Oh well.