Light and easy to carry, open and drink from, not to mention easy to recycle, cans are the ideal vessel for alcohol on the go. Whether you’re heading to a picnic or going camping, you’re no longer restricted to just beer and cider – the world of convenient booze has exploded recently and you can now get just about anything in a can, from wine and G&Ts to, more recently, cocktails.

Canned cocktails range in style from affordable supermarket ranges of the classics (such as mojitos and a gin and tonic), to innovative new mixes and gourmet creations using top quality ingredients. Pick up a single can in the supermarket or get a multi-pack delivery of something special to feed a crowd at your next barbecue or summer party. They save you the hassle of mixing up individual drinks for everybody and can be popped in the fridge at a moment's notice.

The idea of having your favourite cocktail pre-mixed and ready to drink might sound great, but how do these drinks measure up to cocktails made in a bar or at home? We blind-tasted more than 20 canned cocktails, from mojitos to martinis and everything in between. Below are our top picks of the best canned cocktails - judged on having a balanced taste, clear flavours and a finished cocktail we'd want to go back to.

For more drinks inspiration, visit our reviews section and find over 400 practical buyer's guides, plus taste tests of the best gin, vodka and more.

Best canned cocktails at a glance

Best canned cocktails to buy 2024

Johnny Walker old fashioned

Available from Amazon (£12.50)

Johnny Walker Old Fashioned

Best old fashioned

Ingredients: blended Scotch whisky and orange

The old fashioned is an elegant cocktail that oozes sophistication, and one you’ll find bartenders around the world putting their own twist on – some will swear it's necessary to blowtorch the orange twist, while some even swap in mango. But, the Johnny Walker old fashioned packs in everything you'd want from the traditional drink into a half-litre bottle: subtle orange and a shroud of peat that mingle in a sweet and smoky sip.

Available from:

Tanqueray negroni

Available from Tesco (£3.95)

Tanqueray Negroni

Best negroni

Ingredients: gin, vermouth, Campari

The Tanqueray negroni is part of the newly released ‘cocktail collection’ from the Diageo stable, available in both cans and bottles. The collection promises bar-quality cocktails at home, and it's certainly succeeding. The negroni enjoyed a moment recently after the sbagliato variation went viral, and the classic concoction is a balance of bitter, sweet and aromatic notes that come together in a rejuvenating pour. The bold juniper and rich herbaceous notes of Tanqueray go a long way here – a delicious trellis for the vermouth to build on.

Available from:

Ciroc cosmopolitan

Available from Tesco £3.95

Ciroc Cosmopolitan

Best cosmopolitan

Ingredients: vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime

The cosmopolitan is traditionally made using vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and freshly squeezed lime juice, and this Ciroc version hits all the points you’d want: it's sweet, refreshing and unbelievably drinkable. We recommend serving it cold with a twist of lime for an additional hint of citrus.

Available from:

Suntory Minus 196 – lemon

Available from Continental Food Store (£2.89)

Minus 196 - Lemon

Best for a refreshing sip

Ingredients: vodka, shochu, lemon

Japan has a reputation for being on the frontier of food-tech, and Minus 196 is a vodka-based RTD ('ready to drink') that's a prime example of this. The brand was launched in 2005, and flash-freezes fruits in liquid nitrogen at -196C before crushing and infusing them in vodka and shochu. Crisp with icy, refreshing lemon, this is one to serve ice-cold at a barbecue – just keep topping up the supply, as your guests will race through them.

Available from:

MOTH - Paloma

Available from Sainsbury's (£3.95)

MOTH Paloma

Best Paloma

Ingredients: Tequila, grapefruit, lime, soda

MOTH is one of the noisiest (relatively) new kids on the block; a registered B Corp which essentially means the company is doing good by its employees and the planet, offering generous annual leave and committing to sustainable practices. A cocktail certainly rocketing in popularity: the Paloma is a super simple concoction consisting of grapefruit, soda, lime and tequila. MOTH have the Paloma nailed with its electric zing, the grapefruit is crisp and the tequila provides a welcome kick. Be sure to pour this one over a tall glass stacked with ice and garnished with a wedge of grapefruit.

Available from:

Sipsmith gin & tonic (250ml), 7.3% ABV

Available from Waitrose (£3.10)

Sipsmith G&T

Best classic gin and tonic

Ingredients: Dry gin and tonic water

Our favourite G&T overall, Sipsmith is a strong contender in the canned cocktail industry. The subtle sweetness is just right – a real achievement for a canned gin & tonic. The botanicals are present and distinguished, blended with a smooth, high-quality gin. Coming in at 7.3% ABV, it's the strongest G&T on our list but the booze isn't overpowering. You'll want to break out these gorgeous copper tins on your next picnic or barbecue.

Available from:

Miami Cocktail Co organic bellini spritz (250ml), 4% ABV

Available from Tesco (£2.25/250ml)

Miami Cocktail Co spritz

Best sparkling canned cocktail

Ingredients: organic juices (peach, mango, grape, lemon), organic rosé wine, water

If a mimosa or bellini is your usual cocktail of choice, Miami Cocktail Co has you covered. Its selection of sparkling canned cocktails includes both of these, along with margarita and sangria spritzes. The bellini spritz is our top pick, combining rosé wine with tropical mango and peach juices.

Available from:

Tapp'd On The Beach (250ml), 6% ABV

Available from Tapp'd (£26.50/12-pack)

Tapp'd on the beach

Best canned sex on the beach

For a fruity and sweet cocktail, this canned version of a classic cocktail blends peach, raspberry and cranberry juices with a double shot of craft vodka. It's a canned cocktail with a punch, but the cranberry stops it from being too sweet. There are plenty more to choose from Tapp'd too, including strawberry daiquiri, piña colada and blue lagoon canned drinks.

Available from:

Edinburgh Gin strawberry and pink peppercorn (250ml), 5% ABV

Available from Edinburgh Gin (£27/12-pack), Tesco (£2.25/250ml)

Edinburgh canned gin

Best gin and lemonade

Ingredients: strawberry and pink peppercorn gin, pink lemonade

For those who like a slightly sweeter gin, this is perfect. A new release from Edinburgh Gin, this combines its strawberry and pink peppercorn gin with pink lemonade for an easy drinking G&T that's ideal for summer. The slight warmth from the pink peppercorns cuts through the fruity sweetness for a well-balanced sip of sugar and spice.

Available from:

LuvJus Pineapple & mint (250ml), 4.8% ABV

Available from Amazon (£29.95/12-pack)

LuvJus Pineapple and Mint

Best tropical cocktail

Ingredients: Pineapple, mint, jasmine, Korean ginseng, vodka

Capture the taste of summer with a fruity canned cocktail by LuvJus. This playful brand delivers vibrant drinks with a kick of Korean ginseng and clean, crisp vodka. The pineapple & mint drink is reminiscent of a lightened-up piña colada – full of tropical, sunny flavours. The full-bodied drink has lots of depth with hints of floral jasmine and cooling mint. It would make the perfect portable cocktail for an afternoon barbecue or warm beach day.

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Nohrlund bramble organic cocktail (180ml), 7.5% ABV

Available from Sainsbury's (£2.70/180ml)

Nohrlund bramble

Best canned bramble

Ingredients: gin, blackberry juice, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar

Fans of a bramble won't be disappointed by this offering from Nohrlund. In a chic, gold-topped glass bottle instead of a can (keep the bottle to use as a bud vase), it's a well-balanced rendition of the classic. The combination of both lemon and lime juice provides sharp tang to balance the juicy berries. Serve over plenty of ice at home.

Available from:

East London Liquor Co. Vodka & rhubarb (250ml), 4.6% ABV

Available from East London Liquor Co. (£39/12 pack)

East London Vodka and Rhubarb

Best twist on a vodka soda

Ingredients: British wheat vodka, natural rhubarb soda

Cool down this summer with this refreshing, fruity cocktail from East London Liquor Co. The rhubarb & vodka cocktail was one of our favourites that we tried. The vibrant rhubarb flavour is fresh and doesn't taste artificial. The booze is well balanced and the sweetness is just right. We also enjoyed the rum & ginger cocktail. We love that the flavours are all natural with no preservatives or artificial sweeteners.

Available from:

Goldling Sundown (250ml), 4.8% ABV

Available from Goldling (£17/6-pack)

Goldling sundown

Best gourmet canned cocktail

Ingredients: organic vodka, soda, Persian lime, pineapple, kaffir lime leaf

If you want the full cocktail bar experience in your home (or in the park, on the beach, on holiday...), then Goldling's canned cocktails go a step above a simple spirit and mixer. The Sundown cocktail is juicily pineapple-forward, balanced by tart lime and the bitter edge of soda. It is refreshing and light and despite the bold fruit flavour, it is absolutely not too sweet. It prides itself on being 100 calories, 100% organic and all natural. We also enjoyed the Moonlight - a sweeter option with strawberries and pomegranate.

Available from:

Bloody Drinks Bloody Mary (250ml), 6.3% ABV

Available from Sainsbury's (£3.20/250ml)

Bloody Drinks

Best Bloody Mary

Ingredients: Tomato juice, vodka, Amontillado sherry, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce

Complete a Sunday brunch spread with an easy bloody Mary cocktail in a can. The classic cocktail from Bloody Drinks is powerful and tastes as high-quality as a freshly mixed drink at the bar. It boasts a strong vodka kick paired with dry, fruity Amontillado sherry. The fresh tomato juice is mixed with tangy, savoury flavours like Worcestershire sauce, a hint of soy sauce and some heat from Tabasco sauce.

Available from:

Malibu piña colada (250ml), 5% ABV

Available from Tesco (£2.15/250ml), Sainsbury's (£2.20/250ml)

malibu-pina-colada-87674c8

Best piña colada

Ingredients: Caribbean rum with juices and flavourings

‘If you like piña coladas’ and you like them very sweet, then this one’s for you. As you'd expect from a Malibu product, the coconut flavour is dominant, but pineapple comes through strongly, too, and both lend to the overall sweetness. Like most of the cocktails we tried, the booze tastes barely present. Despite this, the drink was generally liked by the judges and praised for its smooth, almost creamy texture.

Available from:

Opihr Gin & tonic with a twist of orange (250ml), 6.5% ABV

Available from Amazon (£29.88/12 x 275ml)

Opihr G&T

Best flavoured g&t

Ingredients: London dry gin, tonic water, Spanish orange, botanicals and spices

Explore new flavour profiles with this spiced gin and tonic from Opihr. We loved the delicate notes of coriander and cardamom, balanced with a sharp citrus kick from the orange. The spices and handpicked botanicals are sourced from destinations along the ancient spice route including Malaysia, Morocco and India. There isn't much sweetness and the booze is smooth and well balanced.

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This review was last updated in June 2023. If you have any questions or suggestions for future reviews, or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. For information on alcohol guidelines, read our guide to drinking responsibly.

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