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Let’s be honest, sometimes you just want a cocktail without faffing around with shakers, measuring jiggers, or a fridge full of fresh fruit. And after hunting down some of the best ready-to-pour margarita cocktails, I’ve turned my attention elsewhere to something a little more portable while broadening my flavour horizons: cocktail cans.
Whether you’re planning a late summer picnic, hosting a BBQ or just want to crack open something delicious at the end of a long day, these little tins are fun, flavourful and fantastic for sharing.
The world of canned cocktails has seriously upped its game in the past few years. Gone are the days of watery, overly sweet alcopop-style cans. Now you can get proper, bar-quality cocktails that taste as good as something shaken up by a pro. I’ve rounded up five of the best canned cocktail brands right now, from well-established names to new players shaking things up (pun intended). Let’s dive in.
1. Funkin Cocktails
If you’ve been anywhere near a bar in the UK, chances are you’ve already enjoyed a Funkin cocktail without even realising it. They’ve been supplying fruit purées and mixers to top bartenders since 1999, so they really know what they’re doing when it comes to flavour. After years of helping the pros look good, Funkin decided it was time we all got in on the action at home.
Their Nitro Can Cocktail Mixed Party Pack is a great way to kick off. It includes a mix of Strawberry Daiquiri, Passion Fruit Martini, Piña Colada and Peach on the Beach – all creamy, fruity, and boosted by that nitro fizz that gives them a silky-smooth texture. The cans are 200ml each, which makes them great for parties or just cracking open on a Friday night.
At 5% ABV, they’re not the strongest drinks on the list, so you can enjoy a few throughout the day or evening. The fruity flavours lean sweet, with classic recipes that are total crowdpleasers. You get eight cans per pack (two of each flavour) for £15, working out at £1.88 per drink.
2. MOTH
MOTH stands for Mix of Total Happiness, and honestly, that’s pretty accurate. These are cocktails for people who really appreciate a carefully crafted drink, and I’d go so far as to say they’re better than some drinks I’ve ordered in bars. Each can is carefully balanced with premium spirits, and you can taste the difference right away.
Their Taster Pack (£26) is basically like having a mini cocktail bar delivered to your door. It includes eight of their best-sellers: Margarita, Espresso Martini, Mojito, Piña Colada, Paloma, Cosmopolitan plus two of the latest additions to the MOTH lineup, Passionfruit Martini and Spicy Margarita (a personal favourite). The strength varies between 10% and 14.9% ABV, so these aren’t light sippers – they pack a proper punch, just like a cocktail should.
If you’re someone who rolls their eyes at weak, sugary canned cocktails, this brand is the cure. The mixed boxes are the perfect way to find your favourite, ideal as party packs, gifts, or the indecisive among us. They work out at £3.25 per can as part of the pack, and honestly, they’re worth every penny.
3. The Marksologist by M&S
Supermarket own-brand cocktail cans can be hit and miss, but if there’s one retailer that knows how to do them well, it’s M&S – and their Marksologist canned cocktail range is proof. The collection is more premium than their line of basic cocktails (like their passionstar martini and cosmos), with the 150ml cans boasting creative flavours that feel like something you’d get at an independent bar.
Costing £3.50 per can, they are the priciest on the list, but some of the most unique, too, ranging from a Cherry Mai Tai to a Smoked Pineapple Daiquiri. The flavours are seriously sophisticated and expertly blended, and the bonus is that you can pick them up as part of your weekly shop. With their tactile and beautifully branded packaging, these ones are perfect for Insta-worthy picnics, park dates, or just when you want something a bit special without booking a table at your local cocktail bar.
4. Shake Baby Shake
Sometimes you don’t want a cocktail that’s all serious and ‘crafted’ – sometimes you just want something fruity and easy to drink. Enter Shake Baby Shake. With bold packaging and playful flavours, they’re the definition of cheap and cheerful.
The Mixed 10 Pack is £10 at B&M, making them just £1 each. Inside you get two each of the five different flavours, including Passion Fruit Martini, Cherry Long Island Iced Tea, Piña Colada, Raspberry Mojito and Strawberry Daiquiri (though someone who clearly lives for a Cherry LIIT had swapped them out of my pack for Raspberry Mojitos, so my box was missing them).
The drinks come in at 4% ABV and are are light and fruity, making them perfect for festivals, girls’ nights, or pre-drinks before heading out. These aren’t the most sophisticated cocktails you’ll ever try, but that’s not the point. They’re easy-drinking, fun, and perfect for sharing. If you love cocktails but don’t want to be knocked off your feet after two cans, this is the brand for you.
5. Kwenched
Finally, for those seeking something a little more alternative, family-run Kwenched is shaking things up by ditching the usual sugary bases and using Japanese saké instead. Founders Dan and Faith created the brand after struggling with sulphites and artificial ingredients in regular alcoholic drinks, and their saké-based cocktails are designed to feel cleaner, lighter, and kinder to your body.
Their launch range is small but mighty, with two flavours: the Spicy Saké Margarita and the Saké Strawberry Daiquiri (£25.50 for 6, 8% ABV). For those who have never tried Saké, it’s a bit of an acquired taste and may take some getting used to. Don’t expect these to taste like the margs and daiquiris you’ve had before, but a fresh and earthier twist on a classic. If you’re wellness-conscious but still want to join in the fun, Kwenched might be your new go-to.
Canned cocktails aren’t just a convenience anymore, they’re a genuinely delicious, well-crafted, and fun centrepiece. Whether you’re after nitro fizz with Funkin, proper bar-strength mixes with MOTH, or supermarket luxuries at M&S Marksologist, there’s a can out there with your name on it.
