The Best Canned Cocktails We're Sipping All Summer Long

If you haven't made your way to the tropics this summer, Dogfish Head's Tropical Mix Pack can take you there. All four flavors are a summery variation of your favorite bar-made cocktails, with citrusy and tangy notes that transport you right to paradise. What our team of experts loved the most about these cocktails was the just-right alcohol-to-fruit juice ratio despite the two-shot contents. These drinks are well below the too-sweet line yet vibrant enough for a summer libation. From the Pineapple Orange Mai Tai, Strawberry Lime Margarita, Strawberry Honeyberry Vodka Lemonade and Blood Orange Mango Vodka Crush, you are essentially owning a bar cart without ever having to actually bartend.

History buffs know the origin of the Southside cocktail is uncertain, with theories coming from smuggled gin in Chicago or speakeasies in New York during Prohibition. What we know for certain, however, is where this recipe comes from — which is right from the can of course! This version of the 1920s recipe is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and definitely tastier than the shady stuff used way back when. The crisp flavor of gin combined with refreshing lemonade and hints of mint make The Original Southside equally light enough for summer and vibrant enough for that good buzz. We can picture these a part of any tailgating spread, beach cooler or at-home bar for entertaining. Impress your guests with your (not) bartending skills by serving these over ice with a lemon wheel and fresh mint. In fact, "most suppliers recommend serving them over ice, which is also my preference whenever ice is available," says Starr.

Sisters and founders of Austin Cocktails embody the feeling of summer entertaining in these sparkling RTDs, in honor of their grandfather's coined term 'Cocktail Time' and the idea of creating a space for family and friends to connect on summer nights. We were blown away by the Ruby Red Vodka Cocktail, which had professional-tasting grapefruit notes and minty undertones that made for a delicious light combo. And the Bergamot Orange Margarita had an unexpected smokey flavor that tequila lovers would appreciate. Our favorite variation, however, was the Cucumber Vodka Mojito, which smelt of fresh greens and tasted as refreshing and fizzy as a bar-made cocktail. We can promise that if you pour these refreshments into a glass, you'll forget they required zero mixology. "Vodka and tequila make up the majority of canned cocktails available in the market," says Starr, putting Austin Cocktails ahead of the RTD curb and perfect to serve at your own 'Cocktail Time.'

Hear us out. Vodka water may just be this summer's hidden gem. For those who can't stand bubbles — or the post-carbonation bloat — but are itching for the same full flavors that are in seltzers and sodas, Vosa Spirits has a vodka water variety that satisfies all those tastebuds (and then some). Vosa Co-owner Kate Upton takes pride in using the best quality ingredients without sacrificing taste, making these cans only 99 calories but exceptionally bright with natural fruit juice and water. The brand's most popular flavor is the lemon, and rightfully so, as we found this cocktail to taste just like a refreshing cup of lemon water with just the right amount of tang. You may just forget about the alcohol in these hydrating cans, but who's complaining?

These are not your typical pick-me-up brew — they're boozier. The combination of caffeine and alcohol has been a tried and true classic for years (hello espresso martini), but what stood out to us about Alc-a-Chino was the polished texture and creamy flavor you would think came straight from a barista. The Vodka Spiked Original Latte is a great post-dinner drink before hitting the town, with minimal ingredients of Arabica Coffee, cream, cane sugar and distilled American Vodka (what more do you need?) We thought the Vodka Spiked Mocha Latte tasted like a boozy chocolate milkshake, and the Bourbon Spiked Vanilla Latte took the cake for the strongest yet similarly tasting to a latte you'd spike yourself. Although these cocktails hold the highest ABV on our list of 13.5 percent, they went down crazy smooth for such a bold-tasting beverage that gives black coffee a run for its money. These RTDs scream brunch pregame or morning golf buzz.

Pass the lime! These margaritas will have you 'livin' la vida loca' after just one crack of a can. SipMargs are one of the easiest summer sips we tested, thanks to the real tequila, low sugar and all-natural ingredients that make them taste like an authentic margarita you'd get at the bar. This pack comes with two classic, coconut, mango and mezcal flavors that are all deserving of a taste this summer, but we loved the sweet, tart and carbonation combo of the classic lime the most. If you prefer your margarita with a little kick, the spicy margarita certainly delivered. Although these cocktails don't come with a salted rim, no one is stopping you from pouring this delicious mixture over ice and serving it in a glass with a rim of your choice. The best part — guests won't have to know the contents of their margarita are from a can.

Kylie Jenner has entered the RTD market and we aren't complaining. Sprinter is everything you want from a vodka soda and more: Refreshing, juicy and insanely low-cal (only 100!) But don't let the lightness and fruit-forward flavors fool you — we found that Sprinter still boasts a strong premium vodka kick that gives you the perfect buzz. And what could scream summer more than a grapefruit, peach, lime or black cherry-flavored beverage? Snag two of each vibrant flavor in this variety pack that comes ready to be enjoyed right away or brought to the beach.

Lifestyle influencer Krista Horton has cracked the code to bottling the flavor of the beach in a 12 oz. can. The inspiration came from Horton's go-to drink, coconut rum mixed with diet, which she wanted to create in a RTD version that can be enjoyed anywhere from a city rooftop to a backyard pool. Safe to say, Horton put us on to her go-to drink. The Diet Kola was the best flavor of the bunch, offering notes of sweetness and warmth juxtaposed with rich, bubbling kola that transports you to a tropical oasis with every sip. The cans of rum mixed with lime and pineapple soda bring even more packed flavors, with an aromatic taste and smell that's as sweet as the summer. Even with a seven percent ABV, we found Horton Rum to be exceptionally light and easy.

"Teas are continuing to grow in popularity with no signs of slowing down," according to Starr. Enter: Surfside. Surfside is one of those beverages you can mindlessly sip — which is what summer is about, right? Made with premium Stateside Vodka, real tea and only two grams of sugar totaling 100 calories, Surfside is the ultimate adult juice that carries a lot of flavor while remaining low-cal. And not only have spiked iced teas taken the rein this summer, but also lemonade cocktails according to Starr.

Surfside introduced five new lemonade and iced tea flavor varieties just in time for the warmer months, taking the growing canned cocktail category by storm. The three newest lemonade flavors: raspberry lemonade, strawberry lemonade and black cherry lemonade (our personal fave), can be found in the new lemonade variety pack. They were certainly the sweetest of the bunch compared to the two new tea flavors: green tea and raspberry tea, which tasted a bit more tame but still delicious.

What we love about Surfside is the wide variety of flavors and combos they offer, so if lemonade's not your thing you can snag this starter pack with Surfside's best-selling flavors that include a handful of vodka iced teas.

The life of every party and solution to a late-night cocktail craving, a cosmopolitan and espresso martini is the combo of the summer — or dare we say all year round? Founder and former Summer House cast member Kyle Cooke jumped on the canned cocktail bandwagon in 2018, and since then has created a line of several RTD beverages like spritz' and hard teas along with non-alcoholic options. While these drinks make for an equally refreshing summer drink, Loverboy's cosmo and espresso martini pack swept us off our feet. The creamy bitterness of the martini and sourness of the cosmo deliver nothing but sweet serenity. We recommend pouring both in a glass (especially the cosmo over ice) to achieve the ultimate happy hour experience. Note that two servings come in each can, so the 12 percent ABV isn't as daunting as it seems (though the perfect one-and-done beverage).

Party Can breaks the traditional norms of RTD beverages, serving 12 drinks per can that can be enjoyed time after time again thanks to the resealable lid (we know, where has this been all our life?) Mixologists alike, whether tequila, bourbon or vodka lovers, are sure to find their favorite cocktail in this variety pack and appreciate it even more after not having to lift a finger for an exceptional taste. Between the Gold Rush Old Fashioned (think Arnold Palmer with a splash of bourbon), Passion Fruit Cosmicpolitan and Triple Spice Margarita, a great cocktail is just one chill, shake and pour away. We loved the sweeter twist on the cosmo and the spicy margarita is sure to impress any tequila lover. Party Can is every entertainer's dream, boasting a high capacity without sacrificing portability. Throw em in a cooler on your way to a backyard BBQ, or prepare them in one of those fancy glasses you've been meaning to fill but never had the time to play bartender.

Inspired by the one and only Hamptons-based venue Stephen Talkhouse, Talkhouse Encore embodies these summer nightlife vibes in canned dive bar favorites. While you can't go wrong with a flashy daiquiri or bloody mary, sometimes less is more — especially when it comes to easy summer drinking. Between a classic vodka cran to a beachy spin on a Moscow Mule, these simple yet satisfactory cocktails bring good vibes and memories of your favorite nights out. And because Talkhouse Encore is made RTD, you won't risk getting inconsistent variations of your go-to drink order. No more watered-down vodka or tequila sodas here, Talkhouse Encore is delectably bold each time. We found the Hampton Mule to be a tasty lightened version of the classic cocktail, and the blood orange tequila soda as zesty as oranges come. You can buy all the flavors separately or in a variety pack directly on the Talkhouse Encore site, or 4-packs of the lime vodka soda and grapefruit and blood orange tequila sodas online or at your nearest Total Wine & More.