I tested all the best supermarket canned premixed cocktails – the winner was 5/5 and seriously boozy
GLUGGING on the go is all the rage, with recent figures showing a 60 per cent surge in sales of canned pre-mixed cocktails.
Favourites include passion fruit martinis and mojitos, with celebrities including Ellie Golding and Blake Lively even having their own ranges.
From pricier tins packing an authentic punch to the supermarkets’ own offerings, there is no end of choice.
Expert Helena Nicklin sampled some of the ring-pull tipples, giving her verdict and rating out of five.
The Marksologist Whisky Sour
M&S, 150ml, 14% ABV, £3.50
THIS is part of Marks & Spencer’s new Marksologist range of canned cocktails, which aim to give you drinks of “night-out-in-a-bar” quality. It will be in stores in time for Whisky Sour Day tomorrow.
It packs a punch with its tangy lemon and creamy texture, and is a great place to start if unsure about whisky cocktails, as it is tamer on the spirit side.
But if you love the complexity of grain cocktails, you’ll really enjoy this.
RATING: 4/5
Moth Pina Colada
Morrisons, 200ml, 10% ABV, £3.75
THE Moth brand sets a benchmark for mixology, and this pina colada is a prime example.
At 10% ABV, it’s not super-punchy – maybe a bonus for some – but is full of fabulously retro coconut and pineapple flavour and when served with ice is not too sweet.
Made with Jamaican rum, the sunshine ingredients here are top quality.
Pop one open, lie back and just imagine sipping it on a tropical beach.
RATING: 4/5
Served Mojito Premium Cocktail
Tesco, 250ml, 8% ABV, £3.95
FOUNDED by chart star and cocktail fan Ellie Goulding, the Served canned tipples range is seriously impressive, and its mojito is a crisp, fresh treat that hits all the right notes.
At 250ml, you get a double measure of bar-quality white rum along with mint and wonky limes, so you’ll be glugging a good amount of banging booze for your buck.
The best canned mojito I’ve tried and the other cocktails in this range are also excellent.
RATING: 5/5
All Shook Up Passion Fruit Martini
Tesco, 250ml, 3.4% ABV, £1.60
THIS tinny has recently been rebranded with the alcohol cut to a very low 3.4%.
But it’s also now incredibly sweet and synthetic-tasting and you’ll want to dilute it with ice or fruit juice, or even whack in another shot of vodka.
A cheap-as-chips version of the cocktail normally referred to in bars as a Porn Star Martini – but that version would come with a shot of fizz on the side.
But for a drink on the go, this in one to swerve, not serve.
RATING: 1/5
Sunrise Cosmo
Lidl, 250ml, 5% ABV, 99p
FOR the price, you might not expect much from this Lidl libation in its bright Barbie-pink can – but while cheap, it is also most certainly cheerful.
Pale-red in the glass, if you decide to decant, it’s a simple mix of vodka, cranberry and a twist of lime. But it doesn’t have to be complicated to taste good.
The berry and vodka are well balanced and it’s not too sweet. Serve over ice with some red berries and this punches well above its weight.
RATING: 3/5
The Distiller Raspberry Mojito
Asda, 250ml, 4% ABV, £1.25
FROM Asda’s own mixology range The Distiller, where the drinks can be a little hit and miss.
The most alcopop-like of all the cans I tried here, this bright, disco- pink raspberry-and-rum blend is simple and sweet with barely any mint.
Despite this, with lots of ice it’s easy drinking. I’d say it’s better poured into a glass – then you can add more mint and a raspberry or two and enjoy as it springs to life.
RATING: 2/5
Betty Booze Sparkling Tequila
Majestic Wines, 355ml, 8% ABV, £2
GOSSIP Girl actress Blake Lively’s line of canned cocktails are great value.
The generously sized Betty Booze cans hold flavoursome highballs, each with quirky additional ingredients.
This sweet Tequila-lemonade mix packs a vanilla wood-scented punch with herby earthy notes.
Meyer lemon, tangerine, oak, and sparkling water blend with the spirit so it’s tasty and different, but it needs some ice to dilute the sugar – so best drunk from a glass.
RATING: 4/5
Margarita Cocktail
M&S, 200ml, 8% ABV, £2.50
FORGET those G&T tinnies for the train, the M&S margarita is in town.
Seriously refreshing, this relatively low-ABV joy is light and spritzy with lots of fresh lemon cooling the kick of the spirit.
Made with a double measure of tasty tequila and a good dash of lime concentrate, you get the sour, sharp taste and a very boozy hit.
A great glugger for those not quite sure about tequila. Perfect for the Friday night commute or a picnic.
RATING: 3/5