There’s nothing like cracking open a fresh, ice-cold can of…cocktail? In all seriousness, RTD (ready to drink) canned cocktails are the rising star of the booze industry. The amount and variety of products available has exploded in recent years, with no sign of slowing down. As a cocktail lover I couldn’t be more excited. These bevvies are convenient, tasty, perfect for picnics, and (most importantly) boozy. What’s not to love?

What makes a canned cocktail?

This all sounds great, but what exactly makes a canned cocktail, a canned cocktail? Liquor laws vary by state, but generally speaking it’s got to be a canned, mixed drink containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) but not more than 15% ABV. Beyond that, a canned cocktail is really whatever you make it. From Jack and Coke Zero (not bad, TBH) to Sunny-D vodka seltzer (too scared to try), the canned cocktail market is overflowing with delightful-sounding mixed beverages. With so many tempting options available, it can be hard to decide which fun new bevvy to try. One way to help sort through the vast market is looking at the ABV. Higher ABV = more alcohol, and it’s always a good thing to be aware of when drinking, whether you are seeking a higher ABV or would prefer a less strong option.

Most canned cocktails contain between 4 and 7% ABV (which is still a lot, BTW). There are some canned cocktails containing up to a whopping 25% ABV, but depending on the state you’re in, products with 16% or higher ABV may only be available at the liquor store. So if you are looking to pick up higher-ABV canned cocktails at the grocery store, you’ll want to seek out products with between 10 and 15% ABV (for context, the average red wine contains about 13.5% ABV). For your beverage-shopping convenience, we’ve rounded up the most delicious canned cocktails with ABVs that fall in this higher range.

#SpoonTip: Drinking can be fun, but be responsible. Spoon does not promote binge or underage drinking. Stay safe!

Buzzballz

Clocking in at 15% ABV, Buzzballz were basically invented for college students who don’t want to make a trip to the liquor store. Buzzballz offers a vast selection of cocktail varieties, from horchata to hazelnut latte. And while some of the flavors are admittedly terrible, others are pretty darn tasty. If you’re looking for a convenient and affordable high ABV canned cocktail, Buzzballz are the way to go.

Ohza

Ohza’s delightfully refreshing canned mimosas and sangria combine fresh juice from Florida and California with sparkling wine from upstate New York and clock in at 12.5% ABV. The company came to fruition after an ill-fated attempt to prepare mimosas on a boating trip ended in a sticky mess. Boating, sparkling wine, fresh juice…it’s giving Mamma Mia summer, and I’m obsessed.

Dulce Vida Canned Margaritas

I’m in my margarita era (jk it’s not an era, I will always love margaritas) so obviously I had to include a canned margarita on this list. Dulce Vida's classic real lime margarita comes in at 12.5% ABV and is really tasty. Like, dangerously so. My mom and I both love it, and the canned portion is perfect for the beach or pool. Dulce Vida also sells a real watermelon margarita and real peach paloma, both of which I’m pumped to try.

Cutwater Spirits

San Diego-based Cutwater Spirits was one of the first widely available canned cocktail brands on the market. They’ve been canning cocktails since 2017, and now offer 26 varieties made with their award-winning spirits. Cutwater’s Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Long Island Iced Tea, Spicy Bloody Mary, and five flavors of margaritas all fall between 10 and 15% ABV.

Loverboy Espresso Martini

The espresso martini is having a moment. Some are topping it with parmesan, some are calling it the drink of the summer, and some are putting it in a can. Loverboy’s canned espresso martini is made with orange wine and contains 12% ABV. One can contains two martinis, making it perfect for a classy date night drink!

Absolut Berry Vodkarita

Absolut’s Berry Vodkarita blends vodka, real fruit juice, and natural flavors for a tangy and refreshing treat. At 10% ABV, it’s the perfect berryful bevvy to pack for a picnic in the park. 

Clubtails

Clubtails offers a range of 13 canned cocktails with 10% ABV. From the Blue Hawaiian to the Alabama Slammer, the cans come in 16 and 24 ounce sizes. Clubtails are the perfect affordable and convenient bevvy for a party, beach day, or (ideally) a party on the beach.

Honorable Mention: Fisher’s Island Lemonade

This barrel-aged whiskey and premium vodka spiked lemonade is summer in a can. Launched in 2014, the FIL was inspired by the signature craft cocktail at The Pequot Inn on Fisher’s Island, New York. At 9% ABV, it’s a tad lower alcohol than the other options on this list, but trust me it’s still quite powerful. Classy, citrusy, and boozy, FIL is perfect for those easy late summer dinner parties.