The Best Canned Cocktails We're Sipping All Summer Long

"Blood orange is a flavor I've always appreciated on its own, but when it's incorporated into other things, especially cocktails and other beverages, I'm a harder sell," says Digital Editor Michelle Baricevic. "Cayman Jack's ready-to-drink Blood Orange Margarita, however, may just be the exception! From the drink's eye-catching sunset-orange color to its super fresh taste and ultra-smooth finish, the drink really impressed me and stands up to the brand's claim that it's the perfect end-of-day drink. The blood orange pairs nicely with and stand up to the margarita's signature lime flavor profile, without being heavy on the acid or being lost in the background, as I initially feared."

"Teas are continuing to grow in popularity with no signs of slowing down," according to Starr. Enter: Surfside, an RTD leader and one of the fastest growing alcohol brands (for good reason). 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, which Surfisde also carries.

The brand recently introduced a new Green Tea & Vodka Variety just in time for the warmer months, taking the growing canned cocktail category by storm. The three newest green tea flavors: peach green tea, half & half green tea and mango green tea (our personal favorite) taste comparable to Arizona Iced Tea according to our testers (yes, really). But what we really appreciated the most is that you cannot taste the artificial sweetener. Each flavor variety boasts subtle hints of what's advertised on the can and doesn't overpower the green tea base, checking all the boxes for a perfect summer beverage.

If you could bottle up spritz season in a can, Saint Spritz is as close as it gets. These wine-based cocktails take your apertivo to the next level, delivering vibrant Italian-inspired flavors made of real ingredients, like orange wine, fruit juices and carbonated water, without added sugar or artificial flavoring. In testing, we especially loved Saint Spritz Sicily, also known as Basil Limonata. It tastes exactly as a limoncello spritz would if you ordered it on the Italian coast — zesty, crisp and sparkling. Plus, the hint of basil added a nice fresh herbal touch. And if you're on the up-and-coming Hugo Spritz wave, Saint Spritz also makes a yummy Hugo variety with delightful elderflower notes paired with a minty undertone. FYI: Each can serves two cocktails, so these are perfect for pouring and garnishing in a cocktail glass for your next happy hour, pool visit or outdoor hangout with friends. Salute!

The small 6 oz. cans may fool you, but mark our words — Tia Linda's packs authentic, strikingly bold and bar-quality strength. The inspiration for these passionate, pure-ingredient and premium tequila cans comes from Aunt Linda's family margarita recipe that she served in pitchers for friends and family. But now in RTD form, and one of the highest ABVs on our list of 18%, everyone can get in on the fiesta and enjoy these varieties over ice and with a salted rim (because how else?) Each flavor variety was truly a hit. The Classico, made of real cane sugar, agave, triple sec and lemon and lime juice, tastes as refreshing and tangy as margaritas come. The Passionfruit Orange and Guava is a citrus dream, but our top pick was the Strawberry variety thanks to its strong tequila flavor balanced with freshly smashed strawberries, making it the sweetest summer sip of all.

Knowing Fishers Island Lemonade first debuted on Memorial Day weekend 11 years ago, it goes without saying these cans were made to be the life of the party. Boasting a full 9% ABV — just like the signature house cocktail served at the founders' family bar in Fishers Island, New York — and a combination of premium vodka and barrel-aged whiskey, you're guaranteed nothing but a great buzz. However, the true testament to its tastiness and why Fishers Island made its way onto our list is because they don't taste like any of the daunting ingredients listed above. Instead, you're simply drinking a nice, refreshing glass of lemonade on a hot summer day (with a little extra oomph). They're surprisingly smooth and not overly sour, plus the notes of whiskey are so subtle that any non-whiskey drinker can appreciate them. Fishers Island also carries a few additional flavors to switch up your lemonade intake, but we liked the Nude Peach variety the best. You get a sweet, full-flavored peachy aroma at the crack of the can, but the actual flavor isn't as strong as the smell — creating an easy, approachable beverage that received high remarks from all our taste testers.

The renowned spiced rum brand has upped its game with fruit-forward, bold canned cocktail varieties and we aren't complaining. This Sliced Variety Pack puts a fruity twist on popular cocktails, making them a no-brainer for summer get-togethers and beach day supplies.

But even for such expressive flavors, in testing, we found the sweetness of the varieties to hit just right (no queasiness here). The Strawberry Margarita was refreshingly smooth, and the Mango Mai Tai wasn't sickeningly juicy like other mango options we tried. The Pineapple Daiquiri tasted only slightly tart, and the Passionfruit Hurricane delivered exactly what you'd expect from a flavor-packed, strong hurricane cocktail. But if these varieties still don't quench your summer thirst, the brand recently launched a new Sweet vs. Heat Variety Pack with even bolder flavors to match the vibrance of the season.

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.

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.'

Kylie Jenner has entered the RTD market and we couldn't be more thrilled. 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. And for even more summer vibes, Sprinter recently launched a Palm Springs Pack with sweeter and tart-forward flavors like pineapple, strawberry, pink lemonade and mango that are just as good as the originals.

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.

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 so what?

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 one of the highest ABVs on our list of 13.5%, 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 pick-me-up.

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 7% ABV, we found Horton Rum to be exceptionally light and easy.

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% 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 Passion Fruit Cosmicpolitan and the 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.