We all had our hot hard seltzer summer moment last year, and it was refreshing to drink in a can. For the time being, hard seltzer has established its spot in the backyard coolers, but we like to think of it as a stepping stone toward understanding that you don't have to sacrifice well-crafted flavors for portability.

The best-canned cocktails, also known as ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, have stepped up their game in recent years, offering surprisingly premium spirits and, in some cases, perfectly recreating the taste of a freshly mixed drink in an easy-to-carry container. There are more options than ever before, from margs and ranch waters to whiskey cocktails and gin-based cocktails. Whatever your beverage of choice, there is a canned cocktail for you.

Here are some of the finest award-winning ready-to-drink cocktails that you can share with your friends and families.

1966: Artisanal Rum Punch

Producer Name: Belles Bajan Brew SA (Pty) Ltd

Country: South Africa

Image Source- 1966: Artisanal Rum Punch

You know the feeling when you want to just spend time with your friends during house parties instead of going to the kitchen every time to make a cocktail or a simple drink. But now you can keep your worries aside as you can easily get this delicious rum punch that you can serve during your house parties. 1966: Artisanal Rum Punch is the one for you is an artisanal rum punch from Barbados that is proudly produced in Africa. All you have to do is pour over ice and serve. That’s it! It’s the easiest, most delicious way to enjoy quality South African rum.

1966: Artisanal Rum Punch is an award-winning, expertly made, premium ready-to-drink cocktail that combines sweet citrus and an abundance of spices to complement the natural richness of rum. The Ajani Husbands start the process of making the rum with a traditional Barbados rum punch recipe and add their own unique blend of spices and aromatics, then combine it with South African lightly aged rum to create their own twist on a Caribbean classic. Today, you can raise a glass to them for this unique ready-to-drink cocktail!

Make your house parties more enjoyable and fun with this Gold Medal-winning ready-to-drink cocktail in the USA Spirits Ratings. 

Tasting Notes: Fruity aroma of mango, banana, lime, and cinnamon on the nose. Refreshing on the palate with flavors of lime, mango, and banana with hints of spices.

MIX Gin & Mango

Producer Name: AB MV GROUP Production

Country: Lithuania

Image Source-  AB MV GROUP Production

Bring diversity to your cocktail table during the house party by Mix Gin & Mango. Just serving gin & tonic to your friends and families can become a bit boring so to up your game you can go with this delicious award-winning gin cocktail. This refreshing gin cocktail will definitely win the hearts of your guests.

MIX Gin & Mango Is a limited-edition, alcoholic mango-flavored cocktail made with gin as the base. You can easily spot this cocktail bottle on the shelf due to its non-traditional, vibrant images, and colors. MIX is a well-known alcoholic cocktail brand that has been on the market for over 15 years and was the first in Lithuania. MIX offers a diverse choice of tastes as well as high-quality ready-to-drink cocktails.

Tasting Notes: Bright mango flavors, with undertones of pineapple, orange, and peach. Tastes very natural. Nice bubbles - like a refreshing tropical soda. Juicy and intensely flavorful on the palate followed by a fruity finish.

Crooked Palm Pineapple Vodka Soda

Producer Name: Islamorada Distilling

Country: United States

Image Source- Crooked Palm Pineapple Vodka Soda

Here is another ready-to-drink cocktail that will make your house party interesting especially during the summer or after a long day. The Crooked Palm Distillery is a locally produced vodka. Real cranberry juice, sparkling water, and natural flavors are used to make these canned crafted cocktails.

One sip of the cocktail will make you feel like you’re on a vacation, it is so refreshing. Enjoy this award-winning cocktail with just some ice. 

Tasting Notes: Tropical fruity aroma of pineapple, coconut, and soursop on the nose. Refreshing on the palate with flavors of coconut water and pineapple.

Tequila Paloma

Producer Name: Cutwater Spirits

Country: United States

Image Source- Cutwater Spirits

Enjoy another award-winning ready-to-drink cocktail of grapefruit citrus twist at your next house party. The Tequila Paloma offers a south-of-the-border classic in your hand. The floral aroma of the tequila is complemented by the silky finish of the grapefruit soda. It's a refreshing citrus cocktail that will have you fantasizing about your next beach vacation.

At Cutwater, you will get explorers who are setting the road with adventure in mind. They precisely distill and blend their award-winning portfolio of spirits, which includes whiskeys, vodka, gin, rums, tequilas, and liqueurs, into their canned lineup. You can drink the cocktail directly from the can or pour it into a glass with some ice. 

Tasting Notes: Tropical fruity aroma of pineapple, coconut, and soursop on the nose. Refreshing on the palate with flavors of coconut water and pineapple.

Cuban Mojito

Producer Name: Buzzbox Premium Cocktails, inc.

Country: United States

Image Source- Buzzbox Premium Cocktails

Buzzbox premium cocktails take a no-nonsense approach to their craft canned cocktails. This is a classic Cuban Mojito made with a small batch of silver rum, Herba Buena mint, all-natural lime juice, and a dash of pure cane sugar. You can enjoy this light and refreshing cocktail with no artificial flavors or preservatives. You won't even need a muddler.

Buzzbox skillfully combines top-shelf, premium spirits with the freshest ingredients to create the best tasting, freshest cocktails that can be enjoyed anytime, anyplace... So sip rather don't slam.

Tasting Notes: Flavors of fresh spearmint and lemon on the palate. A perfect balance of acidity is driven by citrus and mint. Tastes like a delicious mojito.

Written by Aparna Dutta, Beverage Trade Network