Unless you’re on the other side of the world, there’s no getting away from it, winter is drawing in and with the change of the season comes a hankering for cocktails that warm you from the inside out. In our search for canned cocktails that fit this particular bill we noticed that most fall under the easy-drinking, summer variety – as in your margaritas, piña coladas, fruity martinis, that kind of thing which makes sense for picnics and festivals. However, when you’re after a deliciously pre-mixed cocktail that’s ready for your drinking pleasure when you’re having a quiet night in, we’ve found four that fit the bill perfectly.
Sandrae’s choice #1:
Pocket Negroni
Need to know:
Ingredients: Porter’s Gin, sweet vermouth, Italian Bitter Aperitif.
They say: “Our negroni stays true to the classic recipe, proportioned precisely to be exactly one serve, including the dilution that you would get if you were in a proper cocktail bar.”
100ml. 21.8% ABV
Price: £5.50. Available from: whiteboxcocktails.com
The lowdown:
I make no apology for choosing two cocktails from Whitebox Cocktails. Truth be told, I could have picked out at least four – their Vieux Carre and Prêt à Boire Bouvaldier amongst them. The reason? These are what I think of as ‘proper’ cocktails, the sort of drinks that look and taste like they’ve been made in a bar. That’s because they’ve been formulated by top class bartenders and once you’ve sipped them, I’m willing to bet that you’ll become as enamoured with their creations as I am.
I’ve gone for their Pocket Negroni because Negronis are ubiquitous – available everywhere from pubs to plush hotel bars. And given their prevalence, it’s one of those seemingly simple cocktails that so often disappoints. This one may be canned and ready to go but it’s as good a classic Negroni as you’re likely to get. Yes, that does include in bars.
Shelf appeal:
For a small can, not only does the Pocket Negroni deliver on content, it also packs a lot on its surface, including a brief history of the Negroni and a nifty illustration showing you ‘how to serve’ the drink along the side of the can. As for the design, it’s very distinctive: one part Tiffany Blue’ish, one part what I’m calling Negroni Orange, in the centre is a character ‘Negroni Man’. In short, all very bright, cheerful and engaging.
Appearance and aroma:
Picture your ideal Negroni and that’s what you’re getting here. It looks like a Negroni, it smells like a Negroni and by golly, it delivers on every front.
Taste:
It starts off on the sweet side but then it takes the tastebuds on a journey, carrying through to leave a satisfying and very agreeable bitter finish. There’s richness, there’s warmth, there’s texture, what more do you want?
Verdict:
Negroni lovers, when you want theatre and conviviality, get your fix in your favourite bar but when you’re chilling at home, the Pocket Negroni is for you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
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Gary’s choice #1
Western Gold Straight Old Bourbon Whiskey Cola
Need to know:
Bourbon whiskey mixed with sparkling cola.
0.33L / 5% ABV.
Individual cans available for £1.49 from Lidl.
The lowdown:
Bourbon whiskey simply mixed with cola is a crowd-pleasing standard of drink. And in this case the name, in the form of a longish description, is pretty much all you need to know. Indeed, apart from this descriptive name the only other information to be found on the can is pretty limited, simply stating “Made from bourbon whiskey (12.8%) mixed with sparkling cola with caffeine (87.2%). With colouring E 150d”. However, a glance along the bottled spirts on offer in Lidl, or a little digging around the store’s website, describes the bourbon in question, Western Gold Straight Old Bourbon Whiskey, as “a smooth and mild straight old Kentucky bourbon whiskey”.
Shelf Appeal:
There’s a nod to Americana in the typography and a graphic golden eagle, both displayed on a plain black background. Whilst not especially fancy it does the job in the mixed drinks section and stands out pretty well. Moreover, in true Lidl style, the look of the can manages to pull of the neat trick of making a drinks product in a particular category feel rather familiar, even though you may never have actually seen it before thanks to some design cues inspired by rather more well known products.
Appearance and aroma:
I must admit I approached cracking open this can with a little hint of nostalgia. Like a lot of people my earliest introduction to the world of dark spirits was through bourbon whiskey mixed with cola. But it’s been a good many years since I’ve returned to the drink in question. Sampling it again, after such a long time, and pre-mixed in a can, might turn out to be a pleasurable experience or it may make me question why I even liked the drink before in the first please. I’m happy to report it is very much the former. Starting with an appealing rich deep brown hue, and more importantly with the whiskey very much in evidence invitingly on the nose.
Taste:
Yes, it’s cola so you expect sweetness, but in this case it was not overly so. It’s also worth noting that the cola was not too effervescent either. As for the all-important bourbon itself, this certainly had some character to bring to the mix. Together the spirit and mixer blended well for a nicely balanced drink. A few more sips reinforced this impression as the whiskey came through a little more. And thanks to the cola not being too sweet there was no cloying aftertaste. Instead, a nice lingering hint of the warming bourbon.
Verdict:
It felt very much like a freshly mixed drink, and one with a decent bourbon as a base. Handy in a can it’s just the thing for warming up at an outdoor event on cold evening, enjoying straight from the can. But I’d also suggest it’s definitely worth having a few on hand in the fridge and serving over ice in a tall glass. And at this price, a bargain.
Sandrae’s choice #2
Chipper’s Cherry Wood Old Fashioned Cocktail
Need to know:
Ingredients: Virgin oak whisky, cherrywood bitters, gum sugar.
They say: “Our recipe uses demerara sugar which we combine with gum arabic to create our in-house gomme syrup, we add that to whiskey that we age in virgin oak casks and bitters that we infuse with cherry wood. The result is a rich and indulgent old fashioned that is better than most bars make.”
100ml. 32.2% ABV
Price: £6.80. Available from: whiteboxdrinks.com
The lowdown:
If it’s a winning winter warmer you want, I’ll stick my neck out and say you won’t get better than this. Everything about it is designed to appeal to discerning drinkers, people who will appreciate the quality and care that’s gone into its creation. The ingredients are top notch, resulting in a canned cocktail with world class bar attitude.
Shelf appeal:
The can is giving whisky barrel vibes – not just in the shape but with the wood-effect background and brown lettering. Everything you need to know is laid out in front of you, including that illustration showing you how to serve, as mentioned above.
Appearance and aroma:
Don’t be fooled by its diminutive status, this can packs a mighty punch. It also gets my vote for bringing winter energy, taste-wise – it’s like a mammoth hug that warms you from the inside out.
On the nose you get a big hit of whisky, followed by a hint of orange and honeyed sweetness. Colour-wise, it’s spot-on, as in there’s no denying that you’re getting a premium old fashioned, which carries through to the cherry wood bitters finish.
Taste:
They’re not joking when they say that his old fashioned is better than you’d get in most bars. If you didn’t pour it from the can yourself, you’d be forgiven for thinking a top bartender had mixed it for you. You’d be half right there, while aforementioned world class bartender may not actually be in front of you, the Whitebox team is made up of highly-acclaimed, award-winning ‘tenders including Alex Lawrence, director at Mr Lyan Company and Pietro Collina, co-founder of Viajante87.
And we do advise that you do pour this one. While canned drinks are very much enjoyed on-the-go, this one packs a big boy 32.3% ABV – so sipping contemplatively is the way to go. Slowing things down allows you to fully appreciate the nuances. It’s very deftly balanced, not overly sweet like some old fashioneds can be, with just the right amount of bitters adding a hint of pepperiness.
Verdict:
In case you haven’t got the memo yet, I’m a huge fan. It’s bold, it’s boozy, it’s delicious. It’s my drink this winter.
***
Gary’s choice #2
Funkin Nitro Cocktails Espresso Martini
Need to know:
Espresso Martini infused with nitrogen for a velvety texture and smooth head.
200ml. 5% ABV
Available for £2.25 at Sainsbury’s or in packs of 12 for £25.00 from funkincocktails.co.uk
The lowdown:
When the Vodka Espresso was created by Dick Bradsell in London back in the 1980s who could have imagined it would go on to become one of the most famous and popular cocktails in the world. And, today, not only renamed as the Espresso Martini but readily available in cans. This particular version coming from Funkin, a company with a good cocktail pedigree, having been around for some 25 years producing cocktail ingredients and pre-mixed drinks. And who describe their offering as “Rich, indulgent, and energising. Pre-made and ready to drink, Funkin Espresso Martini Nitro Cans contain a barista blend of the finest cold brew coffee, a hint of vanilla, and a kick of premium vodka. Expect the silky-smooth consistency of a bar-quality Espresso Martini – without a drop of effort.”
Shelf appeal:
In a tall thin can the design is simple with an appealingly graphic illustration of the cocktail in question. There’s a fair bit of copy which underlines a credible approach to the drink, including the brand’s history, “Established 1999”, along with “infused with nitrogen for a velvety texture and smooth head”. All in all good visual standout and useful information for anyone browsing who wants to know more.
Appearance and aroma:
Like my previous choice this too suggested an element of nostalgia. I remember enjoying many an Espresso Martini back in the day, often served to me by its creator the aforementioned Mr Bradsell. And remembering that these Espresso Martinis always came with an appealing creamy head, reminiscent of stout, I opted not to drink it straight from the can, one of the options suggested on the can, but served in a cocktail glass, the other suggested option. Unfortunately, despite having chilled the can as directed, the promised creamy head did not materialise, which was a little disappointing. Otherwise it did have a nice rich dark coffee colour. As for the aroma there was just a hint of coffee.
Taste:
The first sip was more about sweetness rather than anything else. It was very sweet. Not a coffee liqueur sweetness, as you might expect in the classic drink itself, more of a sugar syrup. As for the coffee element it was certainly there but more in the nature of a gently brewed variety rather than a punchy espresso. There was also a slight medicinal quality to it which was difficult to define.
Verdict:
Lacking the appeal of the creamy, velvet head on the drink, along with no discernible velvety texture either it didn’t really put me in mind of a classic Espresso Martini. Instead it felt like a very sweet cup of filter coffee with some added alcohol. In which case it might be better to opt for drinking it straight from the can, removing any visual concerns and concentrating on a winter’s evening pick me up.
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Check out our low- and no- can picks here, Canned cocktails for when the heat is on and Conveniently packaged wine for outdoors? Yes you can!
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