Canned cocktails were once a single shelf in the bottle shop – at most. Now the category has expanded into whole fridges of options. We tasted our way through 22 Australian-made canned cocktails, and learned that the diversity, even for a group of sommeliers, hospo workers and friends who love a cheeky canned bevvy, is overwhelming. That makes this a really exciting choose-your-own-adventure category of drinks. You want something sessionable (that’s insider slang for a drink you can enjoy more than one of in a row) without reaching for a beer? Can’t be bothered to make your own cocktails? Crave something savoury? There’s a canned cocktail out there that fits the bill.
We scored each drink we tasted for packaging, with a separate score for taste or flavour. We split drinks into sections: vodka-based, gin-based, brewed, and “bartender strength” canned cocktails. Every drink was poured into a glass and tasted chilled – because we’re professionals (at least, until about the 16th can, when Elvis conspiracy theories took over).
This made for some lively debates and a few dramatic reactions. After all the cans were crushed, we had some clear takeaways. First, quality is high: about 85% of what we tried was genuinely excellent. Second, drinking from a glass v straight from the can actually made a difference, sometimes (but not always) for the better. Below you’ll find our picks from the mix, along with one that’s best left on the shelf.
Prices were checked at time of publication, but may fluctuate.
Something sessionable and fruity
Brookvale Union Vodka Peach Iced Tea, $9.29 ($29.95 for six), 4% ABV, available at Dan Murphy’s and Liquorland
Canned cocktails fall into two camps: bold and flavour-packed or subtle and sessionable. Brookvale Union’s Peach Iced Tea lands firmly in the latter category. Soft peach aroma, low carbonation, and a clean finish made this an easy-drinking favourite. “The label reminds me of an Ed Hardy T-shirt,” one of the reviewers noted, “but the drink inside is lovely”. Unlike some in the “fruit” category, this tasted like ripe peaches, not an artificial approximation.
For gin lovers
Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin & Tonic, 250mL, $28.99 for four cans, 5.1% ABV, available at Dan Murphy’s and Liquorland
The scent of this drink alone, spilling out of the can before it was even poured, was enough to hook us. Four Pillars has long set a benchmark for gin, and its canned cocktail did not disappoint. With striking packaging and a perfectly balanced hit of Bloody Shiraz Gin, it was flavourful but not overwhelming. “I don’t normally like gin, but I LOVE this,” declared one convert. Proof that a great base spirit makes all the difference.
Best all-rounder
Tommy’s Booze Limoncello Spritz, 330mL, $24 for four cans, 5% ABV, tommysbooze.com.au
The Tommy’s range was a unanimous hit – subtle, seltzer-like, and exceptionally well made. Their Limoncello Spritz had a perfect lemony zing without being overpowering. “When life gives you lemons, make this,” said a reviewer who was also obsessed with every lemon-based drink we tried (and there were a lot). It was fresh, crisp, and effortlessly drinkable – and made us want to book flights to the Amalfi coast immediately.
For a seltzer alternative
Tommy’s Booze Lampone Raspberry Spritz, 330mL, $24 for four cans, 5% ABV, tommysbooze.com.au
Flavoured spritzes can be tricky – too sweet, too artificial, or just plain unbalanced. But this raspberry number nailed it. Light, refreshing and just tart enough, it proved a sweeter profile can still be well executed. I once heard seltzers described as like “drinking TV static while someone shouts ‘flavour’ at you from the next room”, but this is so far from that. Take note, future seltzer and spritz makers – this is how you do it.
A ‘real’ cocktail
Curatif Amaretto Sour, 130mL, $50 for four cans, 12% ABV, Liquorland and Dan Murphy’s
Curatif’s range is best served over ice, in a glass, and with a bit of ceremony. The Amaretto Sour, in particular, was a standout. With a rich, velvety mouth feel and the perfect maraschino cherry note, it was almost indistinguishable from the real deal. “I would only buy three of the cans we tried,” said one panellist. “This is one of them.” A proper, professional cocktail in a can. Don’t underestimate its size; the mini can packs a big flavour punch.
Something zesty
Curatif Limoncello Sour, 125mL, $45 for four cans, 13% ABV, curatif.com
Bright, tart and full of sunshine, this drink reminded us of a photo of lemon sorbet served in a hollowed-out lemon. Someone commented: “Put it on ice and I’m there.” That’s precisely the way to drink it. With Tommy’s Limoncello as the base, the quality was top tier – proof that, again, using great spirits leads to great canned cocktails.
For negroni lovers
Bizzarro Australiano feat Maidenii Aperitivo Vermouth & Soda, 250mL, $26 for four cans, 6.5% ABV, delinquentewineco.com
Sometimes drinking straight from the can makes all the difference, masking certain aromas or even enhancing the experience. We found this in the sulphur notes of the Batch & Co Bondi Spritz, which were masked when drunk from the can, but Bizzarro Australiano tasted excellent both in glass and can. With its mild negroni meets Christmas cake spice vibe, it had a depth of flavour that felt classic and modern. The clear standout in the aperitif category.
Savoury fave
Saison Aperitifs x Mischief Brew Amaro Tonic, 250mL, $24 for four cans, 7% ABV,
saisonaperitifs.com
This drink was divisive – amaro lovers were obsessed, others weren’t sure what hit them. With bergamot iced tea notes, it reminded me of the canned Lipton Iced Tea from the 90s, in a good way. Among the savoury options, it served as a welcome palate cleanser after several sugary drinks. If you love a good herbal digestif, this is your jam. If not, maybe start with something from the Bizzarro range.
Fizz-free fun
Box by G-Flip Apple Guava Alcoholic Juice – $8 each or $15/ 4-pack, 4.5% ABV BWS or Dan Murphy’s
Loved Just Juice as a kid? Now imagine it grown up and slightly boozy. Box by G-Flip was the ultimate non-carbonated option: juicy, nostalgic and dangerously easy to drink. “The label is giving gym junkie pre-workout vibes,” one person noted, but the inside was all tropical, throwback fun. It’s a great alternative to a pale ale beer when you want something fruity but not fizzy.
For getting on the cans
Modus Double Lemon Alcoholic Lemon Squash, 375mL, $28 for four cans, 6% ABV, mobrewing.com.au
Subtle, low on bubbles and ridiculously easy to drink, Modus Operandi’s Lemon Squash was a standout in the “sessionable” category. Unlike other alcoholic lemon squashes, this had a softer mouth feel and avoided palate fatigue. “Here for a good time, not a long time,” a panellist quipped, while another summed it up as: “It gets the job done.” Perfect for beach days and back yard hangs. A crisp, no-fuss drink.
For getting the party started
Billson’s Strawberry Watermelon Double Vodka, 250mL, $24.99 for four cans, 6% ABV, available at BWS, Liquorland and Dan Murphy’s
When this can was cracked open, a unanimous “ooh” rippled through the group as a wave of liquid fairy floss hit our senses. The flavour followed suit: an explosion of spun sugar sweetness and a radioactively pink liquid that delighted and slightly frightened us. “It’s a hen party in a can,” someone declared. “It’s the first line of Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – LET’S GO GIRLS,” another added. While undeniably fun, it was also intense – one small can was plenty. It is a joyful, neon-pink ride, best enjoyed in moderation (feather boa optional).
Best avoided
Roseade Rosé Lemonade Wine Spritzer, 250mL, $22 for four cans, 8% ABV, Vintage Cellars and Liquorland
Brewed cocktails overall struggled to impress, often tasting muddled or flat – but none missed the mark quite like this one. As one taster remarked: “You’ve taken two things I love – rosé and lemonade – and ruined both.” The packaging, ironically, was one of our favourites: a cool lemon in sunglasses, smirking at us as we grimaced through each astringent, bitter sip. It’s a noble attempt, but sometimes even great ingredients don’t make a great cocktail.
