The Best Canned Cocktails to Make Your Holidays Sparkle
Forget the bottle opener and the complicated cocktail recipes. This holiday season, we’re embracing the art of the ready-to-drink cocktail.
Canned cocktails were once considered the less glamorous cousins of the traditional bar cart. Not anymore! Today’s ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail scene is shaking things up with creative flavor combinations, quality ingredients, stylish packaging, and drinks that are just as welcome at a holiday cocktail party as something mixed by a professional bartender. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, planning a Christmas gathering, organizing a New Year’s Eve celebration, or simply looking for something delicious to enjoy while decorating the tree, canned cocktails make entertaining wonderfully easy. No measuring, muddling, shaking, or hunting down obscure ingredients. Just chill, crack open, pour (if you like), and enjoy. These three brands are worth putting on your holiday shopping list.
Bar Diver: The Cocktail Bar Comes to Your Kitchen
If you’re the sort of person who appreciates a properly made cocktail but doesn’t necessarily want to play bartender for 12 guests, Bar Diver deserves a place in your holiday drinks lineup. Its philosophy is simple: bring the quality and flavor of a well-made bar cocktail into the home, without the need for a fully stocked liquor cabinet.
For lovers of classic cocktails, the lineup includes the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Negroni, Paper Plane, Boulevardier, and 50/50 Martini. These are sophisticated, spirit-forward choices for guests who prefer their drinks with a little more character than a sugary party punch.
For something lighter and livelier, the sparkling collection offers a Margarita, Paloma, Moscow Mule, Piña Colada, Americano Spritz, and Bee’s Knees. Think tequila and lime, grapefruit, ginger, tropical pineapple, and refreshing citrus. They’re particularly appealing for a holiday gathering where guests have different cocktail preferences.
Then there’s the indulgent cream collection, which might just be the star of the winter entertaining season. The White Russian, Bourbon Cream, Espresso Martini, and Grasshopper bring a deliciously decadent dimension to the drinks table. The Grasshopper, with its combination of crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and dairy cream, is practically a dessert in a glass. The Espresso Martini is another natural choice for an after-dinner gathering, while Bourbon Cream makes a lovely fireside indulgence.
There’s also a nonalcoholic collection for those taking a break from alcohol, with options including a Mock Margarita, Mock Negroni, Mock Mai Tai, and Grapefruit Daiquiri. And for something a little different, the brand has explored THC-infused coquetels, too.
Social & Co: A Little Italian Aperitivo Goes a Long Way
If your idea of holiday entertaining involves a beautiful table, a little Italian glamour, and a drink that looks as good as it tastes, meet Social & Co. Inspired by Italy’s aperitivo culture, this ready-to-enjoy spritz range brings a touch of la dolce vita to any occasion.
The idea is to recreate that wonderful Italian tradition of gathering with friends for a refreshing pre-dinner drink, perhaps accompanied by a few olives, cheese, charcuterie, and other small bites. And who says you need to be in Rome or Milan to enjoy it?
The range features five delicious-sounding flavors:
- Arancia Classico: An Italian-style orange spritz with crisp citrus notes and a pleasantly grown-up bitterness. This is the classic aperitivo choice and a natural companion to holiday appetizers.
- Limone Rinfrescante: A bright, sunny lemon spritz with just a hint of sweetness. Refreshing and zesty, it’s a lovely option for guests who prefer a lighter citrus profile.
- Pompelmo Rosso: A ruby grapefruit spritz with tart, juicy citrus character. Its slightly bitter edge makes it a particularly appealing alternative to sweeter cocktails.
- Fragola Rosa: A strawberry spritz that balances sweet and tart flavors. Pretty, playful, and ideal for a festive brunch or afternoon celebration.
- Pera e Rosmarino: Pear and rosemary is perhaps the most intriguing combination. Soft, naturally fruity pear meets an aromatic herbal note, giving this spritz a more sophisticated, seasonal personality.
Made with sparkling wine, real fruit juice, and spritz botanicals, Social & Co also highlights its no-added-sugar approach, with no artificial flavors or synthetic colors. It’s gluten-free, too.
The spritzes are designed to be poured over ice in a wine glass, with a slice of citrus or an appropriate garnish. That makes them especially convenient for holiday hosts who want to offer something a little more interesting than the usual wine or champagne.
Our holiday picks: Pera e Rosmarino for a seasonal twist, Arancia Classico for traditional spritz lovers, and Fragola Rosa for a splash of festive color. Put out a platter of antipasti, pour a few glasses, and suddenly your holiday gathering has an Italian vacation feel.
John Wolf & Co.: Bold Brandy With a Modern Attitude
For those who like their cocktails smooth, approachable, and a little less predictable, John Wolf & Co. brings a different energy to the holiday drinks scene.
Its slogan, “We are Wolves. Don’t follow the herd,” gives you a pretty good idea of the brand’s personality. This is a collection built around California brandy, with a refreshing, contemporary take on familiar flavor combinations.
The cocktails are mixed at 7% ABV, making them an easygoing option for a casual get-together, game night, or holiday party where guests might prefer something less spirit-forward than a traditional Old Fashioned.
There are three varieties to look out for:
- California Brandy & Cola: A familiar favorite with a twist. The mellow warmth of brandy meets the crisp, refreshing bite of cola. It’s an easy-drinking choice for anyone who enjoys a classic spirit-and-mixer combination.
- California Brandy Blackberry & Cola: A fruitier, more adventurous interpretation. Dark blackberry notes bring a juicy, slightly richer dimension to the cola and brandy combination. This is the one to try if you like a cocktail with a little more personality.
- California Brandy Apple & Ginger Ale: A particularly appealing flavor for the holidays. Apple brings a crisp fruitiness, while ginger adds a gentle warming spice. It’s a natural fit for Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas celebrations, and chilly evenings with friends.
What makes John Wolf & Co. interesting is its accessible approach. Rather than trying to recreate elaborate bar cocktails, it takes familiar flavors and gives them a brandy-based twist. The cans are also an easy way to add variety to a holiday cooler without having to stock multiple bottles of spirits and mixers.
Our holiday pick: Apple & Ginger Ale gets our vote for the season. Apple and ginger are a natural festive pairing, and this is a cocktail that feels right at home alongside a holiday spread.
Which Ones Should Make the Guest List?
The beauty of these three brands is that they offer something for different occasions and different palates.
| Holiday occasion | Our recommendation |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving drinks | John Wolf & Co. Apple & Ginger Ale |
| Christmas cocktail party | Bar Diver Grasshopper |
| Festive brunch | Social & Co. Fragola Rosa |
| Pre-dinner aperitivo | Social & Co. Arancia Classico |
| After-dinner drinks | Bar Diver Espresso Martini |
| Whiskey-lover’s gathering | Bar Diver Old Fashioned |
| Casual New Year’s Eve party | John Wolf & Co. Blackberry & Cola |
Canned cocktails have officially grown up. These three brands show how much variety and personality the category now offers, whether you’re after Italian-inspired spritzes, indulgent after-dinner drinks, or easygoing brandy cocktails.
Stock the refrigerator with a selection of styles, add festive garnishes, set out a few bowls of snacks, and let your guests choose their own holiday tipple. It’s a rather lovely way to entertain without spending the entire evening behind the bar! Always serve responsibly, check the ABV and serving size, and remember that some ready-to-drink cocktails are considerably stronger than others.
Product information and flavor ranges: Bar Diver · Social & Co · John Wolf & Co.
