NOW EXPERIENCING:5 canned cocktails that’ll make your picnic effortlessly fancy
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5 canned cocktails that’ll make your picnic effortlessly fancy


Read time 2 Mins

Posted 16 Mar 2023

By
Emily Reed


Picnics in the park, music festivals or anywhere you want to enjoy your favourite cocktail with minimal effort and zero mixing required – prepare to enter your canned cocktail era.

Imagine being able to sip your favourite cocktail beyond just your local bar. Maybe it’s under the giant fig tree in your neighbour’s backyard; with your closest mates sprawled out on a picnic rug in the park; while you stand around a sizzling barbecue with your family; or as you watch your favourite band play the song you’ve been waiting to hear live for what feels like an eternity (thanks, COVID). Well, imagine no more because canned cocktails are a thing, and enjoying your favourite tipple on the go has never been easier. These ready-to-drink gems are just a small snapshot of what you’ll find on the shelf at your local Dan’s, and each one tastes like the real deal. So, if you want to BYO something tasty and a little fancy to your next event sans effort then read on. 
Cantails Apple Martini

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1. Cantails Apple Martini

The '90s cocktail of our dreams, now available in a can with a fruity twist so you can sip it on a picnic rug with friends. Think Classic Martini meets apple-flavoured liqueur . You can expect green apple, vanilla notes and the perfect sweet and sour balance. There’s nothing quite like a crisp, zesty drink to set the scene and offer something refreshing while you’re grazing on some cured meats or helping yourself to a trio of dips. Best enjoyed ice cold on a steaming hot day.

2. High Pour Sally Cosmo

Get Carrie Bradshaw on the blower, her beloved Cosmo cocktail now comes in a can. We can picture her skipping around NYC with this in hand when she can’t get to a bar with the gals; we can picture you drinking it at your next music festival. Whether you consider yourself a bit of a Sex In The City fan or just generally love a cheeky Cosmo, then pick this one up from your local Dan’s. High Pour Sally has worked some magic here: from the iconic pink shade to the fresh lime and cranberry character alongside good quality vodka and a subtle spritz –  this is all kinds of fun.

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Absolut Cocktails Passionfruit Martini

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3. Absolut Cocktails Passionfruit Martini

Like Passiona for grown-ups, this tasty number from Absolut will bring back memories of ducking into your local milk bar after school to enjoy a refreshing passionfruit drink or icy pole. Those were the days! From the moment you crack this can, your taste buds will enjoy the tropical taste of passionfruit and sweet vanilla – you’d be forgiven for thinking a bartender had just whipped it up at your favourite late-night haunt. It’s light, refreshing and the perfect sip to enjoy at every summer shindig that’s sure to pop up in your calendar over the coming months.

4. Smirnoff Seltzer Watermelon Margarita

In case you’ve been living under a rock, seltzers are having a moment. In fact, they’ve fast become the drink of choice for many Australians. Whether you’re a seltzer super-fan or a newbie, this sweet and zesty can from the team at Smirnoff will satiate your seltzy craving. It offers a perfectly blended mix of Smirnoff vodka and sweet, ripe watermelon with subtle notes of zesty lime and tequila flavour, topped with sparkling water. It’s bold in the best way with a clean finish and only 107 calories per can.
Smirnoff Seltzer Watermelon Margarita

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Bacardi Piña Colada

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5. Bacardi Piña Colada

We could say something about getting caught in the rain here, but instead we’ll just declare that if this isn’t summer in a can, we don’t know what is! As you sip on it, let its Bacardi rum, pineapple and coconut water transport you from your family-sized picnic rug to a tropical island in the Caribbean. Choose this when the thought of trying to mix coconut cream, rum and pineapple juice while balancing your glass at your local park gives you the sweats. This is the most hands-off Piña Colada you’ll ever drink – and damn near the real deal.     
Pouring for a crowd? Check out our list of the best bottled cocktails.
image credits: Charlie Hawks (photography) Bridget Wald (styling)