Cool Down With These 11 Refreshing Boozy Summer Treats
courtesy Empirical
11 booze-infused portable drinks and treats for summer refreshment
There’s more to summer than soaking up the sun with a cold lager. While a good chilled beer is always a winner, this summer there are some new twists on warm weather classics. For instance, thanks to the canned cocktail trend, there is a new array of flavorful options this season. But there are so many more ways to enjoy a boozy cooldown, even in frozen form! Indulge in these tasty treats to get a refreshing break from the heat.
Empirical
These canned delights aren’t your typical ready-to-drink beverages. They aren’t cocktails, beer or cider. Each can is simply delicious, effervescent booze. Copenhagen-based distiller and flavor company, Empirical, launched with two signature drinks simply called Can 01 and Can 02, created from a base spirit made from beet molasses and Belgian Saison yeast. They’re flavored with ingredients such as oolong tea, gooseberry, sour cherry juice, young pinecones, and more. Refrain from adding ice since it dilutes the je nais se quoi of the drink. So, either experience them straight from the can or pour into a chilled glass. (4-pk/$45)
Mad Bean Hard Iced Coffee
Looking for a morning pick-me-up for at-home brunch on the weekends? This hard coffee is the perfect go-to for such occasions. Featuring a 4.5% ABV, this coffee-flavored malt beverage is crafted from 100 percent Arabica gourmet beans with flavor options of either rich mocha or creamy-smooth vanilla. Both are enjoyable and give you the right balance (and jolt) of caffeine and booze. (4-pk/$8)
courtesy Volley
Volley
After spending time creating mixers with American Cocktail Company, husband and wife team, Christopher Wirth and Camila Soriano, decided to launch a tequila seltzer featuring simple, quality ingredients. Thus, Volley was born. This tequila-based seltzer shaking is made with solely three ingredients: 100 percent blue agave tequila, sparkling water, and organic fruit juice. Volley is available in Zesty Lime, Spicy Ginger, Sharp Grapefruit andTropical Mango. On a happy note, you can enjoy this chilled bev knowing it’s free of gluten and added sugar, plus it has fewer calories than most vodka products (only 100-110 calories per can). (4-pk/$11.99)
Clubtails Cocktails in a Can
Since its beginnings in 2009, Clubtails canned cocktails has continued to evolve. The company launched with two original malt beverage flavors, each consisting of 10% ABV. As of this summer, the brand has since expanded to include the Strawberry Daiquiri and Blueberry Mojito. The originals consist of classics such as Bahama Mama, Sex on the Beach, Long Island Iced Tea, Screwdriver, Sunny Margarita, and more. (16 oz. can/$1.99)
courtesy PBR
Pabst Blue Ribbon’s Hard Tea
You’re probably thinking, “Pabst is creating tea?!” Yes. The long-standing brand has taken a summer classic – iced tea – and given it a peachy twist. Using real tea, this drink is certainly a pleasant surprise. It consists of only three grams of sugar and has a low 4% ABV with merely 100 calories. Indulge in this hard tea with everything from BBQ to charcuterie. (4-pk/$10.99)
Tattersall Distilling’s Salty Dog
Tattersall Distilling, a Minneapolis-based distillery and cocktail room, recently released their newest grapefruit vodka-infused bottled cocktail, Salty Dog. They recommend adding soda or your favorite flavored seltzer, but you should definitely heed the advice on the label to pair with rum for a “fresh spin on a Daiquiri.” You won’t be disappointed. If you want to further tap into your inner mixologist, the company offers an app with over 400 drink recipes. (750ml/$29.99)
Onda Sparkling Tequila
If you’re not into sugary sweet libations, then you’ll want to opt for Onda. Using blanco tequila, alongside real lime and grapefruit juice, this ‘90s surf style-inspired brand is a real palate pleaser. While the tangy grapefruit flavor is certainly worth sipping, the classic lime and tequila combo tastes like a fizzy margarita. (8-pk/$39)
courtesy Frost
Frost Popsicles
Popsicles are the very essence of summer. It’s a fact. With the little infusion of a spirit – particularly vodka – or a blush wine, you have an elevated take on the popsicle. Stemming from the vision of South African entrepreneurs and co-founders, Natasha Fagri and Jon-Marc De Carvalho, the brand was first launched in their home country in 2016. After nearly four years of success in South Africa, Frost Popsicles has officially made its summer debut in the California market, with plans to expand nationwide in the future.
The premium line consists of four alcoholic “poptails” and three non-alcoholic “paletas.” Flavors include agave spirit-based Passion Fruit & Peach Margarita (7% ABV), vodka-infused Blood Orange Screwdriver (7% ABV), Bubbly (6% ABV) containing a white wine blend, and Blush (6% ABV) crafted with blush still wine made from a blend of red and white grape. (10-pk wine based poptail variety/$24.99; 10-pk spirit based poptail variety/$24.99)
Spoonable Spirits’ Rosé Jelly Shot
Kelli Lipson, founder and CEO of Spoonable Spirits, has provided further reason to appreciate dessert. She was inspired to launch her line of pudding and jelly shots based off her nostalgic college memories of the Jell-O shot. The yummy puddings and jelly shots are all made fresh to order out of Long Island City, New York, crafted with spirits like tequila, vodka and whiskey. The latest addition, just in time for pink wine season, is the Rosé Jelly Shot. The flavor profile includes cranberry juice, strawberry notes, agave, and pink rosé. (6 jars/$30)
courtesy Livewire
LiveWire Drinks
Created by renowned LA-based bartender Aaron Polsky, LiveWire Drinks, is hands-down one of the best ready-to-drink cocktail brands on the market. Polsky works with the world's best bartenders to create exceptional canned cocktails using the best ingredients. LiveWire’s first offering is Polsky’s most famous cocktail, the Heartbreaker, which was conceived at Coachella. The new spin on the Heartbreaker is a mouth-watering bubbly blend of vodka, oroblanco grapefruit, kumquat, jasmine and ginger, with a hint of honey.
Also available in stores now is the Honeydew Collins, a mix of gin, honeydew, lime leaf, coconut and elderflower by fellow Harvard & Stone bartender alum Joey Bernardo. Another Polsky creation is Golden God which contains of rye whiskey and brandy with green tea, elderflower and apricot flavors. (4-pk/$17.99)
Smith & Sinclair’s Alcoholic Gummies
You know what’s better than a juicy gummy? A spirit-infused one. Smith and Sinclair’s alcoholic gummies are called Summer Lovin’ because they’re inspired by summer’s greatest cocktails. This box of ten gummies of assorted flavors include the Pineapple Bellini decked with pineapple sugar, Berry Daiquiri covered in mixed pepper sugar, Spicy Margarita sprinkled with chili sugar, Pina Colada drizzled with banana and cinnamon sugar, and Raspberry Collins garnished with cherry sugar. Good thing you don’t have to choose just one. (10 gummies per box/$25)