A few years ago, if you brought a canned cocktail to a party, someone would give you a look. That era is officially over. Spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails surged nearly 20% in 2025, and for good reason — the best of them are made with real distilled spirits, premium mixers, and genuine flavor, packaged for wherever your weekend takes you. No bar cart required.
The Most Important Thing to Know: Malt-Based vs. Spirits-Based
Most consumers don't realize this distinction exists — but it explains almost everything about quality and taste.
- Malt-based RTDs are made with fermented malt (the same base as beer), then flavored to taste like cocktails. They don't contain the spirits their labels suggest — you're buying an impression of a cocktail, not the real thing. Most early hard seltzers fall into this category.
- Spirits-based RTDs are made with actual distilled spirits — real tequila, real vodka, real whiskey. The alcohol comes from the same place the flavor does. This segment has grown from 8% of the RTD market in 2021 to nearly 18% in 2025 and keeps climbing.
The rule of thumb: if the label doesn't name a specific spirit, it's probably malt-based. Reach for the ones that lead with their base — "made with Casamigos Blanco," "made with Cutwater vodka," "made with Jameson Irish Whiskey."
The Best RTDs We Carry Right Now
Premium Tequila Margarita
Tequila RTD — Variety 8-Pack
Casamigos Margarita Variety 8-Pack
Real Casamigos Blanco Tequila, real fruit juice, 10% ABV, no carbonation. Four flavors: Classic, Passionfruit & Prickly Pear, Guava & Hibiscus, Strawberry & Colima Lime. As close to a proper bar margarita as a can gets.
Shop NowThe Espresso Martini
The espresso martini remains one of the most searched cocktails in the country, and canned versions have finally stepped up to match the demand. These are the ones that actually deliver.
Vodka RTD — 4-Pack
Cutwater Espresso Martini 4-Pack
Award-winning vodka, coffee cream liqueur, and cold brew coffee. Serve cold from the can or shaken over ice. Customers who try it once keep it stocked. One of the best RTD launches in years.
Shop NowVodka RTD — 4-Pack
Cutwater Chocolate Espresso Martini 4-Pack
Deep cocoa meets espresso depth. Indulgent without being heavy — a natural after-dinner drink. Smooth with a light bitter finish. A great companion to the classic version.
Shop NowThe Whiskey Highball
Irish Whiskey RTD — 4-Pack
The signature Jameson cocktail in can form. Real whiskey, real ginger, real lime. Vanilla sweetness, peppery spice, and a refreshing ginger bite on the finish. One of the most accessible spirits-based RTDs on the market.
Shop NowVodka Soda & Hard Seltzer Done Right
The best vodka seltzers are made with real vodka and real juice — not flavored malt and citric acid. High Noon remains the gold standard of the category for exactly this reason.
Vodka Seltzer — 12-Pack
High Noon Vodka & Soda Variety 12-Pack
Real vodka + real juice. The gold standard of spirits-based seltzers. Clean, crisp, consistent, and crowd-pleasing at any outdoor occasion.
Shop NowVodka Seltzer — 12-Pack
High Noon El Pres Variety 12-Pack
Passionfruit, Pineapple, Pear, Tangerine — bold, tropical flavors. Real vodka, real juice, 4.5% ABV. A step up in flavor intensity from the classic lineup.
Shop NowVodka Seltzer — 12-Pack
High Noon Beach Variety 12-Pack
Peach, Kiwi, Raspberry, Lemon. 100 calories, no added sugar, gluten-free. Built for outdoor occasions — backyard, beach, or tailgate.
Shop NowVodka Seltzer — 8-Pack
Sprinter Palm Springs Vodka Seltzer 8-Pack
Tropical, fruit-forward, 5% ABV. Zero sugar, 100 calories per can. A newer arrival that's earning its place next to High Noon on the shelf.
Shop NowWhat to Look For on the Label
- A named spirit — "made with vodka," "made with tequila." If it's not there, it's probably malt-based.
- ABV between 5% and 12.5% — Very low ABV (under 4%) often signals a diluted malt product.
- Real juice, not "natural flavors" — Check the ingredient list for actual juice.
- A recognizable base brand — The best RTDs are extensions of spirits you'd want to drink on their own.
One Party Tip
Set out 6–8 different RTD styles and let guests explore — it makes for a low-effort bar setup that actually sparks conversation. Pour canned margaritas over rocks with a salt rim and they're indistinguishable from a bar pour. Add a fresh lime wedge or mint sprig and it looks intentional.
Browse Our RTD Selection
Spirits-based formats from producers who take quality seriously — available in-store at Wheeling, Niles, and Vernon Hills, or nationwide online delivery.
