Lockdown and social distancing have changed the way we drink. Now we cannot enjoy cocktails sitting at the bar and chatting with bartenders. That's pretty frustrating, we know. But there is a way to enjoy your favourite cocktails at home. No, you don’t need to make them by yourself. Bars have already got you covered. They took their best recipes and bottled them for you. So, everything you need to do is to put them in a freezer before serving and add plenty of ice into the glass, and that’s it. Enjoy!
How to Choose Pre-Mixed Cocktails?
Pre-mixed cocktails are all about giving you high-quality, delicious mixed drinks you can enjoy any time, anywhere. Of course, with the growing popularity of ready-to-drink cocktails, the market is overloaded with low-quality drinks packed with artificial flavourings and spirits of questionable provenance. If you don’t know how to choose pre-mixed cocktails, we have a few tips that will help you to make the right choice.
Explore the local market first
Check out the Instagram accounts and websites of your local bars and distilleries. Maybe they have a choice of delicious bottled cocktails that are worth trying. When buying from local bars and spirit manufacturers, you support your local community and help brands and bars to survive and go through this tough time. And, we are convinced that small producers are making amazing drinks that taste much better than those mass-market RTDs.
Always check the list of ingredients
When buying bottled cocktails, check out if the brand is transparent with its customers. If all the information about the product from the list of ingredients up to the packaging materials is available — that means that the producers have nothing to hide from you. Search for the straight ingredients and be aware of stuff like “agave-based liquor” instead of "tequila" or "derivatives of real pineapples" instead of "pineapples", and so on. Behind these words are hidden low-quality components and artificial additives.
Learn about the brand and search for reviews
Again, reading labels is important when choosing the bottled cocktails. Usually, they consist of well-known brands like Campari, Martini, or Maker's Mark, etc. But they can also feature less known small-batch spirits, which are also super delicious. If there are unknown alcohol brands in the list of ingredients, spend a few minutes and google them. Check out reviews and brand transparency. This will not only help you to make your choice but you will find new amazing independent spirit brands.
To sum up, when looking for great ready-to-drink cocktails, pay attention to:
- Producers — explore the local bars and distilleries, support your local community.
- Label — look for clean ingredients, without artificial colorings, taste modifiers, and sweeteners.
- Choose the brands you trust, and check out the producers before buying the pre-mixed cocktails.
Best bottled cocktails you need to try
We made a list of delicious and high-quality bottled cocktails that are worth trying.
Tayēr + Elementary is a world-class collection of pre-mixed cocktails, created by Monica Berg & Alex Kratena from one of London’s finest bars Tayēr + Elementary. The range of these bottled cocktails includes 5 classical cocktails.
Tayēr Bergamot Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail delivering bright citrus-forward and agave notes complemented with a hint of mezcal and subtle notes of dry Fino sherry. Ingredients: Tapatio Blanco Tequila, Tayēr x Destilado Mezcal, Tio Pepe Sherry, Cocchi Americano, Bergamot, Citrus Cordial.
Tayēr Cedarwood Old Fashioned — expect seductive notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and orange, accompanied with flavours of cherry, cloves and caraway. Ingredients: Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Tayēr Aged Aquavit, Cedarwood, Peychaud’s Bitters.
Tayēr Sandalwood Martini is a great choice for all gin-lovers — juniper notes are dominating, complemented with spicy notes and aromatic sandalwood. Ingredients: Tayēr x Hepple Gin, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth, Sandalwood.
Tayēr Vetiver Negroni is an enjoyable mixed drink with amazing herbaceous notes delivered by vermouth, martini, and Muyu Vetiver Gris liqueur. These aromas are followed by smoky mezcal notes and Campari bitterness. Ingredients: Tapatio Blanco Tequila, Tayēr x Destilado Mezcal, Campari, Dry Vermouth, Martini Rosso, Muyu Vetiver Gris.
Tayēr Palo Santo Gimlet is a refreshing cocktail with fabulous sweet notes. Perfect spring sipping. Ingredients: Tayēr x Hepple Gin, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, Lillet Blanc, Palo Santo Cordial.
Tarsier Spirits are creating amazing gins and ready-to-drink cocktails inspired by the taste of Southeast Asia.
Tarsier Calamansi Negroni was inspired by the food of the Philippines. This is a complex cocktail combining the sweet citrus of Calamansi, the sharp richness of Balsamic and the bitter notes of Campari. Just like the food of Southeast Asia, it has a depth of flavour and balance. Ingredients: Cold distilled Calamansi, Tarsier Southeast Asian Dry Gin, Balsamic Vermouth, Lemongrass infused Campari.
Lychee and Raspberry Bonbon is a classy martini-style drink. Enjoy well-balanced notes of sweet lychee, butterscotch, sharp raspberry, and lemon. Ingredients: Tarsier Oriental Pink Gin, Staibano Limoncello, Butterscotch Syrup.
The Ladies & Gentlemen Cocktail Bar in Kentish Town launched 10 funky 70s-styled cocktails to recreate a little ‘Night Fever’ at home. Disco cocktails are perfect drinks that will make your picninc special and bring it disco vibes. See the range and shop Disco Cocktails.