Best pre-mixed cocktails 2024: award-winning bottled and canned cocktails

There was a time when pre-mixed cocktails had a less-than-salubrious image – we’re talking overly sugary concoctions that didn’t hold a candle to properly made drinks. But things have moved along, with some of the finest bartenders and mixologists creating memorable drinks to enjoy in the comfort of your own home (or even on the go).

There is a host of new faces producing artisanal cocktails that take all the fuss out of serving a well-crafted drink – and let’s face it, not many of us have the time or space to fill our homes with a collection of spirits and mixers for every occasion, let alone a full complement of bar equipment.

This new breed of pre-made cocktails (known as RTDs in the industry, which stands for ‘ready to drink’) caters for both single serves and larger pours. You’ll find drinks that add convenience to all manner of occasions, from a bottle or can made for a nightcap to drinks that suit a celebration minus hours of tiresome prep. These quality canned cocktails, pre-mixed G&Ts and hard seltzers also cater very well to those on the go.

A quick scan at this year’s IWSC winners shows a vast array of ingredients and styles. Sharing the top spot with 97 points are Zing Zang’s Blazing Bloody Mary Made With Vodka, and Bar Diver Cocktail’s White Russian. The Blazing Bloody Mary brought ‘classic Sunday brunch vibes with layers of pepper complexity’, while the White Russian from Bar Diver Cocktails was praised for its ‘rich aromas of creamy vanilla and coffee’.

Other medal winners included the Heaven Hill Brands, Deep Eddy Peach Vodka + Tea, a Gold winner that impressed the IWSC judges with its delicate peach notes and refreshing effervescence.

Margarita’s had a strong showing at the IWSC 2024. Five different interpretations of the classic cocktail all took home gold medals. Leading the pack was Zing Zang’s Mango Margarita Made With Tequila, which scored an impressive 96 points, and was described by the judges as ‘a vibrant tapestry, showcasing layers of fresh mango interwoven with a hint of tequila’.

All entries were judged blind by a panel of experts, including Shannon Tebay, bar consultant and IWSC Judging Committee member, Ocado buying manager Christian Streatfield and Keli Rivers, a senior brand ambassador for Sipsmith.

The world of pre-mixed cocktails has come an awful long way in a short space of time. We’re proud to present our pick of the 2024 IWSC award-winners.

HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE SPIRITS?

We run a tightly structured, rigorous spirits tasting process. That means that each spirit sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC spirit judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.

HOW DO WE SCORE THESE SPIRITS?

Only the best spirits sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.

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