When it’s party time but drinking dry is on the agenda, it’s time to get creative. A glass of bubbly with a splash of juice is a nice option, but even more fun is to pour up a bonafide mocktail, a libation designed to deliver the flavors of some of the world’s most popular cocktails, without the alcohol.
Mocktails have been around for ages, mainly served in restaurants and bars, but thanks to the growing number of people who are cutting back on alcohol, canned mocktails are trending, bringing an exhaustive range of styles and flavor profiles to store shelves.
Flavor options include everything from mojitos and negronis to margaritas and mules. Some include herbs and mood-boosting botanicals called adaptogens. Others include ingredients that deliver an alcohol-free buzz, such as CBD. Here, we chose to sidestep the mood-boosting, buzz-delivering drinks and focus on three classic drinks; margaritas, cosmos and mules.
As popular as these new drink options are, they are not found in all stores. A few brands, such as Recess and Mingle, can be found at grocery stores, but the best selection is found at big-box liquor stores. Even more are available online — often by the case. No matter the outlet, the cost is nearly the same — $3-$4 per can.
The question is whether or not this new ilk of canned libations are worth the cash. The answer is a firm maybe. Good canned mocktails are carefully crafted and incorporate most of the signature flavors of the drink — in spades. For example, a good canned mule delivers a big punch of ginger that warms the throat. A drink-worthy canned margarita hits the balance between sour and sweet, with enough citrus to wake up the palate. A canned cosmo worth buying is bright and fizzy, with aromatic hits of orange and cranberry.
Specific flavors aside, a great mocktail is every bit as delicious as a freshly made cocktail, layered with such a harmonious blend of flavors that it creates a taste memory.
Sadly, many canned mocktails miss the mark. Some lack the nuances of a well-made cocktail, others are simply watery. Bad mocktails are those that attempt to mimic the flavor of a spirit and fail so miserably that they taste like medicine. The worst taste like cleaning agents.
Here are details on the most luscious mocktails we tried, and the watery, caustic concoctions that will send you back to the bar for a replacement. Nutrition info refers to a can, between 6.8 and 12 ounces.
Ready-to-drink mocktails are on the rise. Here are which ones to seek out -- and which to avoid. (Courtesy of Getty Images)Mocktails Mockarita
Both sour and sweet, this bold, lime-forward drink looks and tastes like a fresh, authentic Margarita. Unlike those made with a syrupy mix, it has a pleasant, refreshing balance of lime and orange. 78 calories, no sodium, 19 g sugar. $15.99 for 4 6.8-ounce cans at Total Wine. (4 stars)
Beckett’s Flying Moscow Mule
Wowza! This extra-bubbly, ginger pour is wildly spicy thanks to great quality ginger beer and a good hit of lime. It burns going down, making for a memorable drink. This one is best enjoyed in a copper mug. 35 calories, no sodium, 7 g sugar. $11.99 for 4 12-ounce cans at Total Wine. (4 stars)
Naked Life Cosmo
Perfume-like aromatics, a dash of cranberry and just the right touch of sweetness make this pretty pink liquid worthy of being served in a crystal stem. 5 calories, 10 mg sodium, no sugar. $9.99 for 4 8.4-ounce cans at Total Wine. (3 1/2 stars)
Recess Zero Proof Ginger Lime Mule
This can gets a solid thumbs-up for hitting all the right notes of a mule — including a touch of throat-warming ginger spice, but it’s decidedly less intense in flavor than a mule made with top ingredients. 20 calories, 10 mg sodium, 5 g sugar. $12.99 for 4 12-ounce cans at Safeway. (3 1/2 stars)
Mingle Key Lime Margarita
Consider this a margarita for beginners. It’s a pleasant pour and has a nice balance of sweet and sour, but it lacks the flavor punch of a fresh margarita. 50 calories, 25 mg sodium, 11 g sugar. $19.99 for 6 12-ounce cans at Total Wine. (3 stars)
Mocktail Club Capri Spritz
Those who love cranberry and enjoy a sour-tart drink should check out this mouth-watering, tea-spiked mocktail. It’s packed with pomegranate and cranberry flavors and sweetened with a tiny pinch of agave. 80 calories, no sodium, 16 g sugar. $11.99 on sale 4 12-ounce cans at Safeway. (3 stars)
Mingle Cranberry Cosmo
It’s hard not to compare this to Kool-Aid. It delivers a bit of citrus and nondescript fruitiness, but it lacks the complexity and fragrance of a true cosmo. 60 calories, 10 mg sodium, 12 g sugar. $19.99 for 6 12-ounce cans at Total Wine. (2 1/2 stars)
Recess Zero Proof Lime Margarita
This extra-bubbly drink is nothing close to a margarita, but it’s entirely enjoyable for those who like a tangy, extra-sour drink. 25 calories, 70 mg sodium, 5 g sugar. $12.99 for 4 12-ounce cans at Safeway. (2 stars)
Free Spirits Kentucky Mule
These cans should come with warning labels, as the punch of bourbon flavor shocks the palate. While the effort of mimicking bourbon sans alcohol is fairly successful, the drink itself is way out of balance; the ginger and lime are completely obliterated by the bourbon flavor. 75 calories, 55 mg sodium, 15 g sugar. $14.99 for 4 8.4-ounce cans at Total Wine. (1 1/2 stars)
Improv Lime Margarita Booze-Free Cocktails
Decidedly unpleasant and sour, this drink tastes like a mouthful of bitter chemicals. 40 calories, 15 mg sodium, 5 g sugar. $11.99 for 4 12-ounce cans at BevMo. (no stars)
Lyre’s Margarita
Many wrong things happened in this sad attempt to mimic a tequila-spiked margarita. It tastes like watered down Pine-Sol with a hint of toothpaste. 50 calories, 64 mg sodium, 10 g sugar. $15.99 or four 8.45-ounce cans at Total Wine. (no stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.
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