Austin Cocktails in a Can

Travel Distilled samples three cocktails in a can from Austin Cocktails, a Margarita, a Mojito, and a Ruby Red Vodka Cocktail

Austin Cocktails Mojito Cocktail in a Can — An Austin Mojito in a Can

I love the city of Austin, I love cocktails, and these days I especially love cocktails in a can. So who wouldn’t want to sample three of their cocktails, especially as each came in a four-pack.

Who Are Austin Cocktails?

Austin Cocktails is the brainchild of two Texas entrepreneurs and sisters, Jill Burns and Kelly Gasink. They wanted to do something to celebrate their grandfather, Fred, who was a farmer and who, after a hard day’s work in the fields, would gather the family together every day at 5pm to celebrate ‘Cocktail Time’! Now that’s my kind of grandfather.

Jill Burns and Kelly Gasink of Austin Cocktails

What Are Austin Cocktails?

The sisters wanted to develop cocktails in a can that were every bit as good as cocktails in a bar, but which were lower in carbs and calories and yet still packed a decent alcoholic punch. They aimed for cocktails that were between about 12.5% and 15% ABV. What that means is that they’re around twice as strong as many of the canned cocktails you’ll find in grocery stores, and more like the strength you would get in a cocktail bar cocktail.

One way to ensure they got what they wanted was, of course, to use premium ingredients. It’s the main difference between run-of-the-mill canned cocktails and those that match bar cocktails. Use premium spirits and the best quality ingredients. Use real limes rather than lime flavoring, and you’re bound to taste the difference.

The Austin Cocktails Range

There are three cocktails in the initial Austin Cocktails range and they are a Margarita, a Mojito (with a difference), and the toast to their grandfather, Fred’s Ruby Red Cocktail. All three of these cocktails came out at 12.5% ABV and, after tasting them, I can tell you that you’ll know you’ve had a drink.

An Austin Ruby Red Vodka Cocktail in a Can

Fred’s Ruby Red Cocktail

This is probably the most straightforward of the canned cocktails, being basically a mix of vodka with ruby red grapefruit. However, this version has a bit more subtlety by adding some mint, lime, seltzer (I was dubious about this but it worked), and some agave syrup to add a dash of sweetness.

Tasting this one, it’s a step above what I could produce, and it takes two minutes to pour it rather than ten minutes to make it. At $9.99 for four, this is the perfect combination of quality and affordability. $2.50 for a cocktail bar cocktail? What’s not to like?

Austin Cocktails Margarita Cocktail in a Can — An Austin Margarita in a Can

Bergamot Orange Margarita

Now, living in Arizona we sample a lot of margaritas when we’re out at our local Mexican restaurants, and we also make a mean margarita at home – tequila, lime, and triple sec. The secret is in the balance, and in putting in a bit more tequila than the average restaurant does.

Austin Cocktails take this to the next level by also including some bergamot orange and again, that seltzer and agave syrup. The result is a winner. I’d keep these in my fridge all the time, to save the faff of getting out the blender to make my own. It’s a delicious blend of sweet and sour, nice and limey and it’s definitely a good blanco tequila in there. It’s a no-brainer to spot the difference between a margarita made with a bottom shelf tequila and one made with a premium spirit. Some people say it’s a waste to use a quality tequila in a margarita, but for me the results speak for themselves. And again, it’s $9.99 for a four-pack.

Cucumber Vodka Mojito

This Mojito was the first of the cocktails I looked at, and I didn’t think I would like it. For that reason it took me longer than usual to get round to trying it. Why? Well, it was firstly that inclusion of seltzer, which I thought would make for a fizzy and not very boozy cocktail. Then secondly, of course, it’s a Mojito made with vodka and not rum. What kind of sacrilege is this?

However, when I did bring myself to pour one of them, it was a revelation. You would be hard pushed if tasting it blind to say this wasn’t a conventional rum-based Mojito. It also has cucumber, mint, lime and agave syrup in it, and the result is a sophisticated blend that you’d expect to pay at least $10 for in a bar, and probably more. Another? I don’t mind if I do. This is the best of the bunch and it’s reflected in the price, which is $14.99 for four. That’s still less than four bucks for a good-sized glass full.

Buying Austin Cocktails

You can find your nearest stockist on the Austin Cocktails Store Locator, and I’m pleased to say several places near me in Tucson carry the range. You can also buy online, with shipping to many states but not internationally. These canned cocktails are a cut above, believe me, and I’ll be watching for any new cocktails in their range.