Super Bowl Sunday is approaching, and fans across the country are making their annual trips to the grocery store in search of all the usual goodies; gallons of guacamole, fixings for loaded nachos, soft pretzels and Buffalo dip galore. In years past, beer and hard seltzer may have been obvious additions to the list. This year, however, has proved the era of the pre-mixed cocktail.
New brands have been hitting the shelf at a breakneck pace. Whether they're made with tequila, whiskey, vodka or some combination of the above, pre-mixed cocktails have dominated the market in a rainbow variety of flavors. If you can think of a classic cocktail, an up-and-coming brand has undoubtedly got you covered. But not every drink is quite as good as the last.
We've combed through dozens, nay hundreds of pre-mixed cocktails in search of the best sippers for Super Bowl Sunday. Selections include favorites like the Old Fashioned and Negroni, with prices ranging from $5 on the low end to $43 at their most expensive.
Our first recommendation comes courtesy of Hochstadter’s, a rye whiskey bottler based out of Philadephia. For Hochstadter's Rock and Rye, the brand combines whiskey with naval oranges, raw honey, Angostura bitters and a sprinkle of crystalized sugar.
This is the perfect choice for those who like their stiff cocktails bold and sweet. Bottled at a pleasantly strong 42% ABV (higher than any other on this list), the drink is loaded with spiced rye whiskey character that gives way to a wave of vanilla, candied orange peel and a vaguely medicinal note not unlike menthol. You can pick up a 750-milliliter bottle at $25 or opt for 100-milliliter cans that cost just $5 a pop.
The Finnish Long Drink
[caption id="attachment_97899" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: The Finnish Long Drink)[/caption]
It's rare to see a gin-based pre-mixed cocktail get quite as much buzz as The Finnish Long Drink. Celebrity benefactors have certainly played a big role. Investors in the company include actor Miles Teller, DJ Kygo, professional golfer Rickie Fowler and Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners. But A-listers can only do so much to prop up a brand.
Thankfully, the cocktail's combination of gin, lemon and grapefruit soda is a winner in its own right. Packed with a noticeable but none-too-overwhelming citrus character, each can is as refreshing as it is crushable. It's a great upgrade for those looking to level up beyond a hard seltzer. Long Drink produces beverages in a smorgasbord of flavors including Cranberry, Peach, Strong Citrus and Zero Sugar, but you can't go wrong with the original Traditional Citrus. It's available pretty much everywhere and costs around $15 per 6-pack.
On The Rocks is owned by Beam Suntory and makes quality, pre-batched cocktails in just about every variety imaginable using Beam Suntory-owned spirits brands. Though we're quick to recommend the brand's White Negroni and Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita, there isn't a drink in its catalog more quintessentially February than the Spiced Whiskey Pear Sour.
This recent limited-edition drop is made with Old Overholt rye whiskey, pear liqueur, baking spice and a splash of citrus. Think of it like a hot toddy reimagined for sipping on ice. Each of the flavors announced on the label comes through loud and clear, combining for a soothing medley of fruit, cinnamon and rosemary approachable for whiskey skeptics and lovers alike. Best of all, you can still purchase this cocktail online at just $10 for a 375-milliliter bottle.
There are enough pre-batched Negronis on the market to fill an entire liquor store of their own. We've tried our fair share with mixed results. More often than not they're thin and watery, the exact opposite of what you'd want from an equal-parts cocktail made solely of alcohol. Other times, Campari dominates the equation and leaves little room for other ingredients to breathe.
For the best of all worlds, we'd recommend Conte Camillo. Crafted at the La Valdôtaine distillery in the Italian Alps, the cocktail is packed with a hefty serving of sweet vermouth that segues into scrumptiously bitter flavors of anise, pepper, cherry candies and juniper. Don't let its plastic screw-off lid fool you; this is a premium cocktail through and through. It's currently available in New York, Connecticut, Illinois and Massachusetts at a suggested retail price of $34.99 per 700-milliliter bottle.
Tip Top Espresso Martini
[caption id="attachment_97901" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Tip Top)[/caption]
Tip Top's tiny giraffe logo has made its way onto some of the best pre-mixed cocktails the category has to offer. Its take on the espresso martini is second to none.
Mixed with vodka, Counter Culture espresso and vanilla, the cocktail does without the cloyingly sweet coffee liqueur that defines many of its competitors. Instead, Tip Top narrows in on distinct espresso bitterness, surprising hints of blackberry and plum and a light waft of vanilla. Each cocktail is canned at 22% ABV and costs just over $5 per 100-milliliter can. If you're looking for a tequila-centric twist on the recipe, we'd highly recommend NightOwl as well.
Le Barteleur Margarita
[caption id="attachment_98091" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Le Barteleur Margarita)[/caption]
Sometimes you have to think outside the box to perfect a tried-and-true recipe. Le Barteleur, a French cocktail brand launched in 2023, did exactly that with its twist on the margarita.
The drink combines tequila, triple sec and lime juice with the unusual addition of grapefruit, an ingredient usually reserved for cocktails like the Paloma, Greyhound and Salty Dog. The extra squeeze of flavor introduces a tart character that plays wonderfully within the medley of citrus and agave. Hints of coconut and earthiness linger in the background. Each cocktail is bottled at 27% ABV and demands a suggested retail price of $43.99.
Golden Rule Old Fashioned
[caption id="attachment_97900" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Golden Rule)[/caption]
The lounge chair and crackling cigar on each of these banana-yellow cans foretell a drink that's equal parts reserved and classy.
Unlike Hochstadter’s take on the cocktail, which sits on the sweeter side of the spectrum, the Golden Rule Old Fashioned is a decidedly spicy affair. Made with high-rye bourbon whiskey, aromatic bitters, natural orange and cane sugar, each cocktail brims with a leathery character that hides subtle hints of tobacco, fennel and anise. Though it may be one of the least "old fashioned" Old Fashioneds we've tried, the unexpected complexity is pulled off with a great touch. These 79-proof cocktails are sold at a suggested retail price of $20 per 4-pack.
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(Photo: The Finnish Long Drink)[/caption]
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(Photo: Conte Camillo)[/caption]
(Photo: Tip Top)[/caption]
(Photo: Le Barteleur Margarita)[/caption]
(Photo: Golden Rule)[/caption]