The Canned Cocktail I’m Keeping in My Fridge This Holiday Season

Over the past decade of watching food and drink trends, nothing has surprised me more than the rise of canned cocktails. People love them because they skip the measuring, shaking, and inevitable sticky counters, but still taste like something you'd order out.

As a recipe developer, I love making cocktails from scratch. My idea of a perfect date night usually involves muddling sugar cubes, digging around for bitters, and shaking a cocktail until the shaker frosts over. You can trust me when I say that I never thought I'd be the one reaching for a canned drink.

For years, I really tried to brush them off. But as life with small kids got busier and my evenings got shorter, the idea of hauling out my cocktail tools now sometimes feels like a second job. 

So, while I still love making my cocktails from scratch, I've leaned into ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) more often during this season of life. Some nights, convenience wins, and luckily, RTDs have finally gotten good enough to keep up.

I've been enjoying the occasional Everything but the Bartender Gin & Tonic from Trader Joe's. The botanical, piney notes of the gin and the subtle bitterness of tonic pair well with a cozy sweater and a quiet evening at home.

Why I'm Digging Trader Joe's Everything but the Bartender Gin & Tonic

As a gin girly, I appreciate that this cocktail is notably gin-forward. It tastes like a real G & T (albeit a bit sweeter), with all the juniper and botanical complexity you'd expect. The color is gorgeous, too. It contains butterfly pea powder (a common drink additive, especially with gin) that gives it a striking and unexpected lavender color. I drink most of my drinks "on the rocks," and pouring this one over ice makes it feel like a mood, not just a drink.

Because it is quite strong (15% ABV), this is a sharer in my house. My husband and I will happily split a can between the two of us, and even then, we're sipping it slowly. Once, we even added some extra tonic to each of our glasses for longer sipping power.

You might ask, "Why not just make a gin and tonic then?" And you're right! Some nights I will do that, but on nights when I really want the convenience, cracking open two cans and cutting a lime is still less work than pulling out the tools and individual ingredients and having to clean it all up afterward.

How To Jazz Up a Canned Gin & Tonic

These are great straight from the can. But if you're like me and enjoy a little ritual to mark the end of the day, here are a few easy ways to make them feel even more special. Pour the drink into a nice stemmed glass or a pretty rocks glass. It's a small thing, but it makes it feel like an occasion.

A well-chilled drink makes all the difference. Pouring an already chilled can over ice mellows the intensity slightly and gives it a beautiful, frosty look. I also can't do without lime in my G&T, so I always add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. A classic lime wedge is always great, but other citrus options are great, too. Lastly, for something cute and festive, a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme echoes the gin's botanicals and smells incredible.

Since I picked these up, I've found myself looking forward to the end of the week (even more). I'll never give up making cocktails from scratch entirely—there's still magic in the ritual. But TJ's gin and tonic has quickly become a reliable, go-to choice for this season of life. Sometimes it's even the first choice!

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