It was an unforgettable year for ready-to-drink cocktails. From sleek canned cocktails like vodka iced teas & lemonades to booming bottled cocktails — and every viral release in between — 2025 delivered nonstop excitement for RTD cocktail fans and the brands fueling the category’s momentum.
During the course of 2025, our panel sampled an expansive range of pre-mixed cocktails, putting each one through a detailed evaluation process. We judged how faithfully the flavors matched their classic inspirations, the allure of the aroma, the harmony and structure of the flavors, the visual presentation in the glass, and of course, overall drinkability.
But once the final cans were cracked and the last bottles poured, the real work was just beginning. As the calendar flipped to January, our editors and tasters dove back into a full year’s worth of score sheets and tasting notes. After thoughtfully reviewing and debating the data, we finalized our rankings and proudly named the standout performers in our annual ready-to-drink cocktail awards.
The RTD Magazine 2025 Editor's Choice Ready-To-Drink Cocktail Awards
After carefully considering the nominees suggested by our panel, our editor-in-chief meticulously examined every rating and piece of feedback to determine the winners.
And now, without further ado — and in no particular order — we are thrilled to present the recipients of the RTD Magazine 2025 Editor’s Choice Awards, celebrating the best ready-to-drink cocktails of 2025. Join us in raising a glass (or can, or bottle) to all of the winners!
Best Ready-To-Drink Espresso Martini
Best Overall — Ballotin Ready-To-Drink Mocha Espresso Martini
Top Pick — Mission Craft Cocktails Bottled Espresso Martini
Top Pick — Toucan Cocktails Espresso Martini In A Can
Top Pick — XXI Martinis Bottled Espresso Martini
Best Vodka Based Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Best Overall — XXI Martinis Chocolate Martini
Top Pick — Toucan Cocktails Canned Cosmopolitan
Top Pick — Tide Cocktail Co. Vodka Cranberry Canned Cocktail
Top Pick — Vodkade Fruit Punch Canned Vodka Cocktail
Best Whiskey Based Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Best Overall — Snazzy Vibe Sips Whiskey Lemonade + Iced Tea
Top Pick — Gardenista Bourbon Cocktail
Top Pick — Ballotin Ready-To-Drink Chocolate Old Fashioned
Top Pick — Art & Rev Whiskey Buck Canned Bourbon Cocktail
Best Rum Based Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Best Overall — Sundial Cocktails Spiced Rum & Ginger
Top Pick — Seven Skies Passion Rum Punch
Top Pick — Art & Rev Rum & Coconut Cocktail
Top Pick — Snazzy Vibe Sips Rum Lemonade + Iced Tea
Best Gin Based Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Best Overall — Loncaro Tangerine Authentic Finnish Long Drink
Top Pick — Deko Cocktails Bee's Knees
Top Pick — Loncaro Citrus Authentic Finnish Long Drink
Top Pick — Cutwater Gin Collins
Best Wine Based Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Best Overall — Social & Co. Italian Style Lemon Spritz
Top Pick — Roseade Strawberry Lemonade Wine Spritzer
Top Pick — Social & Co. Italian Style Strawberry Spritz
Top Pick — Mpact MAX Margarita
Best Ready-To-Drink Spirits Based Hard Seltzer/Soda
Best Overall — NÜTRL Lime Vodka Seltzer
Top Pick — John Wolf & Co. California Brandy & Ginger Ale
Top Pick — NÜTRL Orange Vodka Seltzer
Top Pick — Two Drums Original Lime Coconut Water Rum Seltzer
Best Ready-To-Drink Hard Iced Tea
Best Overall — Snow Monkey Peach + Raspberry Green Tea Saké Remix
Top Pick — Subourbon Life Bourbon Iced Tea & Lemonade
Top Pick — Snow Monkey Lemonade + Honey Green Tea Saké Remix
Top Pick — Lake Hour Earl Grey Vodka Iced Tea
Best Ready-To-Drink Hard Lemonade
Best Overall — Good Boy Vodka Pink Lemonade
Top Pick — Nirvana Chill Sparkling Vodka Strawberry Lemonade
Top Pick — Subourbon Life Bourbon Pink Lemonade
Top Pick — Roseade Pineapple Lemonade Canned Wine Spritzer
Best High ABV Ready-To-Drink Cocktail (10%+)
Best Overall — Mpact MAX Hip-Notical (16%)
Top Pick — Punch House Old Timer Bottled Cocktail (30%)
Top Pick — Bols Cocktails Margarita Azul (14.9%)
Top Pick — Snazzy Vibe Sips Tequila Lemonade + Iced Tea (10%)
Best New/Emerging Category Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Best Overall — Snow Monkey Yuzu + Hibiscus Saké Remix
Top Pick — Vodkade Orange Canned Vodka Cocktail
Top Pick — Alc-A-Chino Strawberry Acai Hard Refresher
Top Pick — John Wolf & Co. California Brandy Blackberry & Cola
Best Ready-To-Drink Cocktail Packaging Design
Best Overall — John Wolf & Co.
Top Pick — Bols Cocktails
Top Pick — XXI Martinis
Top Pick — Gardenista Cocktails
Want to learn more about submitting your brand's ready-to-drink cocktails for ratings, reviews, and awards? Please contact us for more information.
