The first pandemic summer introduced the “walk-tail” and propelled the already booming RTD market to new heights. This summer promises to offer even more exciting portable pops to go. Here are three new products to toss in your backpack.
Aperitivo style
You know that if Christos Kalaitzis is behind a cocktail, it’s not going to be your boring old vodka soda. The former Central City Brewers + Distillers mixologist is developing new products these days, and among them is the Opus line of handcrafted cocktails-in-a-can.
He’s just launched the first two, an aperitivo spritz and a Spanish-style G&T, which are made with loads of flavour, all-natural ingredients and zero sugar. What makes these really stand out, though, is that they come in both a boozy (7% ABV) and non-alcoholic version.
The alcoholic ones are available at private liquor stores, while the zero-proof cocktails will be available this summer at grocers and through drinkopus.com.
Crafty cocktails
While we can’t wait to get back to people watching from our favourite corner seat at the Hawksworth Cocktail Bar, we’re thrilled to learn we can now enjoy some of our favourite drinks at home.
Hawksworth has just released a lineup of seven bottled small-batch cocktails, each batched for two to three servings. They include everything from Poco a Poco, a refreshing blend of lime-infused Grey Goose Poire, Ginger of the Indies, orange peel honey water and soda water ($38 for two servings), to the rich, spirit-forward Han the Cherry Matten, a mix of Lot 40 Rye, Luciano Amaro, maraschino, cherry bitters, simple syrup and applewood smoke ($39 for three servings). hawksworthrestaurant.com/hawksworth-catering/cocktails-to-go
Summery seltzer
Do we really need another hard seltzer? Maybe—when it’s as tasty to drink and fun to say as Vizzy is. Like many other hard seltzers, it’s low in calories and alcohol—100 calories and 5 per cent ABV–but packs a bigger flavour punch than most. It’s made with the super fruit Acerola cherry, and comes in four flavour combos: Pineapple-Mango, Blueberry-Pomegranate, Black Cherry-Lime and Strawberry-Kiwi. Available in 12-packs of 355 mL cans ($20 to $25) and 473 mL single cans (about $3 each). vizzyhardseltzer.com