Canned cocktails have taken over the beverage aisle, and Trader Joe’s has stocked up with a wide range of boozy options—from classic mixed drinks to kombucha fusions and fruity wine spritzers. But not all cans are created equal. We sipped our way through 15 popular Trader Joe’s canned cocktails to find out which ones are worth chilling and which ones to skip. Here’s our ranking from worst to best, based on flavor, balance, drinkability, and refreshment factor.
15. Links Drinks Classic Transfusion $11.99/12 oz
Inspired by a popular golf course cocktail, this mix features vodka, ginger ale, and grape juice.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Overly sweet with an artificial grape taste that overwhelms the vodka and ginger ale. Better suited for novelty than flavor.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 160
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 22g
- Sodium 10mg
- Sugar 20g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, ginger ale, grape juice, natural flavors.
Preparation Instructions
Serve chilled or over ice.
14. JuneShine Island Cooler Hard Kombucha $10.99/12 oz
A tropical kombucha cocktail with rum, pineapple, coconut, and citrus notes.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Funky aftertaste and too sour for a laid-back cocktail experience. Kombucha fans might still appreciate the complexity.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 150
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 16g
- Sodium 5mg
- Sugar 13g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Organic green tea, cane sugar, fruit juice concentrate, rum, coconut water.
Preparation Instructions
Best served cold, do not shake.
13. Mixed-Up Pineapple Daiquiri Cocktail $9.99/12 oz
A ready-to-drink daiquiri that blends rum, pineapple, and lime.
Why It’s Ranked Here
The pineapple flavor lacks freshness, and the cocktail leans too syrupy. It’s drinkable but forgettable.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 170
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 21g
- Sodium 15mg
- Sugar 18g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, cane sugar, natural flavors.
Preparation Instructions
Serve over crushed ice or straight from the can.
12. Sunboy Pineapple Spiked Coconut Water $10.99/12 oz
A hydrating twist on canned cocktails, made with real coconut water and spiked with vodka.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Refreshing but a bit bland. The coconut flavor dominates, and the pineapple is barely noticeable.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 110
- Fat 1g
- Carbs 11g
- Sodium 35mg
- Sugar 10g
- Protein 1g
Ingredients
Coconut water, vodka, pineapple juice, citric acid.
Preparation Instructions
Chill and shake gently before opening.
11. Good Boy Vodka Blackberry Iced Tea and Lemonade $9.99/12 oz
A boozy twist on the Arnold Palmer with added blackberry flavor.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Good idea in theory, but the blackberry tastes artificial and overly sweet.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 180
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 25g
- Sodium 15mg
- Sugar 23g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, tea extract, lemonade concentrate, blackberry flavor, cane sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Best served over ice or chilled.
10. Fabrizia Limoncello Spritz $11.99/12 oz
An effervescent lemon liqueur cocktail with a bubbly finish.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Bright and citrusy, but the sweetness can become cloying after a few sips.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 160
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 20g
- Sodium 5mg
- Sugar 18g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Limoncello, sparkling water, cane sugar, natural lemon flavor.
Preparation Instructions
Serve well chilled in a flute or wine glass.
9. Nantucket Red Vodka Cranberry $8.99/12 oz
A tart blend of cranberry juice and vodka, inspired by the classic Cape Codder.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Simple and solid. Could use more bite, but great for those who like a mild, fruity finish.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 140
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 18g
- Sodium 10mg
- Sugar 15g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, cranberry juice, sugar, lime flavor.
Preparation Instructions
Chill before serving; garnish with lime if desired.
8. Talkhouse Encore Iced Tea and Lemonade Vodka Soda $10.99/12 oz
A lighter take on spiked tea with sparkling vodka soda, lemonade, and black tea notes.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Smooth and refreshing — not too sweet, not too strong. A great summer day-drinker.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 100
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 5g
- Sodium 20mg
- Sugar 4g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, tea extract, lemon juice, carbonated water, natural flavors.
Preparation Instructions
Serve cold or pour over ice.
7. Owl’s Brew Lime and Lemon Verbena Rum Mojito $11.99/12 oz
A refreshing mojito-inspired drink with rum, green tea, lime, and herbs.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Bright and herbal with a pleasant bitterness. Not for everyone, but fans of botanical cocktails will love it.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 110
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 10g
- Sodium 0mg
- Sugar 8g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Rum, brewed tea, lime juice, lemon verbena, cane sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.
6. Sun Cruiser Classic Iced Tea $8.99/12 oz
A no-frills alcoholic iced tea made with real brewed tea and vodka.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Smooth and crushable with just enough sweetness. It’s dangerously drinkable.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 150
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 18g
- Sodium 5mg
- Sugar 15g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Brewed tea, vodka, cane sugar, citric acid.
Preparation Instructions
Best served over ice with lemon.
5. Yuzy Pink Guava Margarita $10.99/12 oz
A tangy and tropical twist on the classic margarita with guava and citrus.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Bright, tart, and flavorful — a bold pick for margarita fans.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 160
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 22g
- Sodium 70mg
- Sugar 18g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Tequila, guava juice, lime juice, sugar, natural flavors.
Preparation Instructions
Serve chilled or over ice with a salted rim.
4. Boardwalk Pink Lemonade $8.99/12 oz
A sweet and fizzy vodka lemonade with a carnival-like charm.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Fun, refreshing, and nostalgic — like a grown-up pink lemonade stand.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 140
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 19g
- Sodium 10mg
- Sugar 16g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, lemonade concentrate, carbonated water, sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Serve ice cold — best enjoyed on a hot day.
3. Everything but the Bartender Cosmopolitan $9.99/12 oz
A classic cosmo in a can with vodka, cranberry, lime, and orange liqueur.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Tart, crisp, and well-balanced — just like you’d expect from a cocktail bar.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 150
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 17g
- Sodium 5mg
- Sugar 14g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, triple sec, sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Chill, shake, and pour into a martini glass.
2. Two Chicks Sparkling Key Lime Lemonade $11.99/12 oz
This sparkling vodka cocktail features tart key lime juice with a fizzy finish.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Perfectly zesty with a refreshing sparkle. Feels fancy but is easy to sip.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 100
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 8g
- Sodium 5mg
- Sugar 6g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Vodka, key lime juice, lemon juice, sparkling water, sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Serve cold; garnish with lime for extra flair.
1. The Finnish Long Drink Traditional Citrus $12.99/12 oz
A Finnish-style canned cocktail with gin and grapefruit citrus soda.
Why It’s Ranked #1
Bright, crisp, and ultra-refreshing — it’s the best-balanced and most unique cocktail of the bunch.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories 180
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 22g
- Sodium 15mg
- Sugar 17g
- Protein 0g
Ingredients
Gin, grapefruit soda, natural citrus flavors, cane sugar.
Preparation Instructions
Enjoy straight from the can or over ice with a grapefruit wedge.
Final Sip
Whether you’re by the pool or hosting a casual hangout, Trader Joe’s canned cocktails offer a surprising range of ready-to-drink refreshers. Keep this ranking handy next time you want to stock your cooler with something new!
