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About Ready-to-Drink Cocktails

Ready to Drink cocktails, or RTDs, are just that: conveniently packaged, alcohol-included cocktails that are ready to drink on their own, chilled, or with ice.

Sometimes referred to as flavored malt beverages (FMBs), malternatives, alcopops, or even "wine coolers", these started out as sweet, fruity, "highly palatable" concoctions using cheaper malt alcohol bases in the US in the late 1980's through 2004. In recent years, the category has migrated towards more classic cocktails conceptions using fresher, more natural tasting ingredients and clearly identifiable distilled spirits as their base.

Top Picks for Ready-to-Drink Cocktails

Vampire Spirits Absinthe Verte Ginger Ale & Lime Cocktail
95 points
Vampire Spirits
Absinthe Verte Ginger Ale & Lime Cocktail
Absinthe with ginger ale and a citrus twist; this is absolutely delightful.
95 points
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Date Tasted:
Malibu Dole® Pineapple Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
94 points
$21
Malibu
Dole® Pineapple Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Spritzy, juicy ripe pineapple is coupled with crisp, refreshing citrus, and a touch of rich coconut to create a tropical fizz that keeps charming you back to another sip.
94 points $21
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Date Tasted:
Betsy’s Beverages BLT Ready-To-Drink Bourbon Cocktail
94 points
$13
Best Buy
Betsy’s Beverages
BLT Ready-To-Drink Bourbon Cocktail
Crisp, light, refreshing and zippy, a super sessionable drink when you do not want to mix your own.
94 points $13 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Om Cold Brew With Chocolate Liqueur RTD
94 points
$8
Om
Cold Brew With Chocolate Liqueur RTD
A delicious and satiny espresso martini RTD that tastes freshly made.
94 points $8
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Date Tasted:
Via Carota Classic Negroni
94 points
$29
Via Carota
Classic Negroni
A well executed, elegant Negroni for easy consumption in any circumstances.
94 points $29
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Date Tasted:
Ole Smoky Blackberry Lemonade Moonshine Cocktail
94 points
Ole Smoky
Blackberry Lemonade Moonshine Cocktail
A quite delightful berry jam and citrus spritz.
94 points
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Date Tasted:
1800 The Ultimate Margarita Passionfruit
93 points
$0
1800
The Ultimate Margarita Passionfruit
Tangy passionfruit-peach-green apple flavors combine with lovely agave notes in this excellent exotic take on a Margarita.
93 points $0
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Date Tasted:
Royal Circle Highball Whisky & Cola Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
93 points
$0
Royal Circle
Highball Whisky & Cola Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Rich and spicy with a zippy finish, like a quality cola-whiskey at your favorite bar - think whiskey spiked cream soda with root beer with just the right hit of fizz.
93 points $0
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Date Tasted:
Bols Espresso Martini Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
93 points
$12.99
Bols
Espresso Martini Ready-To-Drink Cocktail
Exceptionally well-balanced and flavorful, dark roasted coffee and creamy espresso lead a complex palate of maple, caramel, almond butter and cocoa flavors, always with coffee beans in the front seat.
93 points $12.99
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Date Tasted:
Undone Italian Spritz Non-Alcoholic RTD
93 points
$3
Undone
Italian Spritz Non-Alcoholic RTD
Bright and refreshing, this bubbly aperitif will make you want another to pair with fun and eclectic appetizers — so balanced and bittersweet refreshing, you do not miss the alcohol.
93 points $3
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Date Tasted: