Forget the liquor store, you can buy some great booze at the grocery store. In 2023, we tasted all sorts of over-21 beverages you can get at the supermarket, like canned Espresso Martinis, canned wine, stouts, and we even ranked Trader Joe’s beer and boxed wine. A lot of our picks continue to make their way into our fridges, but two really made an impression. In fact, the number one best canned cocktail we tasted in 2023 was so good, both alcohol enthusiasts and those who hate the taste of booze loved it. Check out our picks for the best booze of 2023.
If you’ve ever wanted a whiskey soda—like, an actual soda that tastes like a Whiskey Highball—this is the canned cocktail for you. It’s ultra-refreshing (shocking for a whiskey drink that really tastes like whiskey), with just a hint of sweetness and citrus. We love it when a big brand actually pays attention to the quality of their side hustles, and Jim Beam did just that with this canned Highball. As a bit of a booze snob, I never would have guessed that I would like this drink. But my assumptions were wrong. It’s truly a revelation and one of the best whiskey cocktails in a can out there.
Sporked’s Jordan Myrick doesn’t like beer. And they don’t really like alcohol in general. But they went bonkers for this canned Michelada, naming it the best canned Michelada in our ranking. But it also got the approval of folks who love beer and other cocktails. It tastes like freshly squeezed tomato juice with just the right amount of salt, citrus, and beer. Dos Equis really hit it out of the park with this Michelada.
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Justine Sterling
Sporked Staff
Luke Field
Gwynedd Stuart
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!