Best Cheap Canned Cocktails for Under $3 a Can

Cocktails are so expensive. In Sporked’s hometown of L.A., you’d be hard pressed to find a cocktail for less than $15. And, while making your own cocktails at home can be a more economic option, you can also buy pre-made canned cocktails. We’ve tried a lot of canned cocktails (we do the hard work just for you), so trust us when we tell you these are the best cheap canned cocktails to buy. What do we mean by cheap cocktails? These come out to less than $3 a can. Cheers, y’all. Here’s to better (cheaper) times. 

Best Cheap Variety Pack

Five Drinks Variety Pack ($18.49 8-pack)

Total Wine

If you want the best cheap cocktails in cans but don’t want just one kind of cocktail, then Five is the brand to buy. The variety pack comes with two cans each of Moscow Mules, Margaritas, Mojitos, and Daquiris. They’re each made with five ingredients (hence the name), including fruits, herbs, and spices. The Mule, for instance, is made with tamarind and ginger. And the Daiquiri includes pineapple and a spiced syrup. Though small, each can is 9% ABV, so you’re definitely getting a good boozy bang for your buck. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned cocktails

Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine

Rating:

8/10

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Best Cheap Vodka Cocktail

Deep Eddy Vodka Lemon ($7.99 4-pack)

Total Wine

Looking for a plussed-up Vodka Soda that will cost you less than $2 a can? Deep Eddy should be called Cheap Eddy because they’ve got you covered. This mix of lightly sweetened lemonade, sparkling water, and vodka is ultra refreshing and actually tastes like a Vodka Soda—not hard seltzer or hard lemonade. Grab a can and hit the porch. 

Read the full ranking of the best vodka cocktails in a can

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

8/10

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Best Cheap Whiskey Cocktail

Jack Daniel’s Coca-Cola ($10.99 4-pack)

Total Wine

It’s Jack Daniel’s whiskey and classic Coke, together in a can. If you like that combo, you’ll want to stock up. If you like Cherry Coke mixed with whiskey, they make that too. It’s pretty good—but the original is best. And, at around $2.75 a can it’s one of the best cheap cocktails to buy—even cheaper than happy hour at your local dive. 

Read the full ranking of the best whiskey cocktails in a can

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Cheap Gin Cocktail

The Finnish Long Drink ($13.99 6-pack)

Total Wine

I have a six-pack of this canned gin cocktail in my fridge at all times. It’s so good. It’s zesty and citrusy and just a little bit ginny. It doesn’t really taste like a standard cocktail—it’s its own thing. I’ve found that even folks who say they don’t like gin still like this stuff, which makes it one of the best cheap cocktails in cans to have at the ready when guests don’t want beer or wine—and you don’t want to shake up a cocktail from scratch. Also good: the brand’s cranberry, zero sugar, and “strong” versions. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned cocktails

Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Tequila Cocktail

VMC Jamaica Hibiscus Cocktail ($10.99 4-pack)

Total Wine

This easy drinking hibiscus-tequila canned cocktail is so extremely perfect with an order of al pastor tacos. It’s tart and fruity and floral and just a little bit fizzy. I was surprised to find out that it also qualifies as cheap! It really punches above its weight (an appropriate turn of phrase to use since VMC was started by Mexican boxer Saul Canelo Alvarez). And, while I recommend you buy a four-pack so you always have some cheap cocktails at the ready, you can also find this canned cocktail in tallboys—perfect for picnicking. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned tequila drinks

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Margarita

Cazadores Spicy Margarita ($11.99 4-pack)

Instacart

If you want a good, cheap Margarita, it’s going to be fizzy. If money is no object, we have recommendations for uncarbonated canned Margaritas. But if you’re looking to save some scratch, Cazadores makes the best cheap canned Margaritas. And the Cazadores Spicy Margarita is better than the non-spicy stuff. It has a great peppery flavor, plus vegetal agave sweetness and tangy lime. At less than $3 a can, these are cheap canned cocktails you can pass off as homemade. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned Margaritas

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Cheap Rum Cocktail

Bacardi Mojito ($9.99 4-pack)

Total Wine

Artificial mint rarely works for me outside of mint chip ice cream. But it comes across as actual, fresh mint in this canned Mojito. The cocktail is zesty with lots of fresh-squeezed lime flavor and there’s lots of good, real sugar flavor to balance out that tartness. The mint is aromatic and delightful. Never bother a busy bartender with a Mojito request again! Plus, these canned cocktails are some of the cheapest of the bunch. 

Read the full ranking of the best rum cocktails in a can

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Highball:

Jim Beam Classic Highball ($8.99 4-pack)

Total Wine

If you’re very lazy—too lazy to mix bourbon and seltzer together in a glass—then Jim Beam makes the best cheap cocktails in a can for you. Whiskey, bubbles, and just a hint of citrus is all you’ll get from this refreshing canned cocktail. It’s basic—but it’s extremely good. Seriously. 

Read the full ranking of the best whiskey cocktails in a can

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

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