The Best Canned Mocktails for Your Summer Cooler

Summer coolers have come a long way. Not that long ago, your options were basically beer, soda, or whatever mystery beverage had been rolling around in the bottom of the cooler since the last time it was used. Now there’s an entirely different category competing for ice space.

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Canned mocktails have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and the best ones aren’t just cocktails with the alcohol removed. They’re layered, refreshing, and interesting enough that they don’t feel like a compromise. Whether you’re heading to the beach, a backyard barbecue, a picnic, or simply trying to survive another heatwave, these are the canned mocktails worth packing this summer.

Best Overall: For Bitter For Worse Eva’s Spritz

If you’re only buying one canned mocktail this summer, make it Eva’s Spritz. We named it the best canned mocktail overall thanks to its bright citrus flavor, subtle bitterness, and surprising complexity. It’s refreshing enough for a hot afternoon but interesting enough to sip slowly.

Best for the Beach: Hiyo Watermelon Lime Social Tonic

Some drinks just taste like summer. Hiyo’s Watermelon Lime Social Tonic is one of them. The watermelon actually tastes like watermelon rather than candy, while the lime keeps everything light and refreshing. Throw this in a cooler with a bag of ice and you’re halfway to a beach day.

Best Summer Spritz: Ghia Ginger Le Spritz

If your ideal summer drink involves sitting outside pretending you’re on the Amalfi Coast, Ghia Ginger Le Spritz is your move. It’s crisp, fizzy, slightly bitter, and has just enough ginger kick to keep things interesting.

Best for Cocktail Lovers: St Agrestis Phony Negroni

Some mocktails try to be approachable. This one commits fully to the assignment. St Agrestis Phony Negroni brings the bitterness and complexity people actually want from a Negroni, making it one of the best options for anyone who usually gravitates toward classic cocktails.

Best Tropical Pick: De Soi Golden Hour

Golden Hour manages to feel both relaxing and vaguely transportive. With citrus, herbs, and subtle floral notes, it’s the kind of drink that tastes like it should be consumed somewhere with a better view than your apartment balcony.

Best Margarita Alternative: Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Margarita

Summer and margaritas go together. This canned version delivers tart citrus, a little smokiness, and enough complexity to feel like an actual cocktail rather than glorified lime soda.

Best for People Who Are Tired of Predictable Drinks: Mockly Tangerine Basil Elixir

Tangerine and basil sounds like the kind of flavor combination somebody made up as a joke. Somehow, it works. The basil gives it a distinctly herbaceous flavor that makes it feel more grown-up than most fruit-forward canned drinks, although it definitely leans sweet. Is it for everyone? Probably not. Is it one of the more interesting things you can pull out of a cooler this summer? Absolutely.

The Bottom Line

The best canned mocktails aren’t trying to be alcohol. They’re just trying to be good drinks. And judging by the cans on this list, they’ve gotten pretty good at it. Which is good news for anyone looking to put something a little more interesting in their cooler this summer.