Summer outside | The best new ready-to-drink

Ready-to-drink cocktails flooded the shelves of the SAQ last summer. And the interest is far from running out of steam. So much so that the state-owned company adds 67 new products to its offer in one year, an increase of nearly 40%. Here are five new features that caught our attention.

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At the height of the classic

A decade after its arrival on the shelves of the SAQ, Ungava markets its popular gin in a can. Pre-assembled with tonic, the drink lives up to expectations. The smell of Labrador tea blends perfectly with quinine scents. The biggest achievement, however, is the balanced taste: just sweet enough, but not too much. With its 28 g of sugar per litre, it is one of the best ready-to-drink products sold at the SAQ.

Ungava Gin & Tonic, $15 for 4 x 355ml (14699473)

Taste of the Caribbean

Rum, lime and mint, the Quebec brand Cherry River does not reinvent the mojito recipe. And this is very well so ! As soon as the can is opened, the smell of Caribbean rum is inviting. With lime and a hint of mint, everything comes together to make every sip delicious. In order to better appreciate its slightly higher sugar content, 62 g of sugar per litre, it is best to serve the can very cold.

Cherry River Mojito, $15 for 4 x 355ml (14960213)

For the heat wave

Alcoholic sparkling water drinks, called “hard seltzer” in English, rely on a simple concept: they contain less alcohol, less sugar and fewer calories. But these drinks also often have less taste. This is not the case with the new High Noon produced in the United States by the giant Gallo. Lovers of sparkling water with pink grapefruit will be won over by this refreshing drink. With less than 7 g of sugar per litre, or less than a teaspoon for the whole can, and barely 4% alcohol, the only thing missing is summer to enjoy it.

High Noon Hard Seltzer Grapefruit, $12 for 4 x 355 ml (14962032)

Refreshing

In Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula, Dillon’s Distillery was one of the first in the country to produce spirits with local ingredients. His drinks never lack originality and are always of high quality. Its first ready-to-drink marketed in Quebec is still up to the challenge. The gin and citrus blend is flavored with mint. The grass brings an almost peppery note in the mid-palate. The finish is long and thirst-quenching, since the drink contains less than 50 g of sugar per litre. We also like its lower than average price.

Dillon’s Tangerine & Lemon Gin Cocktail, $16.20 for 6 x 355ml (14960117)

Natural and delicious

This mix of vodka and tomato juice drink is made by the Canadian brand Walter. He seduces as much by his taste as by the company’s approach. The cocktail contains clam juice whose fishing is certified by the organization Ocean Wise. Most of the ingredients used, such as vinegar or tamari, are organic. Importantly, the drink contains no corn syrup or artificial colors. The mixture is slightly spicy and the addition of soy in the recipe brings depth and an umami taste. Just add a spice rim to the glass and a stalk of celery to make the cocktail even more successful.

Walter Craft Caesar Classic, $3.75 for 458 ml (14963220)