When you’re at the beach or on the river, a can is the way to go, and West Michigan is making that much easier with canned wine and cocktails.
While still not nearly widespread as beer and cider (or even mead), that’s largely due to the difficulties in retaining wine’s delicate flavor and capturing a cocktail’s complexity in a can. Luckily for us, multiple local wineries and distilleries have managed to figure it out, giving plenty of local options.
Here are a few quality canned cocktails and wines available for outdoor adventures right now:
Long Road Distillers - Canned Cocktails
longroaddistillers.com
Available in bars, restaurants and retailers around Michigan, Long Road’s ready-to-drink cocktails were just reformulated to be more sessionable, at 7% ABV. The three current offerings include Polish Falcon, a Moscow mule with lemongrass; Lavender Lemonade, with vodka, lavender, lemon and rosewater; and Rosemary Gin Fizz, with a hint of grapefruit and salt. If you want more than a seltzer and aren’t a beer fan, these cocktails are the perfect easy-drinking option.
Coppercraft Distillery - Canned Cocktails
coppercraftdistillery.com
Coppercraft has a wide variety of canned cocktails, from the dark and boozy Black Cherry Whiskey to the tropical Rum Punch. At 10% ABV each, these should be treated like cocktails, sipped on and enjoyed. Other options include Gin & Tonic, Pink Bubbles (sort of a vodka-based rosé), Iced Tea & Lemonade (made with grain neutral spirits) and more. Find them in stores and Coppercraft tasting rooms.
New Holland Spirits - Canned Cocktails
newhollandbrew.com
New Holland’s spirits are beloved by locals, but their ready-to-drink cocktails might be even more popular. If you’re looking for options, check out the new variety pack, featuring the Holland Mule, Blackberry Bramble (with vodka and blackberry), Blueberry Gin Lemonade, and Rum Punch. ABV on these ranges from 7% to 9%, but what doesn’t vary is the quality of fresh and fruity cocktails made with local spirits. Also look for their brand-new cocktail just launched in April, the Prickly Pear Margarita.
Eastern Kille - Craft Cocktails to Go
easternkille.com
Okay, so these aren’t cans, but they’re just as easy! Eastern Kille has put 10+ of their top cocktails into little bottles, ready to drink with just the addition of ice (and a garnish, if you’re fancy). Try a tropical drink like the Toucan Sam, with aged rum, barrel-finished gin, pineapple liqueur, bitter peel liqueur, pineapple, lime and turbinado, all in one bottle. Or keep it classic with a Gin and Tonic, which also has a splash of grapefruit cordial.
Round Barn - Flavor Trip Sangria
roundbarn.com
Round Barn Winery is standing out by keeping their cans focused on sangria. With options ranging from 5% to 6.9% ABV, these “sparkling wine beverages” are the perfect way to go fun and fruity while on the go and outdoors. Choose from a classic red sangria, cranberry, raspberry lemon, peach, cherry, and the newest juicy and tropical white sangria. Or try them all with the variety pack!
St. Julian - Canned Wines
stjulian.com
St. Julian’s kept its canned offerings short and sweet, quite literally. You can get their traditional red sangria (10% ABV) or Sweet Revenge (red wine, 11% ABV) in cans of 375ml, which is half a bottle of wine.
BRIO by Shady Lane Cellars
shadylanecellars.com
From Leelanau Peninsula comes BRIO, a whimsical and adventurous line of wines from Shady Lane Cellars, meant to capture the essence of cool climate wines, “enthusiastic, bright, vibrant and vivacious.” The lineup includes a red, a white, a rose, and Vibes, a bubbly option. Available online or at their tasting room.
Leelanau Cellars - Canned Wines
shop.lwc.wine
One of the most popular wineries in Michigan (thanks to products like Witches Brew), Leelanau’s canned wines are bubbly and refreshing. Get the red for sweet, vibrant and juicy concord grape flavor; the Winter White for a crisp, semi-sweet refresher; and the Sunset Rosé for a fizzy, summery people pleaser. Also check out their Farm Fresh Muscato line, made of all-natural fruit and with a sessionable ABV.
