Whether you want to shake up some at-home cocktails or want to up the glam levels of your bag of cans, these Irish made drink options should definitely be on your radar this summer.
If you want to be the host with the most all summer long, these pre-mixed drinks are not only delicious and aesthetically pleasing, but are made right here in Ireland.
Coops Cocktails
Founded in 2023 by Irish model Joanna Cooper, Coops Cocktails use only the most premium of spirits and all natural ingredients. Their range mixes up like a dream at home, so make sure you’ve got some chilled coupes to hand and some garnishes ready to go.
Our top pick
I think I speak for everyone at IMAGE HQ when I say that when there’s the option of a spicy margarita, we’re always going to take it. The Sexy Margarita has a dash of mango and a splash of chilli, so it’s a little sweet but still has that heat.
Where to shop
You can shop directly from their website, coopscocktails.ie.
Lay-Low Hard Iced Tea
Taking the title of Ireland’s very first alcoholic iced tea, the team at Lay-Low were inspired by drinks enjoyed Stateside on a J1 and made it their mission to bring that refreshment back home. It’s still, crucially not sparkling, and is made with all natural flavourings. Made with zero sugar, these cans are just 90 calories and 4.5% ABV.
Our top pick
Their range is pretty refined, with just a Lemon and Peach option available at the moment, and if we’re picking favourites, I’ve got to go with the latter. A great one to pack for any upcoming festivals!
Where to shop
Lay-Low are available in stores across Ireland, including select Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Applegreen, or you can shop online at laylowtea.com.
Craft Cocktails
Made with some serious bartender know-how from the folks at Bar 1661, Craft Cocktails are what you want to have in your bar cart for when friends come over. The multi-award-winning Irish brand uses 100% natural ingredients and premium spirits, and are always incorporating limited edition runs of fun seasonal flavours.
Our top pick
Based on a recipe from the world’s oldest cocktail book, The Bartender’s Guide by Jerry Thomas, 1862, this one is made to be drank over ice with an orange twist.
Where to shop
You can shop directly from their website, craftcocktails.ie.
Dublin Cocktail Lab
I think the best discovery I’ve made this year (or, potentially, ever) has been Dublin Cocktail Lab. Specialising in their own small batch cocktails and the importation and distribution of alternative drinks in Ireland, they’ve revolutionised my bag of cans and given me even more notions. Though they stock award-winning single serves from UK brand Whitebox Cocktails, it’s the bounty of their lab that appeals to me most.
Our top pick
I’m going to have to choose three: the Chilli Rita: a Habanero & Lemongrass Spritz made with Peated Irish Spirit; the Irish Nettle & Smoked Pear Old Fashioned made with a seven-year-old single grain maple finish whiskey; and finally, the Whiskey Hiball: Wild Wicklow Pine & Organic Yuzu made with a five-year-old pot still whiskey.
Where to shop
You can shop directly from their website, dublincocktaillab.com.
Little & GREEN
Another gem born from the spiritual home of poitín in Ireland, Bar 1661, Little & GREEN was created with the goal of returning poitín to its rightful place in the canon of Irish drinks. The world’s first ready-to-drink can crafted with real poitín, they’re unique, flavourful, and loaded with Irish attitude.
Our top pick
Again, there are currently just two flavours to choose from, Sneaky Orchard and Shady Bramble and for me, it’s got to be the Orchard. It’s described as a zingy harvest festival of pear, crisp apple and elderflower natural flavours. Yum.
Where to shop
Little & GREEN are available in stores across Ireland including select Fine Wines, Spar and Carryout, or you can shop online at littleandgreen.com.
sip
Something a little different from our other picks, sip is a canned wine brand that set out to put one glass of wine in a can with designs by Dublin based artists. Partnering with Castillo de Monjardín, an award winning family run winery located in the northwest of Navarra, Spain in the foothills of the Pyrenees, sip have plenty of collaborations in the pipeline.
Our top pick
75 Vines is a Grenache wine aged for six months in oak barrels, a process that adds structure and imparts subtle notes of spice and aroma. Ruby in color, this wine boasts ripe red berry flavours, with a well-balanced profile and a smooth, velvety finish on the palate.
Where to shop
sip are available in select independent retailers across Ireland. sipsipsip.ie
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