The Best Canned Cocktails Made in the DMV to Try This Summer

Summer is all about eating and drinking outside. We've already covered some of the best ways to elevate your picnic grub, so now we're looking at the perfect boozy canned accompaniments because, seriously, hauling a bottle of wine and all of the paraphernalia gets to be a hassle on a picnic, or camping trip or a day at the beach. Corkscrews and stemware aren’t always convenient. And hauling glassware?! Fuggedaboutit.

Besides,  what says "it's summertime and the living is easy" more  than grab-and-go canned wine and cocktails?
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We've scouted some of the best canned wines and cocktails -- made and sold in the DMV, of course -- for your next day drinking hang on the patio, the beach or wherever.

​Cheers to that!

OLD WESTMINSTER WINERY 

Old Westminster Winery, a family-run vineyard in Maryland was the first winery in the Mid-Atlantic to uncork, literally, the canned wine trend. They offer seven canned choices, including: Farmer Fizz, a sparkling Chardonnay; Carbonic, a Cabernet Franc; and Seeds & Skins, a skin-fermented Pinot Gris. ​

TENTH WARD DISTILLING COMPANY

Women-owned Tenth Ward Distilling Company has entered the canned cocktail game with four unconventional mixes. Choose from: Peach Clementine Lemonade Iced Tea,  the Blackberry Lemon Crush with rum, blackberry, lemon and basil; .the Corpse Reviver No. 10 boasts soft herbal notes bolstered by balanced notes of vanilla and chai tea; and the Smoked Whiskey Sour is made with Tenth Ward’s signature Smoked Corn Whiskey, lemon, honey, ginger and ancient bitters. At 8% ABV, the cocktail is slightly smokey, with a burst of fresh ginger and citrus. If you can't make it up to Frederick, Md where they're based, pick your flavor at a bar or liquor store near you.

 BLUESTONE VINEYARD 

The family-run, Virginia winery offers four different kinds of canned wine: Beau ($7.95 per can), Vidal Blanc ($8.95 per can), Moscato ($9.95 per can) and Dry Rosé ($9.95 per can). Each can contains two-and-a-half servings of wine, which can make them more attractive than purchasing a whole bottle to some. Bluestone winemakers said that they chose wines that do not need to be aged and he said they will taste best when people drink them shortly after they get them.​

SANGRIA COCKTAIL KIT

Who doesn't love sangria? It's the ultimate summer bev and this genius kit makes it super simple to whip up a batch. It comes complete with cherry, lemon, orange and citrus-infused vegan non-GMO cane sugar to which you add your booze and let the flavors infuse in the fridge for three days (we wouldn't tell if you imbibe sooner). Serves eight.

 BELLE ISLE MOONSHINE 

Honey Habanero, Cold Brew Coffee, Blood Orange and Ruby Red. You name it and Belle Isle has probably infused these funky flavors into their 100% organic corn moonshine. The Richmond-based distillery is now incorporating their award-winning shine into cans for easy on-the-go sips. Select from Ruby Red & Soda, Blood Orange & Soda or Shine & Soda, all naturally gluten-free and sipping at 110 calories or less per can.

DEVILS BACKBONE BREWING CO

The beer makers also dabble in the spirits industry. Located in Lexington, VA, Devils Backbone Distilling Co. produces an array of gins, fruit brandies, rum and now, canned cocktails. Their 80-proof Fresh Hop Gin is dropped in a green and blue can with dry tonic for their unique spin on the classic cocktail. More of a rum drinker? Reach for the purple and orange can instead to enjoy sips of ginger, vanilla and oak pulled from Devils Backbone’s Mountain Blackstrap Dark Rum and spicy ginger beer.

 BOLD ROCK 

Hard cider makers Bold Rock (brewed in foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Nellysford, VA) introduced its line of Craft Cocktails a couple of years ago. The first canned creation appeared as the cleverly named Bold Fashioned.  Of course, it's infused with freshly pressed apple juice too. The second release was the vodka-filled Copper Mug Mule fashioned with natural Blue Ridge apple juice, ginger and lime.

HARD CIDER

If you have more of a taste for cider rather than wine or craft cocktails, you're in luck. Cider has become popular in DC with several cideries springing up in recent years offering refreshing and unique flavors. Here's what you can expect to find at the four locations in the city when you're ready for a hard cider taste test.

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Curious? There's more!

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