Summer is officially here. That makes this the perfect time to fish out that picnic basket or beach bag from the back of your closet and start filling it with all the necessary essentials: suntan lotion, an oversized blanket, and, of course, lively libations.
But this year, I’ve discovered a fantastic mini-miracle that means I don’t have to bring a bottle opener and corkscrew this season. I’m talking about canned wine, and it’s my latest obsession.
Yes, canned wine is now a thing. The refreshing and ultra-portable drinks come in red, white, rosé, and sparking variants and are available as single cans or multipacks. The smaller sizes provide the perfect individual servings, leaving you free from worrying about wasting the leftovers from an entire bottle. Besides, aluminum cans are usually easier to recycle.
I explored some of the most noteworthy, flavorful, lightweight and inexpensive canned wines on the market. Here’s a list of my favorite ones to tote around and crack open this summer.
The Drop Wine
Inspired by the surfing term and people who chase their “waves” in life, The Drop Wine is all the reasons we love California packaged in a 250 milliliter aluminum can. The crisp libation is sold in packs or four for $24.99 or packs of 24 for $149.99 and comes in Cali Red, rosé, and a Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is between 11 and 13 percent alcohol by volume depending on the variant.
Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs
One of the OGs of the canned wine category, Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine is mainly credited with kicking off the canned wine trend. Launched by Francis Ford Coppola and named after his own daughter, director Sofia Coppola, the 187 milliliter bubbly has been around since 2004 and is recognized for its bold pink can and effervescent taste. The cans are sold individually for $6 or in packs of four for $20.
Underwood Wines In a Can
Underwood Wines in a Can sport one of the least adorned can designs on the market, but we’d expect no less from a wine grown in the laid back region of Oregon. The wine comes in Pinot Noir, rosé, “Rosé Bubbles,” and Pinot Gris, and is packaged in 375 milliliter cans. The wines are 13 percent alcohol by volume. That’s roughly two “glasses of wine” in each steel colored can. Underwood canned wines are sold for $28 for a four-pack.
Barefoot Refresh
Barefoot has never taken itself too seriously, and their can varieties are no different. Released in 2013, Barefoot Refresh Canned Spritzers come in a Crisp White and Summer Red. The 250 milliliter cans are $2.49 for a single and $8.99 for a four-pack. They are 6.5 percent alcohol by volume. Two new versions, a rosé and a Moscato, are also expected to hit shelves this summer, so get those straws ready.
Lila Wines
Colorful cans filled with playful flavor are two of the many reasons to stock up on Lila Wines this summer. Others include the fact that they’re available in refreshing rosé, Pinot Grigio, and sparking varieties for $11.99 per four-pack. Each 250 milliliter can is equal to around a glass and a half of wine. They are less than 300 calories per can and the wine ranges from 11 to 12.5 percent alcohol by volume.
The Infinite Monkey Theorem
Based in Denver, The Infinite Monkey Theorem has been making ridiculously good canned wine since 2011. Their line comes in a Moscoto, red, rosé, white, and Dry Hopped Sauvignon Blanc, and retails for $15 for four 250 milliliter cans. Full of fruit and floral flavors, each can has a smooth finish. They range from 9.6 to 13.6 percent alcohol by volume.
Coco Cocktail
Wine cocktails have been around forever, but Coco Cocktail is giving them a health-focused makeover. The all-natural line is made with 70 percent coco water, charged with electrolytes, and including vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, and B6. Each 375 milliliter can contains only 116 calories, at 5.6 percent alcohol by volume. A four-pack of Coco Cocktail is $14.99 and the light beverage can be consumed as is or as a mixer with your favorite spirit.
