Food and Drink

The Best RTDs to Try This Summer

Perfect for those beach days and backyard BBQs.

best rtd australia

Gone are the days of the mediocre vodka soda RTD; now, you can get your favourite cocktail in a slim, ready-to-drink can—perfect for the esky. They are far from the watered-down versions you might be used to. Instead, expect to sip on bar-quality cocktails at home, in the park, or at the beach. 

This new breed of high-quality RTDs is changing the game, and Australians are loving it. 

Here are the best new RTDs hitting the shelves this summer.

best rtds to drink

DNA Distillery Rakija and Tonic

If you haven’t tried Rakija, now is your chance. DNA Distillery, the award-winning Rakija distillery here in Sydney, has just teamed up with Baba’s Place to create a Rakija and Tonic. Rakija is known for its kick; some can’t handle it, but this canned RTD is perfect for first-timers trying the famed spirit. We guarantee you will be hooked after the first sip. It’s flavourful, crisp, and sure to quench your thirst this summer.

Where to buy: Available online here.

best rtds

Vodka Cruiser Double

Our beloved Vodka Cruiser has just received an upgrade, and all we’re thinking about is where were these when we were 18. Enter Cruiser Double, the supercharged twist on a classic, offering a drink that contains two standard drinks (6.8% alc/vol). Cruiser also has a sleek new black look with a pop of colour and comes in can form. This switch-up from Vodka Cruiser’s iconic glass bottle has been designed to appeal to a range of drinkers across occasions. Whether you’re at a backyard BBQ or a beach party, pick up a Vodka Cruiser Double, available in Guava, Raspberry, and Lemon Lime flavours.

Where to buy: Available at leading liquor stores nationwide.

best canned cocktails

Four Pillars

Last year, Four Pillars brought us a ready-to-drink G&T, and today they’re upping the game with two new versions. The fresh yuzu gin, soda, and the iconic bloody shiraz gin and tonic. These canned G&ts are perfect for picnics or entertaining at home. You don’t need a glass or ice, just sip it from the stylish, thin cans.
Where to buy: Available from the gin shop at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery and Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills. You can also pick them up at Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, Ritchie’s and any good liquor store.

starward canned cocktails

Starward

Starward is the 2022 Most Awarded Distillery of the Year, and it’s celebrating by launching its first-ever canned cocktail range. Featuring three fruit-forward and effervescent flavours, these cocktails were inspired by some of the classic cocktails from the distillery bar in Port Melbourne. The flavours are tonic and ruby grapefruit, ginger beer and zesty orange, and soda and tangy finger lime. Very few whiskies have the versatility to mix with light and bright flavours, so these cocktails are a great gateway for novice whisky drinkers. Although, even regular whisky lovers will find these RTDs refreshing.
Where to buy: Available at BWS and Dan Murphy’s stores across Australia, as well as online.

best new rtds

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple and Soda

Jack Daniel’s new Tennessee Apple and Soda premix is perfect for the warmer months ahead. Whether you’re going to the beach or having a backyard BBQ, this lighter, ready-to-drink beverage is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, even for those who don’t usually drink whisky. It’s also a great entry point if you’re looking to get into whisky but don’t know where to start.
Where to buy: Available in bottle shops and select bars and pubs around the country. A four-pack costs $23.

best rtd drinks

Yes You Can Drinks

This season, expect to see the funky, slim Yes You Can Drinks cans in eskies and fridges. They’re completely alcohol-free and come in a range of creative flavours, including the original, spritz and G&T, and their Australian Native flavours such as lemon myrtle sour, Davidson plum paloma, and a native peach bellini. Recently, they launched a Yuzu sake, which is perfect over ice in a highball, or on the go in the can.

best new rtds summer

BACARDĂŤ Pina Colada and Raspberry Mojito

Iconic liquor brand Bacardi is celebrating 160 years of rum-making this year, and to celebrate, they’ve launched raspberry mojito and a piña colada canned cocktails.  The refreshingly tasty BACARDĂŤ Raspberry Mojito lends a berry kick to the traditional mojito, offering a crisp blend of white rum, sparkling water and raspberry flavours. The BACARDĂŤ Piña Colada will transport you to a tropical paradise with the perfect blend of white rum, sparkling water and the essence of real coconut. 
Where to buy: At select major and independent retailers nationally from October for $24.99 per pack of four.

Kraken Rum Mojito

A dark and fiercely refreshing twist on the classic mojito, the Kraken Black Mojito boasts the delicious taste of Kraken Black Spiced Rum mixed with natural flavours of mint and lime and topped with soda for a refreshing twist.
Where to buy: At select major and independent retailers for a four-pack of 330mL cans for $28.99.

White Claw Pineapple

White Claw is known for its low-calorie, tasting seltzer. In previous years, White Claw has released lime, watermelon, and mango and has recently just dropped a pineapple flavour. Made with sparkling water, triple distilled spirit, and a hint of natural pineapple. The flavour is limited edition, but here’s hoping it sticks around.
Where to buy: Most major bottle shops, including Dan Murphy’s and coastal bars.

Jose Cuervo Watermelon Sparkling Margarita

Jose Cuervo just launched its watermelon sparkling margarita cans, expertly mixed, with authentic Jose Cuervo and fruity watermelon. Built for sunlit afternoon sessions and sipping with friends, this delicious spritz is summer’s new drink and can be enjoyed straight from the can or poured over ice.
Where to buy: At BWS, Dan Murphy’s, Liquorland, First Choice and all good bottle shops nationwide for $25 per pack of four.

best rtd australia
Photo: @mrblackspirits

Mr Black Espresso Martini

Made using top-grade arabica coffee, pure Australian vodka, and a generous splash of Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, the new ready-to-drink offering means you can wake up any occasion with the perfect espresso martini. With a simple shake of the can, nail Australia’s favourite cocktail in seconds. Sip as it is or pour into a cocktail coupe and savour.
Where to buy: It’s $34.99 for four cans and you can buy them here.

UDL Cocktails

UDL recently launched UDL cocktails which includes two retro cocktails in an RTD format. The first flavour is a blue lagoon, a deliciously fizzy mix of vodka, blue lemonade and orange flavours. The second is everyone’s favourite, pina colada with vodka, pineapple, white rum, and of course coconut flavours.
Where to buy: From all leading liquor stores in Australia for $19.99 per pack of four.

best rtd australia
Photo: @drinkbasicbabe

Basic Babe

Whether you’re looking for a mai tai or daiquiri, Basic Babe has it all including boxtails, which are two-litre cocktails in a box. You can get the raspberry and lime margarita, passionfruit martini, and pink gin daiquiri in the large format boxtail. You can also get them in can size, including a mai tai, mojito. They also offer alcoholic sparkling waters in watermelon, berry and ginger and lime flavours.
Where to buy: At BWS. The boxtails are $30 each and cans are $15.99 for a four-pack from Dan Murphy’s.

best rtd australia
Photo: @reeftip

Reeftip Drinks Co.

Reeftip is a new brand that offers three spiced rums including ginger, lime and soda, pineapple, lime and soda, mango, coconut, and soda. With the Reef under threat like never before, Reeftip has partnered with the Coral Nurture Program, with 10% of Reeftip profits going towards regenerating one of the country’s greatest natural assets. With every sip, Reeftip drinkers will support the Coral Nurture Program’s vital and inspiring mission, as they work with nature to enhance coral recovery rates and regeneration.
Where to buy: You can find them in liquor stores across the country.

best rtd australia
Photo: @koyomi_shochu

Koyomi Shochu Highball

Is there anything better than a highball in a can? This range from Koyomi is blended with Shochu— a popular Japanese beverage known for being light and refreshing. You can pick up their canned range, available in yuzu and lime, blood orange and bitters, and mandarin and grapefruit. They’re great for when you want something different, or refreshing without having to mix it up at home. Simply grab a can and go, or pour into a glass with lots of ice.
Where to buy: You can pick up a four-pack for $17.99 from Dan Murphy’s.

best rtd australia

Johnnie Walker Highball

Johnnie Walker is pushing the RTD boundaries with their Johnnie Highballs, including a blood orange flavour and zesty lemon drink. Think boozy fruit sodas. This is a first for the brand and it’s already taking off, with Aussies praising the brand for the tasty and refreshing bottled drink.
Where to buy: You can find them in Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, First Choice and independent liquor stores nationwide for $26.99 for a four-pack. 

 Get the latest from Thrillist Australia delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here.

Food and Drink

Red Rooster Is Serving Free Chicken and Piping Hot Cash This Christmas in July

Get your early dose of festive cheer.

Red Rooster Christmas in July
Instagram / @redrooster_au

The cold weather in most parts of Australia coinciding with EOFY celebrations is the closest thing that we’ll get to snowy Christmas vibes. And if you’re in dire need of some festive cheer after the first six months of 2023, grab your ugly sweater and head to your nearest Red Rooster for Xmas in July deals.

From June 29 – July 31, 2023, Red Rooster is serving up free food items, a chance to win $10,000 or one of 10 merch packs valued at $400 and other fun prizes. All you have to do is sign up as a Red Royalty member and spend $5 on at a location near you or online.

Each week there’ll be new delicious deals and prizes to win. The week one deals have already dropped and they’re looking pretty tasty. You can get access to them via your Red Royalty account. The more you purchase, the more chances you have to win.

Spoiler alert: you can get 10 chicken nuggets for free, right now. Brb running to Red Rooster.

Terms and conditions apply. Visit Red Rooster’s Christmas in July to see all the deals.

Related

Our Best Stories, Delivered Daily
The best decision you'll make all day.