Ready-to-Drink Cocktails 2020 Part 2
 

Best Ready-to-Drink Cocktails 2020 - Part 2

 

The Fifty Best Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Tasting 2020


The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 71 Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails with ten members of our spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. The RTD cocktails were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at well-chilled. Additional ice cubes were made available to the judges, to add at their discretion. Only ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The ABVs are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Kinky Cocktails Aloha
(Coconut, Lime, Pineapple flavors) 5% ABV

Palate: Ripe pineapple, dazzling pineapple, strong coconut, captivating coconut, piña colada, Coco Lopez, delicate lime notes, just the right amount of lime, citrus, vanilla, great blend of flavors, strong tropical flavor, rich body, pleasing, tropical summer, tastes like summer, summer in a bottle, sitting on the beach in the Islands.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Kinky Cocktails Aloha



Conniption Gin & Tonic
8% ABV

Palate: Soft juniper, juniper berries, fresh quinine, sweet quinine, lime, citrus notes, red berries, herbal, curry leaves, earth, woody, refreshing balance, straight forward, authentic mixed cocktail, a nice cocktail, tasty, alluring.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Conniption Gin & Tonic



High Noon Vodka & Soda Lime
4.5% ABV

Palate: Natural lime flavor, fresh squeezed lime juice, wedge of lime, smooth lime, lime soda, very lemon citrus flavor, well balanced, real deal vodka and soda, crisp, clean, refreshing, fetching, pleasant, easy to enjoy.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



High Noon Vodka & Soda Lime



Taffer’s Mixologist
Grapefruit Moon Sparkling Cocktail

5% ABV

Palate: Red grapefruit, delicate grapefruit, bright grapefruit peel, beautiful grapefruit pith, lemon/lime, citrus, floral, great mouth feel, long fruity finish, refreshing, easy to drink.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Taffer’s Mixologist Grapefruit Moon Sparkling Cocktail



Vita Frute Vodka Soda Pineapple Coconut
5% ABV

Palate: Pineapple, grilled pineapple, lingering coconut, Piña Colada, banana, creamy, vanilla, cream soda, floral, mint, fresh, clean, crisp, invigorating, refreshing, tasty.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Vita Frute Vodka Soda Pineapple Coconut



Vitani Mule
12% ABV

Palate: Nice ginger, sweet ginger, ginger beer, ginger candy, nice spice, lemon, lime, great blend of flavors, great balance, well made, nice RTD, easy drinker.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Vitani Mule



Dry Fly Gin & Tonic
6.7% ABV

Palate: Lemony, lime, lime zest, juniper berries, tonic, elderflower, floral, herbal, botanical, grassy, mineral, bubbly, invigorating, refreshing, simple and straightforward, a nice crisp refreshing cocktail.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Dry Fly Gin & Tonic



Cold Hamer High Ball Bourbon Cocktail
(Bourbon with lemon & soda water) 7% ABV

Palate: Bourbon, bourbon sour, fresh lemon, lemon juice, citrus, subtle corn, vanilla, caramel, cedar chips, cedar, hints of wood, good representation, authentic taste of a well-mixed cocktail.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Cold Hamer High Ball Bourbon Cocktail



Conniption Cucumber Vodka Soda
8% ABV

Palate: Divine cucumber, fresh cut cucumber, strong cucumber essence, garden fresh, nice vegetal flavors, lemon, citrus, floral, spa water, wood note.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Conniption Cucumber Vodka Soda



Tipsy Tomato Classic Bloody Mary Cocktail
5.5% ABV

Palate: Fresh tomato, tomato juice, tomato puree, tamarind, lemon, hints of celery, celery seed, cucumber seed, onion, black pepper, Tabasco, nice spice, spicy, solid, well balanced cocktail.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Tipsy Tomato Classic Bloody Mary Cocktail



Vita Frute Vodka Soda Watermelon
5% ABV

Palate: Balanced watermelon, melon, watermelon Laffy Taffy, kiwi, berries, citrus, ginger, subtle smoke, natural tasting, clean, crisp, refreshing, thirst quenching, fascinating, overall pleasant, easy to drink.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Vita Frute Vodka Soda Watermelon



Boozie Premium Vodka Soda Cranberry
6.6% ABV

Palate: Fresh cranberry, tart cranberry, cranberry soda, dark cherry, sparkling vodka, slate, mineral, clash of sweet & tart, balanced, nicely presented, tastes like the real deal, very refreshing, easy drinker.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Boozie Premium Vodka Soda Cranberry



Taffer’s Mixologist
Cucumber Jalapeño Sparkling Cocktail

5% ABV

Palate: Garden cucumber, natural cucumber, like biting into a cucumber, bright cucumber juice, mild lemon, spearmint, jalapeño, balanced jalapeño, some like it hot, clean, crisp, refreshing, breath of fresh air, tasty, wonderful.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Taffer’s Mixologist Cucumber Jalapeño Sparkling Cocktail



Handy & Schiller Manhattan
(Sazerac rye whiskey, vermouth & Peychaud's Bitters) 35% ABV

Palate: Big robust bourbon, lingering cherry, black cherry syrup, vanilla, sweet corn, sweet red vermouth, oaky, balanced, nice heat, big & bold, velvety, great blend of whiskey & sweet vermouth, classic Manhattan, a nice cocktail.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Handy & Schiller Manhattan



Buzzbox Long Island Cocktail
(Premium vodka, imported rum, american gin, Triple sec & tea)
14% ABV

Palate: Sweet tea, black tea, lemony, lime, citrus, caramel, cola, decent blend of flavors, nicely balanced, well balanced, nice kick, classic, like a Long Island Iced Tea, a nice cocktail.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Buzzbox Long Island Cocktail



Buzzbox Mardi Gras Hurricane Cocktail
(Imported light & dark rum, Triple sec, pomegranate,
passion fruit & pineapple juices) 14% ABV

Palate: Pineapple, pomegranate, guava, cherry, tropical fruits, Hawaiian Punch, melted Popsicle, sugarcane, demerara syrup, rum punch, unaged rum, Triple Sec, sweet, well balanced and blended, smooth, well made, a good cocktail, beach punch, a pleasant & fun drink.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Buzzbox Mardi Gras Hurricane Cocktail



Simplicity Cocktails Gin & Tonic
6% ABV

Palate: Juniper, lime, citrus, cucumber, coriander, quinine, tonic, nice floral and herbal notes, vegetal, clean, slight bitterness, dry, refreshing, vibrant, invigorating, pleasant.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Simplicity Cocktails Gin & Tonic



Prairie Organic Minnesota Bootleg
(Organic gin, organic lemon, lime & mint) 5% ABV

Palate: Ripe lemon & lime, lime soda, lime seltzer, great citrus forward, subtle gin, well balanced, nice carbonation, refreshing.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Prairie Organic Minnesota Bootleg



Joia Spirit Cocktail Sparkling Gimlet
(Gin with lime, hibiscus & ginger) 6% ABV

Palate: Dry gin, juniper, fresh lime, lemon, floral, pine, nice balance, tart, fizzy, invigorating, easy drinker.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Joia Spirit Cocktail Sparkling Gimlet



Bottoms Up Cocktails Classic Margarita
12.5% ABV

Palate: Classic Margherita, tequila focused forward, smoky tequila, lime juice, great lime, lemon lime, sour mix, triple sec, good acid, super tart, natural, well balanced, approachable, serve on the rocks with salt.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bottoms Up Cocktails Classic Margarita



Ranch Rider RTD Tequila Paloma
(Reposado tequila, grapefruit & lime juices, sparkling water)
6% ABV

Palate: White grapefruit, tart grapefruit, tart lemon, citrus forward, cooked agave, subtle Tequila, touch of wood, balanced, fizzy, crisp, refreshing, interesting, unique.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Ranch Rider RTD Tequila Paloma



Buzzbox Perfect Margarita Cocktail
(Premium tequila, Triple sec, lime & orange juices) 14% ABV

Palate: Tequila, Triple sec, Rose’s lime juice, great citrus, hints of orange, buttery, rich body, well defined, balanced nicely, well made, classic Margarita.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Buzzbox Perfect Margarita Cocktail



Bottoms Up Cocktails
Raspberry Lemonade with Vodka

12.5% ABV

Palate: Homemade lemonade, fresh raspberry lemonade, lingering lemon, lime, beautiful citrus notes, raspberry/blackberry, red berries, herbal, tart, balanced round flavors, nicely tart, pleasant, super refreshing.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bottoms Up Cocktails Raspberry Lemonade with Vodka



Kinky Cocktails Blue
(Wild berry & mango flavors) 5% ABV

Palate: Blue raspberry, blue raspberry ices, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, blueberry frozen ice, ice snow cones, sour berry candy, mild mango, hint of sweet ripe mango, pineapple, citrus, blue Curacao, Blue Hawaiian, Blow Pop, nice tartness, very Provençal flavors, yummy.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Kinky Cocktails Blue



BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Azulana Sparkling Tequila
4.3% ABV

Palate: Lime, citrus, papaya, coconut, agave, floral, slightly sweet, subtle wood notes, balanced, pleasant overall, delicious.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Azulana Sparkling Tequila



Kinky Cocktails Red
(Strawberry & watermelon flavors) 5% ABV

Palate: Strawberry, very ripe strawberries, fresh watermelon juice, melon, watermelon Jolly Rancher, taffy, Jack Daniel's Downhome Punch, mineral, sweet, rich, love it.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Kinky Cocktails Red



Vitani Cosmo Martini
17% ABV

Palate: Cranberry, cherry, raspberry, lemon, Rose’s lime juice, tart, nice flavors, good balance, perfect over ice, gin martini, classic Cosmo.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Vitani Cosmo Martini



Bottoms Up Cocktails Moscow Mule
12.5% ABV

Palate: Fresh ginger, great ginger beer, lemony, ripe lime, herbal, floral, touch of spice, red pepper, musty, smoky note, balanced, nicely blended, good representation, nice cocktail.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Bottoms Up Cocktails Moscow Mule



Buzzbox Vodka Lemonade Cocktail
14% ABV

Palate: Lemon, ripe Meyer lemon, homemade lemonade, sweet lemonade, lime, hints of lavender, sweet, almost woody, clean, delicate, velvety, pleasant.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Buzzbox Vodka Lemonade Cocktail



Taffer’s Mixologist
Pineapple Coconut Sparkling Cocktail

5% ABV

Palate: Hint of pineapple, coconut water, lingering coconut, Piña Colada, citrus notes, floral, well balanced, clean, crisp, refreshing, tasty.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Taffer’s Mixologist Pineapple Coconut Sparkling Cocktail



Joia Spirit Cocktail Sparkling Margarita
(Tequila with lime juice & Triple sec) 6% ABV

Palate: Subtle tequila, tequila soda, agave, lime, lemon, hints of orange, citrus, wood, charcoal, fresh, clean, crisp, charming, easy drinking.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Joia Spirit Cocktail Sparkling Margarita



Vide Watermelon Vodka Soda
7% ABV

Palate: Tart watermelon, hint of watermelon rind, bubbly, smooth, very light, clean, crisp, refreshing.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Vide Watermelon Vodka Soda



Vide Cranberry Vodka Soda
5% ABV

Palate: Mild cranberry, cherry, cherry ice, subtle berry notes, Gummy Bear, tart, clean, pleasant.

Bronze Medal
Bronze medal



Vide Cranberry Vodka Soda

 

 



Best RTD Cocktails Part 1
Best RTD Cocktails- Part 1

 

 

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