(from chicagoist.com)

For so many years, we looked across the Atlantic with envy. Not because England was home to both the Beatles and the Spice Girls, or because of Queen Elizabeth’s amazing hats, but because of their grocery stores. British grocery stores are home to literally dozens of varieties of canned cocktails, from elderflower gin and tonics to mojitos, and we here in the U.S. were sorely lacking.

Not anymore, though. Cutwater Spirits, the recently relaunched division of San Diego’s Ballast Point, has finally given us what we need: strong booze, good mixers, and aluminum cans. And they’re now available in Chicago. But can they possibly be any good? We tried all of them to find out.

Though several companies have made forays into the prepared cocktail market, including Chicago’s own Crafthouse Cocktails, these individual-sized mixed drinks are still a revelation. You can take them to the pool! To the beach! To a barbecue! With no glass and no leftovers, you’re finally free to sip a great rum and Coke, no sticky Malibu bottle required. (MORE HERE)