11 Popular Canned Margaritas, Ranked
Who doesn't love a margarita? Cool, sweet, tangy, and refreshing, it's the perfect cocktail for Taco Tuesday, game day, an afternoon by the ocean, or well, any time really. While you could absolutely craft your own perfect margarita, slicing, juicing, and shaking can be a hassle, especially when you just want to relax with a cool drink and spend time hanging out with your friends. Beverage companies all over the world have gotten wise to this, which is why they've created canned versions of the classic cocktail. And why not? Canned beer, wine, and hard seltzers have been around for years. It was only a matter of time before pre-made, easy-to-transport margaritas made their way into the mix.
But just like its boozy canned peers, there are a variety of canned margaritas to choose from. Some have bubbles and some don't. Some are meant to be drunk straight from the can while others should be poured over ice. Some are even flavored. With so many options, it's important to know which cans deserve a spot in the cooler the next time you head to the beach. As always, we're here to help. We took it upon ourselves to try some popular canned margarita options in order to tell you which ones to grab the next time you hit your local liquor store and which ones should be passed over.
11. Flying Embers Blood Orange Pomegranate Margarita
We were so excited to try Flying Embers' Blood Orange Pomegranate Margarita, we couldn't wait to pop open that can. A spinoff of Fermented Sciences, the brand came to be after the 2017 Thomas Fires nearly burned down the company's headquarters in Ojai, California. Now 1% of the net sales of each purchase goes toward Flying Embers' non-profit, the Embers Foundation, which assists a wide variety of projects aimed at natural disaster prevention. Known for its hard kombuchas and seltzers, Flying Embers branched out to canned cocktails in 2022 with mojitos and margaritas.
With three margarita flavors available, we knew we had to try the blood orange because we absolutely adore the crimson fruit and figured the combination of the added citrus and pomegranate would elevate that margarita to a whole other level. Boy, were we wrong!
We've tried blood orange margaritas before and they're nothing like what's inside that pretty Flying Embers can. A blood orange margarita should be tart with a little sweetness and plenty of orange flavor. We didn't get any of that when we cracked it open. Instead, we were overpowered with a strange floral note that reminded us more of a perfumed soap than a classic cocktail. It's a good thing Flying Embers sells their margaritas in variety packs because there's no way we're drinking four cans of the Blood Orange.
10. Flying Embers Classic Lime Margarita
While Flying Embers Blood Orange Margarita let us down, we figured the Classic Lime had to at least be palatable. After all, it's impossible to screw up the cocktail's standard recipe, right? Unfortunately, Flying Embers' Classic Lime is only slightly better than its blood-orange counterpart and that's really pushing it. While the drink looks and smells like a classic margarita, flavor-wise it resembles something else entirely.
The artificial taste of this margarita reminds us of what someone thinks lime should taste like rather than what it actually does. Combined with the overpowering essence of tequila and you have a canned cocktail that's absolutely undrinkable. Not only was the flavor all wrong, but the drink's finish also lingered much longer than we would have liked. Even after several sips of water to cleanse our palate, we were left with the worst aftertaste. This is a canned margarita you can definitely skip.
9. Cutwater Mango Margarita
While the most common canned margaritas out there stick with the classic recipe, several brands make flavored margaritas as well. Cutwater offers four different flavor variations along with the standard lime version. Created by master distiller, Yuseff Cherney, and based out of San Diego, Cutwater is available at most big-name liquor stores. They come in cute little 4-packs and run about $13 a pack. While you may not be able to find every flavor they make at your local liquor store, you can order them online just about anywhere.
We were excited to try the mango since there's nothing better on a warm afternoon at the beach than a tropical margarita. There was definitely plenty of juicy mango flavor and a nice bit of acid, but this canned cocktail ended up being a little too sweet for our taste. We guzzled down the first half of the can as the bubbles and acid were wonderful, but as we neared the final stretch, it all became too much, and we needed some water to temper the flavors.
8. Ranch Rider Margarita
If you like your margaritas on the drier side, then Ranch Rider is the can for you. Though we're not huge fans of overly cloying margaritas, there should be at least some form of sweetness in the cocktail. Unfortunately, that key flavor note seems to be missing here. Ranch Rider says "there ain't no marg like it," and they're right because this isn't a margarita. We know it says so on the can, but this cocktail, made with Reposado tequila, sparkling water, sea salt, and fresh-squeezed orange and lime juices, reminds us more of nice, cool ranch water than a sweet, tangy margarita.
It makes sense that Ranch Rider's margarita tastes more like a lime-flavored ranch water, though. After all, that's how the Austin-born cocktail company got its start — making ranch water in the back of a food truck for friends. While they use only real ingredients including real citrus juices, it's just not as good as some of the other cans out there.
7. Jose Cuervo Sparkling Margarita
We all know Jose Cuervo — it's the tequila most of us drank in college and of which we downed many a shot (and as a result, suffered plenty a hangover). Those bad memories are part of the reason why the brand's budget offering tends to be found at the bottom of many a tequila list. As our palates matured so did our taste for tequila, which is why these days we prefer a high-quality option we can sip rather than shoot. But that doesn't mean it's not a fine choice for a tequila cocktail, especially a margarita.
Since Jose Cuervo is so accessible and comes in so many different varieties from seltzers to bottled cocktails, it makes sense that it added canned margaritas to its repertoire. At only 8% ABV, these little cans are a nice choice when you're looking for something boozy besides a hard seltzer to throw in your beach bag. But the reason it's number seven in our ranking is due to the fact that it really doesn't taste like a margarita. Instead, it reminds us of sparkling limeade. It's nice and sweet but that sharp tequila flavor was sorely lacking.
6. Villager Spirits Margarita
Available in five flavors including pineapple, mango, and a fancy Cadillac version (which means more alcohol), Villager are those brightly colored cans that you can find at most larger liquor stores around the country. What makes the brand unique is the fact it's owned by a "village" of artists, musicians, influencers, and athletes; all people who have a passion to live life to its fullest and share that passion with the world through canned cocktails.
When we first opened the standard margarita can and took a sip, we were wowed by the delicious, tangy flavor. It was so good in fact, we started guzzling the can. But after a few more gulps our excitement started to wane as the sweetness from the margarita reminded us more of a soda than a cocktail. To be clear, there's nothing wrong with a sweeter margarita; it just means you need to be aware of how many you're drinking, as it's easy to down one or two cans in no time and suddenly find yourself unable to put two words together, especially in this case since each can contains 11% alcohol by volume.
5. Cutwater Lime Margarita
While Cutwater's mango margarita failed to impress, the brand's standard lime version was much more enjoyable. Even though it doesn't have the bubbles that so many of these cans do, the refreshing cocktail is a solid representation of a classic margarita and it would be ideal to imbibe after a long day on the beach.
Made with a double shot of Cutwater tequila, cane sugar, lime juice, and triple sec, this 12.5% ABV cocktail is a perfectly fine margarita. Unfortunately, when compared to some of the others on this list, it's nothing to write home about. Cutwater's tequila, which comes from Mexico, is definitely a cut above thanks to its peppery zip and lovely finish. But when combined with the tart lime juice and triple sec, this cocktail simply falls in line with any other standard margarita. It's an adequate sipper that can easily go anywhere and will definitely quench our thirst as well as fill that margarita itch, but for our money, we're picking a different can.
4. Golden Rule Margarita
Golden Rule is one of the two smallest cans on this list. It's so adorable and takes up such a tiny amount of space why wouldn't you toss it in your backpack? We'll tell you why: While the can is tiny, the accessories needed to turn it into a proper margarita are many. See, unlike most of the other canned margaritas on this list, you can't simply crack a can of Golden Rule and drink it (we guess you could, but it won't be great). To truly enjoy this canned cocktail you'll also need a cup, some ice, and a little salt because these were meant to be enjoyed like a regular margarita: in a glass on the rocks.
While Golden Rule isn't the easiest travel companion, it is a good, strong margarita. Each can may only hold 100 milliliters of liquid, but the drink inside is a whopping 54 proof, proving this is not your average canned cocktail. This is a drink that's as strong as any you'd find at your favorite tequila bar. Full of tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec, Golden Rule is a great choice when you're having a taco party and don't want to play bartender. Simply stack these cute cans at the end of the table with a bunch of empty glasses and let your guests do the heavy lifting.
3. Post Meridiem
Post Meridiem is the other tiny can on this list. The well-crafted, potent margarita isn't meant to be consumed straight from the can, but rather to make serving cocktails easier at your next party or if you're just not in the mood to slice, squeeze, and shake up a nightcap. Each can is 100 milliliters (the standard size for a cocktail) and comes in at 55 proof.
Not only does Post Meridiem taste like an authentic lime margarita, but we also love that this is the only can that actually lists the ingredients and their measurements right on the front of the can so you know exactly what you're getting. Made with silver tequila, orange curacao, and real lime juice, this margarita is as good or better than many bar versions. While we can definitely taste the tequila, it's the real lime juice that really shines in this tiny tipple.
Available in four packs through its website, Post Meridiem is one of the pricier cans on this list coming in at just under $18 per four-pack. But considering the amount of booze your getting compared to many of the options on this, not to mention the high quality of the cocktail, we think it's well worth it. And if you're in the mood for something other than a margarita, Post Meridiem makes eight different cocktails available in variety packs.
2. F!ve Drinks Co. Margarita
F!ve Drinks Co. Margarita was the most surprising can on this list. We were nervous about tasting this one since it's made with habanero-infused agave, and we tend not to gravitate toward spicy margaritas. But happily, the heat was subdued. When combined with the tequila, the habanero adds a nice fiery flair that we didn't find in any other can. And that hibiscus (which is steeped for 24 hours) not only gives the margarita a pretty pink hue, it adds a delightful tart complexity to the orange triple sec and lime juice.
While F!ve Drinks may not be as well known as some of the other brands on this list, it's definitely worth noting. We particularly appreciate the focus on crafting simple cocktails with fun flourishes. There may only be five ingredients in this can (like the name says) but each ingredient is carefully cut, measured, and mixed together to create a cocktail that's one of the best available. At only 200 milliliters, this silver can is one of the smaller options, but what it lacks in size, it definitely makes up for in flavor.
1. Cazadores Margarita
You're probably familiar with the Cazadores name and its quality lineup of tequilas. But did you know the brand also makes canned margaritas? The folks behind Cazadores decided to take their blue weber agave tequila, which they've been distilling since 1922, and add a little orange liqueur, lime juice, and sparkling water to it for a fabulous canned cocktail experience.
The tang from the lime juice and orange liqueur really enhances the herbaceous notes of the tequila. In particular, those orange notes absolutely elevate the cocktail giving it a bright citrus flavor that outshines what you'll find in any other margarita on this list. As for the bubbles, we never knew margaritas needed a splash of seltzer, but since tasting this can, we can't imagine drinking another margarita without them. It's clear the folks behind Cazadores put the same amount of thought and care into this can as they do their tequila. At just under 6% ABV, this margarita is a delightful option that won't have you stumbling around after a few. Light, bubbly, flavorful, and refreshing, there's a reason this is the canned margarita that tops our list.