Review: Cutwater's 2 New Canned Cocktails Will Sleigh At Any Holiday Party

It's the start of November, and you know what that means: Holiday season has officially begun. I can practically hear sleigh bells jingling and carolers singing every time I crack open a window, and that's nothing compared to the barrage of holiday-themed products coming down the pipeline. If something can be winter-fied, you're bound to see it on store shelves soon enough — canned cocktails included. 

Cutwater loves dropping new canned cocktails when the season turns, and you'll never hear me complain about that — I'm always down for a little happy hour moment, especially when the weather has me constantly shivering. The real question is: Are Cutwater's latest canned cocktails worth any sort of holiday hype, or are you better off spiking your grandma's famous hot cocoa recipe? I got to try the brand's Gingerbread White Russian and Passion Fruit Martini, and I have some thoughts — keep reading to see how they fared. 

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

As a general enthusiast of all things boozy (and a beverage writer on top of that!), I've done my fair share of cocktail sampling, and while I wouldn't call myself the most critical taster in the world, I'm definitely discerning when I try new products — especially products in the ever-expanding space of RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktails. To get good marks from me, these should either come very close to matching what I could make at home. When they go beyond that, it's even better. 

So, I expected excellence from these cans. I didn't need them to be the best cocktails I've ever tried, but I did need to picture myself passing them out at Thanksgiving unapologetically (bonus points if I can foresee everyone asking me where to buy them). I'm happy to say that I wouldn't hesitate to have these on display at my next holiday party; more than that, I'll probably be pretty sad when they're gone. 

I'll start by saying this: Passion fruit boasts what can be a controversial flavor profile, so choosing the fruit as the prominent tasting note in a drink can certainly be risky. Because of that, I was a bit nervous to try Cutwater's Passion Fruit Martini, as I can be picky about the passion fruit-flavored things I consume. I was skeptical it would really be able to make a home for itself among the other seasonal RTD options on the market. 

I didn't need to be nervous. I found this drink to be particularly delightful and incredibly well-balanced. Passion fruit comes through loud and clear, and its bright, citrusy profile wasn't at all overshadowed by the vodka (which, while present, wasn't too astringent). The drink feels light and fresh, and it will serve as a good seasonal martini option this season. I was impressed by this can, but the next one really blew me away. 

As a child, I used to bake and decorate gingerbread men cookies during the holidays every year. It was a small but treasured activity, one I hadn't recalled in a long time — that is, until I had a sip of Cutwater's Gingerbread White Russian. It instantly took me back to the years of sticky, frosting-colored hands, and baking gingerbread men that occasionally became comically large once baked. That alone gave me an appreciation for this drink, but I'm delighted to say that it's also just really, really good. 

Perhaps you're not a fan of the light and fruity when the season turns — you want something thick, creamy, and warming, even if it's served chilled. Grab a few cans of this Gingerbread White Russian and prepare for a feast! It has all the merits of a typical white Russian, coffee liqueur included; this one just adds a nice kick of gingerbread (which, if you ask me, is the best holiday flavor to add to a white Russian) into the mix. It's impeccably smooth, but you won't miss the alcohol — in fact, this one might be a bit too dangerous to drink unscrupulously. 

Want to stock your holiday beverage fridge with a couple of crowd-pleasing options that also feel fitting for this time of year? Don't sleep on Cutwater's Passion Fruit Martini and Gingerbread White Russian. They make for a smart pairing — you have something for those who prefer lighter, brighter drinks, as well as something for guests who want their cocktail to have depth and a creamy mouthfeel. 

I appreciated the balanced flavors of the Passion Fruit Martini, which really put its titular fruit in the spotlight while still allowing the vodka to come through loud and clear. As for the Gingerbread White Russian, even putting my own quick burst of nostalgia aside, I can still call it a fabulous drink — at once familiar and novel, thanks to its kiss of gingerbread. I highly doubt you (or the guests at all of your upcoming soirees) would be disappointed with either. 

Each of these drinks is only available for a limited time — and, as always, we don't know how long they'll be around, so it's best not to sleep on the release if you're excited about them! The Gingerbread White Russian is available now at participating stores, and prices will vary based on your location — we're seeing them priced between $10-$15 for a four-pack at our local stores. 

The Passion Fruit Martini is available as part of Cutwater's Martini Variety Pack, which also includes Espresso Martini cans and Lemon Drop Martini cans. The 12-pack variety packs are available near us for $25-$30.