Target Just Announced A Summery Line Of Ready-To-Drink Cocktails

Just in time for sizzling summer parties and lazy-day deck lounging, Target dropped a new line of pre-mixed cocktails at all store locations that sell wine, announced the company. Available starting June 12, 2022, the adult beverages scream summertime, ­especially with the kick-back feature of being ready-to-drink from the get-go.

Target has been selling alcohol in stores since 1996, notes Money, and the adult beverage division was Target's single fastest-growing segment in 2016. That's the same year its local craft beer portfolio grew to 300-plus brands, per Target. The company offers wine, beer, and spirits to customers legally qualified to purchase alcohol, and has launched special collections such as the award-winning Cube Wine boxed wines, value-driven California Roots wines, and The Collection premium California wines released in 2019, per a company release that year.

Now, Target sets its sights on the easy-breezy cocktail crowd clamoring for no-fuss solutions to serving light, refreshing drinks to friends, family, or coworkers. But the term "light" is not to be taken lightly. These new pre-mixed craft cocktails pack a power punch of almost 14% alcohol, according to Delish, confirmed by product labeling. They also harbor unexpected ingredients and some pleasantly missing ones.

Lining store shelves like sentinels of sunshine, the new Target cocktail concoctions carry the brand name of Casa Cantina and come in three varieties: Classic Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, and Piña Colada. The flavors are expected, considering the enduring popularity of those classic drinks –- but the surprises come with the vegan and gluten-free status and stated premium ingredients, including genuine strawberry puree, pineapple, and coconut, per the Target news release. Better yet is the lack of artificial flavors and sweeteners, including high-fructose corn syrup.

The press release notes that Casa Cantina will be available at any Target with a wine section. Better Homes & Gardens states there were 65 available ready-to-drink beverages as of 2020, and the arrival of canned Jack & Coke cocktails from Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola slated for 2022 was recently announced. They're joining head-scratching collaborations between the likes of Oreo and Barefoot for an unfathomable cookies-and-cream wine that actually sold out, according to its website.

Casa Cantina cocktails from Target follow the time-tested classics and are available now at company stores, through Target.com, and from same-day pickup locations. You can purchase in 1.5-liter and 3-liter boxes, per Delish.