Canned Cocktail Review: Taffer's Mixologist Strawberry Basil

Is this a seltzer?

Hi cocktail lovers! Happy Friday. I'm so glad you've stopped by to read another one of my canned cocktail reviews! This week I'm trying a Strawberry Basil cocktail from Taffer's Mixologist. I found this at my local Total Wine in the hodge podge section where they stick all the canned cocktails that aren't technically cocktails because they don't have liquor in them. This section usually has a mix of hard ciders, malt beverages pretending to be cocktails and of course, the hard seltzers. 

As you probably know by now, I'm not a huge fan of seltzers - hard or otherwise. And malt beverages have not done so well in these reviews. I do love hard ciders but I'm still on the fence about whether or not to include them on this blog after Angry Orchard reached out to me to tell me that their rosé cider was absolutely not a cocktail. (I was just excited they found my review! :) ) All of this is to say, I don't usually find anything I want to try in that section of Total Wine but I always look just in case. 

The Taffer's jumped out at me because I hadn't seen it before and the can claims it's a sparkling cocktail - often code for hard seltzer - but the ingredient list said carbonated water which I actually do like. If you are picky like me, you probably already know this, but the seltzer, carbonated water, mineral water, etc is the wild West in terms of what brands list on their ingredient lists. In reality the differences between them have to do with the minerals in the water but this type of detail doesn't usually make it to the cans. Anyway, is this a seltzer with that characteristic bite that I don't like? Is it flavored carbonated water, sans bite plus more flavor? I wasn't sure so I decided to take a chance on it.

Here is my official review of Taffer's Mixologist Strawberry Basil:

Okay then! If I'm being honest, I was fully prepared to not like this cocktail because of the aforementioned seltzer issue. But this is good!! It is more like the carbonated flavored waters that I do like. It actually reminds me a lot of a Spindrift which is a huge compliment.

This Strawberry Basil Sparkling Cocktail - which btw their website is calling a seltzer - has such a great strawberry flavor. It's really rich not like the typical hint of flavor you get in a seltzer. And you can absolutely taste the basil at the end. I am stunned by how much I like this. Which just goes to show, you can't rule out a whole category just because haven't like the last 50+ seltzers you've tried. 😜

One shaker = not sweet at all  // Five shakers = your teeth may curl

This canned cocktail is not sweet but it does have a touch of sweetness from the berry flavor which is more than I was expecting it to have. It also does not have the bitterness to it that most seltzers do. It's just a really easy, light, strawberry cocktail and I'm here for it!

One shaker = does this have booze? Five shakers = Four Lokos

Officially this one rings in at 5% ABV. That is about the same as a light beer. For me, this is the perfect light cocktail. It's not a typical hard seltzer - it has waaaaay more flavor. But it is light for times you might not want to get too buzzed but you'd still like to soften the edges. I'm loving this option.

Would I buy this ready to drink cocktail again?

Yes, I think I will. They have a few other flavors that sound good to me and I do really like these for a light cocktail option.

Here is a full list of the Taffer's Mixologist canned cocktails:

• Strawberry Basil
• Cucumber Jalapeno - yes please!
• Pineapple Coconut
• Cherry Lime
• California Lime
• Grapefruit Moon
• Taffer's Original

If you want to find these in your area or buy them online, use this link: 

Order Taffer's Mixologist canned cocktails online here >>

One more thing worth noting because I get this question a lot. This is a gluten-free cocktail. Cheers to that!

Do you know of a canned cocktail I should try? I'd love to hear from you in the comments section. 

 SHOP THIS REVIEW:

Did you spot that cute little campfire drink marker / garnish holder in the photo? That is one of my new patent pending Swizzlys™ and you can pick up a set in my shop. Cheers to cute cans with garnish!

Swizzly for cans - Fall Collection