Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails have displayed unparalleled growth in the spirits sector, seeing a consumption increase of 102% over recent years. The diminutive canned cocktails are now drearily popular, owing to quality ingredients, artisanal construction, and perfect portability. Mini cocktails, housed in tiny 100 milliliter cans, are certainly leaving a big mark, boasting an alcohol volume of a robust 25–40%.

Among the notable options on the market, San Francisco's Golden Rule Spirits stands out for its Margarita Original. Founded in 2017 by James Mauk and Hunter Sprole, raised amid restaurants renowned for agave spirits, the cousins deliver a Margarita refined from 100% blue agave tequila, a unique triple-sec, and an abundance of fresh lime juice. With a 27% alcohol volume, this compact cocktail delivers high-tier drinking pleasure.

Venturing into the realm of whiskey, Cooper Spirits Co. creates a punchy drink option with their Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock and Rye. Inspired by the old "rock and rye" cocktail from the pre-Prohibition era, their straight rye whiskey melds with raw honey, Angostura bitters, orange peel, and a smidge of rock candy. With an 84 proof rating, this spirit brings layers of bold, spicy, subtle sweetness, and is rich in taste.

Post Meridiem Spirits, located in Atlanta, adds the in-demand Espresso Martini to their lineup. They pair vodka, coffee liqueur, and 100% arabica cold brew coffee to craft a 45 proof cocktail that delivers the right balance of a real Espresso Martini taste that coffee-aficionado cocktail lovers will favor.

Also hailing from Atlanta is Tip Top Proper Cocktails, an ascendant name in the canned cocktails sector. Their varied repertoire includes the recently added Whiskey Sour, but stands out with the 50-proof Jungle Bird cocktail. It's a concoction of rum, lime and pineapple juices, and red bitter liqueur-vibrant, tropical, and a touch bittersweet, it's best served ice cold.

Straightway Cocktails, based in Portland, brings a taste of the Pacific Northwest to their award-winning canned concoctions. Their Bees Knees variation-a zesty gin-based cocktail-infuses cold-pressed lemon juice, West Coast honey, and Straightaway’s Accompani Blue Dorris Liqueur for an intoxicatingly floral touch.

Lastly, Britain's Whitebox Cocktails has brought their classic Pocket Negroni across the Atlantic. Mixing equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and bitter red liqueur, the 43.6 proof cocktail mimics the dilution of an ice-chilled drink, making it truly ready-to-drink. Best enjoyed over ice and with a crease of orange peel, proving big taste often comes in small packages.