When entertaining guests or having a backyard party, it is always nice to offer a selection of adult beverages.  The problem is trying to offer a variety without having to buy six different bottles of liquor and five different flavors of mixes.  The easy solution is to offer pre-mixed cocktails or ready to drink cocktails!

Most major distillers, including Bacardi, Jose Cuervo, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan offer a nice selection of “pour over ice and serve” cocktails.  Now you don’t have to mess around with measuring ingredients, shaking, stirring and everything else involved with preparing beverages for your guests.

You can find almost everything including Pina Colada, Mudslide, Cosmopolitans, Long Island Ice Teas, and Mojitos. Here are a few options for your next summer gathering:

BACARDI CLASSIC COCKTAILS: Bacardi’s classic cocktails are created to represent the original style of each cocktail.  Bacardi offers Mojito, Strawberry Daiquiri, and Pina Colada in their ready to drink lineup.  If you are watching your calories, Bacardi also offers a light version in each of their flavors.  Simply pour over ice and serve.

JOSE CUERVO READY TO DRINK MARGARITAS:   Possibly the most recognizable name in ready to drink Margaritas, Jose Cuervo hosts a full line up of flavors!  All Jose Cuervo Margaritas are great either served over ice or blended with ice.   Available flavors include: Strawberry, Lime, Mango, Coconut-Pineapple, Watermelon, Light White Peach and Light Wild Berry.

PARROT BAY READY TO DRINK COCKTAILS:   Parrot Bay is well known for their lineup of flavored rums, but now has a nice selection of ready to drink cocktails.  They offer cocktails in a bag with an easy to use tap on the bag (similar to a boxed wine).  Flavors available in the bag include Pina Colada, Rum Punch and Long Island Tea.  Best served over ice.

They also have two cream based cocktails including Mudslide and Orange-Pineapple Dream.  They can be served over ice or blended with ice.  If you are going to use a blender on the Mudslide and Orange Pineapple dream…try throwing in a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream when you blend them.

SKINNY GIRL COCKTAILS:  Created from only natural ingredients, the Skinny Girl lineup has under 100 calories per 4 ounce serving compared to about 500 calories in the typical margarita. The Skinny Girl lineup is meant to be served over ice.  Flavors available include White Cranberry Cosmo, Mojito, Grapefruit Margarita, White Peach Margarita, Original Margarita and Sweet Margarita.

You can dress up any of the above ready to drink cocktails with numerous garnishes! 

Margaritas: Rim the glass with Margarita salt or powdered sugar, garnish with fresh lime wedge. 

Pina Coladas: Garnish with Pineapple and/or Maraschino Cheeries.  

Mojitos:  Garnish with fresh mint leaves or fresh lime wedge.  You can also muddle in just about any fresh fruit you like to create a signature Mojito.  Fresh Strawberries or Raspberries are the most popular choices, but you could even do Kiwi or Mango!

Cheers!