Show summary Hide summary
You can create striking, bar-quality drinks without a home bar or a cocktail shaker. Ready-to-drink options do the heavy lifting — here’s how to lift them further with simple glassware, garnishes and tiny finishing touches that make a difference.
Sunburst Spritz — West Coast Cooler Sunburst
Take a can of West Coast Cooler Sunburst and turn it into a spritz in seconds. Pour the drink over a glass filled with ice, add about 100ml prosecco for sparkle, then top with a sprig of mint and a slice of peach.
Six floral and garden festivals to include in your holiday itinerary
Marriott opens Aloft hotel in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter
The combination of peach and mango with a dry sparkling wine creates a light, fruity serve that suits sunny gatherings and casual catch-ups.
Coops Cocktails — chilled, ready-to-serve bottles
Coops Cocktails, the brand from Irish entrepreneur Joanna Cooper, offers handcrafted 70cl bottles designed to be chilled and poured straight from the fridge. Each blend uses premium spirits and natural ingredients and includes serving tips on the label.
For a polished presentation, pour into a chilled coupe or martini glass, or shake the bottle over ice and strain into elegant glassware. Match garnishes to the flavour: a citrus twist for bright drinks, fresh berries for sweeter blends, or a mint sprig for herb-driven serves.
White Claw — low-calorie seltzer serves
If you prefer a lighter option, White Claw Hard Seltzer contains about 95 calories per 330ml and has a 4.5% ABV. Its clean, fruit-forward flavours work well with minimal fuss.
Serve ice-cold in a large wine glass or tumbler filled with ice. Add fresh fruit to mirror the can’s flavour — lime wedges for Natural Lime, raspberries for Raspberry, black cherries for Black Cherry, pineapple wedges for Pineapple, or mango slices for Mango.
AU Vodka — premixed cans for simple pours
AU Vodka’s ready-to-drink cans blend vodka with bold fruit flavours such as Pink Lemonade, Cherryade and Blue Raspberry. They’re made to be opened and served straight over plenty of ice.
Use a tall highball glass to keep drinks chilled and visually appealing. Complement Pink Lemonade with sliced strawberries and lemon, top Cherryade with maraschino cherries, and finish Blue Raspberry with fresh raspberries or a twist of lime.
Aperol Spritz Ready to Serve — bottles for quick aperitivos
The ready-to-serve Aperol Spritz bottles recreate the classic combination of Aperol, sparkling wine and soda. They are sold in packs of three 20cl bottles, which makes them convenient for small gatherings and picnics.
Chill, pour into a stemmed balloon glass filled with ice and finish with a fresh orange slice. For an authentic aperitivo moment, serve with olives, crisps or small sharing plates as guests arrive.
TRACES Hugo Spritz — a lighter Hugo
TRACES Hugo Spritz brings elderflower, mint and lime together with a light sparkle. The brand positions the drink as lower in calories, lower in sugar and gluten-free, and claims it contains around 77% fewer calories than many traditional versions.
To serve, chill and pour into a large wine glass over ice. Add a mint sprig, a slice of lime and a few edible flowers for a pretty, refreshing finish.
Small details lift ready-to-drink pours into memorable serves: choose glassware that suits the style of the cocktail, match garnishes to key flavours and keep everything well chilled. With a few thoughtful touches you can offer guests something that looks and tastes intentional — without an elaborate set-up. Sláinte!
