Consumer Reports shares ideas for making holiday cocktails at home | So Good News

Move over, hard seltzers; now you can enjoy pre-made cocktails – such as classics, cosmos, and mojitos – from a can. The experts at Consumer Reports had the difficult task of tasting some of the most popular products to see if they are worth trying this holiday season and beyond! And if you’re ready to make your own, CR shares some great shakers for those who prefer the “old-fashioned” way.

Whether you want a place you love without the fuss or don’t have the right tools to do it yourself, Consumer Reports says there are plenty of options.

An easy way to wind down: canned food stores. One of the best things about canned cocktails is that they allow you to focus on your guests rather than preparing your own cocktails.

So what does it taste like to put something that should be served fresh from the bar? Most cocktails work well in cans, but one thing to watch out for is that it’s difficult to “run out” of citrus fruits or fresh juices. They have become their own thing.

For example, the Bacardi Mojito doesn’t taste exactly like a mojito, but it’s still a surprise hit; think Sprite—refreshing and delicious.

Without the sweet punch, fans say that Cutwater Tequila Paloma is refreshing, slightly citrusy, and fruity, making it the perfect party drink.

If you’d rather save money and play bartender, CR has also taken a look at a few shakers. Beginners tend to gravitate to cobbler shakers, which have three parts: a shaker, a strainer, and a cup that doubles as a 1-ounce measuring cup.

However, pros prefer the Boston shaker because of its simplicity – two parts that fit together and separate easily.

This stainless steel one from Crate & Barrel is easy to use, it’s dishwasher safe, and it’s only $20. And note that you have to buy the so-called Hawthorne strainer separately.

And finally, if you want to be a little more adventurous and less expensive, CR says to consider boxed wine for your holiday soiree. Not only do boxed wines cost less than bottled wines, they also last longer, meaning they won’t go bad after the party.