Like many great ideas, Cutwater Spirits started as a hobby. Thanks to Yuseff Cherney, founder/master distiller, and co-founder Earl Kight, that hobby has grown into an award-winning craft spirits brand that's synonymous with the words canned cocktail.
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Cutwater Spirits began in 2017 and have already become America's most awarded cocktail in a can. But Cherney and Kight weren't exactly slouches before that. They'd already founded the Ballast Point brewery.
They built a super cool futuristic-looking San Diego distillery with a popular tasting room & kitchen cooking up everything from pulled pork to mushroom falafel sliders. Currently only take-out and delivery due to the pandemic, they're delivering canned cocktails, variety packs, and on-site distilled spirits.
But don't worry if you're not in San Diego. Since being acquired by Anheuser-Busch, you can find these refreshing craft canned cocktails everywhere.
Their award-winning portfolio of spirits is used as the base of their canned cocktails, giving them complete quality control. House distilled whiskeys, vodka, gin, rums, tequilas, and liqueurs are shaken and stirred in convenient cans with seltzer, tonic, juice, sodas, and mixers.
Canned cocktails are perfect for beach, pool, boat, and anywhere else where glass is not a good idea. You know, it case the party gets out of hand. Responsibly, of course.
Which Cutwater Spirits Should I Drink?
How does this sound for beverage choice? Tequila Lime Margarita, Tequila Margarita, Mango Margarita, Tequila Lime & Soda, or the Tequila Paloma made with Grapefruit. "Margs" on the beach, anyone?
Been known to drink a vodka or five? You've got options. Made with Cutwater's Vodka, take your pick of a grapefruit vodka soda, lime vodka soda, or refreshing cucumber vodka soda. Rumor has it that I personally drank the cucumber vodka soda with a lox and cream cheese bagel at brunch. It was almost noon. Or maybe 9 am.
The Moscow Mule craze is still going strong and so is their Vodka Mule in a copper-colored can. You can't beat the taste of ginger beer on a sweltering day on the beach. Not a ginger fan? Go for the Elderflower Vodka Spritz. Spritz is my middle name.
Need something for the morning after? A good "hair of the dog" choice is the Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary. There's a mild option, too. But suck it up, buttercup. Go spicy or go home.
Some of their funkier canned drinks include the White Russian, Horchata Cold Brew and a Tiki Rum Mai Tai (pineapple, coconut, and citrus combined with Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum.) Oh one more...ready? RUM MINT MOJITO. Yes. IN A CAN!!! Stick a mini paper umbrella in me, I'm done!
Cutwater Three Sheets Rum & Cola or Three Sheets Rum & Ginger turn up the tropical feel in that cute little can too. Fun Fact: Cutwater's rum is made from pure cane sugar instead of molasses.
Old Grove Gin & Tonic screams for a floppy hat and lounge chair. Crack that canned cocktail open and scream "Bring me more ice!" in a British accent.
Check out all their stand-alone spirits and canned cocktails at cutwaterspirits.com
Watch: Grog: The Drink of Sailors