July 2, 2019

Canned spritzers for your summer picnics

Our five picks include a beer spritz

Highland Brewing’s Slow Crush Tart Spritz. Photo courtesy of Joanna Postlethwaite

I’ve been on a canned wine kick as of late — maybe it’s the ease of just cracking open a can as a new parent, or maybe it’s because today’s canned wines are just as good as bottled ones. Either way, if the wine is good, it gets my approval — corked, screw topped, or canned. This summer I’m on a mini-quest to find the best canned wines, spritzers, and cocktails. My only rule is the product must be accessible in North Carolina. These are my preferred canned spritzers for summer; stay tuned for wines and cocktails. ––Justin Burke-Samson

Oceans Away
Sparkling Pineapple Wine
Crisp, medium-body bubbles with pineapple aromas and nuances of mango and coconut. Tastes like summer vacation in a can.

Ramona
Ruby Grapefruit Wine Spritz
Naturally flavored with no added sugar, this is a refreshing, mildly bitter spritzer that packs a punch with 7% alcohol by volume.

Ramona
Lemon Wine Spritz
Bright and tart for those who are not fans of the traditional bitterness of Italian spritzers. Just like the ruby grapefruit spritz, be careful how much you drink.

Social Sparkling Wine
Toasted Coconut Almond
Smooth, nutty flavor sweetened with creamy coconut, this spritzer is made with sake and is a great option for cooler summer nights around the fire.

Highland Brewing
Slow Crush Tart Spritz
Not technically a spritzer, this beer is inspired by the Aperol Spritz. Crisp tartness with Italian aperitif botanicals like gentian root and cinchona bark make this kettle sour style ale like a spritz and worthy of this list.