RTDs explained – plus 7 favourites to grab and go

Making cocktails is a serious flex and it’s something we’ll always get behind. But we also know that a night spent measuring, mixing and shaking doesn’t always appeal. Sometimes, the most effort you can summon is cracking a can and enjoying it then and there. Or if you’re feeling fancy, you might pour it into a glass with ice. For those times? It’s worth a wander around the aisles of premixes, AKA ready-to-drinks, or RTDs.   

If all you can picture when you think of RTDs are drinks that are brightly coloured or super sweet, it’s time to revisit the options. There’s now a style of RTD for every taste – from those made with no added sugar and white and dark spirit bases to others with higher ABVs or even no alcohol at all. But what actually are RTDs? And what are all the different types of premix drinks? We cover all that below, along with a selection of standouts to try.

Think of your favourite mixed drink and there’s a good chance there’s a premixed version available. Canned options first launched here in Australia with UDL’s vodka-soda combos back in 1965. The story goes that a couple of golf-loving drinks executives wanted a ready-made bev to enjoy on the course, and so they made it happen.

The RTD scene has since exploded with the likes of hard seltzers – think the hugely successful US brand White Claw – and premixed cocktails with some even rivalling the quality you’d get at a high-end bar. You’ll also find bottled options that mix spirits with soft drinks, along with wine-based options such as Spritzes, sometimes in 750mL bottles to serve the whole table, and, just to be confusing, spritzers, which are traditionally wine and soda premixes.

With so many types of RTDs, it’s no surprise they cover a wide range of alcohol content levels. Spirit-based RTDs and hard seltzers tend to have an ABV range of around 4% up to 6%, but some have much higher levels at 7% to around 10%, so always read the label to be sure.

Wine-flavoured premixes come with an average alcohol range of 5% to 14% ABV, while premixed cocktails can hit almost 20% ABV, so it’s always worth checking the label to know exactly what you’re getting.

Some premixes are designed to be sweet, fizzy and fresh, which means they do commonly have sugar added. This can help to balance out the spirit in the blend and bring that trademark refreshment. That said, there are plenty of options for anyone watching their sugar intake, with so many lower-sugar and no-sugar premixes now available across all styles.

The most obvious choice for anyone trying to avoid sugar would be a hard seltzer, which mixes sparkling water with a hint of natural flavour and an alcoholic ingredient. But most major brands now also offer various low- and no-sugar options, such as the massively popular Hard Rated range.

The beauty of an RTD is that it’s good to go. All you need to do is grab a chilled premix, open it and enjoy – in many cases, straight from the can or bottle. However, there are many ways to serve these drinks that will take them to the next level.

A tequila mixed with lime and soda, for example, is ripe for serving like a cocktail. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and then coat it in salt flakes before filling the glass with ice, pouring in the drink and squeezing the same wedge of lime into the mix before plopping it in the glass. Ice and a slice of citrus will lift most RTDs, but feel free to get creative based on the mix of ingredients or the type of dish or snacks you’ll be serving alongside it.