I tested pre-mixed espresso martinis – the winner is just £4 and perfect for Glastonbury festival
YOU can now get many cocktails perfectly mixed and measured in a can.
These tins are easy to sling into a cool bag, festival backpack or hamper for summer socialising.
Espresso martini is one of the most popular cocktails in Britain.
And thanks to cans, the mix of vodka, espresso coffee and sugar syrup isn’t just reserved for posh cocktail bars.
As the summer gets going, will these pre-made tins hit the mark at picnics and festivals?
I tasted some of best-sellers, here’s my verdict…
M&S The Marksologist Salted Caramel Espresso Martini Cocktail (150ml)
- £3.50, ocado.com
- ABV: 14.2%
- 2.1 units
Lovely packaging, I really wanted to like this more than I did but it smelt sickly sweet with very strong hints of caramel.
I love salted caramel but what should have been a nice delicate flavour was completely overwhelmed by booze.
It was like drinking sugar syrup mixed with pure ethanol. And at this price, no thanks.
- Taste: 5/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall score: 5/10
Absolut Cocktails Espresso Martini (200ml)
- £2.15, groceries.asda.com
- ABV: 5%
- 1 unit
This doesn’t have the strength or depth of an espresso martini and the combination of bubbles and coffee didn’t quite sit right with me.
It had a very Tia Maria like flavour and was very sweet and watery. Sadly, I didn’t like this at all.
Most of it ended up going down the sink.
- Taste: 3/10
- Value: 3/10
- Overall score: 3/10
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
Wonderland Cocktail Co Espresso Martini (125ml)
- £3.90, tesco.com
- ABV: 14%
- 1.75 units
Described as ‘bar quality’ this wasn’t really on a par with what you’d get in a nice cocktail venue.
The vodka tasted nice and it was complemented well by the bitter espresso and rich coffee liqueur. There was a hint of chocolate, too.
It had a nice smooth feel in the mouth and was more velvety in the mouth than some others. It packed a quite a boozy punch. Not bad, but wouldn’t want more than one.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Funkin Nitro Cocktails Espresso Martini (200ml)
- £2.25, ocado.com
- ABV: 5%
- 1 unit
This isn’t very boozy and is pretty easy drinking. It has a nice consistency and the mix is a nice balance of espresso and alcohol.
It wasn’t as sweet as others with a more bitter taste, which I preferred. The cans are a great price at Ocado and much better value for money than some of these others.
There is one unit of alcohol too, making it a slightly less boozy option.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Moth: Espresso Martini
- £3.90, tesco.com
- ABV: 14.9%
- 1.9 units
Smooth, bitter and balanced, this is one of the best cocktails in a can I’ve ever had. If you like coffee and you like vodka, you’ll love this.
If you give it a good shake and pour into a glass it has a nice froth on top, too. You could probably convince people you’ve made it yourself.
It is strong, with an ABV of 14.9 per cent, so do sip and resist the urge to knock it back. You’ve been warned.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 10/10
The Drinks Bureau Espresso Martini
- £15 for 4 x 150ml cans, amazon.co.uk (£3.75 each)
- ABV: 10%
- 1.5 units
When I poured this cocktail into the glass, it did look a bit like dirty dish wash and the colour wasn’t as deep as I’d have liked.
The aroma was spot on though and tasted ok, with a strong hint of vanilla, which I enjoyed. It could have done with being a bit more boozy.
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 6/10