Canned cocktail review: 10 Barrel Brewing Co Classic Margarita

Hi cocktail friends! With Cinco de Mayo right round the corner I'm in the mood to try a few more ready-to-drink margaritas so I know which ones to recommend to you for your fiestas. When I saw this colorful canned margarita at Total Wine a few weeks ago I had to pick it up to see if it would make the cut.

You know I'm a sucker for cute packaging and this can design makes me sooooo happy. It's just so colorful and cheerful. I also really like 10 Barrel Brewing Co in general. It was one of my favorite stops when I lived in Portland and I've been eager to try their canned cocktails. This was the first time I'd seen them in my area so I'm crossing my fingers we'll get the full line up soon. They have a several canned cocktails that are calling my name.

But before I get too wrapped up in this fan girl-ing, maybe I should see if they are any good first. So let's do this!

Here is my official review of 10 Barrel Brewing Co
Classic Margarita:

Spoiler alert: This cocktail really grew on me.

At first sip, I was like "yes, that is a classic margarita." Nothing really jumped out at me about it. Nothing to write home about. 

But then I just kept reaching for it and drinking more and more of it and it hit me - this is an easy going, classic margarita with no frills, just good flavor, good booziness to relax away the day, and a cute can to boot. Which got me thinking. Not everything has to be a magical unicorn. 

I've tried 100s of ready-to-drink cocktails at this point ( with many, many more to come) and it's human nature to gravitate towards the anomalies, the odd ducks, just to find something that is different. That's why there are always crazy new beers, cocktails, ice creams, cars, etc coming out all the time.

But there is peace in a known entity. Like a trusted friend or a cozy, well worn blanket that you love. This 10 Barrel Brewing Co Classic Margarita is like that. It's not the stop-you-in-your-tracks wow but it doesn't need to be. It is a solid, reliable, classic but not boring margarita. You don't have to think too much about it. You don't have to "savor" its craft. You can just enjoy it guilt free without worrying that you are missing something.  Personally, I found that really comforting especially during this weird time of "is the pandemic over or is this just a tease."

This has been my long winded way of telling you that if you like a standard margarita, you should absolutely give this one from 10 Barrel Brewing Co a try. It is like running into an old friend you haven't seen for awhile.

One shaker = not sweet at all  // Five shakers = your teeth may curl

Overall this ready-to-drink margarita is right in line with what you'd expect from a standard, fresh margarita. It is not a sweet cocktail but it has just enough sweetness to round out the tartness.

Sometimes on the pre-made margaritas and margarita mixes they can be too tart in a way that isn't authentically fresh lime or too sweet in an attempt to hid the poor citrus flavor. This one from 10 Barrel Brewing is actually perfectly in the middle. 

The 10 Barrel Brewing margarita isn't tart. It isn't sweet. It isn't overly citrusy. It is just right in the middle which makes it a super drinkable margarita - especially if you don't like complicated cocktails. 

This ready to drink margarita officially rings in at 9% ABV which is pretty good. I can say that I instantly felt more relaxed in that nice boozy way. This one is a bit of a sleeper though so watch out. You don't directly taste the tequila so it is super easy to forget you are drinking a cocktail. This one can sneak up on you!

Just ask the girl who accidentally pounded the whole can while watching The Circle last night. The more dramatic the shade on The Circle, the faster I drank. This is why I can't be trusted to drink alone at home. LOL

Would I buy this ready to drink cocktail again?

I think I would. I did really like this for a standard, no frills, just good marg.

I also really want to try all of the other 10 Barrel Brewing canned cocktails. They have a two other margaritas plus a whole line up of other cocktails. If anyone knows someone at 10 Barrel, have them call me. 😉

Here is the full line cocktail up if you are interested:

• Blood Orange Vodka Soda - yes please!!
• Lemongrass Lime Vodka Soda 
• Bloody Mary 
• Grey Hound - I love a good grey hound
• Moscow Mule
• Classic Margarita
• Mango Margarita
• Pineapple Serrano Margarita - I *have* to try this one asap

If you want to try this ready-to-drink canned marg, you can order it online. And don't miss the other canned cocktails from 10 Barrel! I can't wait to try them all.

Order the 10 Barrel ready-to-drink margarita here >>

Or check out the full line of 10 Barrel canned cocktails here >>

Until next week cocktail lovers. Cheers!