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I tested pre-mixed espresso martinis - the winner tastes freshly made

23 June 2024 , 07:54
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You can pick up the wining can from your local supermarket
You can pick up the wining can from your local supermarket

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.

Lynsey Hope tried pre-mixed espresso martinis - the winner was £4 qhidqhiqrxidtqprw
Lynsey Hope tried pre-mixed espresso martinis - the winner was £4Credit: Darren Fletcher

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?

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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
M&S offering was too boozy
M&S offering was too boozyCredit: Darren Fletcher

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
Absolut's cocktail was too watery.
Absolut's cocktail was too watery.Credit: Darren Fletcher

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

Wonderland Cocktail Co Espresso Martini (125ml)

  • £3.90, tesco.com
  • ABV: 14%
  • 1.75 units
Wonderland espresso martin was smooth and velvety
Wonderland espresso martin was smooth and velvety

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.

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  • Taste: 7/10
  • Value: 6/10
  • Overall score: 7/10

Funkin Nitro Cocktails Espresso Martini (200ml)

  • £2.25, ocado.com
  • ABV: 5%
  • 1 unit
The Funkin cocktail wasn't as sweet as others
The Funkin cocktail wasn't as sweet as othersCredit: Darren Fletcher

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
One of the best cocktails in a can
One of the best cocktails in a canCredit: Darren Fletcher

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
The Drinks Bureau had a flavour of vanilla running through
The Drinks Bureau had a flavour of vanilla running throughCredit: Darren Fletcher

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

Lynsey Hope

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