10 Best Ready-To-Drink Cocktails in the World, According to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition

In November, The Tasting Alliance hosted its annual Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, at which the best of the best from this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition vied for the top recognition in their respective categories. Thousands of brands were submitted for consideration, spanning established favorites like bourbon and tequila to once-niche darlings like Peruvian pisco and Japanese shochu.

It’s a sign of the times that ready-to-drink cocktails — otherwise known as RTDs — could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these industry giants. The category has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, and we can only imagine how many brands entered the fray at this year’s competition.

Here are the 10 RTDs that walked away with top recognitions at the 2025 Awards Gala. Highlights include a Cranberry Mule made with wine, a Chicago-based brand that walked away with not one but three awards, and a non-alcoholic Negroni that earned the coveted Best in Show.

Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail; Best in Show Ready-to-Drink: St. Agrestis Phony White Negroni

(Photo: Phony Negroni)

St. Agrestis Phony White Negroni managed to clinch both Best Non-Alcoholic and Best Overall Ready-To-Drink. A high-profile reminder that NA cocktails are catching up to their boozy contemporaries. Developed and produced in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the bottle comprises a blend of 30 organic ingredients praised by reviewers for its crisp, seasonal flavor profile. Costs $35.99 per six-pack.

Best Classic Cocktail: Oakside Cocktail Company Rye Old Fashioned

(Photo: Oakside Cocktail Company)

Two James Spirits’ riff on the Rye Old Fashioned is a favorite among critics and consumers alike. The recipe begins with four-year-old Michigan rye whiskey, which is combined with demerara syrup and a secret bitters blend from Vena’s Fizz House in Portland, Maine. 750-milliliter bottles of this spicy sipper cost $50 through most retailers.

Best New Ready-to-Drink: Avenue 8 Blood Orange Yuzu Paloma

(Photo: Avenue 8)

Best New RTD was bestowed upon Avenue 8 Blood Orange Yuzu Paloma, a blend of sweet and tart citrus delivered alongside a splash of 100% Blue Weber agave tequila. The company was launched earlier this year in Dallas, Texas, also offering drinks in Strawberry Lemonade and Pear & Ginger varieties. The brand’s award-winner is available for purchase through its website at $24.99 per four-pack.

Best Hard Seltzer: Hummy Asian Pear Soju Seltzer

(Photo: Hummy Soju Seltzer)

A welcome breath of air for the ubiquitous malt-based hard seltzer, Hummy Asian Pear Soju Seltzer combines Korea’s favorite spirit with natural fruit juices and a none-too-high 5% ABV. These clock in on the cheaper side of the spectrum as well, costing $11.99 per four-pack through established retailers like Total Wine.

Best Vodka Soda: Crafthouse Cocktails Moonlighter Vodka Spritz

(Photo: Crafthouse Cocktails)

The first of three awardees from the Chicago-based Crafthouse Cocktails, this spritz combines vodka and bianco vermouth with steeped chamomile, lavender and simple syrup. Calling this a “vodka soda” might be an understatement; from the sounds of it, the Moonlighter has a lot more in common with a bar-ready highball. Four-packs of the 11%-ABV drink are available for purchase at $18.99.

Best Vodka-Based: Crafthouse Cocktails Moscow Mule

(Photo: Crafthouse Cocktails)

The Moscow Mule requires no introduction, save for the fact that Crafthouse Cocktails mixes theirs with a spiced house-made ginger soda. Whether you drink it from a copper mug or straight from the can, this 11%-ABV cocktail costs $16.99 per four-pack.

Best Tequila/Agave-Based: Austin Cocktails Bergamot Orange Margarita

(Photo: Austin Cocktails)

It should come as no surprise that Best Tequila RTD was awarded to a canned margarita. Albeit an elevated twist. Austin Cocktail’s version of the iconic recipe makes use of floral, winter-grown Italian bergamot oranges and an in-house triple sec that contains “dramatically less sugar” than its competitors. Billed under the tagline “Real Spirits, Real Ingredients, Never Too Sweet,” the cocktail demands a modest $15 per four-pack.

Best Whisk(e)y Based: Snazzy Whiskey Half & Half Cocktail

(Photo: Snazzy)

The Arnold Palmer receives a boozy twist from San Francisco-based Snazzy Beverages, which combines lemonade, iced tea and whiskey to make its Half & Half cocktail. There are a heck of a lot of lemonade- and tea-based RTDs on the market, so we can only imagine how and why this one managed to stand out from the crowd. The 10%-ABV drinks are available at $21.99 per four-pack.

Best Wine-Based: Craftwell Cocktails Cranberry Mule

(Photo: Craftwell)

Craftwell Cocktails (not to be confused with Crafthouse Cocktails) walked away with Best Wine-Based RTD for its Cranberry Mule. Made from tart cranberries harvested in Bandon, Oregon, the cocktail dials up its spicy influences with signature additions of lime, ginger root and jalapeño pepper. The limited-edition release debuted in September at $11.99 per four-pack (according to the brand, it pairs well with “sushi of all sorts”).

Best Rum-Based: Crafthouse Cocktails Mai Tai

(Photo: Crafthouse Cocktails)

Yet another hit from Crafthouse Cocktails, this Mai Tai comprises a blend of premium aged rums, lime juice, orange curaçao and a touch of almond orgeat. Rum is a small but mighty presence in the RTD scene, and it’s always great to see representation from an award-winning brand. Canned at 16% ABV, these tiki drinks are available for purchase at $18.99 per four-pack.