Cocktails might not be the first refreshing drink that comes to mind when Happy Hour rolls around while you’re travelling — but maybe they should be.
Mixing drinks on the road can be a hassle. Bottles and mixers take up precious space and payload, and buying cocktails out isn’t exactly budget-friendly, so it’s no wonder many travellers stick to their tried-and-tested bagged or boxed wines and favourite beers. But what about when you want something fun or a bit more celebratory?
That’s where Curatif steps in — a Melbourne-based brand offering premium, pre-mixed cocktails in compact, travel-friendly cans.
We gave one of their four-packs a go, featuring Tommy’s Margarita, Piña Colada, Espresso Martini and Amaretto Sour. Each one comes in a 130ml can, small enough to tuck into your van fridge or esky without fuss.
Travel-friendly size
These aren’t your average canned drinks. You’ll need to shake each one before pouring — following the can’s ‘shake me to make me’ direction to give the cocktail a bit of a mix and, depending on the drink in question, create that signature cocktail froth. One stumbling block I did hit was: how much do you shake? Are we talking a casual jostle or a full bartender workout? I opted for somewhere in the middle, which seemed to get the expected result most of the time (with a bit of spillage, but that seems to be expected). I did some digging after the fact and found that Curatif does have a ‘how-to’ series buried on its website showing that there’s a different shake scale for different drinks — this would be an easy thing to link to the QR codes already on the cans to make life simpler and help everyone get the perfect result.
While these are cocktails in a can, pouring them into a glass is the best way to enjoy the full experience. Some of the cans included suggested serving styles — over ice or crushed ice — and you can go as simple or as fancy as you like with garnishes.
Serving suggestions
Award-winning cocktails, and a handy QR code that takes you to the Curatif website
Taste testing Curatif cocktails in a can
Flavour-wise, the range held up well, and I’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and a bartender’s creation if the serving style was done properly (alas, I didn’t have any lemon or lime on hand to create a proper rind swirl). Tommy’s Margarita was fresh and zesty with a solid agave tequila kick. The Piña Colada delivered tropical notes with a creamy finish, though mine could’ve used a better froth (likely down to my shaking). The Amaretto Sour was sweet and punchy. The Espresso Martini hit all the coffee notes with a bang — to the point where even my well-trained coffee tastebuds were uncertain about the bitterness, though some chocolate on the side helped balance it out. My top picks? The Margarita and Piña Colada, hands down.
The Curatif Margarita in a can was a favourite
At $45 for a four-pack (about $11 per can) or $230 for a 24-pack, they’re not cheap, but when you compare it to bar prices or the hassle of bringing ingredients on the road, they make sense as an occasional treat or celebration drink. Curatif also offers larger 3L party kegs in Margarita and Spicy Margarita flavours, as well as a 10 per cent discount if you sign up for a delivery subscription. The full range includes options like Pornstar Martini, Spicy Margarita, Limoncello Sour, Rum Old Fashioned and more.
About Curatif and where to get them
Founded back in 2018, Curatif is an independent Australian company focused on premium ingredients and convenience. There are no preservatives, just quality spirits and mixers blended for balance. And the packaging is lightweight and completely recyclable.
Curatif has won plenty of awards worldwide for its ready-to-serve cocktails, including Global RTD Producer of the Year for three years running (2022, 2023 and 2024) at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, plus Specialty Brand of the Year at the 2024 The Spirits Business, and Gold at the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Serve in a glass with some garnishes and your guests will be impressed
So, if you’re looking to add a bit of fun and flavour to your adventures, Curatif’s compact, light and fuss-free cocktails make a handy addition to your van’s drink stash.
Curatif’s range of cocktails is available online with free worldwide shipping for orders over $75.
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