The Cooler Problem on Game Day
Picture a gravel lot on a crisp October Saturday. The grill is going, the leaves are turning, and someone asks what is in the cooler besides beer. The Welch's Cocktail Collection Variety 8Pk is one easy answer.
It holds eight canned cocktails in four flavors, so a group can taste a few styles without anyone mixing a thing. This guide covers what is in the pack, how to serve it this fall, and where to look for it in North Carolina.
What Is in the Welch's Cocktail Collection Variety 8Pk
The pack is a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail set. That means the drink is mixed and canned, so you just chill it and open it. The Welch's Craft Cocktails line came from a partnership between Welch's and COOP Beverage Works. You can read more about the line on the Welch's Craft Cocktails site.
The cocktails are made with real fruit juice and spirits. They were built to bring Welch's fruit juice flavors into classic cocktail styles. Here are the four flavors inside:
- Vodka Cranberry: tangy sweetness, in the style of the bar standard.
- Vodka Transfusion: Concord grape juice with ginger and citrus notes.
- Passionfruit Mojito: a hint of mint.
- Watermelon Mule: a fruit take on the mule.
The Numbers, Plainly
The listing shows 6% ABV, which is 12 proof, in a 2.84L pack. That sits well below a spirit poured neat, closer to a strong beer. Pace yourself over a long afternoon.
Why It Fits October
Fall drinking leans on tart fruit, a little spice and something cold that travels well. Cranberry and grape are both harvest-table flavors, and ginger adds a warm edge as the evenings cool. A mixed pack also means one case covers different tastes at the same gathering.
Cans suit a stadium lot, a back porch or a bonfire. There is no ice bucket, no shaker and no glass to break. The maker itself points to dinner parties, the golf course and the end of a long day, and all three work in October.
A Fall Game Plan
Chill the cans well before you leave, since these taste best very cold. Pour over ice in a cup if you want a little dilution and a garnish. Here are a few ways to match each flavor to the day.
- Tailgate: Vodka Cranberry with smoked sausage, pimento cheese and chips.
- Halloween party: Vodka Transfusion over ice in a tall cup, with a few frozen grapes as a cold garnish.
- Thanksgiving: Vodka Cranberry next to the turkey and sides, since cranberry is already on the table.
- Porch on a warm afternoon: Passionfruit Mojito or Watermelon Mule with a mint sprig or lime wheel.
Two Quick Fall Serves
You do not need to doctor a canned cocktail. If you want to dress one up, these are simple suggestions.
Cranberry Orange Cup
A bright, tart pour for the Thanksgiving table.
- 1 can Vodka Cranberry, well chilled
- 1 orange wheel
- 1 small handful of ice
- 1 fresh or frozen cranberry for garnish
Fill a rocks glass with ice.
Add the orange wheel along the inside of the glass.
Pour in the cold cocktail slowly.
Drop in the cranberry and serve.
Spiced Grape Highball
A taller drink for a long game, with extra ginger snap.
- 1 can Vodka Transfusion, well chilled
- 2 oz ginger beer
- 1 lime wedge
- Ice
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour in the Vodka Transfusion until the glass is about two thirds full.
Top with the ginger beer.
Squeeze the lime wedge over the top and drop it in.
Also from Welch's
If you like what you see, these other Welch's cocktails from the same maker are also on our list:
- Welch's Vodka Transfusion 4Pk
- Welch's Vodka Cranberry 4Pk
- Welch's Vodka Transfusion 19.2oz
Work with Dorado Rock in North Carolina
We represent craft spirits brands and support bars, restaurants, and retailers statewide through the NC ABC system.
