Right now, I’m on holiday in the south of France, where the days are pushing a scorching 40 °C and the nights barely dip below 25–28 °C. In other words, the kind of weather that demands a little refreshment.

I don’t drink a lot of alcohol, but I do enjoy a good cocktail now and then. After spending two decades in the hotel industry across the Mediterranean, I’ve seen first-hand how much skill and care goes into crafting a truly great drink — which is why the idea of bar-quality cocktails in a can caught my attention. Funkin Cocktails kindly sent me a box for free to try out, but as always, the thoughts and opinions you’ll read here are 100 % my own. The question is: can a ready-to-drink cocktail really live up to the bar experience? Time to find out.

About Funkin Cocktails

Founded in 1999, Funkin Cocktails started by supplying bartenders with premium fruit purées and mixers, and quickly became known for delivering bar-quality drinks without the fuss. Today, they bring that same expertise into our homes with an impressive range of ready-to-drink cocktails, mixers, and purées made from real fruit and quality ingredients.

Their mission is simple: make cocktails fun, easy, and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a cocktail enthusiast, Funkin’s products are designed to give you that professional touch—minus the shaker skills. From nitro-infused cans with a silky, bar-style foam to classic mixers for your own creations, they’ve got everything you need to enjoy a proper cocktail anywhere… even on a hot summer night in the south of France.

My Experience with Funkin Cocktails

What grabbed my attention right away was the packaging. It’s bold, colourful, and full of personality — exactly what you’d expect from a brand called Funkin Cocktails. Funky, fresh, and instantly inviting, these cans practically beg to be the life of the party.

The other evening, we were invited to a typical French apéritif — the kind where the table is full of cured ham, toasted bread, salted nuts, irresistible crisps, and of course, a few drinks to start the night. I thought it was the perfect moment to bring out a few Funkin Cocktails from the multi-pack. We had the Piña Colada, Passion Fruit Martini, and Strawberry Daiquiri.

Now, being surrounded by my French family, the idea of cocktails in a can was… let’s say controversial. In France, this is almost a crime. But when we poured them into glasses, we were all surprised — the texture was incredibly realistic. Funkin’s nitro-infused cocktails really are clever; the nitrogen gives them that silky, velvety finish you usually only get from a shaker in a proper cocktail bar.

Each one we tried from the Nitro range had a 5 % ABV — just right for the hot summer evenings we’ve been having. Taste-wise, the Piña Colada was the first up. At first sip, I found it a little artificial, but after letting it rest in the glass for a few minutes, the flavours settled beautifully, and it tasted almost like the real thing. The Strawberry Daiquiri ended up being my favourite — refreshing, fruity, and just the right level of sweetness. My wife absolutely loved the Passion Fruit Martini, and the best part? My French family, who had been skeptical at first, admitted they were impressed.

Now, I’ll be honest — after years working in the hotel industry around the Mediterranean, I’ve had some truly exceptional cocktails made by top bartenders, and nothing will ever fully replicate that experience. But Funkin Cocktails comes surprisingly close. Everything we tried tasted great, and for a party, picnic, or even a casual night in, they’re a brilliant, fuss-free way to serve cocktails that will definitely get people talking.

Pros & Cons of Funkin Cocktails

Pros

Taste great – fruity, refreshing, and full of flavour.
Looks like the real thing – the nitro infusion gives them that silky, bar-style texture.
Affordable – much cheaper than buying cocktails out, especially if you’re serving several people.

Cons

Can’t beat a top bartender – as close as they get, nothing truly matches a cocktail made fresh by an experienced mixologist.
Less “theatre” at a party – without the cocktail shaker and fresh ingredients, you lose a bit of the wow factor when serving guests.

Conclusion

After a week of intense heat and long, warm evenings in the south of France, Funkin Cocktails have been the perfect way to cool down and unwind. They might not carry the same prestige as a cocktail made fresh by a skilled bartender, but they come surprisingly close — and for a drink that comes straight from a can, that’s impressive.

The nitro infusion really does the trick, giving each sip that smooth, velvety texture you’d expect from a shaker in a proper cocktail bar. The flavours are well-balanced, the packaging is fun and inviting, and the 5 % ABV is just right for warm summer evenings when you want something light but satisfying.

If you’re hosting a BBQ, heading to a picnic, or simply want a fuss-free way to enjoy a decent cocktail without all the mixing and measuring, Funkin Cocktails are an easy win. They turned a sceptical French family into fans — and that, trust me, is no small achievement.

For me, they score a solid 9/10, and you can pick them up directly from the Funkin Cocktails official website or from Amazon UK for quick delivery.

Jerome

Jerome is the founder of Dapper & Groomed, a lifestyle blog for men who care about style, skincare, and smart tech. A French dad of four living in the UK, Jerome shares honest, hands-on reviews and personal insights—from grooming routines to everyday carry essentials.