Cheers to summer with these small-owned canned, ready to drink cocktails
From Asian-American to female owned check out these cool new beverage companies.
Whether it's poolside, by the lake, a backyard barbecue or a picnic in the park, it's time to pack a cooler with refreshing drinks that are easy to crack open and sip in the summer sun.
With a boom in canned adult beverages from boutique to big brands, we've rounded up a handful of ready-to-drink beverages from small businesses with great stories.
Check out these women-owned, Asian-American founded and other unique canned cocktail companies that add a personal touch to the popular and convenient canned products.
Lunar
Sean Ro and Kevin Wong wanted an authentic, healthy adult beverage that doesn't compromise on taste or quality, so the pair set out to create their own spin on hard seltzer that drew from childhood memories and the flavors of their parents' cooking.
"We deliberately crafted Lunar with real fruit sourced from Asia to deliver an actually delicious seltzer experience that aims to capture what we call Asian Americana in a can," Wong shared with "Good Morning America." "With each sip, we hope to transport you to experience moments from our lives and heritage."
To Ro, the lychee hard seltzer "embodies tropical summer in a can. As a kid, one of my fondest memories is from an August spent in Taiwan. It was when grandma brought me to buy fresh lychees from her favorite fruit vendor. In that sweltering tropical heat, the first juicy bite of the fruit to this day still defines summer for me, and it’s that refreshing moment we’ve captured by using real lychee juice in each can."
After hundreds of recipes and multiple trips to Asia, the duo -- who first began brewing Lunar in their New York City apartment -- has crafted a one-of-a-kind drink that perfectly blends authentic Asian flavors with modern hard seltzer.
Two Chicks Cocktails
This woman-helmed company combines premium spirits with natural fruit and botanicals to offer "something for everyone to enjoy," CEO Linda Cash said. Plus, the gluten-free, vegan drink stands apart from competitors with eye-catching packaging that's fun to pack for any summer activity.
"I knew it was important to fill a void in the marketplace of having a woman-founded, -owned and -run brand, which is the catalyst for Two Chicks Cocktails. The name of the brand is also very personal in that I am the daughter of two moms, mother of two daughters and one of two sisters," co-founder Meghan Hanna told "Good Morning America."
Two Chicks has an extensive lineup of flavors made with gin, whiskey, vodka and tequila, and just in time for summer introduced its new sparkling cranberry tartini and a sparkling lemon strawberry kiss.
CanBee Cocktails
Gin lovers most likely know all about the Bee's Knees cocktail, but this canned varietal is extra special because it was created by beekeepers in an effort to spread awareness and raise money for bee conservation.
The prohibition era favorite is refreshed with farm-fresh honey, handcrafted gin made in small batches by Black Button Distilling and a touch of real lemon juice to create a quality cocktail experience that can be enjoyed anywhere.
"You can feel good about sipping it outside especially knowing that as you’re taking in sunny rays and freshly cut summer grass, CanBee gives back to bee conversation efforts that are essential to protecting the very ecosystem you’re currently enjoying," CanBee brand manager Allyssa Birth told "GMA."
Jason Barrett, the founder of Black Button Distilling, brought his sister who is studying native bee behavior on board when developing the recipe. Birth explained that their signature cocktail is also free of artificial flavors and colors. "The mix of refreshing, sweet flavors is perfect for the summer season especially."
Elenita
These sparkling mezcal cocktails are artisan-crafted with 100% agave Espadín mezcal, and a perfect summer picnic choice for fans of a slightly smoky, effervescent option.
As a minority small business owner, Mikel Noriega the co-founder and COO of the canned mezcal cocktails, said this venture into the exploding ready to drink market has been a dream come true.
"The uniquely American RTD category has exploded, and as immigrants, our ability to play and go up against industry juggernauts is the epitome of the American dream," Noriega told "Good Morning America." "We certainly can’t wait to sip sparkling mezcal this 4th of July, and pair our flavors with fireworks, and to see how the category at large continues to grow past the season."