Review: Canned Cocktails of Moth

Moth — formally “MOTH:” with a colon — is relatively unknown in the U.S., but it’s actually the UK’s #1 premium ready-to-drink cocktail brand. Short for “Mix of Total Happiness,” Moth has at least 10 different flavors, with four available in the States in the form of a mixed four-pack, one 200ml can of each cocktail: Margarita, Espresso Martini, Mojito, and Piña Colada.

Each cocktail is made with premium ingredients — no malt liquor here — and comes as a single serving (or maybe two) that’s ready to drink when poured over ice. Moth even says you can sip them straight from the can, but we wouldn’t dream of it.

Moth Margarita – Made with tequila from Enemigo, triple sec, and lime. Emphasis on the lime: This is weighed down with the fruit from the start, giving off a sharp, citric acid vibe that bites at the back of the mouth. A lot of ice helps it settle down, but this comes at the expense of the rest of the cocktail, which isn’t particularly powerful when it comes to the tequila component, especially. I drank most of the can, but it hit me closer to a stout glass of Sprite than I’d have liked. 14.9% abv. B

Moth Espresso Martini – Made with vodka from Wood Brothers, coffee liqueur, and cold brew. Authentic but flat, note that you won’t get much froth from this unless you pour the drink out and shake it with ice; just shaking the can won’t do the trick. Either way, even without a creamy head, the cocktail offers a strong coffee aroma that entices, even though the palate comes across a bit on the mild side. A moderate to heavy sweetness is in part responsible for that, evoking thoughts of coconut nectar and, later, a significant fruity quality: raspberry and strawberry jam layered on with the finish. They gentle and pretty, the fruity qualities may be a bit overwhelming if you’re not on the mood and looking for a more straightforward, bittersweet (or chocolate-leaning) flavor. 14.9% abv. B+

Moth Mojito – Made with rum from Duppy Share, mint, lime, and soda. This tastes about on point and as it should, though the lime shows off a bit of the same chemical/citric acid note that the margarita suffers from. Fortunately there’s more here (and a better spirit, perhaps) to temper it, alongside with a gentle sweetness that furthers the cause. The effervescence is very mild, as is the mint — perhaps the drink’s only real shortcoming. The lower abv actually works in favor of the drink, giving it a refreshing, citrus-driven quality that feels perfect for poolside. I’d definitely sample this one again. 10% abv. A-

Moth Pina Colada – Made with rum from Duppy Share, coconut liqueur, and pineapple. This isn’t the creamy concoction you might get on the beach — there’s no Coco Lopez here — but rather an on-the-rocks version that’s heavy on the pineapple. The coconut liqueur underneath is very sweet (what pina colada isn’t?), and there’s a gentle but present white rum character behind that, showing off a touch of funk. The finish leans heavier on the coconut, giving it that inevitable suntan lotion quality, though it never comes up short of being exuberantly tropical. I’d recommend serving this blended with ice, but that might defeat the purpose of the RTD presentation. Your call. 10% abv. A-

$20 per four-pack of 200ml cans / mothdrinks.com

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