Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This ready-to-drink cocktail is my new go-to summer drink

Skip the heavy drinks on the beach

Dad Water
Dad Water

Lately, it’s been pretty clear that the worlds of health and alcohol have collided. The rising interest in health and fitness has made many drinkers rethink their alcohol choices, with more health-focused options on the market than ever before. From low-calorie options to non-alcoholic options, we live in a time where there’s a canned cocktail option for every type of drinker. For those who have sensitive stomachs, drinks with no carbonation are the smartest choice. Here’s why the zero-carbonation Dad Water is my go-to summer ready-to-drink cocktail.

A ready-to-drink cocktail with no carbonation

As a sporadic drinker, I carefully consider my drink choice when I do finally decide to drink. Throughout the summer, I’m more likely to drink while relaxing on the beach or attending a backyard BBQ. Though I enjoy other low-sugar, low-calorie canned options like High Noons or White Claws, these drinks have one clear disadvantage: carbonation.

Recommended Videos

Carbonated beverages like these leave me feeling full and bloated after drinking just one or two. The heaviness of the bubbles makes it almost impossible to drink in a reasonable amount of time. The Carbon Dioxide bubbles in carbonated drinks are responsible for leaving you with that heavy, full feeling. As someone with a sensitive stomach, I consider that heavy feeling almost to be a buzz-kill. After a while, I’ve learned to avoid carbonated drinks whenever possible. If I drink them, I’ll not only feel sluggish, but I will likely not enjoy my meal or event.

The lack of carbonation is why I’m hooked on Dad Waters. As the name suggests, the beverage’s texture is more like “water” and less like your typical beer or seltzer. This is a game changer (especially if you hate that heavy fullness feeling from carbonation, too).

Dad Waters are like water

Dad Waters was marketed as non-carbonated fruit-infused tequila water, specifically for those who don’t enjoy carbonation. These ready-to-drink cocktails contain no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, no sugar, and of course, no carbonation. If you’re not big on tequila, you can also give the sister product, Mom Water, a try. Mom Waters are similar but are made with fruit-infused vodka instead of tequila.

The packaging of Dad Waters seems like your typical canned beverage, but the taste is unique. If you want something light and classic, start with the “Tom”, an original tequila water infused with lime. This flavor has a very faint lime taste that is refreshing and easy to sip. This is my favorite flavor because it’s like drinking water.

If you like cocktails with a bit more of a kick, the “Gary” might be your go-to choice. The “Gary” flavor adds a touch of spice to your drink with an infusion of pineapple and jalapeno. The “Rodney” flavor has a slight blood orange flavor, and the “Steve” is slightly more tart with an injection of grapefruit. All the drinks are pretty smooth, and most importantly, have no carbonation. You can now enjoy a light buzz without feeling stuffed, bloated, and uncomfortable.

Emily Caldwell
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
Celebrate the Campari Spritz at this NYC event
Campari Spritz

New York is getting a spritz-themed takeover, as aperitivo brand Campari is setting up a Campari Spritz Square in downtown NYC. The weekend of June 14 and 15, the 171 E. Broadway hub within Chinatown and the Lower East Side will host a weekend dedicated to all things Campari Spritz, including art and jewelry displays, a live DJ, and of course food and music.

The idea of the event is not just to highlight the drink -- which is a bitter, more bracing alternative to the ever-popular Aperol Spritz, that you'll see enjoyed all over Italy -- but also to promote the Italian aperitivo culture which involves small snacks and light cocktails for the early evenings before a meal.

Read more
I’m going to be drinking this refreshing spritz all summer long
Lillet

The spritz is an iconic summer drink, but my very favorite type of spritz isn't made with Aperol -- instead, it uses Lillet. If you haven't tried Lillet before, it's a little like vermouth, but with a hefty bitter edge from quinine that I love. If you enjoy the bitter and refreshing edge of tonic water, then I reckon you'd love Lillet Blanc too.

My usual go-to Lillet spritz recipe is equal parts of Lillet and sparkling water, plus an absolute ton of cucumber slices, all served in a big copa glass over a large ice cube. I find that the cucumber gives a crisp, juicy addition to the drink and makes for a lovely low-ABV sipper.

Read more
Learn to love cognac with these beginner-friendly cocktail recipes
Courvoisier

Cognac is one of those spirits which you've heard of but even the experienced bartender might not be so familiar with. Though it has a fancy reputation, you needn't be scared of mixing cognac into cocktails, as its intense and rich flavors work well to easily elevate even simple mixed drinks into something special.

As today is National Cognac Day, below we have two recipes to share which make use both Courvoisier, a premium French coganc, and Grand Marnier, a cognac and orange liqueur, that can ease you into the delicious world of this classic French spirit.

Read more