There’s a glut of ready-to-drink cocktails out there right now. Between a lasting pandemic and a timeless love for convenience, we’ve ushered in a new era for these crack-and-sip beverages.
So, when I was asked to review another startup within the crowded field, I was a bit hesitant and less than excited. I cannot tell you how many RTD options exist that might as well just be overly sweet soda, treated to a bit of hooch. We need to take a step back and recall the main purpose of this endeavor — to create something easy to drink at home that at least comes close to resembling what you’re favorite barkeep might whip up. It’s a big task to match a gifted mixologist’s version of the perfect Boulevardier in a bottle, maybe even Gimlet, let alone the experience of physically sitting in one of the best bars in the land. But so far, I get the feeling we can do better.
Drnxmyth may not have the best name in the category, but what’s in the 200ml bottle is actually pretty impressive. I came away thinking that maybe this genre of drinks does have a chance. The Los Angeles-based company claims to only use fresh, cold-pressed ingredients, never heating a thing or throwing in something synthetic. It’s a very southern California mindset, with freshness and caloric content very much at the fore of the enterprise. It’s also arguably the best version of the RTD cocktail out there so far.
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How it Works
While I sampled a spectrum of flavors through the Full Bar option (a well-curated one, at that), there’s also a subscription angle. Membership is very customizable and there’s an initial discount (currently at 10%) to get going. Essentially, it’s a cafeteria-style setup, wherein you determine which
One of the better subscription perks is the first access to new cocktails. With the Drnxmyth team always soliciting new recipes and staying busy in the research and development sector, this could prove really advantageous for the intrepid imbiber, especially as the company continues to grow. Once you’ve decided on your plan or one-time
The bottles are equivalent to nearly two cocktails. In other words, each comes with 2.7 ounces of hooch for an overall ABV of 16-17%. They look good, thick textured plastic designed to appear like glass. More importantly, they’re made of post-consumer plastics and are recyclable. In an industry of waste, this is an important element. If you’re not going to be reusing a glass Old Fashioned glass like you would at your favorite bar, you sure as hell should be operating in a way that’s not going to add piles upon piles at the landfill.
For fun, I tried sampling the drink without twisting and mixing, just to see if it was a gimmick. Not recommended. The booze and the added citrus and other ingredients are clearly kept in separate chambers, so the mixing, while a little silly, does serve an important purpose. I guess just embrace it and pretend you’re behind a real bar, shaker tins in hand. Keeping them separate extends the lifespan of the drink too. The company says that if properly cooled in your fridge, they’ll last up to five months.
The Flavors
There’s a healthy mix of classics and creative spins within the Drnxmyth stable. The margaritas for example, are exceptional — zesty, and well-integrated. The classic version is perfectly briny, thanks to the addition of salt drops (the RTD equivalent of rimming a glass). The Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita is hit with fresh pineapple and jalapeño agave syrup, making for a balanced cocktail that’s equal parts fruity and spicy.
The spirits sourced are of quality, such as Diplomatico Rum and LA Distillery Vodka. And there are some unexpected twists and turns, just like the use of aquafaba in the Clover Club to tie all of the ingredients together. Or, the subtle stone fruit flavors afforded by cherry bark bitters in the excellent Apricot Rye Smash. The Eastside, a gin classic, was so refreshing it was therapeutic. The Ginger Drop, made with Jamaican
Tasting through the lineup, you get the feeling you’re enjoying the work of an all-star cast. It’s like the mixologist equivalent of a supergroup in music, featuring
The Verdict
Overall, the
Of the 10 tried, only two left something to be desired. The Strawberry Mojito was a bit too sweet. The mint-infused water offered a nice refreshing splash of green but the strawberry-vanilla syrup overwhelmed things a bit. The Rum Punch, while very flavorful, needed a strain. Bits of coconut swirled around in the drink, which isn’t a huge issue — especially for those who want to know what’s in their drink — but it does dock some points in the presentation and mouthfeel departments. The majority, however, were tasty, driven by thoughtful
It’s about as close as you’re going to get to what your local watering hole is whipping up in small batches and stuffing into mason jars. And with more
