This spring Dogfish Head Brewing (and distilling) rolled out 570ml sizes of its RTD canned cocktail lineup, with two flavors first to feature in the larger-format cans: Strawberry Honeyberry Vodka Lemonade and Blood Orange Mango Vodka Crush. I’ve long been a fan of Dogfish Head, but these particular RTD products were not really on my radar, so I requested samples to try them out.
The company offers a full lineup of canned cocktails, and though these two were released in the larger size format, the samples I received were in the existing 12-ounce cans (355ml). Both are 7% alcohol by volume, and interestingly text on the can indicates “2 shots per cocktail.”
Here’s the press release that announced the new can format:
As ready-to-drink cocktails continue to surge, Dogfish Head is expanding its cocktail lineup with the launch of 570ml single-serve cans, bringing craft-quality sips to a grab-and-go format suited for coolers, convenience, and adventures big or small.
As a true craft beverage innovator, Dogfish Head continues to deliver off-centered, quality creations that go beyond beer. The launch of its higher-volume cocktail offerings will broaden the reach of the Dogfish Head’s signature creativity not just at traditional retail, but across stadiums, festivals, and tailgates.
Made with real fruit juice and house-made spirits, it is Dogfish Head’s two best-selling, vodka-based cocktails that are making their way to 570ml cans:
- Strawberry Honeyberry Vodka Lemonade (7.0% ABV) – Inspired by visits to a coastal Maine honeyberry farm, this refreshing cocktail blends Dogfish Head vodka with real lemon and strawberry juices, and the subtly sweet flavor of honeyberries.
- Blood Orange Mango Vodka Crush (7.0% ABV) – A citrus-forward cocktail combines Dogfish Head vodka with real blood orange and mango juices for a bright, crushable flavor profile.
Harnessing Dogfish Head’s 20+ years of distilling experience, the brand’s new 570ml cocktails allow drinkers to enjoy a full-flavored bar-quality experience designed for effortless single-serve enjoyment.
Unfortunately these aren’t actually available for sale in Oregon, according to Dogfish Head’s website. With that in mind, let’s get into my tasting notes.
Strawberry Honeyberry Vodka Lemonade
I was not familiar with honeyberry, which is apparently a type of honeysuckle, but the idea of a strawberry lemonade cocktail was perfectly appealing as we moved into the summer when I reviewed this. Dogfish bills these cocktails as being made from real fruit juice, and the description says:
Inspired by visits to a coastal Maine honeyberry farm, this cocktail combines our vodka and juice from real lemons & strawberries with the subtly sweet & juicy flavor of honeyberries for refreshing and vibrant flavor.
My notes: Orange-pink in color, almost gold, and it smells like lemonade and candy—strawberry Jolly Ranchers, sweet and appealing. The flavor hits those marks as well, though it’s less sweet; there’s the bright tart lemonade, with a berry character, and a sweetness that’s present but not cloying. It’s a good balance and dangerously drinkable; at only 7% ABV, I don’t really taste the alcohol which is what makes it dangerous. It’s refreshing and sippable, with lightly tart berry notes and a summery lemonade flourish.
Blood Orange Mango Vodka Crush
With a name like “Crush” I think of the classic Orange Crush soda, though it can also refer to this cocktail, typically created with vodka, triple sec, orange juice, and soda. The use of blood orange and mango gives this version a more upscale feel; the website notes say:
We took our love for this coastal cocktail style to new depths. We blend Dogfish Head vodka with real fruit juice from blood oranges and mangos for a citrusy, crush-able cocktail.
My notes: It’s almost completely clear, which I did not expect at all; there’s the barest tinge of yellow orange color to it. It smells like fresh orange zest and a bit of powdered orange drink you would mix with water. The flavor is as advertised, full of fresh mango and blood orange with a nice sweetness that’s not overpowering and a little punch of the vodka. Nice overall balance, crisp and clean and refreshing, it’s a nice summertime cocktail.
