I’m slowly reorganizing by moving my reviews to a “Page” instead of a”Post,” so they’re a bit more “evergreen,’ rather than getting buried further into the past.
And I’ve had this article sitting here for a while as I take on listing Oktoberfest events. But it’s time to hit the “Publish” button and get this out there.
I’m admitting right up front that these samples were sent to be by the maker’s promo reps. I can always be flattered by being thought of as an “influencer.”
Moth Drinks
Moth is described by its PR as “the UK’s #1 Premium RTD cocktail brand in grocery.
“Founded by childhood friends Sam Hunt and Rob Wallis, the brand was built on a simple but radical idea: that bar-quality cocktails should be as easy as cracking open a can of beer.”
The product before me is six varieties pf “Ready to Drink” cocktails in 200 mL — about 6.75 ounce — cans. Each carries 14.9% alcohol by volume; just a little less than that mixed drink at the bar. The labels mention any specialty liquor brands at are used in the mix. This is a big step up from some “RTD’s” at the convenience store. The ones that come in a cardboard carton and taste like Hi-C punch with cheap vodka poured in. Like at your parents’ house after the homecoming dance.
Moth: Spicy Margarita
I started with something that combines my enjoyment of margaritas and spices. Yet I have not put them together. So O found an appropriate glass and videoed my sampling:
Made with Tequila Enemigo and 2 types of chilies: cayenne and bird’s eye.
Admittedly, I ran into an issue with the pull tab breaking off, but I managed to get it open without spilling. A useful skill. But fortunately, this is not a carbonated drink, so no worry about a gusher.
Tried with a rim of salt. Pours a slightly whitish to clear color. But yes, it has a nice smell, and a taste, of tequila and the orangey note of triple sec. It took a while to get some chili notes out of it. And there is some salt on the palate, likely a sensation from the lime.
Moth: Cosmopolitan
Made with Wood Brothers Vodka, triple sec, cranberry and lime.
Well, a decent cranberry color, as expected. Smells just like a mixed drink of the same name, with cranberry juice (not cocktail). I don’t drink a lot of cosmos, But again, I’m only tasting what they say is in this. And I have had some RTD “cocktails” that were just fermented malt with flavors added. And I’m surprised how I haven’t come across that many pre-canned mixed drinks.
Moth: Espresso Martini
Made with vodka, coffee liquer and cold brew
Pours black with some coffee brown highlights. Smell is of very dark roast cold brew coffee, and then the alcohol of a Kahlua hits my nose. TAste is smooth and kind of sweet. Still some coffee bitterness, but it’s offset by the liquer. Vodka can sometimes be harsh — at least the cheap stuff I usually get — but I keep coming back to how smooth and sweet this is. Like a cold chocolate Quik.
Moth: Piña Colada
Made with Duppy Share Caribbean rum, coconut liqueuer and pineapple
Let’s work this out. I never could enjoy coconut in recipes. And I was a radio DJ when a certain song was being played almost once every hour.
Fresh pineapple and coconut under the tab. More like the fresh fruit than a processed juice. Pours yellowish and still. Good fresh fruit and rum balance. Okay, I’ve been missing out. The can suggests a cherry on top, but happen to be way out of Maraschinos.
Moth: Passionfruit Martini
Made with vodka, passionfruit liqueur and vanilla
I have not normally added specialty liqueurs to my mixed drinks, so here we go.
Golden pour. A few little floaties of fruit pulp. Tropical fruit nose. Taste is a burst of sweetness and more of that tropical fruit. Passionfruit is sometimes balanced with tartness, but I’m not picking that up at all. Thick mouthfeel from fruit liqueur.
Moth: Margarita
Made with tequila, triple sec and lime
Circling back, as it were, to the second martini drink sent to me. This time with salt on the rim.
Very clear, except for a bit of haze from triple sec. Lime nose with some slight orange scent from triple sec. Straightforward margarita taste with no distractions. Again, a good presentation of a canned cocktail, with enough alcohol apparent to make it enjoyable.
Moth ready-to-drink cocktails are now available at liquor stores in the Chicago area.
