The market for refreshing seltzers and ready-to-drink cocktails is booming here in Canada. People are ready for something new – something that isn’t loaded up with sugar or that cause uncomfortable bloating. The problem is many of these products are American.
This article highlights some of the best Canadian seltzers and mixed drinks available at your local liquor store. The results may surprise you! During these times of economic uncertainty and tariffs, it’s easy to buy Canadian.
If you’d rather sip on Canadian beer, check out our viral article on Canadian beers that are actually made in Canada.
Cottage Springs
Cottage Springs launched in 2018 with classic vodka sodas, and has grown significantly since then, now producing gin sodas, vodka lemonades, tequila sodas, and more. With headquarters in Toronto, Cottage Springs was founded on the feeling of a quintessential cottage weekend.
The company produces all of their products in Toronto at Iconic Brewing Co. Both Cottage Springs and Iconic Brewing Co are owned by Toronto-based Ace Beverage Group. In 2023, Ace Beverage Group was purchased by Corby Spirit and Wine, a Canadian alcohol manufacturing and distribution company that’s been around since the 1800s. Since 2008, the French conglomerate Pernod Ricard has held a 46% stake in Corby Spirit and Wine.
NÜTRL Vodka Soda
NÜTRL is a brand known for their best-selling vodka sodas sold in the white cans in flavours like raspberry, pineapple, lime, cranberry, and more. They also have a second line of products with 7% alcohol in them, recognizable by their all-black cans.
NÜTRL used to be a 100% Canadian brand that was owned by BC-based Goodridge & Williams Distilling. In 2020, the company was purchased by the Canadian company Labatt Breweries. But two years later in 2022, Labatt was taken over by American behemoth Anheuser-Busch.
Despite its recent American ownership, all NÜTRL vodka soda is still manufactured in Delta, BC.
Black Fly Beverage Co.
Named after the Canadian insect called the Black Fly, Black Fly Beverage Company was founded on a mission to create more natural and less sweet ready-to-drink cocktails. Known for bright, eye-catching packing, the company sells a range of mixer packs plus individual cocktails made from vodka, gin, and tequila.
Black Fly Beverage Co. was founded by a husband-and-wife team in 2005 as Ontario’s first micro-distillery and the first Distillery License granted in Ontario in over 100 years. Rob Kelly and Cathy Siskind-Kelly retain complete ownership to this day.
The company’s main production facility is found in downtown London, Ontario. The company has experienced significant growth over the years, and has now opened US production facilities in Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
Social Lite
Social Lite Vodka Soda is a Canadian brand that sells a range of delicious vodka sodas in thin, black cans. They also produce lines of classic cocktails, wine spritzes, and 0% alcohol options.
The company was founded back in 2014 by Neetu Godara, Dan Beach, and Kevin Folk in Whitby, Ontario, making them Canada’s original vodka soda brand.
In 2021, the company was purchased by Sleeman Breweries, which is still a Canadian company – just a very large one. But Sleeman Breweries is owned by the Japanese giant Sapporo Breweries Ltd. Regardless, all Social Lite vodka sodas are still made at home in Ontario.
Olé Cocktails
Olé is a Canadian company known for their premium, award-winning tequila cocktails made from real ingredients. With organic agave nectar and tequila blanco from Jalisco, Mexico, Olé makes great tasting Palomas, Mules, Margaritas, Tequila Sunrise, and more.
The brand got started in 2020 in Vancouver, BC, where Olé is headquartered and manufactured. The company also has production partnerships in Ontario and Alberta. In May of 2024, the company was acquired by the Mark Anthony Group, a BC group of companies specializing in the alcohol beverage sector.
Nude Beverages
Nude is Canada’s original sugar-free vodka soda. Known for their white cans, each Nude is made with 100 calories, zero carbs, and zero sweeteners of any kind. The vodka sodas come in 9 classic flavours including lime, peach, raspberry lemon, and strawberry kiwi. They also make a delicious skinny margarita line and a lemonade line.
After being launched in Vancouver in 2017 by Julius Makarewicz and Jerin Mece, Nude was extremely popular in BC before spreading to Ontario and US markets years later. In 2022, Nude sold its ready-to-drink product line to the Toronto-based conglomerate Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd.
Nude Beverages are still made in Vancouver. While the company makes and sells their products through various channels, the core manufacturing is still based in Vancouver.
Strait & Narrow
Strait & Narrow is a Canadian brand that makes handcrafted Pacific Coast cocktails made primarily with gin and vodka. Their signature cocktails are made with real ingredients like ginger, honey, citrus, berries, flowers and herbs.
Founded in 2020, the brand remains privately owned and Canadian owned. Headquartered in Victoria, BC, their ready-to-drink cocktails are made in Sidney, BC at Victoria Distillers. Strait & Narrow also sources their botanicals and other ingredients locally.
Dunrobin Distilleries
Dunrobin Distilleries got started on an organic Canadian farm with a passion for the art of distilling. Premium Canadian Whisky and other spirits are their specialty, but the company also sells artisanal canned cocktails like Rye Whisky & Ginger Ale, Ginger Lime Vodka Soda, and Grapefruit & Gin.
The brand and distillery were co-founded by Adrian Spitzer and Mark Watson back in 2017, who have retained their ownership to this day. Dunrobin Distilleries is located in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, while their farm and lab is found in rural Ottawa, near the community of Dunrobin.
Springs Group is a collection of pubs, cannabis shops, and liquor stores operating in southern BC. With 15 liquor store locations from Vancouver Island to the Fraser Valley, there’s always a Springs Group liquor store near you. Pop by to select from a range of Canadian-made and Canadian-owned seltzers, cocktails, beer, and wine. We hope to see you soon!
