Lazy bartending has gone mainstream as canned spirits and 'mix-it-yourself' kits disrupt bars

Ready-to-drink cocktails continue to surge in popularity as traffic at bars softens. John Keeble/Getty Images 2026-03-21T08:11:01.257Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app Loading audio narration... This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Americans are visiting bars less often and spending more when they do, due to rising costs. That leaves plenty of room for products that promise bar-quality results at home. As a result, ready-to-drink cocktails and mix-it-yourself kits are surging in popularity. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. What are "lazy bartending" trends? Why do younger consumers prefer RTDs? How are spirits brands adapting to RTD demand? How is the RTD market expected to grow? What are the benefits of DIY infusion kits? If you can crack a can or pour from a jar, you're halfway to a cocktail. Across the drinks industry, "lazy bartending" has gone mainstream. Ready-to-drink cocktails, canned spirits, and DIY infusion kits promise bar-quality drinks without the shaker, the garnish station, or even a bartender. And increasingly, consumers seem happy to trade mixology theater for convenience.From canned margaritas to dehydrated fruit infusion kits, companies are racing to make cocktails easier to prepare and more portable. The trend reflects a broader shift in how younger consumers approach alcohol: they want high-quality drinks but without the effort, the bar tab, or the late-night outing traditionally associated with cocktails. The rise of canned cocktails and mix-at-home kits also comes as bar habits shift. Industry data from NielsenIQ shows that Americans are visiting bars less often and spending more when they do, due to rising costs — leaving room for products that deliver bar-style cocktails with minimal effort.That demand is fueling a fast-growing ready-to-drink category.

Grand View Research estimated the global RTD cocktail market at about $3.7 billion in 2025 and projected it to reach more than $10 billion by 2033, driven largely by younger consumers prioritizing convenience and on-the-go drinks. In the US, the Distilled Spirits Council found that spirits-based RTDs posted 16.4% sales growth last year, making them the fastest-growing spirits category even as the broader alcohol market softened. Every time Katherine publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Stay connected to Katherine and get more of their work as it publishes. Sign up By clicking "Sign up", you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. For brands like On The Rocks, convenience is the point. The company built its business on what Daniel May, senior brand director at On The Rocks, calls "high quality, crafted experiences" delivered in bottles or cans — cocktails developed with a mixologist but designed to be "pop it or crack the can, pour it over ice or drink."The approach reflects how people are drinking today.

On The Rocks says many cocktail occasions now happen outside traditional bars — casual gatherings, game nights, or smaller social events where consumers still want a premium drink but not the hassle of building a full home bar. Smaller companies are leaning into the same logic from another angle. Infuse & Booze sells cocktail infusion jars filled with dried fruit, herbs, and sugar that customers add alcohol to at home. The founders told Business Insider that the idea started during camping trips when they realized mixing drinks outdoors was tedious.The jars can make eight to 10 cocktails and are designed to sit in a refrigerator until guests want a drink — another nod to the industry's shift toward low-effort entertaining. Even major spirits companies are adjusting to this mindset, with ready-to-drink mixes from brands like Malibu, Bacardi, and Absolut spreading across shelves nationwide. Caroline Begley, US VP of Marketing for Absolut Vodka, previously told Business Insider that younger drinkers are "drinking differently" and are increasingly "intentional about what they want to drink," with the occasion and vibe shaping their beverage choices.That intentionality doesn't mean consumers are abandoning alcohol. Instead, they're redefining how cocktails fit into their lives — favoring drinks that are portable, flexible, and easy to prepare, whether they're hosting friends, heading to a festival, or opening something quick at home. In other words, the modern cocktail hour might still involve premium spirits and creative flavors. It just might not involve a bartender.