Cutwater

Cutwater Spirits – San Diego's Award-Winning Canned Cocktails & Spirits

Cutwater Spirits is a San Diego-based craft distillery founded in 2017 by Yuseff Cherney, the former head brewer and distiller at Ballast Point Brewing. When Ballast Point sold to Constellation Brands for $1 billion in 2015, Cherney split off to start something new — a distillery built on the idea that great cocktails should be accessible without the fuss. Cutwater makes both bottled spirits (vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila) and the ready-to-drink canned cocktails that have made the brand a grocery store staple across the country. Wooden Cork ships the full Cutwater lineup nationwide.

What Is Cutwater?

Cutwater is primarily known for its line of canned cocktails — pre-mixed, ready-to-drink beverages made with Cutwater's own distilled spirits rather than malt liquor or wine bases (the cheaper method used by most canned cocktail brands). Every Cutwater can contains actual distilled spirits: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, or whiskey made at their San Diego distillery. The result is a canned cocktail that genuinely tastes like a properly made drink rather than a flavored malt beverage.

Cutwater Alcohol Content

Cutwater canned cocktails typically range from 7% to 12.5% ABV depending on the style:

7% ABV — Most of the core RTD lineup including the Mango Margarita, Lime Margarita, Vodka Lemonade, Rum & Cola, Gin & Tonic, Whiskey Mule, and Mint Julep. A standard 12oz can contains roughly 1 standard drink.

12.5% ABV — The stronger "Fugu" expressions and select premium cocktails. At 12.5%, a 12oz can contains approximately 1.8 standard drinks.

Cutwater bottled spirits are typically 40% ABV (80 proof) for vodka, gin, and rum, and vary for whiskey and tequila expressions.

Cutwater Flavors – Full Lineup

Margaritas: Lime, Mango, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Spicy Mango

Vodka Drinks: Vodka Lemonade, Vodka Soda, Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Vodka & Soda Variety

Whiskey Drinks: Whiskey Mule, Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, Bourbon & Cola

Rum Drinks: Rum & Cola, Rum Mai Tai, Rum & Ginger

Gin Drinks: Gin & Tonic, Gin Smash

Tequila Drinks: Tequila Sunrise, Paloma

Bottled Spirits: Bali Hai Vodka, White Label Rum, Rayador Tequila, Whiskey, Gin

Why Cutwater Cans Are Different

Most hard seltzers and canned cocktails use fermented malt or wine as their base — they're technically beer or wine products, not spirit-based. Cutwater uses actual distilled spirits in every can, which is more expensive to produce but creates a genuinely different drinking experience. The brand has won over 300 gold medals at spirits competitions, which is unusual for a company best known for convenience products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cutwater and is it a beer or a spirit?

Cutwater is a craft distillery in San Diego that makes ready-to-drink canned cocktails and bottled spirits. Unlike most canned cocktails that use malt liquor or fermented wine as a base, Cutwater uses actual distilled spirits (vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey) made at their own distillery. They are spirit-based beverages, not beer.

How much alcohol is in a Cutwater can?

Most Cutwater canned cocktails are 7% ABV in 12oz cans — roughly equivalent to 1 standard drink per can. Some stronger expressions reach 12.5% ABV. The alcohol content is printed on every can. At 7%, a 12oz Cutwater has slightly more alcohol than a standard beer (5% ABV).

What flavors does Cutwater make?

Cutwater produces over 20 canned cocktail flavors including Lime Margarita, Mango Margarita, Vodka Lemonade, Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Whiskey Mule, Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, Rum & Cola, Gin & Tonic, and seasonal limited releases. Browse the full selection above.

Where is Cutwater Spirits made?

Cutwater Spirits is based in San Diego, California. The distillery and taproom are located in the Miramar neighborhood. All Cutwater spirits are distilled there, and the canned cocktails use those same San Diego-made spirits.

Do you offer gift wrapping for Cutwater?

Yes — gift wrapping and gift boxes are available at checkout for select Cutwater products.