Cutwater

Cutwater Spirits is a San Diego craft distillery founded in 2017 by Yuseff Cherney — formerly the head brewer and distiller at Ballast Point Brewing — producing ready-to-drink canned cocktails and bottled spirits using actual distilled spirits made at their own Miramar, California facility.

The key distinction: most canned cocktail brands use fermented malt or wine as their base — they are technically beer or wine products. Cutwater uses actual distilled spirits (vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey) distilled at their own San Diego distillery. The result is a canned cocktail that tastes like a properly made drink rather than a flavored malt beverage. Cutwater has won over 300 gold medals at spirits competitions, which is unusual for a brand primarily known for convenience products.

Cutwater Canned Cocktails

Most Cutwater canned cocktails are 7% ABV in 12oz cans — roughly 1 standard drink per can. Stronger “Fugu” expressions reach 12.5% ABV. Alcohol content is printed on every can.

Margaritas — Lime, Mango, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Spicy Mango. Vodka cocktails — Vodka Lemonade, Vodka Soda, Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule. Whiskey cocktails — Whiskey Mule, Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, Bourbon & Cola. Rum cocktails — Rum & Cola, Rum Mai Tai, Rum & Ginger. Gin cocktails — Gin & Tonic, Gin Smash. Tequila cocktails — Tequila Sunrise, Paloma.

Cutwater Bottled Spirits

Bali Hai Vodka — The house vodka, distilled in San Diego. White Label Rum — Cutwater’s own rum used across the cocktail range. Rayador Tequila — 100% Blue Weber agave Highland Jalisco tequila. Cutwater Gin — Pacific Northwest botanical gin. Cutwater Whiskey — American whiskey from the San Diego distillery.

Browse all spirits at Wooden Cork, or explore vodka and tequila separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cutwater a beer or a spirit?

A spirit. Cutwater uses actual distilled spirits — vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and whiskey made at their own San Diego distillery — in every can. Unlike most canned cocktail brands that use fermented malt or wine as a cheaper base, Cutwater is a genuine spirit-based canned cocktail.

How much alcohol is in a Cutwater can?

Most Cutwater canned cocktails are 7% ABV in 12oz cans — roughly 1 standard drink. The stronger “Fugu” 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 5% beer.

Where is Cutwater made?

San Diego, California — at their distillery and taproom in the Miramar neighborhood. Founded in 2017 by Yuseff Cherney, the former head brewer and distiller at Ballast Point Brewing.