As summer peaks in the Pacific Northwest, it’s the perfect time to grab a low-effort, high-reward drink – something you can crack open on a rooftop, toss in the beach cooler, or sip on your patio without juggling a shaker, a jigger, and a citrus press. That’s where Straightaway Cocktails steps up, delivering bartender-level drinks without the bartender-level effort.

The Portland-based crew has been cranking out some of the best RTDs (ready-to-drink cocktails) period. Recently, I took one for the team and tried a bunch of them. The verdict? These things don’t just “pass” for real cocktails, they are real cocktails. The Lively Negroni delivers the classic bittersweet snap you expect. The Fiery Ginger Mule adds a pleasant kick of spice. And the Oregon Old Fashioned? Rich and nutty, thanks to roasted hazelnuts from Freddy Guys Farm in the Willamette Valley that give a little hint of fall in your glass if you are looking to jump the season a bit.

Founders of Straightaway Cocktails aren’t playin’. They forage their own fir needles and hand-blend their own bitters, not because they’re trying to be precious about it, but because they know it makes the drink better. And it shows – the cocktails are balanced, bold, and ready when you are – no garnish required.

Read a Book

Then there’s the crown jewel (or at least one of my favorite takes): the Book Club, a.k.a. “12 Nights of Cocktails.” Picture an advent calendar for grown-ups, except instead of chocolate, you pop open a flap to reveal a tiny can and the origin story behind what’s inside. One night it’s a Bee’s Knees, bright and floral, with a backstory involving the unsinkable Molly Brown sweetening her bathtub gin with honey and lemon. Another night, it’s a Nitro Espresso Martini fueled by cold brew from Portland’s own Stumptown Coffee Roasters – an homage to a 1980s London model who needed a caffeine-spiked nightcap to keep her going in to the wee hours.

I worked my way through the set (for research, obviously) and can confirm that this book club is dangerously fun. Can’t commit to the whole dozen? You can grab most of these in four-packs or variety sets – perfect for ferry rides (on the down low), park picnics, or a Tuesday-night happy hour when you’re feeling fancy but lazy.

If you’re Portland-bound, stop by Straightaway’s tasting room on SE Hawthorne for a flight and a few take-home treats. If not, they’re stocked at some of Seattle’s better bottle shops and specialty grocers.

Sometimes the best cocktail is the one you didn’t have to make, and these are better than most you’ll find even if you did.