At a party or a small gathering of friends, there are the hard drinks, there are the REALLY hard drinks, and there are the gentler drinks that make your gathering a bit more comfortable. Cayman Jack — a margarita malt beverage from the American Vintage Beverage Co. in Seattle — is a softer start to your night, especially if you want to save a few bucks.

Taste

As your first drink of the day or a little nightcap, Cayman Jack is a wonderful social beverage if drunk responsibly. It has very low alcohol content (5.9 percent), putting it on the same level as craft beers and Mike’s products, making for a tame and very sweet, delicious lime and agave margarita.

Advice

Despite the low alcohol content, one six pack may be enough to achieve decent intoxication, depending on the drinker’s level of tolerance and whether he or she has eaten. If you want to enjoy your drink — and evening — slowly, pair Cayman Jack with some chips and salsa or other salty snack.

— by Conor McBrien