DALLAS TWP. — Cody Kyttle always thought he made a mean margarita, but he had no idea how popular his concoction was until the COVID-19 pandemic forced his family’s restaurant CK’s Cantina and Grill to shutter for indoor dining.
When the state later allowed drinks to go with take-out food orders, Kyttle quickly realized the cult following his signature drink had.
“People were coming just for that — margaritas to go,” Kyttle recalled. “People were coming up and buying them as fast as we could make them — $12 for a 24-ounce.”
Owner Cody Kyttle poses for a photograph with his canned margarita on the patio of CK’s Cantina & Grill in Dallas Thursday, May 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Fans of CK’s margaritas no longer have to visit the restaurant to get their fix.
Kyttle, 40, through a separate company, Kyttle’s Cocktails, has launched a ready-to-drink canned version of his adult beverage, CK’s Classic Margarita.
He’s joining a growing trend across the nation.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States recently reported ready-to-drink cocktails, such as Surfside and High Noon, represent the fastest-growing product in the spirits category, with an “impressive” 16.4% growth in sales last year. Sales of other spirits were down 2.2% collectively.
“Consumers are showing a strong preference for ready‑to‑drink cocktails because they’re made with real spirits, offer great convenience and flavor, and include lower‑alcohol options,” Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the council, said in the group’s annual report.
A pack of CK’s anned margarita on the patio of CK’s Classic Margarita sits on the bar in Cantina & Grill in Dallas Thursday, May 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Where to buy?
In addition to CK’s Cantina, CK’s Classic Margarita cans are now available to-go at Lakeway Beverage in Lehman Twp., Wyoming Valley Beverage in Edwardsville, and Patrick’s Foodmart in Lake Twp. Spare Time Pizza in Dallas sells them for in-house consumption.
That list is likely to grow very soon, Kyttle said.
Wyoming Valley Beverage ordered 10 cases on Tuesday and almost sold out that day.
“We had to get another order today. We got 14 cases,” owner Lenny Cordora said Thursday. “This stuff is incredible. It’s not boozy.”
All natural ingredients.
Kyttle said the ingredients in the canned cocktail are nearly identical to what’s used to make the popular margaritas at the restaurant.
“There’s no artificial sweetener. We use cane sugar. There is no artificial color. Everything is based on natural flavors,” Kyttle said.
The drink is manufactured and canned by a Hershey-based beverage company for Kyttle, based on his recipe.
Kyttle noted the canned margarita endeavor is just the latest enterprise in the family business portfolio, which includes CK’s Summer Treats, his mother’s Salon NouVeau, and CK’s Cantina and Grill, which features her authentic recipes from Mexico.
All of the businesses are clustered near the Twin Stacks complex off Memorial Highway.
Wyoming Valley Beverage in Edwardsville is one of the first places to stock CK’s Classic Margarita, a ready- to-drink cocktail created by Kyttle’s Cocktails in Dallas. (Bob Kalinowski/ Staff Photographer)
Long process: from idea to can
Kyttle said it was a years-long process to get the ready-to-drink margarita can to market this week — just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
He traces the start of the journey to a visit to the liquor store more than two years ago to pick up an order for the restaurant.
Kyttle spotted a ready-to-drink alcoholic iced tea that blended tequila, vodka, rum and triple sec with natural tea and lemon flavors.
So, he later called the company, Fishtown Iced Tea in Philadelphia, and immediately got the owner on the phone. They spoke at length.
“He gave me the blueprint on how to do everything — a complete stranger. He told me what I needed to do and I did it,” Kyttle said.
Kyttle said the read-to-drink market continues to grow and he wants to be part of the trend.
Wyoming Valley Beverage in Edwardsville is one of the first places to stock CK’s Classic Margarita, a ready- to-drink cocktail created by Kyttle’s Cocktails in Dallas. (Bob Kalinowski/ Staff Photographer)
“People want to reach in their cooler, crack it open and enjoy it without dealing with multiple bottles,” Kyttle said. “We have a slogan, ‘No bartender. No problem.’”
Kyttle said he and his manufacturer worked on about 15 different sample blends over months to create CK’s Classic Margarita in a can. The manufacturer made 1,000 gallons for the first batch, or more than 400 cases.
The can features an alligator wearing a sombrero holding one of the cans. The cans note the cocktail is produced by Kyttle’s Cocktails in Dallas, Pennsylvania, and packaged by Hidden Still Inc. in Hershey. The alcohol content is 8%.
“It’s not too sweet. It’s not too tart. It’s well balanced. The finish is clean,” Kyttle said. “We have high hopes for this.”