The Gunner has a decent backstory. The recipe traces to 1842, when it was drunk across British outposts in India and Southeast Asia — a non-alcoholic long drink that actually had some character, built from ginger beer, ginger ale, bitters, and lime. The modern canned version from Gunner Cocktails is a faithful rendition: genuinely bittered, gingery, and dry enough to feel like a proper drink rather than a soft one. It won a handful of awards in 2023, and for good reason. The quinine from the natural bitters gives it a subtle backbone, and the lemon and grape juice concentrates add a bit of fruit acid without making it sweet-forward — though at 10.9g sugar per 100ml, it's not exactly low-sugar. Best served very cold, over plenty of ice. Widely available through specialist AF retailers and increasingly stocked in bars. At around £2 a can, it's a solid option when you want something that feels like a cocktail without the effort of making one.