BuzzBallz: what they are and where to find them

BuzzBallz are single-serve ready-to-drink cocktails sold in small, round plastic containers, and they come in a long list of flavors. If you are hunting for one in Westford, the quickest route is to ask CBC Liquors at 142 Littleton Rd about the flavor you want before you make the trip.

What are BuzzBallz?

BuzzBallz are pre-mixed cocktails sold in a round, ball-shaped plastic container with a screw cap. Each one is a single serving or close to it, and the flavors lean toward sweet, fruity and dessert-style drinks: think citrus, berry, chocolate and cream styles. The base spirit differs from flavor to flavor, so one may be built on vodka, another on rum or tequila.

The appeal is simple. There is nothing to measure, shake or pour, and the container goes in a cooler or a tote bag without fuss. They are meant to be served chilled, straight from the container or over ice.

They sit in the same family as other ready-to-drink products: a finished drink you open and enjoy, rather than a bottle you build a cocktail from.

Why are some BuzzBallz flavors hard to find?

Anyone who has looked for a particular flavor knows the problem. Ready-to-drink lineups change with the season, new flavors appear, older ones get retired, and a store does not always receive every flavor the brand makes. A flavor you saw once may simply not be on the shelf the next time.

That is why searches like yours usually come down to one flavor, not the brand as a whole. Calling or asking about the exact name will get you a more useful answer than asking whether a shop has BuzzBallz in general.

If you are comparing stores, bring the flavor name with you and, if you have it, a photo of the container. It saves everyone time at the counter.

Does CBC Liquors carry BuzzBallz?

The best place to check is our BuzzBallz in Westford page, which is where we answer this question for customers. Because flavors come and go, we would rather you ask about the specific one you are after than assume it is on the shelf.

The shop is at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford, and you can ask in person. We hold a wide range overall: 4,559 products from 1,880 brands, spread over 108 categories with something in stock. Ready-to-drink is one of the categories in our catalogue, alongside beer, wine, liquor, bourbon, seltzers, cider and mixers.

Customers rate us 4.7 out of 5 across 339 Google reviews, and a lot of what we do day to day is helping someone find the exact thing they came in for.

How do you track down a specific or rare bottle?

Start by being exact. The flavor, size and brand name tell us whether we can help, and whether it is worth waiting on. If what you want is not on the shelf, tell us anyway. Knowing what people are looking for is useful to us.

For limited releases and bottles that are hard to get in general, see our allocated items page. Allocated products are released in small quantities, so they are handled differently from everyday stock.

If you need something in quantity for an event, such as a keg or a special order, the kegs and special orders page is where to send the request. Planning a larger gathering is easier with a little lead time.

Can you get it by pickup, delivery or shipping?

Besides walking in, CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match our store hours: Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Delivery runs a little shorter so the last orders can reach you: Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Our liquor delivery areas page lists where we go, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Billerica, Lowell and Tyngsborough.

For shipping, read the shipping policy first, since what can be shipped depends on the product and the destination. Whoever receives alcohol must be 21 or older.

What can you pick up if the flavor you want is not there?

If the exact flavor is out of reach, there is plenty of nearby territory. The ready-to-drink shelf is the first place to look, and seltzers are worth a look if you like something lighter. High Noon is one of the ready-to-drink makers we carry.

For sweet, fruity flavor in a bottle, 99 Watermelons Schnapps is on the shelf now, and so is Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey if you lean toward spice. Both can be sipped chilled or mixed.

If you would rather build your own version of a fruity cocktail, pair Tito's Vodka or Captain Morgan Spiced Rum with something from the mixers aisle. That gives you more control over how sweet the drink ends up.

How strong are they, and how should you serve them?

Alcohol content varies by flavor, and some of these drinks taste much milder than they are. The sweetness hides the spirit. Read the strength on the container, and treat each one as a real cocktail, not a soft drink.

Serve them cold. Chill the container well ahead of time, or pour over ice into a glass. Creamy and chocolate-style flavors are best very cold, and fruit flavors do well with a squeeze of citrus.

If you are stocking up for a get-together, the party planner can help you work out what to bring. Keep water and food on the table, make sure everyone drinking is 21 or older, and never let anyone drive after drinking.