Review: BuzzBalls Teamed Up With Pop-Tarts And Worlds Are Colliding In The Best Way Possible

BuzzBallz, those spherical, candy-colored pre-mixed cocktails that gleam like Christmas bulbs in the liquor section, are usually good for a fun time — as long as you don't mind a super-sized dose of sweetness in your single-serve adult beverages. The brand has maintained a catalog of its own flavor combinations through the years, but 2026 marks the introduction of Pop-Tart-flavored BuzzBallz that replicate the dessert-ready spirits of two of the most popular Pop-Tart picks : Frosted S'mores and Frosted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon. If recognizability drives interest and familiarity pushes sales, these two prime picks could signal a rich vein for both brands to tap into.

There's no question that I had to give them a go when I heard Pop-Tarts and BuzzBallz were throwing a get-together. After a bit of wrangling to get samples in my grubby mitts, I cracked the tops to see if the newest BuzzBallz lived up to the buzz (no alcohol required for that kind of wordplay). Having experienced a few of the brand's existing concoctions in the past, I was eager to see how breakfast pastries translated into adult beverages. Could these mixed swigs become the new brunchtime brews that pushed mimosas and bellinis off the table? The curiosity was intoxicating, even before the lids came off.

I was unreasonably excited to give these two new BuzzBallz flavors a try. I've tasted the other flavors, so I knew to expect a sugary hit. To make sure I kept my bearings — and to minimize my ABV exposure so I could write with a relatively clear brain — I sipped instead of swigging; this also helped keep the sweetness from becoming overwhelming and blunting my ability to discern the tasting notes. Even a canned cocktail has layers to offer, and I wanted to be certain they all came through as intended by BuzzBallz.

To make sure each flavor got fair play, I cleared my palate with water and spread the samplings out by 30 minutes. Since this was an at-home sampling, it was easy enough to leave a little space between tastes. I also let my taste buds settle for a while with each flavor and came back for a second sip to make sure my thoughts were clear. This proved to be the best way to experience all the various notes both BuzzBallz are attempting to capture.

Some recommendations are based on first-hand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

Frosted S'mores Pop-Tarts flavored BuzzBallz is a sweet sensation, similar to coffee liqueur with creamy vanilla undertones against a gentle chocolate backdrop. I pictured cereal milk with marshmallows as a I tasted it, too — a fun second layer that brings the nostalgic breakfast concept full circle. It doesn't hurt that the alcohol kick hit the back of my throat to add dimension to the sweeter layers. 

By contrast, Frosted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon BuzzBallz is a moodier yet equally tasty concept, reminiscent of horchata or a boozy Fireball holiday cocktail, but with less bite. It's a bolder combination that punches up the sweetness, but the cinnamon spice never loses its presence.

To see how well the two played together, I became a junior mixologist and merged them into a single glass. It was a revelation — with so many different elements it could qualify as its own dessert tray. I added a little to my coffee and will happily turn it into a decadent hot chocolate recipe. Since there were two BuzzBallz in the mix, I was able to leave enough in the glass to enjoy it more than once. I'm rationing my enjoyment until the weather around me actually cools down into a fall-like chill so I can indulge in the proper setting for this autumn-friendly blend.

The regular selection of BuzzBallz is extensive, with vibrant orbs taking up a considerable section of the liquor section at my neighborhood grocery store. At the time of writing, the current product listing shows 17 juicy options ranging from familiar cocktail blends like Espresso Martini and Strawberry 'Rita to creative concoctions like Forbidden Apple and Chili Mango. The description on the Pop-Tarts Buzzballz label reads "Vodka with other than standard orange wine and natural flavors," a slightly different blend than the other versions.

The truth behind the canned cocktail craze is that they're a prime pick for the millennial set. That nostalgia drove the company's co-opting Pop-Tart's most iconic offerings, according to the company's PR statement. "With BuzzBallz's signature ball shape and bold flavor, the collaboration offers a new way to revisit a familiar taste from the past," the announcement reads (via USA Today). The ABV is the same as the others in the collection: "Both flavors contain 15% alcohol by volume and, like all BuzzBallz products, are intended exclusively for consumers of legal drinking age," the statement clarifies.

If you're looking for novel, boozy canned drinks that scream fall but sidestep the usual pumpkin-and-cider one-two punch, these Pop-Tarts-inspired mash-up BuzzBallz are a perfect introduction to the warmer side of the cocktail spectrum. Each flavor offers its own unique yet familiar tasting notes, reminiscent of other liquors yet with a ramped-up sweetness that matches the toaster pastry vibe these single-serving cocktails are aiming for.

The bottom line is BuzzBallz puts a lot of effort into creating cheerful, eye-catching canned cocktails that add life to the party, and Frosted S'mores and Frosted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Pop-Tart flavors are welcome guests. If you're a '90s kid who lived on toaster pastries as a breakfast food or snack time treat, you'll get a kick out of how faithfully these beverages recreate the familiar flavors. And if you're just sip-curious and looking for something new to whet your whistle, you'll be just as stoked to snap open one of each.

Pop-Tarts-flavored BuzzBallz arrive just in time for the early fall cool-down, currently rolling out at retailers nationwide and will be available for a limited time only. Though Frosted S'mores was easily found in the Total Wine & More near me in the Phoenix area, there was a delay in reaching the Frosted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon flavor that made finding one for this taste test a bit of a scavenger hunt. As of publication, there appears to be a plentiful stock at Total Wine & Mores all around the Valley of the Sun, and hopefully in markets throughout the U.S.

According to BuzzBallz, the alcoholic beverages have a suggested retail price of $3.99, without relevant taxes. Naturally, that price may vary based on region and retailer, but they should be in line with other BuzzBallz selections. I found them for $3.49 a piece at Total Wine & More, a slight discount from the recommended price. Though both are available in the 200 milliliter serving size, there's no word on whether popularity could push the company to release them in party-ready 3-liter Boulders or 1.75-liter Biggie sizes.