We Tried 50 Different Cans of Hard Seltzer to Find the Best Flavors (2023)

FAQs

What is the most popular flavor of hard seltzer? ›

Here's the breakdown of the most-popular hard seltzer brands: Bud Light Seltzer—18% Truly—17% White Claw—17%

“Hard seltzer's lost its novelty as consumers have been distracted by many new beyond-beer products entering a hyper crowded marketplace,” Boston Beer CEO Dave Burwick said in a July conference call with investors.

Black Cherry tops our list because it is one of the most popular flavors produced by Truly, as calculated by increased sales at package stores and higher demand in bars and restaurants. The taste is distinctly that of black cherry. The fruit naturally occurs in North America and is sometimes known as wild cherry.

1 in 5 alcohol drinkers (21+) say they drink hard seltzer – and among younger adults, the fizzy drinks are especially popular. In fact, younger consumers are more than twice as likely as consumers over the age of 44 to say bottoms up to spiked seltzer.

When it comes to nutritional values, the brands are fairly neck and neck. Each contains just 100 calories in a 12-ounce serving. Truly has a slight edge in terms of sugar content, with just 1 gram versus White Claw's 2 grams, although White Claw's iced tea line only has 1 gram.

But is hard seltzer actually healthy for you? The short answer is no. Hard seltzer, like other alcohol, is not a good source of nutrients and has empty calories. Alcohol — even in small amounts — can increase your risk of certain cancers and other health problems.

The popularity of hard seltzer could not have been predicted a few years ago. However, it is now one of the most popular alcoholic drinks on the market. The growth in sales can be attributed to several factors: its low calorie and carb content, its portability, and its social media marketing.

"Clawgust" may be over, but that doesn't mean Ohioans are putting away the summer beverages just yet. In fact, the Buckeye state loves White Claw hard seltzers more than any other U.S. state.

What are the top hard seltzer brands market share? ›

The leading brand in the Hard Seltzer Industry was White Claw with 58% US Hard Seltzer market share in 2019, followed by Truly Hard Seltzer with 26% US Hard Seltzer market share, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer with 6% market share Smirnoff with 4% market share, Henry's with 2% market share, Natural Light Seltzer with 2% ...

“Even though some brands are sweetened with natural fruit juice, they do not contain enough juice to provide health benefits.” At the end of the day, Shapiro adds, hard seltzer is still an alcohol beverage and because it tastes refreshing and is light in flavor it may be easy to over consume it which can lead to ...

Their product is directed to everyone, male and female consumers. The U.S. beer segment has lost share due to the rise of hard seltzer. The hard seltzer market is growing at a spectacular rate, drawing consumers away from other alcoholic beverages.

The Bottom Line. While we had a few favorites in this test, the takeaway is that the alcohol in your hard seltzer matters. The vodka in High Noon helped give the drink a cleaner, more refreshing taste over the malt-based seltzers.

Universally loved. Vanilla is not only craved by consumers globally as a flavor in its own right – it also harmonizes with almost everything.

White Claw remains the top-selling hard seltzer brand, taking in 50% of sales. Truly took the second spot with 21.8% of sales. Smaller and independent hard seltzer companies took in roughly 6% of industry sales in 2020.

Truly originally came in three flavors: Colima Lime, Grapefruit & Pomelo, and Pomegranate. Today, Truly boasts more than a dozen flavors, with such recent additions as Watermelon and Kiwi available in its Tropical Variety Pack. It also launched Truly Hard Seltzer Lemonade in 2020.

The report illustrated how hard seltzers are gaining global popularity as low-calorie and low-sugar alternative alcoholic drinks to traditional alcoholic drinks and also identified that flavours such as citrus and other fruity flavours are gaining rapid traction among consumers.

Four Loko's seltzers have the highest alcohol content at 12% with Pabst Stronger Seltzer next at 8%. Crook and Marker Spiked and Sparkling and Barefoot Hard Seltzer are both 4% ABV.

Can you drink hard seltzer daily? ›

Drinking too much hard seltzer can also lead to alcohol poisoning and other negative health effects from excess alcohol consumption. “Lighter in calories, and refreshing like a non-alcoholic seltzer, it may be easier to wind up drinking more,” Mills warned.

Both drinks contain just 100 calories and two grams of carbs, and they tend to come in slimmer 12 oz cans to differentiate them from beer. However, these drinks differ in their levels of sugar: Truly's only contains 1g sugar per can, while White Claw's contains two grams per can.

Despite the lighter-than-air connotations of “seltzer,” the product is in fact malt liquor. Like Colt 45 or Smirnoff Ice, it's derived from fermented malted grains, then carbonated, sweetened and flavored with artificial additives. For those counting calories, the original White Claw isn't actually all that impressive.

Soft drinks, especially colas, seem to increase the risk of repeat kidney stones (Annals of Internal Medicine, Nov. 4, 2014). Mineral water, whether still or sparkling, did not increase the likelihood of a problem.

Benefits of Choosing Hard Seltzer

It tends to have fewer calories and less sugar than mixed drinks, beer, or hard cider. Most hard seltzers have about 100 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates in a 12-ounce can. In contrast, a beer of about the same size has about 150 calories and 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Hard seltzer is healthier than beer as it contains fewer calories on average than beer, with 100 per serving compared to 153. Similarly, there is less sugar in hard seltzer than in beer, making it a healthier option.

A: Hard seltzers are lower in carbohydrates and calories than other alcoholic beverages, but that doesn't mean they're healthy. A can of seltzer has about the same number of calories and the same alcohol content as a light beer and it's gluten-free.

White Claw is also pegged to be a gender-neutral drink. Alcoholic drinks have always been associated with gender. Beer and whisky are often touted as macho drinks while fruity drinks and cocktails are usually seen as girly beverages.

Research indicates that consuming seltzer water may help soothe symptoms of constipation, such as stomach pain and irregular bowel movements. Seltzer water also has shown promise in relieving indigestion. Early studies indicate that seltzer water is just as hydrating as still water.

What was the first popular hard seltzer? ›

The hard seltzer story began in 1993. That year, Coors Brewing Company launched Zima Clearmalt, a clear and lightly carbonated malt-based beverage that was marketed as an alternative to beer, primarily targeting women. Its popularity peaked in 1994, when it sold an eyewatering 1.3 million barrels.

In short, no. Hard seltzers don't help you hydrate. There isn't one type of alcohol that is hydrating, because alcoholic beverages are a diuretic.

Also known as spiked seltzer, alcoholic seltzer, or hard sparkling water, hard seltzer is carbonated water combined with alcohol and fruit flavoring. Depending on the hard seltzer brand, these fruit flavors can come from real fruit juice or artificial flavoring.

When you're craving something seriously carbonated, reach for Hal's seltzer water. Hal's is one of the most bubbly and fizzy sparkling waters we've tried, and it won't go flat as you're sipping on your beverage.

By “most,” Nielsen means just over half. As this past decade has shown fickle beer drinkers leaving en masse for spirits, Nielsen finds 52% of these new seltzer drinkers trading in their beers for the hot new bubbly beverage.

Kirkland Hard Seltzers are available for purchase at Costco for $18 per 24 pack of 12oz cans.

Island Bay Hard Seltzer, the best drink for no hangover!

Sugary drinks like soda have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and other chronic health conditions, so that is definitely a win for your health. Switching to seltzer is a much better choice, provided you choose a brand that is sugar- and calorie-free.

White Claw Pure Hard Seltzer

Pure (5% ABV), the first plain hard seltzer on the market, has a refreshing clean taste and clocks in at zero grams of sugar and two grams of carbs. It's also perfect for adding your own flavor twist, like a splash of juice, drizzle of elderberry syrup, or dash of bitters.

PERCEIVED AS HEALTHIER

Hard seltzer typically contains around 5% alcohol content by volume and is lower in calories than most comparable alcoholic drinks. It's also gluten free and low in sugar, giving off a healthier impression to consumers.

Who started the hard seltzer craze? ›

Nick Shields developed the beverage branding and style with Spiked Seltzer, in Westport, Connecticut, brewing the first commercial batches in November 2013. The category saw a spike in popularity around 2018–2019 in the U.S. As of 2019, in the U.S. the most popular brand was White Claw.

White Claw success factors

White Claw's success can be attributed to the free social media marketing it received in the summer of 2019. After comedian Trevor Wallace's skit on the drink, the internet exploded with memes that popularized the drink.

The changing lifestyle choices to improve health and the trend of responsible drinking have also boosted the demand for hard seltzers even in developing countries. Global hard seltzer market growth is driven by increasing consumer demand for no and low-alcoholic drinks due to rising focus on health and wellness.

One 12 oz can of 5% White Claw is equal to one 1.5 oz shot of 40% hard liquor.

You may have assumed the alcohol in spiked seltzer was vodka or another clear alcohol, but you're actually just drinking sweetened seltzer water that has been fermented! The sugars added to the seltzer are fermented to produce alcohol in the same way sugars in barley are fermented to make beer.

What alcohol is in Truly? The alcohol in Truly hard seltzer is made from cane sugar. This makes it a different drink from other alcoholic beverages like wine that is made from grapes or beer that is made from hops.

When it comes to nutritional values, the brands are fairly neck and neck. Each contains just 100 calories in a 12-ounce serving. Truly has a slight edge in terms of sugar content, with just 1 gram versus White Claw's 2 grams, although White Claw's iced tea line only has 1 gram.

The Buckeye state loves its Claws. "Clawgust" may be over, but that doesn't mean Ohioans are putting away the summer beverages just yet. In fact, the Buckeye state loves White Claw hard seltzers more than any other U.S. state.

White Claw: The Breakdown. Both drinks come in 5% ABV slim cans. That's about as much alcohol as a Budweiser.

Hard seltzer is a popular alcoholic drink that combines alcohol with flavored carbonated water. Compared to many other alcoholic drinks, hard seltzer is lower in alcohol content, calories, and sugar. No amount of alcohol — including hard seltzer — is good for you.

What liquor is in truly? ›

Introducing TRULY Vodka Seltzer, made with 6x distilled vodka, real fruit juice, and premium flavors for an elevated drinking experience. It's one seriously spirited drink.

Jack and Coke

This mixture is the universal manly drink for men. Served in whiskey glasses, the recipe is simple. Combine Jack Daniels and just enough Coke to make it a crisp bittersweet mixed drink for men that is known to put some bass in your voice.

Water. Water is the most popular beverage on the planet. This is such a simple drink, but no one can live without it. It is important for your health to drink plenty of water every day.

However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.

Hard seltzer is healthier than beer as it contains fewer calories on average than beer, with 100 per serving compared to 153. Similarly, there is less sugar in hard seltzer than in beer, making it a healthier option.