Do you know what is a Hard seltzer? This light alcoholic drink is making it big among millenials and finding its way in the canned cocktails sector.

Many say nothing compares to a cold beer to soothe the summer heat. Others prefer to stick with the argument that less alcohol means less thirst. And that’s not a lie.

Anyhow, there is an alternative between the two: the hard seltzer. A summer alternative for those who want to stay away from beer and from hard liquor.

 

A summer of Hard Seltzer

We’ve been saying every summer for years “this will be the summer of…”, whatever drink you can think of. Between beer, spritz, low-calorie cocktails and other drinks we dispute that summer winner. Another one of them is the hard seltzer.

Initially launched in 2013 with the Spiked Seltzer brand, it quickly became a popular drink and motivated the creation of other brands: Truly, White Claw, Fair State Hard Water, among others.

When it comes to demographics, American millennials are by far the biggest consumers of this product. The popularity of hard seltzer among millennials is proof of the drink’s ability to forge its own identity.

 

But What is a Hard Seltzer exactly?

This drink is a sparkling water (or carbonated) enriched with almost 5% alcohol by volume, more or less similar to a light beer. Its appeal lies in its low content of carbohydrates, sugar and calories.

Therefore, it is considered an alternative to other alcoholic beverages, both to relieve the hot summer days and to enjoy a drink on the beach.

Most hard seltzers get their alcoholic effect from alcohol derived from fermented cane sugars, although some are based on malted barley, just like their alco-pop ancestors of the 1990s.

In fact, several craft brewers have decided to enter the world of hard seltzer as an alternative to creating non-alcoholic beers.

Although we already know that hard seltzer contains alcohol, it is definitely a very appealing alternative.

 

Some hard seltzer brands

The brand range has broaden since the creation of the first seltzer proposing different choices. Since 2018, the variety of brands has increased more than fivefold, with 10 existing brands in 2018, 26 in 2019, more than 65 from 2020 and now more than 150 brands from 2021.

Easy to drink and carry, hard seltzer has made its way into the canned cocktails sector.

This selection of hard seltzers offers different choices in terms of flavors and alcohol levels.

 

Fair State Hard Water

A seltzer flavored with ginger and lemongrass, unlike others the flavor is quite natural and not artificial. Alcohol by volume: 5.60%.

 

White Claw Ruby Grapefruit

White Claw offers its Ruby Grapefruit flavor. This option is excellent if you are looking for something gluten-free, low in calories (100 per can), 2 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar and with an alcohol level somewhat lower than Fair Sate: 5.00%.

 

Truly Spiked and Sparkling Wild Berry

With a little less sugar, (1g), Truly Spiked has 5% alcohol and 100 calories per can. Light and refreshing, or at least they propose it to us!

 

Henry’s Hard Sparkling Water

And finally, no sugar at all. Henry’s Hard Sparkling Water contains zero sugar, 80 calories per can and 4.2% alcohol by volume, 1.7g carbohydrates and 0g sugar, which for us is the healthiest choice. It comes in flavors of lime, pineapple, strawberry-kiwi, blueberry-lemon, passion fruit and mango-peach.

 

Corona Hard Seltzer

The Corona Hard Seltzer line comes in four flavors: tropical lemon, mango, cherry and blackberry lime. Each can contains 90 calories, 4.5% alcohol and zero grams of carbohydrates and sugar.

 

Convinced? Want to try these delicious carbonated waters? Learn more about Hard Seltzers.

 

Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.