Hard seltzer has exploded in popularity in recent years, with more and more brands entering the market.
These alcoholic carbonated drinks are typically low in calories and sugar, making them an appealing option for those looking for a lighter and refreshing alternative to beer or wine.
Below, I’ll look at some of the top hard seltzer brands available today, exploring their unique flavor profiles and what sets them apart.
From the well-established names to the up-and-coming players, I will introduce to you the exciting and ever-expanding world of hard seltzer.
15 Best Hard Seltzer Brands
Here is a list of 15 Hard Seltzer brands that offer a range of refreshing, low-calorie options with unique flavor profiles, making them a popular choice for those looking for a lighter alcoholic drink.
1. White Claw
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White Claw was first launched in 2016 by the Mark Anthony Group and quickly gained popularity as one of the pioneers in the hard seltzer market.
The brand’s beverages contain purified carbonated water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and natural fruit flavorings.
White Claw offers a variety of flavors, including black cherry, mango, grapefruit, and raspberry, among others.
The drink has become a cultural phenomenon and has inspired countless memes, viral videos, and even its festival, “White Claw Weekend.”
White Claw’s refreshing taste and low-calorie count have made it a popular choice among consumers looking for a lighter alcoholic drink.
2. Truly
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Truly is another popular hard seltzer brand known for its wide variety of flavors, low-calorie count, and gluten-free status. It was first launched in 2016 by the Boston Beer Company.
Like other hard seltzers, Truly is made with purified carbonated water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and natural fruit flavors. Some popular Truly flavors include wild berry, blueberry acai, mango, passion fruit, and pineapple.
The brand has also introduced a line of hard lemonade drinks and a line of hard iced tea drinks. Truly has gained a loyal following among consumers who appreciate its range of flavors, light and refreshing taste, and low-calorie count.
3. Bon & Viv
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Bon & Viv is a hard seltzer brand launched in 2013 that prides itself on using natural ingredients and a proprietary five-step purification process to create a smooth and crisp taste.
The brand’s hard seltzers are made with purified water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and natural fruit flavors.
Bon & Viv’s most popular flavors include black cherry rosemary, pear elderflower, black cherry, and cranberry.
In addition to its focus on natural ingredients, Bon & Viv has positioned itself as a sustainable brand, using recyclable packaging and supporting ocean conservation efforts through its partnership with the non-profit organization Oceana.
Bon & Viv offers a unique combination of natural ingredients, a proprietary purification process, and a commitment to sustainability.
4. Press
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Press is a hard seltzer brand that stands out for its use of all-natural ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
Press was founded in 2015 by Amy Walberg, who sought to create a hard seltzer that tasted like a craft cocktail.
The brand’s seltzers are made with a base of fermented cane sugar, purified carbonated water, and all-natural fruit flavors and are infused with botanicals like hibiscus, juniper, and cardamom.
Press’s popular flavors include blackberry hibiscus, pomegranate ginger, and grapefruit cardamom. Press has also introduced a line of hard kombucha drinks, which combine fermented tea with natural fruit flavors.
Press offers a unique take on hard seltzers, combining all-natural ingredients and craft cocktail inspiration for a distinctive taste.
5. High Noon
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High Noon is a hard seltzer brand that sets itself apart by using real vodka and fruit juice in its beverages, giving them a more robust and authentic taste.
High Noon was launched in 2019 by E. & J. Gallo Winery, one of the largest wine producers in the world.
The brand’s seltzers blend real vodka, purified carbonated water, and fruit juice and are available in flavors like watermelon, pineapple, mango, peach, lime, and grapefruit.
High Noon’s seltzers are also gluten-free and contain no added sugars.
The brand has gained a loyal following for its more robust taste, which sets it apart from other hard seltzers made with malted barley or other neutral spirits.
High Noon offers a unique and authentic alternative to other hard seltzers.
6. Vizzy
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Vizzy is a hard seltzer brand that differentiates itself by being the first to infuse its beverages with antioxidant vitamin C sourced from the acerola cherry.
Vizzy was launched in 2020 by Molson Coors Beverage Company and is made with a blend of purified carbonated water, gluten-free alcohol, natural fruit flavors, and acerola cherry extract. Some of Vizzy’s most popular flavors include black cherry lime, blueberry pomegranate, and pineapple mango.
The brand has marketed itself as a healthier alternative to other hard seltzers, thanks to the added vitamin C, which is known for its antioxidant properties. Vizzy offers a unique take on hard seltzers, combining refreshing taste with added health benefits.
7. Corona Hard Seltzer
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Corona Hard Seltzer is a popular brand that combines the light and refreshing taste of seltzer with the flavors of Corona’s iconic beers.
Corona Hard Seltzer was launched in 2020 by Constellation Brands, which also produces the Corona beer line. The brand’s seltzers are made with purified carbonated water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and natural fruit flavors. They’re available in mango, tropical lime, blackberry lime, and cherry.
In addition to its distinctive flavor combinations, Corona Hard Seltzer has positioned itself as a brand perfect for outdoor and beach settings, focusing on fun and relaxation.
8. Bud Light Seltzer
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Bud Light Seltzer is a popular brand that offers various flavors focusing on bold and innovative taste combinations.
Bud Light Seltzer was launched in 2020 by Anheuser-Busch, the same company that produces Budweiser and other popular beer brands.
The seltzers have purified carbonated water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and natural fruit flavors. They’re available in cranberry, strawberry, mango, black cherry, and lemon-lime flavors.
Bud Light Seltzer is a brand perfect for social occasions, focusing on bold and innovative taste combinations to share and enjoy with friends. Bud Light Seltzer offers various flavors and a fun and social brand image.
9. Nauti Seltzer
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Nauti Seltzer is owned by Wachusett Brewing Company, based in Massachusetts, USA. It’s made with purified water, an alcohol derived from cane sugar, and natural fruit flavors.
The alcohol content of Nauti Seltzer varies depending on the flavor, but it generally falls between 4.5% and 5% alcohol by volume. This hard seltzer brand is known for its low-calorie and low-carbohydrate content, making it a popular choice for those looking for a lighter alcoholic drink option.
Nauti seltzer offers a variety of flavors, including raspberry, grapefruit, lemon-lime, and cranberry. They also offer limited edition flavors that may vary by location and season.
Nauti Seltzer is a low-calorie and low-carb option for those who want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage without consuming many calories or sugar. It’s popular among those who follow a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
10. Wild Basin
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Wild Basin is produced by Oskar Blues Brewery, based in Colorado, USA. It’s a hard seltzer brand known for its natural and fruity flavors. Like other hard seltzers, Wild Basin is made by mixing carbonated water with alcohol and natural flavors.
However, Wild Basin uses fermented cane sugar to create its alcohol base, giving it a slightly different taste than other hard seltzers.
The brand offers a range of classic flavors like black raspberry and cucumber peach and more unique flavors like lemon agave hibiscus and melon basil.
One thing that sets Wild Basin apart from other hard seltzer brands is its commitment to sustainability. The brand uses 100% recyclable packaging and donates some of its profits to environmental organizations.
Wild Basin is a popular brand of hard seltzer that offers a range of natural and fruity flavors. Its unique alcohol base and commitment to sustainability have helped it stand out in a crowded market.
11. Arctic Chill
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Mass makes Arctic Chill Hard Seltzer. Bay Brewing Company which is based in Boston.
It’s a hard seltzer brand known for its crisp and refreshing taste. Artic Chill is made by mixing Polar Seltzer – a flavored sparkling water brand with an alcohol base made from sugar cane mash and natural fruit flavors.
The brand offers a range of flavors, including classic flavors like raspberry lime and ginger lime and more unique flavors like pineapple pomelo and black cherry.
One thing that sets Arctic Chill apart from other hard seltzer brands is its commitment to natural flavors and ingredients. The brand uses only natural fruit flavors and has no artificial sweeteners or colors.
Arctic Chill is a popular brand of hard seltzer that offers a range of refreshing and natural flavors and are a great option for those who enjoy fruity and flavorful drinks.
12. Maha Organic Hard Seltzer
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Maha is an organic hard seltzer brand made by Maha Liquid Ventures.
Maha Organic Hard Seltzer stands out from other hard seltzer brands by offering a unique blend of organic ingredients and a proprietary mix of essential vitamins and minerals.
It has calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc, providing health-conscious consumers with a more nutritious and refreshing drinking option.
Maha Organic Hard Seltzer mixes water, malted barley, real fruit juices, sea salt, cascara, and proprietary bland.
The brand has three flavors: black cherry, raspberry, and tangerine yuzu.
Maha Organic Hard Seltzer is certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), providing additional credibility to Maha’s commitment to sustainability and the environment.
13. Crook & Marker
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Crook & Marker is a hard seltzer brand made by Crook & Marker LLC, based in Hamilton, New Jersey.
This brand is marketed as a healthier, better-tasting alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. The company claims their hard seltzers are made with organic alcohol and natural flavors, contain zero sugar, and only 80 calories per can.
Like other hard seltzers, Crook & Marker is made by mixing carbonated water with alcohol and natural flavors.
However, Crook & Marker is unique in using organic BaseBrew® alcohol made from ancient grains and cassava root, giving it a different taste profile than other hard seltzers.
Crook & Marker offers a variety of flavors, including classic options like black cherry and grapefruit, as well as more unique flavors like peach and blackberry lime.
Crook & Marker has gained popularity among consumers looking for a low-calorie, sugar-free alcoholic beverage that still tastes good.
14. Basic Hard Seltzer
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Basic Hard Seltzer is a popular hard seltzer brand produced by Phusion Projects. This refreshing and fruity beverage comes in four flavors – cucumber, cranberry, lemon, and Pamplemousse.
Basic Hard Seltzer is marketed as a healthier alternative to other alcoholic beverages, as it’s low in calories, gluten-free, and has no added sugars.
The brand’s simplicity and natural ingredients have made it a popular choice for light and refreshing drinks. Basic Hard Seltzer contains carbonated water, alcohol, and natural fruit flavors, containing 4.5% alcohol by volume.
Basic Hard Seltzer has gained popularity among consumers looking for a lighter and healthier alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
15. Pura Still
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Pura Still Hard Seltzer is a hard seltzer brand produced by FIFCO USA based in Rochester, New York. It’s marketed as a low-carb, low-calorie alternative to traditional carbonated hard seltzers.
Unlike many other hard seltzers on the market, Pura Still Hard Seltzer isn’t carbonated, which gives it a smoother and more “still” drinking experience.
Pura Still has a malt alcohol base, purified water, coconut water, cane sugar, and natural fruit flavors. It comes in three flavors: blackberry, mandarin orange, and mango.
The company claims their hard seltzers contain only 90 calories per can and are made with all-natural ingredients.
Pura Still Hard Seltzer has gained popularity among consumers looking for a lighter and smoother alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
What Are the Top-Selling Hard Seltzers?
The hard seltzer category has grown tremendously recently, and many brands are competing for market share. Some top-selling hard seltzer brands are White Claw, Truly, Bud Light Seltzer, Vizzy, and High Noon.
What Kind of Alcohol is in Hard Seltzer?
The alcohol in the hard seltzer is usually derived from fermented sugar or malted barley. The specific type of alcohol can vary depending on the brand and the ingredients used.
Some hard seltzers use a fermented sugar base, similar to the base used in many types of beer. This base type is typically made from a blend of corn, rice, or other grains, fermented with yeast to produce alcohol.
Other hard seltzers use a malted barley base, similar to the base used in beer. In this case, the barley is soaked in water and then allowed to germinate before being dried and roasted. This process creates a type of malt used as the hard seltzer’s base.
Is Hard Seltzer Just Vodka?
No, hard seltzer isn’t just vodka. While vodka and hard seltzer contain alcohol, they use different ingredients and processes.
Vodka is typically made from distilled grains like wheat, rye, or barley, which are fermented and then distilled to create a high-proof alcohol. The resulting vodka is diluted with water and sometimes filtered to create a clear, neutral-tasting spirit.
On the other hand, hard seltzer is typically made using a fermented sugar or malted barley base, which is then combined with carbonated water and flavorings to create a low-calorie, lightly flavored beverage.
Is a Hard Seltzer a Beer?
No, a hard seltzer isn’t a beer. While hard seltzers and beers are alcoholic beverages, they use different ingredients and processes.
Beer is typically made from malted barley, hops, yeast, and water, brewed together to create a fermented beverage.
Beers can have different styles and flavors depending on the type of malt, hops, and yeast used in the brewing process.
While Hard seltzer is usually made using a fermented sugar or malted barley base, combined with carbonated water and flavorings to create a low-calorie, lightly flavored beverage.
Hard seltzers are generally lighter and less complex in flavor compared to beers. While some types of hard seltzer may have a similar alcohol content to beer, they’re not classified as beer.
What’s Your Pick?
Hard seltzer has become a popular alcoholic beverage in recent years, with several brands now offering a variety of flavors and options for consumers. Top-selling hard seltzer brands include White Claw, Truly, and Bud Light Seltzer.
Overall, the popularity of hard seltzer shows no signs of slowing down, and new brands are likely to continue to enter the market in the coming years as more consumers look for low-calorie, low-sugar, and gluten-free alcoholic beverage options.
