Although considerably new on the scene, hard seltzer is fast becoming one of the most sought-after adult drinks in the world. There is an exciting buzz around this innovative alcohol-based drink that has become particularly popular in the UK, United States, and Australia.
So, names like White Claw Hard Seltzer, Bud Light Seltzer, and Truly Hard Seltzer doing the rounds are very common these days. While many people increasingly prefer hard seltzers, some still don’t know much about them.
This article will list all the basic and essential things to know about hard seltzers for the uninitiated.
What is a hard seltzer?
In simple terms, hard seltzer is carbonated water that combines alcohol and fruit flavor. It is typically made by brewing cane sugar or rice malt. The flavoring may be artificial or may sometimes contain the actual fruit. But even so, the quantity is not so much that it can provide any nutritional value. Hard seltzers have an alcohol content of about 5% by volume.
Some popular hard seltzer flavors are:
- Cranberry
- Ruby grapefruit
- Blood orange
- Black cherry
- Peach
- Watermelon
- Guava
- Hibiscus
- Strawberry
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
It is wise to read through the hard seltzer ingredients label to ensure it has no chemical additives before buying it.
Popular hard seltzer drinks
- Barefoot Cherry and Cranberry
This brand uses wine instead of the usual cane sugar base to make its hard seltzer. The wine bulks out the body of the drink and packs it with a strong flavor punch. The cranberry and cherry flavor of the seltzer infuses subtle bitterness along with a few tart hints, balancing effectively with the ripe, juicy fruit.
- White Claw Hard Seltzer
White Claw was among the first brands that caught the attention of the market with its hard seltzer. The brand’s brewing process includes fermented sugar and a yeast strain that it took over a year to develop. They add cane sugar and some fruit juice to the end product but avoid using malt.
White Claw hard seltzer is available in popular flavors such as lemon, raspberry, black cherry, tangerine, and watermelon, along with a “Pure” flavorless version.
- Ficks Hard Seltzer
It was inevitable that craft breweries should at some point start belting out hard seltzers. As a craft hard seltzer, this is a flavorful drink that doesn’t use malt liquor. Instead, it combines fermented California orange juice with the unbeatable colors and flavors of real, fresh fruits. These fruits include blackberries, grapefruit, cranberries, and limes, among others.
- Lone River Ranch Water
Since it is made using real lime juice combined with organic agave, this hard seltzer variety is preferred mainly by people who love citrusy drinks. It is reminiscent of the lime, soda, and tequila combination. There are interesting versions of this drink, such as a grapefruit flavor and a jalapeno-infused spicy one.
- Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer
Calorie-conscious folks tend to pick this one out of the wide varieties of hard seltzers out there. It has super-low carbohydrates and no sugar in flavors such as cucumber lime, spicy pineapple, and peach pear. It is also less dehydrating than other very strong hard seltzers.
Is it a healthier alternative to regular alcoholic beverages?
People prefer hard seltzers as they have fewer carbs than most alcoholic drinks such as beer or wine. Also, the drink is gluten-free and very low on sugar. This has driven its popularity high among consumers who view it as a healthier option than regular drinks. For instance, many people with diabetes prefer a hard seltzer over the usual alcoholic beverages as it has less sugar.
However, drinking responsibly is imperative as overdoing it may result in dangerous consequences. So, even though most hard seltzers may be low on carbohydrates, sugar, fat, alcohol, and gluten-free, one must still consume them in safe quantities.
Cheers!
