Every year there’s a trend that just takes over the summer drink scene. From canned wine and cocktails to frosé and the revival of the aperol spritz, there’s always something new to try. The latest trend you’ve probably started noticing on the shelves everywhere? Hard seltzers. They are refreshing, low calorie, gluten-free, and have a lower alcohol content, making them a great way to cool down on a hot summer day. We sampled and ranked (on a scale of one to 10) 10 different spiked seltzers. Consider this your ultimate guide to which ones to choose and which ones to pass on.
1. Bon & Viv: Rosemary & Black Cherry
Rating: 10/10
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We did the hard work of trying many flavors of Bon & Viv’s hard seltzers and you really can’t go wrong with any choice, but the black cherry rosemary is our favorite. Bon & Viv’s flavors are light, don’t taste artificial, and the one we compare most to our beloved LaCroix. This is the one we will go for every time, hands down.
2. Clear Coast Fresh Hard Seltzer: Watermelon Lime
Rating: 9/10
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From Michigan-based Perrin Brewing Company, we love the watermelon lime kick to this hard seltzer. It’s crisp and clean and doesn’t taste artificial.
3. Crook & Marker: Tangerine
Rating: 8/10
One of the only organic kinds we could find on the market, Crook & Marker is made with organic alcohol and has zero sugar, making it one of our favorites. We love the citrus tangerine flavor of this easy-drinking seltzer.
4. Oskar Blues Wild Basin Boozy Water: Lemon Agave Hibiscus
Rating: 8/10
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Another favorite from a craft beer company, Colorado’s Oskar Blues, the fun flavor combos make this seltzer a go-to for us. We love the addition of agave to this flavor, and the fact that one of our favorite beer makers branched out to make this light drink.
5. Press: Blackberry Hibiscus
Rating: 7/10
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This is a fun one: the blackberry hibiscus flavor is delicious and not artificial tasting. If you are looking for more of a watered down, subtle flavor, this one is not for you, as it’s a little on the sweeter side.
6. Henry’s Hard Sparkling Water: Pineapple
Rating: 7/10
If you are counting calories, Henry’s sparkling water is a great option at only 88 calories per can. The flavor is not overwhelming, and this one definitely delivers what it promises. This is a lightly boozy sparking water that you can enjoy a few of without feeling guilty.
7. Truly: Rosé
Rating: 6/10
We’re suckers for the rosé trend, so Truly’s rosé flavor was an easy choice among their options. Marketed as a hard seltzer with a hint of California grapes, the drink really provides all of that. It’s light and fun, plus has only 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar per can.
8. White Claw: Ruby Grapefruit
Rating: 5/10
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White Claw was one of the first hard seltzers to hit the market, so there is a good chance your local store will have one of their many flavors. The ruby grapefruit is one of our favorites, but it doesn’t stand out as top seltzer compared to the others we tried.
9. High Noon Vodka & Soda: Pineapple
Rating: 4/10
Is this technically a seltzer? We’re not sure, but it was placed in the seltzer area so we are going with it. Made with vodka, sparkling water, and real juice, these are a little too sweet for us, but if you’re looking to mix it up, it isn’t a bad choice at 100 calories.
10. Corona Refresca: Passionfruit Lime
Rating: 2/10
It’s debatable whether this one should really be in this category, but Corona sure is trying to enter the market with their Refresca line. Too bad it’s overly sweet and tastes like a bad malt beverage. Unless you’re desperate, this is a hard pass.
Macaire Douglas lives in Chicago with her husband and two sons. She proudly supports Share Our Spare, a local nonprofit that collects goods for children in need.
