This Drink Is A Spiked Seltzer, Hard Cider, And Kombucha All In One
This Drink Is A Spiked Seltzer, Hard Cider, And Kombucha All In One
Sparkling water is basically everywhere these days (I'm looking at you, La Croix and Spindrift)—and I am very much here for it.
So it's not shocking that some brands have started adding alcohol to the mix, resulting in bubbly beverages that promise a delightful buzz—for around the same alcohol by volume (ABV) as most light beers. That said, many are lower in sugar and calories compared to beer or cocktails. That might make it a good option for those watching their cal or sugar intake.
But just because they're clear, fizzy, and refreshing doesn't mean you should start chugging like a college kid. "Spiked seltzers are very much still booze, so it's important that you avoid drinking on an empty stomach since food helps delay the absorption of alcohol and that you remember to hydrate with at least one glass of water for every drink," says Laura Iu, RD, a nutritionist in New York City.
And one more thing: Don't be fooled by the fruity "natural flavors." Spiked seltzers don't provide much, if any, nutrition. But there are now some options that include spiked kombuchas, which can offer probiotics, as well as spiked tequila seltzers that include actual lime juice.
If you want to give this buzzy beverage a go, try out these nutritionist-approved and top-rated hard seltzers that are definitely worth the hype:
1) Briggs Hard Seltzer
Briggs
drizly.com
$9.99
Each can has only three (yes, three!) ingredients: filtered water, alcohol from cold-brewed sugar, and fruit juice. "For calories and health, Briggs takes the win," says Katie Bishop, RDN, a dietician at By the Root Nutrition.
Per serving: 108 calories, 1.7 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5% ABV
2) Henry's Hard Sparkling Water
Henry's
drizly.com
$16.99
Coming in at just 88 (!!) calories, Henry's Sparkling Water is the lowest cal drink on this list. Another stand-out stat for Henry's? It's 4.2 percent ABV, which is on the lower end of most alcoholic drinks, making it a good go-to when you're not in the mood to get too tipsy.
Per serving: 88 calories, 1.7 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 4. 5% ABV
3) Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
Bon & Viv
drizly.com
$17.49
With fancy flavors like Pear Elderflower, Clementine Hibiscus, and Black Cherry Rosemary, these carbonated cans are worth sipping. After changing up its look and name in early 2019, Bon & Viv (formerly SpikedSeltzer) returned to shelves lighter and brighter: now just 90 cals, low in carbs, with zero grams of sugar.
Per serving: 90 calories, 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 25 mg sodium, 4. 5% ABV
4) Truly Hard Seltzer
Truly
drizly.com
$18.99
Known for its light, crisp flavors (lookin’ at you, Colima Lime!) that Bishop describes as “less intense,” this is a good option if you love drinking fizzy beverages. It’s also 100 percent gluten-free.
Per serving: 100 calories, 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 25 mg sodium, 5% ABV
5) White Claw Hard Seltzer
White Claw
drizly.com
$18.99
What you see is what you get with White Claw, which boasts a pretty transparent ingredient list that includes seltzer water, gluten-free alcohol, cane sugar, and a hint of fruit. As for taste? "The best!" according to Iu, who calls the raspberry flavor her fave because it "tastes like seltzer with muddled berries."
Per serving: 100 calories, 2 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 20 mg sodium, 5% ABV
6) Nauti Hard Seltzer
Nauti
drizly.com
$17.99
You can practically hear the waves as you sip this low-cal creation...no matter your actual location. And in four fun and fresh flavors—black cherry, blueberry lemonade, mixed berry, and watermelon—you can't go wrong.
Per serving: 100 calories, 4 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 65 mg sodium, 4. 5% ABV
7) Willie's Superbrew
Willie's
drizly.com
$11.99
This can contains a quadruple threat: It's a spiked seltzer, hard cider, and kombucha all in one. Available in three different flavors—mango & passionfruit, pomegranate & a?ai, and ginger & lemon—Willie's is free of gluten, artificial flavors, and synthetic sweeteners.
Check out the very simple, delish (and nutrish—look at those spices!) ingredient list for a can of ginger & lemon: water, alcohol from fermentation, ginger, brown sugar, lemon concentrate, and turmeric. BRB, adding to my shopping cart.
Per serving : 120 calories, 8 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 4.5% ABV
8) Smirnoff Seltzer Red, White and Berry
drizly.com
$17.99
Just in time for the Fourth of July, Smirnoff has launched their spiked seltzers with a patriotic theme. Choose from cherry, citrus, and blue raspberry for a fun, summery taste.
Per serving: 90 calories, 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 4.5% ABV
9) Bud Light Seltzer Variety Pack
drizly.com
$18.49
That’s right, Bud Light has officially entered the hard seltzer game. Their variety pack includes five flavors, including lime, orange, cherry, strawberry and mango.
Per serving: 100 calories, 1 g carbs,
10) High Noon Hard Seltzer Variety Pack
drizly.com
$28.59
This is a favorite of registered dietician Barbie Cervoni, who explains that “it is made from real vodka, as opposed to malt, and uses real fruit juice to add flavor."
Keep in mind, though, that it also contains natural flavors, which is an "unregulated term," meaning it uses a mix of unknown flavoring agents to enhance the taste of the drink.
Per serving: 100 calories, 4.8 g carbs,
11) JuneShine Hard Kombucha Acai Berry
drizly.com
$24.49
While you’re on your hard seltzer kick, don’t overlook hard kombuchas. This June Shine acai berry flavor is delicious. “It uses a base of green tea, honey, and cane sugar,” Cervoni explains. “It is higher in calories than most hard seltzers (by about 30-50 depending on the flavor), but is higher in ABV, around 6% and is made with organic juices and fermented tea which could be good for your gut.”
Per serving: 139 calories, 5 g carbs, 1.4 g sugar, 6% ABV
12) Màkku Passionfruit
Màkku
drinkmakku.com
$56.00
While this price may look a little steep, it’s worth noting that it is for a 16-pack and includes some seriously quality ingredients. As a new take on Korea’s oldest alcoholic beverage (Makkuli), Makku contains rice water and fruit juices. And it’s still relatively low-carb.
Per serving: 180 calories, 11 g carbs, 11 g sugar, 6% ABV
13) Two Robbers Hard Seltzer Variety Pack
drizly.com
$19.94
These seltzers from Two Robbers come in some fun flavors, including peace berry, orange and mango, and pineapple with ginger. All of them pack a refreshing, low-cal kick that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Per serving: 110 calories, 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5.2% ABV
14) Amass Hard Seltzer Variety Pack
amass.com
$55.00
This tasty brand of seltzers is made with natural botanical extracts and fermented cane sugar, which blend together for a super crisp taste. The flavors include Surfer Rosso, which has notes of hibiscus, citrus, and ginger; Faerie Fizz, which features notes of rose, raspberry, and green cardamom; and Sun Sign, which has mandarin, orange, vanilla, and smoky oak.
Per serving: 110 calories, 1 g carbs,
15) Hornitos Lime Tequila Seltzer
hornitos
totalwine.com
$11.49
If you’re not willing to give up your tequila, Hornitos is here to answer the call. They recently launched a tequila-based seltzer that contains lime and agave. Basically, it’s a seltzer-inspired margarita that’s leaps and bounds healthier.
Per serving: 112 calories, 4 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5% ABV
16) Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer -Signature Collection
drizly.com
$32.99
Coming in at under 100 calories and packing fun flavors like cucumber lime, spicy pineapple, and peach pear, these seltzers from Michelob Ultra are sure to make their way on to your favorites list.
Per serving: 80 calories, 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 4% ABV
17) TRULY Hard Seltzer Iced Tea Variety Pack
drizly.com
$18.70
Sparkling iced teas have been sweeping the seltzer world and I’m not mad about it at all. This Truly variety pack includes raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and peach tea flavors—all of which sound like the perfect summer refresher.
Per serving: 100 calories, 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 5% ABV
18) Volley Multi-Pack Flavors
drinkvolley.com
$24.00
If you’re looking to continue your tequila-seltzer kick, Volley is a great way to do that. The variety packs include zesty lime, spicy ginger, sharp grapefruit, and tropical mango. The ingredient list is simple: agave tequila, sparkling water, and fruit juice. You can’t go wrong.
Per serving: 100-110 calories, 3 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5.25% ABV
19) Vizzy Hard Seltzer Variety Pack
drizly.com
$18.04
With four delicious flavors including pineapple mango, blueberry pomegranate, strawberry kiwi, and black cherry lime, these Vizzy seltzers will live up to your high standards. They’re super refreshing and very bubbly.
Per serving: 100 calories, 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 5% ABV
20) Kona Spiked Island Seltzer Variety
drizly.com
$17.99
If you’re feeling tropical, these Kona seltzers are the way to go. The variety pack includes tropical punch, starfruit lime, strawberry guava, and passionfruit orange guava. Let’s face it, these flavors will help you pretend your toes are in the sand no matter where you are.
Per serving: 100 calories, 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 5% ABV
21) Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water Mixed Pack
drizly.com
$17.99
Not only do these low-cal seltzers come in beautiful packaging, they offer flavors like cucumber peach, melon basil, and lemon agave hibiscus. And if you’re craving something a bit more traditional, they have a classic lime that’s absolutely delicious as well.
Per serving: 100 calories, 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5% ABV
22) Flying Embers Sweet & Heat Variety Pack Hard Seltzer
drizly.com
$11.99
This variety pack is broken down into categories of sweet and heat—and the flavors sound so delicious they’ll be hard to pass up. They offer unique flavors like guava jalape?o, watermelon chili, and pineapple cayenne, all of which will leave your taste buds asking for more.
Per serving: 95 calories, 0 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5% ABV
Plus 21 other hard seltzers you need to try this summer.