Summer is in full swing and our go-to drinks have shifted accordingly. The warmer months mean it’s out with the heavy reds and malty whiskies and in with the lighter, fresher beverages that we can crack open as early as the afternoon. And among those refreshing beverages, expect to see many a hard seltzer in hand.
Also known as spiked seltzer, alcohol seltzer or hard sparkling water, a hard seltzer is a carbonated water mixed with alcohol and fruit flavouring — real fruit juice or artificial — almost always served in a can.
Most hard seltzers have an alcohol content of 4-6% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is about the same as beer, but some can be as high as 12% ABV, the rough equivalent of a standard glass of wine. They’re generally considered to be healthier alternatives to other alcoholic drinks, too, being low-carb, low-alcohol and often gluten-free. Plus, because they come in single-serve size cans, they also have built-in portion control.
So, among the many hard seltzers out there on the market, which ones should you be looking to crack open this spring and summer? Ahead are some of our favourites.
Topo
Launched in Australia in October 2021, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is based on the success of the brand’s mineral water. Try its seltzers in tangy lemon-lime, tropical mango, strawberry guava, or exotic pineapple.
White Claw
No round-up on hard seltzer would be complete without a mention of White Claw, one of the first hard seltzers on the market, launching in the US in 2016. Today, it’s still one of the most popular hard seltzers, with flavours of ruby grapefruit, watermelon, mango, and natural lime.
Sunny Eddy
Founded in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Sunny Eddy offers a lighter twist on a gin and tonic, using triple-distilled Australian gin made with juniper and native lemon myrtle. A 330ml can is just 76 calories, has no added sugar, and contains less than 1g of carbs.
Fellr
It’s hard to believe Fellr has only been around since July 2020 — the Australian brand with its pastel packaging seemed to be everywhere come summer. Choose from flavours lime and soda, watermelon, watermelon margarita, dry and lime, or the newly-launched passionfruit.
Hard Fizz
If you’re keen on mixed flavours, crack open a Hard Fizz. The Gold Coast brand has four all-natural flavour combinations: orange and mango, watermelon and berry, lemon and ginger, and passionfruit and guava.
Smirnoff Seltzer
The grown-up version of the Smirnoff Ice, the Smirnoff Seltzer blends together vodka with lightly flavoured sparkling water. The 250mL cans of natural lime, raspberry rose, and passionfruit have less than 70 calories per serve and no added sugar.
Rainbird
With one can the equivalent of 1.6 standard drinks, Rainbird sits on the higher end, alcohol content-wise. The Woolworths-owned brand offers two flavours: passionfruit and lemon and lime.
Moon Dog Fizzer
Melbourne craft brewing pros Moon Dog are also in the hard seltzer market, unveiling Moon Dog Fizzer in 2020. Flavours include sour grape, tropical crush, and raspberry sorbet.
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