Remember Zima? Introduced in the early 1990s, Zima was the first hard seltzer to be mass produced and marketed in the U.S. Although Zima’s time has come and gone, hard seltzers (also known as spiked seltzers) have again bubbled up in popularity.
Put simply, hard seltzer is carbonated water with alcohol and fruit flavor. It’s crisp and generally low in calories and alcohol content, so it makes great refreshment. Many beer makers have at least one malt-based hard seltzer in their lineup, and several distilleries have rolled out spirit-based seltzers. Here are five hard seltzers to put on your list.
White Claw
Of all the hard seltzers on the shelves, this is the one you’ve probably heard of. A bunch of different flavors (with new ones coming out all the time) and widespread availability make malt-based White Claw a good fit in your fridge or cooler.
Bud Light Seltzer
If you haven’t heard of Bud Light, turn in your drinking card right now. This ubiquitous beer brand has ventured into the seltzer game with malt-based low calorie, low carb and low sugar varieties for a sessionable and tasty libation.
High Noon
This relative newcomer is making a splash in the hard seltzer category. High Noon is vodka-based with fruit flavors including lime, peach and black cherry.
Truly
Natural fruit flavors and creative combinations like blueberry acai and watermelon kiwi bring extra pop to malt-based Truly Hard Seltzer.
Vizzy
Vizzy malt and vodka-based hard seltzers feature tropical themed flavors and vitamin C derived from superfruit. Super, indeed.
Drink Local
If you’re looking to satisfy your seltzer craving and support local brewers, check out Core Brewing’s Scarlet Letter Spiked Seltzer, Diamond Bear’s Diamond Sparkling Seltzer, Lost Forty’s Punchy Hard Seltzer or Ozark Brewing’s Ozark Hardwater for a Natural State take on spiked seltzer.
There are a ton of good hard seltzer choices ready for your enjoyment. They make excellent companions for a day at the lake, picnics, cookouts or binge watching a season or two of “The Great British Baking Show.” Look for them (seltzers, not British bakers) at your favorite spirits store.
Dustin Leigh is the beer manager at Colonial Wines & Spirits.
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