Hard seltzer spritzes up the way we drink
By Jessica Mick
Dressed to the nines like she was headed to prom, Galina Martin arrived at her friend’s apartment with a pack of her favorite hard seltzers and a Lunchable. The friend group, who dubbed the evening a “seltzer gala,” spent the night singing karaoke and taste-testing their favorite hard seltzer brands.
“We were all dressed up drinking seltzers, which is not a fancy drink,” Martin said. “So we were like ‘Let’s not have actual charcuterie, let’s just have Lunchables.’”
Just a few years ago hard seltzer wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Now, five years after the release of White Claw, more than 65 brands have their own hard seltzers according to Nielsen. This has led to an increasing number of people drinking hard seltzers, for some as a way to try something new and others as a healthier drink choice.
At the “seltzer gala” each friend got to vote on their favorite beverage by leaving a dash by their drink of choice on a poster. High Noon, a hard seltzer known for its vodka and fruit juice ingredients, won as the group favorite of the night.
“My friends consider it to be healthier, or less calories than drinking beer,” Martin said. “And a lot of them don’t like the taste of beer.”
Average hard seltzers contain about 100 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates per 12 ounce can, while similar-sized beer contains 150 calories and 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
For Emma Bittner, she was skeptical at first, but tried hard seltzer last year with her older sister when she had to go gluten free.
“It’s nice that they’re low calorie, but I had to [change drinks] for dietary reasons,” Bittner said. “But it worked out in my favor because I really liked them, and they’re a lot lighter.”
While beer is made from wheat and other ready-made alcoholic canned drinks such as lemonades and teas also usually contain some grain, hard seltzers include fermented sugar cane instead.
When White Claw first experienced a national shortage in 2019, many associated the drink with college students and frat parties. Now, large brands often known for beer such as Bud Light and Natty Light started selling seltzer, as well as local brands.
“It’s something new and exciting,” Nick Pruim, Director of Field Marketing at Austin Eastciders said. “This new thing came out and drinkers like new choices and trying new things.”
In 2020, Austin Eastciders, a business that originally only sold cider, released their own hard seltzer line. Before releasing their debut seltzer, they saw the increase in demand on the market.
“I would say younger people as early adopters were probably the first,” Pruim said. “But if you go to a grocery store now you’ll see people of all ages buying [hard seltzer].”
A majority of new hard seltzer drinkers have made the switch from other alcoholic beverages, reports Nielsen, which has led to an increase in sales.
For Catherine Mouer and her quarantine bubble, hard seltzer proved to be a drink they all could enjoy. As more seltzers were being released in 2020, she felt like the drinks were coming out faster than they could try them.
“My friends and I have kind of made it a mission to try every single hard seltzer that exists,” Mouer said. “Any type of mainstream seltzer, whether it comes from a beer company, or is local or it’s at HEB, if we can get our hands on it we’re basically down to try it.”
When one friend sees a new hard seltzer at the store, they buy a pack to share with the group over the weekend. Most times Mouer goes for a lemon flavor and likes to mix it with tea or juice so the drink lasts longer.
“You’re trying to accommodate different needs. Some of us like beer, some of us don’t like the taste of beer, or the taste of alcohol, or are trying to watch our calorie intake while hanging out with friends,” Mouer said.
Some brands creating their own seltzers this year include Topo Chico, Sonic (inspired by their slush flavors), Lone Star Beer and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.
With new releases on the horizon, it’s clear that hard seltzer is more than just a health craze or TikTok trend — it’s here to stay.
Hard Seltzer Cocktails
Seltzers are ready-made drinks, but can also be combined with other ingredients to make cocktails. Here are three easy cocktail recipes using hard seltzer from ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Recipe:
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- ¼ cup raspberries and blueberries
- 2 ounces gin
- ⅓ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ can Truly Wild Berry Hard Seltzer
Directions:
Strip the rosemary leaves from the stem. Muddle rosemary leaves and berries in a shaker. Add gin, simple syrup and lemon juice and shake well. Pour into a fresh glass and top with ice and seltzer. Stir gently and garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Recipe:
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- ½ orange, sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, quartered
- ½ granny smith apple, cubed
- 1 bottle Pinot Grigio (750mL)
- 3 cans White Claw Lemon Hard Seltzer
Directions:
Slice fruit, then combine all ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving. When ready to serve, stir once more and pour into a wine glass over ice. Serves 10.
Recipe:
- 1 can White Claw Ruby Grapefruit Hard Seltzer
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice
- Lime wheel
- Grapefruit wedge
- Rosemary sprig
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a glass with ice. Stir gently. Garnish with lime wheel, grapefruit wedge and mint sprig.
