“It’s literally gluten-free water that’ll fuck you up,” YouTube comedian Trevor Wallace says in a video about the latest viral beverage craze, White Claw Hard Seltzer. While that brand is probably dominating the memes in your social feeds, plenty of other alcohol brands are hopping on the hard seltzer wagon, encouraging the masses to squeeze every last drop of refreshing fun out of summertime.
*drinks White Claw once* pic.twitter.com/L7w8Dny4MV
— Trevor Wallace (@TrevWall) June 26, 2019
Even legacy malt beverage companies are getting in on the action. Four Loko, the high-ABV fizzy beverage that probably made you blackout more than once in your teens, recently announced its own line of hard seltzer drinks. “Hard seltzers ran so we could fly,” Four Loko tweeted earlier this month. While we ever so anxiously await the Four Loko release (maybe a #FourLokoFall?), here are seven other low-cal, sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly hard seltzers to try in the waning days of this #WhiteClawSummer.
Therapist: And what do we say when we feel like this?
Me: It’s white claw summer baby!!!!
Therapist: no
— ᴍᴏʀɢᴀɴ (@MorganKeener) July 24, 2019
White Claw
If you’re always doing it for the ‘gram, going to rooftop bars in downtown L.A. every weekend, own a Juul pen, drink a 12-pack of La Croix on the daily, or if you’re name is Jake, then grab a White Claw. After all, a wise tweet once read, “La Croix walked so that White Claw could run.” And where’s the lie? White Claw tastes a lot like adding vodka to a La Croix. While these hard seltzers have been on the market since 2016, it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that they took social media by storm. Now, we’re obsessed with these super carbonated seltzers and have been drinking them all summer long.
Flavors: Mango, Black Cherry, Natural Lime, Ruby Grapefruit, Raspberry, Pure (limited-edition)
Must-try: Black Cherry, Raspberry, Mango
Alcohol Content: 5 percent ABV
Cape Line
If you’re not completely sold on the hard seltzer concept and perhaps prefer a good ‘ol cocktail, then Cape Line is perfect for you. More of a sparkling cocktail than a hard seltzer, the Cape Line brand still does the trick. While they only have four flavors, they’re still some of the best hard seltzer flavors featured on this list.
Flavors: Margarita, Hard Strawberry Lemonade, Blackberry Mojito
Must-try: Hard Strawberry Lemonade
Alcohol Content: 4.5 percent ABV
Crook & Marker
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you should definitely reach for Crook & Marker during your next hard seltzer run. But be careful, these might be a little dangerous since the fruity flavor overpowers the alcohol—and since they have a low alcohol content, which means you may be encouraged to drink more. For a hard seltzer that’s allegedly sugar-free, it’s also quite surprising that it tastes like straight-up juice.
Flavors: Black Cherry, Grapefruit, Mango, Peach, Coconut Pineapple, Tangerine, Strawberry Lemon, Blackberry Lime
Must-try: Black Cherry, Strawberry Lemon
Alcohol Content: 4 percent ABV
Truly
If you’re indecisive AF when it comes to basically anything, then Truly might be the hard seltzer for you. With a whopping 13 flavors, Truly takes the cake for the most diverse collections of flavors—right before Crook & Marker with eight flavors. Truly comes in three different variety packs: Berry, Tropical, and Citrus.
Flavors: Berry Mix (Black Cherry, Wild Berry, Blueberry and Acai, Raspberry Lime, and Rosé), Citrus Mix (Orange, Lime, Grapefruit, and Lemon), Tropical Mix (Passion Fruit, Pomegranate, Pineapple, and Mango)
Must-try: Black Cherry, Grapefruit, Passion Fruit, and Pineapple
Alcohol Content: 5 percent ABV
Bon & Viv
If you’re all orgo, are gluten-free, and are a sucker for cute packaging, grab a can of Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer. Made with only purified water, natural fruit flavors, no added sugars, and no barley or wheat, Bon & Viv delivers a crisp and clean taste with a hint of berry and citrus flavors. Don’t pass up the prickly pear.
Flavors: Black Cherry Rosemary, Grapefruit, Pear Elderflower, Cranberry, Clementine Hibiscus, Lemon Lime, Prickly Pear
Must-try: Prickly Pear, Clementine Hibiscus, Black Cherry
Alcohol Content: 4.5 percent ABV
High Noon Sun Sips
If you have impeccable taste, then High Noon Sun Sips are the hard seltzer for you. Definitely one of the tastiest hard seltzers on this list, High Noon is made with real vodka, real juice, and sparkling water. They may only have four different flavors, but they made sure to perfect each to give you the perfect taste of summer. Pro tip: Make sure to reach for the watermelon flavor first; it’s too good and refreshing to pass up.
Flavors: Grapefruit, Pineapple, Black Cherry, Watermelon
Must-try: Pineapple, Watermelon
Alcohol Content: 4.5 percent ABV
Smirnoff
If you love rosé as much as the next millennial, then grab a Smirnoff 4 Ways to Rosé hard seltzer variety pack for your next pool party. Smirnoff sure knew how to reach their target audience with their rosé variety pack, and it’s not just marketing—the bevs are actually quite tasty, they get the job done (read: quick buzz), and they’re crisp and refreshing. Smirnoff’s hard seltzers also have the right mix of fizz and fruity flavor—neither overpowers the other (sorry, White Claw, we’re looking at you).
Flavors: 4 Ways to Rosé (Raspberry Rosé, Strawberry Rosé, Peach Rosé, and Pink Apple Rosé), Cranberry Lime, Watermelon, Berry Lemonade, Piña Colada
Must-try: Cranberry Lime, Raspberry Rosé
Alcohol Content: 4.5 percent ABV
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