Hey there!
Have you ever thought to yourself, “What are seltzers?”
They’re a type of carbonated beverage that’s becoming increasingly popular.
They have a refreshing, bubbly taste and come in various flavors.
Please continue reading to learn more about seltzers and why they’re so popular.
Don’t worry; we’ll also throw in some information about seltzers for beginners!
Seltzer 101
Do you know what seltzer is? It’s carbonated water – just regular drinking water with bubbles.
It’s different from club soda and tonic water because it has no weird minerals.
Tonic water has high fructose corn syrup and quinine, so it’s not water.
Plus, it glows under a black light! It’s made like beer with carbonated water, sugar, and yeast.
The yeast ferments the sugar into alcohol, often flavored with natural or artificial flavors.
Different brands use barley, rice, or other fermentable bases.
Now, there’s also hard seltzer. It’s made by fermenting ingredients like rice or adding alcohol to bubbly water.
Then, you can add a hint of natural flavor. It’s a healthier way to drink alcohol – low sugar, zero carbs, and gluten-free.
Plus, they have a low ABV of 4-8%. You can find them in any store that sells beer, usually in cans at a similar price.
People have become more aware of the downsides of some alcoholic drinks, like sugar-related health issues, weight gain from carbs, and gluten reactions.
Hard seltzer is the perfect alternative – it’s like sparkling mineral water with a tasty twist and alcohol without the negatives.
That’s why it’s becoming so popular!
Related Reading: Seltzer Vs. Beer – Learn It Here.
Seltzer’s History
You’ve probably heard of Zima, the popular ’90s malt beverage.
It’s often considered the granddaddy of today’s hard seltzers.
Malt beverages, coolers, and canned cocktails have been popular alternatives to beer since then.
Nick Shields is credited with developing and launching Spiked seltzer in 2013, which set the stage for the current hard seltzer boom.
White Claw was released in 2016 and gained more attention than expected.
Truly was also launched that year by Boston Beer Company.
Breweries, cider houses, and distillers are all getting in on the trend.
Most of the biggest names in beer have released a hard seltzer.
2019 was even dubbed “the summer of seltzer,” and sales are only expected to increase.
Seltzer Benefits
It is easy to recommend seltzers for beginners!
Try hard seltzers for a healthier, lower-calorie, sugar alternative to other alcoholic drinks.
You can enjoy the same satisfaction without feeling too full with just 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per can. Plus, there are other benefits too, like:
Fewer Stomach Aches
Do you know that sugary drinks can make your stomach feel bad?
That’s because your digestive system may have trouble breaking them down.
Hard seltzers have less sugar, so you’re less likely to get an upset stomach from drinking them.
Lighter but Strong Enough
You’ll feel the effects of hard seltzers much faster than other alcoholic drinks.
That’s because carbonated beverages are absorbed into your bloodstream quickly.
So, you’ll need fewer cans than a light beer to get the same effect.
Weaker or No Hangovers
You may wonder why you feel so awful after a night of drinking.
It could be due to dehydration, having too much sugar, or other factors.
To avoid a hangover, try switching to a hard seltzer instead of other alcoholic drinks.
This can help you feel better the next day.
Ways to Enjoy Seltzers
Explore the different hard seltzers out there!
Sweet, fizzy, flavorful – there’s something for everyone.
Keep it cold – drink it straight from the can or pour it into a chilled glass with ice.
If you want to mix it up, add some fruit or a shot of liquor.
Hard seltzers make great drink mixers, adding depth to your favorite cocktails.
Related Reading: Brewing Beer For Beginners – More Here.
Popular Seltzer Brands
Two Robbers
You should give Two Robbers a try!
They’re a Philadelphia-based hard seltzer brand with no sugar or added sweeteners.
Their flavors are unique and exciting – cherry lemon, watermelon, and cucumber.
We didn’t like the mango punch, though – it was so bad it made some of us gag!
So avoid that one, and you’ll be good to go.
Truly
You’ll love Truly Hard Seltzer!
It’s one of the most popular brands for a reason.
The fizziness is just right, and a vast selection of flavors exists.
A fan favorite was Citrus Squeeze from the Citrus Mix Pack.
It’s great if you can’t decide between grapefruit, orange, and lime – one of the testers said it’s perfect!
Press Premium
You should try Press Hard Seltzer!
It’s the fanciest of all the brands we’ve tried.
It’s perfect for “discerning consumers” who want unique flavors like pear and chamomile, grapefruit and cardamom, and lime and lemongrass.
Plus, it has a low sugar content.
The popular favorite flavor is the pomegranate ginger – it was the first they ever made!
Juneshine
You’ve got to try Juneshine’s hard seltzer ranch water in a can!
It’s a great alternative to a margarita, and even better, the more you drink it.
The testers said it tastes just like a margarita, and they love it!
Lunar
It’s like creating a hard seltzer that captures “Asian Americana in a can.”
The plum flavor was controversial – some thought it smelled like Elmer’s glue, while others said it reminded them of childhood and freeze pops.
Most prefer the lychee flavor because of its light, floral taste and delicate sweetness.
High Noon
You may have heard of High Noon as one of the significant hard seltzer brands.
Their recipe is unique because it uses vodka instead of generic grain alcohol.
Each can is flavored with real juice, and you can taste the difference!
Some tasters said that each flavor tasted like what was listed on the label.
The downside is that the sugar content is slightly higher than other seltzers.
Spindrift Spiked
You may have heard great things about Spindrift Spiked, and it certainly lived up to the hype!
All the flavors are made with real fruit juice and have a vibrant color.
The colors can be worrying at first, but the taste is fantastic!
The fan favorite was the Half Tea Half Lemon – it tastes like an Arnold Palmer!
The Blood Orange Tangerine was also a hit, with its natural citrus flavor that was super refreshing.
Final Thoughts
You’ve come a long way in your journey as a seltzer beginner!
From learning about the different types of seltzers to understanding their health benefits, you now understand the basics.
You know that seltzers come in a variety of flavors and that they can be a great alternative to sugary drinks.
You also know that seltzers are a great way to stay hydrated and get essential vitamins and minerals.
So, what’s next?
Experiment with different flavors and brands to find the one you like best.
And don’t forget to have fun!
Seltzers are a great way to add a little bit of flavor and fun to your day.
Other Related Articles To Read Below:
