It seemed like a lifetime away. The pandemic kept us locked down and we longed for sunny days and sandals. Well, summer is finally here! With BBQ and pool party invitations finally flowing into our inboxes, the question is, “What are you drinking?” In recent years, the answer to that has increasingly been some sort of hard seltzer.
Hard seltzers are made from carbonated water, fruit essence, and alcohol (5.0 – 6.9% ABV).
They generally contain about 100 calories and 2 grams of carbs per 12 ounce serving. A beer of the same size has about 150 calories and 15-30 grams of carbs making hard seltzers a more health-conscious beverage choice. If you follow the keto diet, hard seltzer is a fun low-sugar option when you need an alcoholic libation. If you are gluten-free, most hard seltzers will be ok for you to enjoy because they are made from fermented cane sugar, however, always be sure to check product labels. There are some made from grains containing gluten. Because of their great taste and health benefits, hard seltzer sales rose to over $4 billion in 2019 and are expected to rise in coming years. Summer-loving calling your name? Husky Executive has curated a list of the best hard seltzers for you to savor while you work on your tan.
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BON & V!V Spiked Seltzer – The flavors in these sophisticated cans will bring a touch of class to your backyard bbq. Raspberry Dragonfruit, Clementine Hibiscus, and Pear Elderflower are just a few of the eight flavors offered by BON & VIV. Gluten-free, with 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and 4.5% ABV, you can feel guilt-free about enjoying this spiked seltzer on a boiling summer’s day.
Bud Light Hard Seltzer – Bud Light Hard Seltzer relies on good ole’ classics to draw your attention. Share with your best buds when you buy the Classic Variety pack containing 12 cans of first-rate flavors like Black Cherry, Lemon Lime, Mango, & Strawberry. Filtered five times for clean taste, this hard seltzer has less than one gram of sugar, 100 calories, and 5% ABV. Get that grill going now!
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Crook & Marker Spiked Coconut – Dreaming of a tropical vacation? Crook & Marker’s collection of Spiked Coconut Hard Seltzers will have you believing you’re sitting on a Caribbean beach in no time. Flavors like Coconut Lime, Coconut Mango, Coconut Pineapple, and Coconut Raspberry are USDA Organic, have 0 grams of sugar, 80 calories, 4% ABV, and are gluten-free. Paradise is closer than you know!
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Flying Embers – Do you like it spicy? Flying Embers is the selection for you! Pineapple Cayenne, Guava Jalapeno, and Watermelon Chili are some of the flavors in this lineup. This brand also offers Hard Kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, yeast, and sugar. It is thought to aid digestion because the fermentation process creates probiotics. Other health benefits may include helping to lower blood pressure, weight loss, and prevention of cancer & heart disease. (There is very little evidence to back up these claims.) Vegan & gluten-free, 0 grams of sugar, between 90-115 calories, and 4-5% ABV, Flying Embers feels like a health-conscious choice! (Nutritional values vary based on beverage choice.)
Kona Spiked Island Seltzers – Channel your inner Aloha by sipping on Kona Brewing Company’s tropical flavors like Strawberry Guava and Tropical Punch. A reflection of the beauty found in the Hawaiian Islands, these sparkling hard seltzers will evoke a seaside Eden as you sip on 0 grams of sugar, 100 calories, and 5% ABV per serving! Round up your ohana for some summertime chill!
Mike’s Hard Seltzer – Who doesn’t love a cold glass of lemonade on a scorching summer day? What’s better than a glass of HARD lemonade?! Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzers are available in classic Lemon flavor, as well as Strawberry, Mango, and Pineapple, if you’re looking for something a little more exciting. Gluten-free, with 1 gram of sugar, 100 calories, and 5% ABV, you can set up a lemonade stand on your front lawn for all your besties.
Playamar – If Tequila is your jam, Playamar by Jose Cuervo was ranked the best Tequila seltzer by Delish. In a very tropical can, flavors like Black Cherry, Grapefruit, Lime, and Mango will whisk you away to the beaches of the Rivera Maya with just one sip. Gluten-free, 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and 4.5% ABV, why wait? It can be Taco Tuesday every day.
Smirnoff Seltzers – Smirnoff Seltzers are for those of you who have tried the rest and are looking for something different. Want original flavors? How about Pink Apple Rosé or White Peach Rosé? Maybe you can find the Limited Edition Red, White & Berry, which is a blend of cherry, citrus, and blue raspberry flavors and is available only for a short time in the summer. With 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and 4.5% ABV, taste test to your heart’s content!
Topo Chico – While Topo Chico Hard Seltzer may not offer a ton of flavors to choose from, (there are currently four: Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava, Tangy Lemon Lime, and Tropical Mango,) it made our list because so many carbonated water drinkers swear this brand has the best fizzy water out there. It makes sense their Hard Seltzer would be one of the best too. Gluten-free, with 2 grams of sugar, 100 calories, and 4.7% ABV, try Topo Chico to see what you think of their bubbly stuff!
Truly Hard Iced Tea – Summer just isn’t summer without iced tea. Grownups drink their hard stuff. Truly Hard Iced Tea can be purchased in a mixed pack of 12 containing flavors like Lemon, and Peach, and Strawberry. With one 1 g sugar, 100 calories, and 5% ABV, if you’re having the gang over for drinks, the mixed pack will satisfy everyone’s thirst!
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(All nutritional values are based on serving sizes of 12 ounces.)
Alcohol Delivery Apps – You’ve got friends in the yard, the bbq is blazing, but you ran out of booze! No worries! These apps will bring the goods right to your doorstep! (Not all apps available in all cities.)
Drizly – Drizly even delivers extras like cups, limes, salt, etc. Get $5 off your first order when you sign up for their emails. Delivery in 60 minutes or less.
MiniBar – Get $5 off your first order when you sign up for their emails. Delivery in 60 minutes or less.
Saucey – Get $5 off your first order when you sign up for their emails. Delivery in 30 minutes or less.
Please enjoy alcohol in moderation.
Remember to always drink responsibly.