If someone told you there was an alcoholic drink that was low in calories, might not give you a hangover, was affordable AND delicious, you’d have a hard time believing them, right? Well, ladies and gents, allow us to introduce… hard seltzer.
Now, seltzers aren’t a particularly new thing; no doubt we’ve all had a sip of a tasty, refreshing beverage made of sparkling water and natural flavourings. It was only a matter of time, though, before some genius devised the idea of adding alcohol to it.
The best hard seltzers at a glance:
Our favourite: White Claw Variety Pack
Most unique flavours: Berczy Hard Seltzer
Best value: Mike's Hard Seltzer
What are hard seltzers?
Hard seltzers are carbonated water with alcohol and natural flavouring mixed in. It’s as simple as that. Typically fermented with sugar instead of malted barley, they’re low in sugar and carbohydrates, meaning their calorie count is minimal. Bonus.
Containing 4-6% ABV, and at under 100 calories per can, seltzers have become the drink of the summer. If you're a fan of low-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks, hard seltzers might be up your street.
Wondering which ones are worth a taste? We've tested every single can on this list to let you know our honest thoughts, so let's get to it.
SHOP: The best hard seltzers UK 2023
Editor's choice
amazonAvailable from Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, choose from black cherry, raspberry, natural lime and mango. It's no wonder this drink achieved cult status. It really up there as the best of the best. Flavoursome, just. the right amount of bubbles and not too spenny; we love them. Like all the flavours? You can get the best of both worlds with the variety box.
Most unique flavours
Berczyberczydrinks.com
Berczy is a true taste of summer. They're perfect for cocktails or on their own. You can try lemon and lime, peach and raspberry (which we adore), or venture out with its brand new flavour, passionfruit and turmeric.
Best value
amazonThe fruit flavour really comes out with Mike's Hard Seltzer. Opt for black cherry, raspberry, lime or a mix of all three from Mike's. These rank high on our list for drinkability.
Best for a zingy flavour hit
amazonThe perfect pre-drink partner, DRTY's offerings are sweet, fruity and totally refreshing. Love vodka soda? Opt for the White Citrus instead. Zingy and zesty, they're like summer in a can.
Best natural fruit taste
Long Shot Drinkslongshotdrinks.co.uk
Long Shot Drinks definitely gets our award for the most natural tasting. The flavours of the fruit really come through and they have a real small-batch vibe. Delish.
Recommended
beeliverywww.beelivery.com
Topo Chico, from Coca-Cola, is so widely available it'll easily become a staple in your weekly shop. From Sainsbury's to Tesco to Ocado, this refreshing serve (without ANY of the bitter alcohol aftertaste) is exactly what you'll want on a hot day. If you ask us, it's quite the bargain, too.
Recommended
amazonRefreshing taste, cool branding and sound ethics - High Water has pretty much everything you can ask for from an end-of-the-day drink. We particularly rate the lemon and elderflower flavour and forgo the tinnie for a glass with ice and a slice.
Recommended
amazonYou might have seen Ellie Goulding promoting SERVED drinks, and that's because she co-owns it. The fruit flavours come through so well in these drinks and they're SO very moreish. The brand also uses wonky fruit in its recipes, which we love.
Recommended
Two Brookswww.twobrooks.co.uk
Two Brooks has brought its A-game to the market, with the divine Passion Star, Mango Hi-ball and Lime Cooler. These flavour combos are definitely memorable.
Can you buy White Claw in the UK?
Hell. Yeah. White Claw made its way across to the UK in June 2020. It is now available to buy from Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Amazon. Find out more below.
Where can you buy hard seltzers in the UK?
Hard seltzers have surged in popularity in recent years, with many of the big retailers getting in on the action. Here are some of the main places you can buy hard seltzers from in the UK, or you can shop on the brand's specific websites, too.
• Amazon
• Tesco
• Sainsbury's
• Morrisons
• Ocado
• Asda
• Lidl
• Aldi
• Waitrose & Partners
• Marks & Spencer
Are hard seltzers good for you, though?
To figure out whether you'd be worth reaching for a seltzer rather than a beer/cider, we called upon a professional. Here's what Jo Travers, Registered Dietician and author of The Low-Fad Diet, had to say.
"Hard seltzers are not exactly a healthy option, but there's little risk to consuming them as long as you follow the guidelines of a maximum of 14 units per week with a couple of consecutive alcohol-free days. They are easy to drink a lot of, as many of them are quite tasty, so this may be harder than it sounds. Having said that, they are a low-sugar, low-calorie alternative to spirits with full sugar mixers, ciders, and some beers.
"I'm not convinced they are better for you than wine though. Wine - especially red - has at least got some polyphenols which can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Although this benefit can be outweighed by the negatives if you drink too much!"
So there you have it, as long as you don't go absolutely bonkers and drink yourself into a stupor, you should be all good. And if in doubt, trust wine. Always trust wine.