The best hard seltzer brands and where to buy them in the UK

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

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.