What Does Hard Seltzer Taste Like? Flavor Profile Plus More

Many beer lovers are wondering what does hard seltzer taste like, especially since most people are switching from beers to seltzers. If you’re one of them, you should consider trying this popular drink out.

Hard seltzer is a drink containing seltzer, which is carbonated water, alcohol, and a fruit flavor.

If you’re wondering what it tastes like, we will explain everything to you in this guide.

What Does Hard Seltzer Taste Like?

Hard seltzer tastes like sparkling water with a subtle alcohol boost and a particular fruity flavor. The exact taste differs from brand to brand and depends on the flavor you purchase, but generally, it is fizzy and a bit boozy, with a fruit-forward flavor punch.

– Does Hard Seltzer Taste Like Beer?

No, hard seltzers don’t taste like beer, so you won’t be mistaking one for the other anytime soon. These drinks are made with entirely different ingredients, as beer is made from grains, yeast, hops, and water.

Beer has a malty and slightly sweet/savor flavor, while alcoholic seltzers are much sweeter and fruity. The way they are made is also different, as beers are brewed while an alcoholic seltzer is more similar to mixing ingredients.

Spiked seltzers are also fizzier than beers, so expect a lot of carbonation from the former. If you’re a beer drinker, you’ll notice the differences immediately when you try out an alcoholic seltzer like White Claw, Truly or High Noon.

– How Do You Make an Alcoholic Seltzer Taste Better?

If you want to fully enjoy your alcoholic seltzer, you can make it taste better by doing a few things. For one, it’s much better to drink your alcoholic seltzer chilled. It would taste more refreshing when it’s cold.

Just like with beer, storage is essential with an alcoholic seltzer. It’s important to keep it fresh and store it in a cool and dry place. If the seltzer is already open, it will become flat if stored overnight, so it’s best to drink it once opened.

You can enhance the taste of your seltzer in different ways. There are various creative ways to improve the taste, from a splash of juice and a shot of liquor to citrus wedges or a herb spring. Simply think of mixers that you might like and add them to your drink.

Ingredients

A spiked seltzer consists of different ingredients that give it its fizzy and fruity taste.

– Carbonated Water

Carbonated water is just regular water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. It is otherwise known as club soda, soda water, fizzy water, and seltzer water. Carbonated water is used to make sodas and is the main ingredient of an alcoholic seltzer.

– Cane Sugar or Stevia

Companies that make spiked sparkling seltzers use either cane sugar or stevia. Cane sugar is widely used, but when you notice your seltzer has a slight aftertaste during a taste test, that was made with stevia.

– Alcohol

The alcohol in seltzers is usually obtained from fermenting cane sugar or rice and other gluten-free grains. This gives it a neutral alcohol flavor that does not affect the fruitiness. It can also be made with vodka, although the flavor will be noticeable. Most hard seltzers have a 5 percent ABV, similar to beers, so you can expect it to taste slightly boozy.

– Fruity Flavors

Alcoholic seltzers have different flavors made with juice, juice concentrate, or natural flavors. You can find flavors of black cherry, lime, and other fruits. If you’re drinking seltzers for the first time, it’s good to start with one flavored with your favorite fruit.

Why Is Hard Seltzer So Popular?

Alcoholic seltzer is popular because it’s marketed as a healthier and cleaner alternative to beer. Those who were worried about their health when drinking beer and those who can’t drink beer because of gluten have turned to the seltzers.

Alcoholic seltzers have low calories, carbs, alcohol content, little to no sugar, and are gluten-free. The idea of clean drinking became popular among millennials, which lead to a marketing craze on social media.

Not only this, but seltzers have been proven to be liked equally by all genders.

In studies, men loved beers, while women preferred wine. But alcoholic seltzers had a 50/50 split, making it the drink for everybody.

– White Claw vs. Truly

The difference between White Claw and Truly is that Truly has only one gram of sugar while White Claw has two. Aside from this, both brands have different flavors in their seltzers and high-alcohol options for customers to choose from.

White Claw and Truly are the top seltzers in the market as they consist of up to 75 percent of products on the shelves, with White Claw in the lead. If you decide to try an alcoholic seltzer, you’ll be presented with a White Claw or Truly, but there are many other options out there like Michelob Ultra, Topo Chico, and Bud Light seltzer.

Can Hard Seltzer Make You Drunk?

Yes, an alcoholic seltzer can make you drunk because it has alcohol inside. Like with a 5-percent ABV beer, a 12-oz can of alcoholic seltzer causes you to get drunk once you’ve had about 5 to 7 cans of it.

Also, some people think that they won’t get a hangover if they drink a seltzer. But if you drink enough alcohol, whether in a White Claw or a Bud Light, you will have to deal with the consequences in the morning, which is the hangover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know what an alcoholic seltzer tastes like, you can finally try it. We’ve put together some popularly asked questions below if you still have any questions.

– What Kind of Alcohol Is in Hard Seltzer?

The kind of alcohol in a hard seltzer is made by fermenting cane sugar or a neutral spirit. This sets the ABV at around 5 percent.

– Is Seltzer Healthier Than Beer?

Not necessarily; seltzer isn’t healthier than other alcoholic drinks, but it is suitable for those who are conscious of gluten, calories, or sugar. Nevertheless, alcoholic seltzers don’t have any calories and aren’t a good source of nutrients.

Seltzers have a low number of calories, which might contribute to your weight a bit, but it won’t be significant.

Conclusion

Alcoholic seltzer is a refreshing alternative to beer and is highly recommended for anyone who wants to try something new.

• A hard seltzer tastes like fruity sparkling water with a slight alcohol boost.
• Hard seltzers taste differently from beer since they are made from different ingredients.
• The ingredients in an alcoholic seltzer include carbonated water, alcohol, fruit, and cane sugar.
• The alcoholic seltzer tastes better when cold and can be garnished with other mixers.
• You can get drunk and hungover from an alcoholic seltzer.

Once you taste your first alcoholic seltzer, you will also find out for yourself why the drink has become so popular.