Best Hard Seltzers for Summer

If you're over the age of 21, you've probably hadat least one cocktail that was made with seltzer or diet soda mixed with vodka. It's a staple in bars and also is a quick way to make a waistline-friendly drink.

Hard seltzer is a trend that capitalizes on this classic cocktail by making LaCroix-style Seltzer that already has vodka in it. Every can comes at about four to six percent ABV, and typically maxes out at 110 calories per serving — making it an incredibly diet-friendly choice.

Companies are capitalizing on the new interest in this low-calorie cocktail, and that means that there are now tons of new drinks that you can choose for your next party.

Whether you're on a diet, love seltzer-vodka combos, or just want to try something new, it's worth checking out the best hard seltzers for summer, winter, and beyond. These are the ones that are taking the drinking world by storm. Which would you try?

Nauti

Often cited as one of the best hard seltzers for summer beach bums that enjoy cracking open a can of flavored seltzer, Nauti is all about bringing a little sweet flavoring to a hard alcoholic kick. Flavors like Cranberry and Lime are sweet and strong but don't necessarily have sugar in them.

That being said, it's not a seltzer that packs a powerful bubble punch. So, if you're craving fizz, it's not the best pick on this list. On the other hand, people who love "mellow seltzer" will adore Nauti.

Truly Spiked & Sparkling

Unlike others on this list, Truly Spiked & Sparkling is actually produced by Sam Adams — a major brewery. This brand of hard seltzer might not have the "micro batch" cool factor, but it is still one of the best hard seltzers for summer parties that need something crisp, refreshing, and light in the cooler.

If you love the taste of actual seltzer, then you'll adore Truly Spiked & Sparkling. This isn't a very sweet seltzer, which means that you don't end up with the syrupy texture and the overly sugary hit that most other hard seltzers have.

Fans of seltzer will agree that you can't get more authentic or refreshing than this one!

White Claw

Owned by the same group that makes Mike's Hard Lemonade, White Claw hard seltzer is a choice that has a good amount of fizz, a decent amount of alcohol, and a light, juice-like taste. In many online taste tests, it ranked as one of the best hard seltzers for summer — or anytime.

Though it may be a bit sweet for some, it's definitely not cloyingly sweet or gag-worthy sweet. In fact, it tastes more like a spritz of your favorite juice, with just a hint of vodka. The tart aftertaste can be addictive, though, so make sure you get a bunch!

SpikedSeltzer

Among most liquor critics, SpikedSeltzer is both the oldest brand of hard seltzer and the best of the best hard seltzers for summer nights. Having been established in 2013, SpikedSeltzer is the first company to come up with the idea of hard seltzer, and the first one to make it popular enough to become a major trend.

To a point, SpikedSeltzer's legacy alone says volumes about how good their stuff is. It's light, flavorful, and just delicately sweet. It's been imitated, but never fully duplicated — and it sparked a huge wave of copycats with its success. If you ask many drinkers, this is one OG cocktail product that's hard to beat.

Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer

One of the other contenders for a list of the best hard seltzers for summer would have to be Smirnoff's Spiked Sparkling Water. Much like Truly Spiked & Sparkling, Smirnoff veers away from the sugary side of the flavor spectrum and works on giving off a fruity taste.

However, unlike Truly Spiked, Smirnoff's offering was just a little bit less bubbly than we would have wanted. Either way, it's incredibly refreshing and makes for a perfect choice on a hot summer day.