Over the past ten years, a surge of new canned drinks have emerged in the U.S., earning a dedicated following. Of these, hard seltzer-a mix of carbonated water, alcohol, and typically a fruity flavor-has risen to become a popular choice for its refreshing taste, gluten-free ingredients, and often lower calorie count compared to beer and wine.

However, deciding on a brand to stick with can be challenging due to the overwhelming number of options. This led us to conduct a taste test of 11 popular hard seltzer brands to see which ones truly stand out.

Defining hard seltzer is also a challenge, as it often overlaps with canned cocktails. Generally, hard seltzers have a base of carbonated water, with alcohol from fermented cane sugar or malted barley, while canned cocktails usually include distilled spirits such as vodka, tequila, or rum. The alcohol content of hard seltzers usually falls between 4–6% ABV, less than the 5–12% ABV seen in canned cocktails.

For our taste test, we researched the top 15 hard seltzer brands in the U.S. and selected a flagship flavor from each. We paired established big names with a few rising stars, such as Spindrift Spiked Sparkling Water, Lunar Hard Seltzer, and Lone River Ranch Water.

Our editors tasted the hard seltzers blind, with each can poured into a clear plastic cup and handed to them randomly. We rated each drink on mouthfeel and flavor, as well as giving an overall impression. Each category received a score from one to five, and the scores were averaged to find the top-ranked hard seltzers. The following three brands stood out.

Spindrift, known for using real fruit juice in their products, launched their hard seltzer line in 2021. Although not as well-known as some brands, we found its Real Squeezed Lemon flavor, with its bright, fresh, and slightly tart taste, to be the best hard seltzer on the market. However, some found it too sour, and its 4% ABV alcohol content, lower than other brands, was barely discernible.

High Noon’s grapefruit flavor was easily recognizable, reminiscent of sour grapefruit gummies and placed fruit flavor at the forefront. Although its fruitiness appeals to some, others found its artificial taste off-putting.

White Claw’s Black Cherry hard seltzer remains the top choice within the most popular hard seltzer brand and it's clear why. Despite its artificial black cherry taste, it successfully masks the taste of low-quality alcohol. As Dylan Garret, our editorial director, described it, “It’s the ‘Provence rosé’ of hard seltzer.”

In conclusion, while personal preferences vary greatly, Spindrift’s Real Squeezed Lemon flavor emerged the winner of our hard seltzer taste test, with High Noon’s Grapefruit and White Claw’s Black Cherry flavor following close behind.