11 hard seltzers you can buy in the UK
Few trends in the drinks industry have been as interesting to watch as hard seltzer.
White Claw Hard Seltzer Natural Lime (PRNewsFoto/White Claw Hard Seltzer)
Since 2016, rejuvenated and healthier-sounding versions of alcopops (remember those?) have flown off the shelves in the US, and now, brands are trying to capitalise on the UK market.
There is plenty of optimism about the category’s continued growth. Over the next five years, IWSR predicts that hard seltzers will likely witness the highest growth rate within the UK’s ready-to-drink category, with a forecast volume compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 71.7% from 2019 to 2024.
We’ve taken a look at a handful of the new brands hoping to gain a share of the market in the UK this year, from those made by powerful wine and spirits groups, to small-batch producers who have left jobs in the financial sector to make hard seltzer their first startup venture.
Smirnoff Seltzer
Flavours: Orange & Grapefruit, Raspberry & Rhubarb
ABV: 4.7%
Calories per can: 72
Can size: 250ml
Price: £1.80
Available from off-trade outlets in the UK from June, Smirnoff Seltzers are a mix of Smirnoff No.21 Premium Vodka, sparkling water and natural fruit flavours.
Sarah Shimmons, global marketing director for Smirnoff, said: “Smirnoff has a long legacy of innovation, so we’re thrilled to bring the new range of seltzers to the UK.
Island Bay
Flavours: Strawberry, Watermelon and Mango
ABV: 5%
Calories per can: 70
Can size: 250ml
Price: £2.25
Island Bay’s founder, Mudassar Aziz, said: “we aim to be a key player in the hard seltzer category being available in leading retailers, independent stores and available to purchase online”.
Clean & Press
Flavours: Crushed Black Cherry, Crushed Mango and White Peach, Cactus and Lime, and Kiwi and Passionfruit.
ABV: 5%
Calories per can: 90
Can size: 330ml
Price: £25.95 for a pack
Scottish craft beer giant Brewdog has also tapped into the fast-growing hard seltzer category with its own brand called Clean & Press.
Called Clean & Press, the seltzers have been made with LoneWolf craft vodka, produced by Brewdog’s spirits arm, Brewdog Distilling Co., in Aberdeenshire. It is then infused with natural flavours to create a light drink with 5% ABV and 95 calories per 330ml can. Two six-packs sell for on Brewdog’s own website.
58 Gin Hard Seltzer
Flavours: Raspberry, Pink Grapefruit
ABV: 4%
Calories per can: 67
Can size: 250ml
Price: £2.20
58 Gin Hard Seltzer is made by reverse osmosis and using the distillery’s 58 London Dry Gin and “all-natural” ingredients. Each 250ml can (4% ABV) contains no sugar and fewer than 67 calories.
“The cut from the heart of the gin gives the hard seltzer a smoother and lighter taste than the more commonly used grain spirits and fortified wines,” said Carmen O’Neal, managing director of 58 Gin.
Two Brooks
Flavours: Mango, Passionfruit, Lime
Calories per can: 80
Can size: 250ml
Price: £2.50 per can
ABV: 4%
Two Brooks, launched by siblings Fabio (28) and Francesca (25) Bruni, wants to become a “household name” in the UK.
Produced at a facility in Leicester, it uses 100% British ingredients, with its base alcohol made from apples.
The pair were inspired to launch the venture while observing the success of the hard seltzer movement in the US during their travels.
However, Francesca Bruni said it was important to adapt the product to the UK market, which she cited as a key reason behind the use of the phrase ‘alcoholic sparkling water’ rather than ‘hard seltzer’ on the cans.
Two Brooks alcoholic sparkling waters are available to purchase from the company’s website.
Mike’s Hard Seltzer
Flavours: Lime, Lemon and Black Cherry.
ABV: 5%
Calories per can: 100
Can size: 330ml
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Price: £1.99
Known as Mike’s Hard Sparkling Water, the brand has changed its name to Mike’s Hard Seltzer for the UK market based on consumer feedback. It first entered Britain last October, and went on sale at Tesco and Morrisons stores nationwide on 25 May.
The brand is the brainchild of ZX Ventures, AB InBev’s global innovation group.
White Claw
Flavours: Black Cherry, Mango, Natural Lime (available in the UK)
ABV: 4.5%
Calories per can: 95
Can size: 330ml
Price: £2.50
The drink that launched a thousand imitations, White Claw, founded by Okanagan winery owner Mark Anthony von Mandl, is made with sparkling water, triple distilled spirit and natural fruit flavouring.
Mark Anthony Brands International, White Claw’s parent company, will distribute the seltzer in the UK.
Davin Nugent, CEO of Mark Anthony Brands International, said: “we are delighted to launch White Claw Hard Seltzer in the UK, the brand’s first market outside of North America.
“Making the decision to come here was an easy one, as consumers familiar with the brand in America have made sure to have their voices heard on our social media channels; demanding we bring White Claw to these shores.
“UK retailers have also been hugely supportive of our plans as we seek to lead the development of an entirely new category in alcohol beverage, just as we have done in the US.”
Barefoot
Flavours: Pineapple and passion fruit, and strawberry and guava.
ABV: 4%
Calories per can: 70
Can size: 250ml
Price: £1.80
California wine giant Barefoot has launched its range of white wine-based hard seltzers in the UK, which are currently available in Tesco for £1.80 per can.
Served Seltzer
Flavours: Raspberry, lime
ABV: 4%
Calories per can: 57
Can size: 250ml
Price: £2.50
At the premium end of the category is Served, founded by brothers Dean and Ryan Ginsberg, who swapped the restaurant business for a drinks start-up.
The base spirit used in the seltzers is four-times distilled from responsibly sourced beet in France, while the wonky raspberries hail from small farms in Scotland’s Strathmore Valley. The end result is the lightest seltzer on our list at 57 calories per 250ml.
The setlzers will go on sale at Selfridges on 22 July priced at £2.50 per can; £10 per four-pack and £27 a dozen – 5% of profits will go towards saving critically endangered species around the world.
Chase Hard Seltzer
Flavours: Seville Orange, Pink Grapefruit, and London Dry & Lemon
ABV: 5%
Calories per can: 89
Can size: 250ml
Price: a pack of three costs £7.50, a 12-pack will set you back £30
Premium vodka maker Chase is also getting in on the act.
Distillery director James Chase decided to develop the range after seeing how popular hard seltzers were while living in the US then clocking the wellness boom back in the UK.
“Consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious, and for those seeking a low-calorie alternative to wine, beer and cider, chase’s Gin Seltzers are ideal,” he said.
“The range is designed for those active, on-the-go individuals that want to enjoy a drink without compromising their healthy lifestyle.”
Balans
Flavours: Mandarin, Lime
ABV: 4%
Calories per can: 60
Can size: 250ml
Price: £1.70 per can, or 4 for £5.00.
Cider brand Kopparberg launched an “alcohol-infused sparkling water” brand in the UK’s retail sector last year to capitalise on the growth of low-sugar drinks.
The RTD cans went on sale in ASDA for a 12 week trial period from 7 February 2019, and were made available in Tesco stores from 1 April.
A big deciding factor on these cans for me are the size. 25 cl seems too small since this is competing with the like of beer. Mikes hard seltzer in the 33 cl makes it an auto winner for me. Is it possible to add the sizes of these cans to the article?
Hi Taylor, that’s a very good point. Canned wines & RTDs tend to come in similar 25cl formats, but you’re right that hard seltzers are targeting would-be lager drinkers. I’ve added the sizes now.
Best,
Edith
Thanks for the summary and adding can sizes! I’ve tried a few of them now (also a new one that launched called Fountain hard seltzer which is not on your list. It’s from New Yow and apparently their cans are a bit bigger than ours). Anyway, it’s amazing how different they all are – some have wines added, some vodka or gin and some made in the same way as beer. Definitely an interesting space as i quite like having an alternative to beer!
I second Fountain hard seltzers – beer size cans and tasty!