Boozy Seltzers are a Thing Now, So We Drank Some

It may only be March, but Spiked seltzers are poised to dominate backyard cookouts and beachside weekends as warmer weather approaches. Unlike other malt beverages such as Mike’s Hard Lemonade or Twisted Tea, spiked seltzers feature less sugar and far fewer calories, making them a “healthier” and more refreshing option. But not all seltzers are created equal. We tasted three popular brands to determine which one we’ll be stocking our coolers with this summer.
SpikedSeltzer
Flavors available: West Indies Lime, Valencia Orange, Indian River Grapefruit, Cape Cod Cranberry
ABV: 6%
Nutrition facts: 140 calories, 5g carbohydrates/sugars
Suggested retail price: $8.99 per six-pack (12 oz. cans/bottles)
Product details: SpikedSeltzer is made from natural ingredients, including purified water and cold-pressed fruit “sourced from well-known regions.” It contains no sulfites and is gluten-free.
Tasting notes: Of the three brands sampled, SpikedSeltzer was the least impressive. Only the Cape Cod Cranberry had an enjoyably balanced and pronounced flavor. The others were either too faint to appreciate (orange, grapefruit) or wholly unpleasant (lime). The flavor of the base fermented sugar lingers unpleasantly as if the fruit flavors are working to mask it rather than enhance the overall product.
Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer