When the weather warms up, we start hunting for our new favorite summer drink. The ideal libation is crisp, refreshing, and won’t destroy our fitness goals. Unfortunately, beer is a calorie-laden trap, albeit a pleasant one. Thankfully, there are a growing number of lighter options, including spiked seltzer. 

What makes spiked seltzer unique from beer or wine coolers? It’s made with just a few essential ingredients: fermented sugar, fruit, and sparkling water. You can find an appealing range of choices in our stores, from traditional seltzer water flavors like cranberry or lime, to more modern interpretations, like rosé and prickly pear. While there are lots of reasons to stock up on hard seltzer this summer, here are four reasons we love this on-trend beverage. 

1. Spiked Seltzer has Fewer Calories and Less Sugar 

Today, people are turning away from sugary drinks and looking for healthier options. Spiked seltzer contains less sugar per serving than most beer, wine coolers, and other premixed drink options. During the fermentation process, most of the beverage’s sugar converts into neutral alcohol.  

On average, seltzers contain 100 calories per can or less. Beer, especially craft beer, can have up to 400 calories per serving. And at 4-5% ABV, depending on the brand, hard seltzer goes head-to-head with a light beer in terms of alcohol content, but may have fewer calories. 

Studies also suggest that our bodies process sugary drinks and foods differently than their low-sugar counterparts. Both sugar and alcohol are dehydrating, and large amounts of sugar and alcohol may also overwhelm your liver. It’s no surprise that many people feel lousy the morning after they drink a lot of sugary mixed drinks.     

Whether you’re looking for a low-sugar option or want to avoid a sugar-induced hangover, hard seltzer is a good option. We also encourage everyone to drink responsibly.  

For a hard seltzer option that’s low in sugar, try Smirnoff Seltzer in Berry Lemonade — 90 calories and zero grams of sugar! 

2. Many Spiked Seltzers are Gluten-Free 

Many stores group spiked seltzer with light beers because they’re low in calories. However, light beer and hard seltzer are very different. The alcohol in beer comes from fermented barley and other grains. In spiked seltzer, the alcohol comes from fermented sugar. This produces clean, neutral alcohol that is often gluten-free. While hard seltzers are not universally certified gluten-free, the brands offer tasty, refreshing options for the gluten-free crowds other than sugary ciders!  

All of Bon & Viv’s spiked seltzers are certified gluten-free — we like Pear Elderflower. 

3. Hard Seltzer is a Great Mixer 

We love spiked seltzer as a mixer. Not only does spiked seltzer’s low sugar content make it ideal for health-conscious summer mixed drinks, but it’s a versatile choice for other reasons. Hard seltzer adds depth and complexity to straightforward drinks like vodka soda and tequila soda, and an extra kick of flavor to classics like sangria. Hard seltzer also holds its fruit flavors when mixed, compared to traditionally flavored seltzer, which tends to fade into the background when added to a summery punch. 

We like to mix all manner of summer drinks with Truly Colima Lime Spiked Seltzer.  

4. You Can Take Spiked Seltzer (Almost) Anywhere  

Spiked seltzer is a portable, pre-mixed option that makes it ideal for your summer get-togethers. With canned or bottled seltzer, you don’t have to mix drinks or worry about proportions. They’re also easy to pack in your cooler or backpack. (Although you should always follow your community’s open container rules.) 

Our favorite on-the-go option is White Claw’s Black Cherry hard seltzer.  

On Sale This Week in Our Store: Budweiser   

We love a good hard seltzer, but we haven’t forgotten about the die-hard beer lover. Stop by one of our stores to try a spiked seltzer, and while you’re at it, grab a pack of Budweiser, on sale this week.