The Complete Guide to White Claw Vodka Soda Trend | Flavors, Nutrition & More

What is White Claw Vodka Soda?

White Claw is a leading brand of hard seltzer - carbonated water with alcohol and natural flavors. It emerged in 2016 and quickly became the top-selling hard seltzer in America by 2019.

The "vodka soda" refers to the drink's combination of seltzer water and alcohol. But unlike a vodka soda made with vodka and soda water, White Claw's alcohol source is a malt base rather than distilled spirits.

White Claw offers different flavored vodka soda drinks with 100 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates per 12oz can. Flavors include Black Cherry, Ruby Grapefruit, Natural Lime, Raspberry, Mango, Lemon, Tangerine, Watermelon and Pure Hard Seltzer (unflavored).

Nutrition Facts

Here are the nutrition facts for a 12oz can of White Claw vodka soda:

• 100 calories
• 2g carbs
• 0g protein
• 0g fat
• 0g sugar
• 5% ABV alcohol

The low calorie and carb count is a big part of White Claw's appeal for health-conscious drinkers. It offers a lighter alternative compared to beers, ciders, wines, and cocktails made with sugary mixers.

White Claw Ingredients

So what's actually in White Claw that gives it that vodka soda vibe? Here's a quick look at the key ingredients:

Carbonated Water

Just like regular seltzer water, White Claw starts with bubbly carbonated water for its signature fizz.

Alcohol Base

White Claw uses a fermented alcohol base made from sugars derived from malted barley. This provides the alcoholic kick (5% ABV) without using distilled spirits.

Flavors

Each variety of White Claw gets its unique taste from additional flavorings. These natural flavors use fruit essences to mimic the tastes of black cherry, lime, mango, and other fruit options.

Sweeteners

To balance the tart seltzer base, White Claw adds sweeteners like sugar and stevia leaf extract. This improves the flavor profile without adding too many carbs or calories.

That's essentially it - a straightforward mix of seltzer water, alcohol base, flavors, and sweetener. White Claw avoids artificial ingredients or additives, resulting in those impressive low-cal nutrition facts.

White Claw Vodka Soda vs. Traditional Alcoholic Drinks

One reason White Claw has surged in popularity is it offers a lighter alcoholic drink compared to traditional options. Here's how White Claw stacks up nutritionally against other alcoholic beverages:

Beer

The average 12oz beer has around 150 calories and 15g carbs, coming mostly from the malted barley and other grains used in brewing. So White Claw has significantly fewer calories and carbs than a typical beer.

Wine

A 5oz glass of wine averages around 120 calories and 5g carbs. White Claw again fares better calorie-wise, with about 30% fewer calories than wine.

Cocktails

Cocktails and mixed drinks vary greatly in nutritional content. But those made with sugary mixers like juices, soda or syrups can rack up 200-300 calories per serving easily. White Claw only has 100 calories, putting it at less than half the calories of a sweet mixed drink.

Vodka Soda

Order a vodka soda at a bar and you'll get vodka mixed with regular seltzer water. This typically comes in around 100-120 calories. So White Claw offers a similar nutritional profile to an actual vodka soda in terms of calories, but is lower in alcohol at 5% vs. 40% ABV for a vodka spirit.

In all cases, White Claw offers a lighter lower-calorie alcoholic option compared to beer, wine, cocktails and high-proof spirits.

Is White Claw Keto and Gluten-Free?

With its low carb and calorie count, White Claw is appealing for diets like:

Keto

The keto diet emphasizes low carbs and high fat. With just 2g net carbs, White Claw can readily fit into a keto eating plan.

Gluten-free

White Claw is also labeled as gluten-free, which is important for anyone avoiding gluten for medical reasons or as a lifestyle choice.

So White Claw can be an on-diet drink option for both the keto and gluten-free lifestyles.

Is White Claw Healthy?

White Claw has benefitted from perceptions that's it's a healthier alcoholic beverage choice. But is it actually healthy?

There are a few considerations on White Claw's health impacts.

Low Calories

White Claw only has 100 calories per can, which is a lower calorie alcoholic option compared to most beers, wines and mixed drinks. This makes it easier to avoid excess calorie intake when drinking.

Low Carbs

The 2g carbs per can is also on the lower end for alcoholic drinks. This reduces impacts on blood sugar levels.

Gluten-Free

The gluten-free formulation makes White Claw safe for anyone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Alcohol Content

However, White Claw still contains alcohol, which carries health risks when consumed. The CDC warns there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

So while White Claw mitigates some of alcohol's negatives with its lower calories, carbs and gluten-free status, its alcohol content remains a health consideration.

Are There Any Benefits to Drinking White Claw?

Given its alcohol content, White Claw should not be viewed as a health drink. But its nutritional profile does have some advantages relative to other alcoholic beverages:

Fewer "Beer Bellies"

The high calorie and carb content in beer is often associated with increased abdominal fat, aka the beer belly. White Claw's low calorie and carb profile helps avoid overconsuming these components tied to fat gain.

Less Impact on Blood Sugar

With only 2g carbs, White Claw has a negligible effect on blood glucose levels. This makes it an favorable alcoholic choice for people with diabetes or metabolic concerns compared to sugary cocktails or carb-heavy beer.

Hydration

Some research suggests alcoholic seltzers like White Claw may support hydration better than higher alcohol drinks. So White Claw could rehydrate slightly better than wine or spirits.

Overall though, any health benefits are marginal at best due to the alcoholic content. White Claw is better viewed as a less bad option compared to other alcoholic drinks rather than a health drink.

White Claw Flavors

One reason for White Claws popularity is the variety of flavor options available. The different fruit flavors give drinkers choices beyond the standard lime or berry seltzer flavors. Heres an overview of the different White Claw flavors you can try:

Black Cherry

Sweet black cherry flavor made with cherry essence. One of the brand's most popular flavors.

Ruby Grapefruit

A bit of tart grapefruit taste. More bitter than sweet grapefruit flavor.

Natural Lime

Bright, crisp lime flavor. Very refreshing and lighter tasting than the black cherry.

Raspberry

Delivers a sweet raspberry flavor with nice tanginess. A bit richer than the lighter lime.

Mango

Bright tropical mango flavor. One of the newer White Claw flavors.

Lemon

Tart lemon taste that drinks like a lemon-lime soda. Zesty citrus flavor.

Tangerine

Another citrus option with sweeter tangerine overtones. Warmer flavor than the lemon.

Watermelon

Sweet watermelon essence gives this a candy-like flavor. One of the newest White Claw offerings.

Pure Hard Seltzer

This unflavored White Claw lets you enjoy just the hard seltzer on its own. Crisp and refreshing.

Having a spectrum of fruit flavor choices, from tart grapefruit to sweet watermelon, gives drinkers variety to suit any taste or occasion. Its easy to see why White Claw enthusiasts want to try every flavor.

Best White Claw Drink Recipes

While perfectly tasty on their own, White Claw flavors also work well as the base for a variety of drink recipes. Here are some refreshing White Claw cocktails to mix up:

White Claw Slushy

Blend White Claw with ice and frozen fruit for an easy adult slushy. Mango or black cherry work particularly well here.

White Claw Spritzer

Top off a White Claw with some sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for a light, fizzy spritzer.

White Claw Margarita

Rim a glass with salt, fill with lime White Claw and add a splash of triple sec for a ready-to-go marg.

White Claw Sangria

Stir together White Claw, fruit slices and juice like orange or pineapple for sangria with less wine calories.

White Claw Float

Pour black cherry or raspberry White Claw over vanilla ice cream for a boozy float.

Endless combinations are possible for creating cocktails with White Claw as the base. Part of the fun is experimenting with different flavor mixes.

Where to Buy White Claw

As White Claw's popularity has grown, its availability has increased. Here are some of the main places you can now find White Claw stocked:

Grocery Stores

Major grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, etc. now carry White Claw flavored seltzers. Look in the beer, wine and liquor section.

Convenience Stores

7-11, Wawa and other convenience stores now sell White Claw as a grab-and-go option. Youll find it chilling in the refrigerated cases.

Liquor Stores

Check your local liquor store as many now dedicate shelf space to the popular hard seltzer. This gives the biggest flavor selection.

Online

Drizly, Instacart, and other alcohol delivery services let you order White Claw online. Have it conveniently shipped right to your door.

The widespread availability makes it easier than ever to get your White Claw fix.

Is White Claw Worth the Hype?

Theres no denying White Claw has taken the alcoholic beverage world by storm. But is it worth all the hype?

Pros

• Lower in calories and carbs than most beers, wines and cocktails
• Range of flavors from tart to sweet
• Gluten-free
• Fizzy, light and refreshing
• Easy drinking and approachable taste

Cons

• Still contains alcohol
• Can be pricey compared to beer
• Some find the flavors overly artificial
• Not actually vodka despite the name

There are valid pros and cons. For many, White Claws refreshing flavor, lighter calories, and gluten-free appeal make it a go-to drink choice. But it may not suit all tastes, and overconsumption can still lead to negative alcohol effects. Ultimately it comes down to drinking responsibly in moderation.

FAQs

Does White Claw actually have vodka in it?

No. Despite the name, White Claw is not made with vodka. It uses a fermented malt base, not distilled spirits. This allows for lower alcohol content than vodka.

Is White Claw high in sugar?

White Claw only has 1g of sugar per can, which is very low for an alcoholic beverage. It uses sugar and stevia leaf extract to provide light sweetness without added sugars.

Can you get drunk on White Claw?

Yes, White Claw can get you drunk just like any alcoholic drink. It contains 5% alcohol by volume, so drinking excessively could lead to intoxication and its associated risks.

Is White Claw alcoholic kombucha?

No. While often compared, White Claw is not actually kombucha. Its made by fermenting malted barley while kombucha is fermented tea.

Is White Claw bad for you?

Like all alcoholic drinks, White Claw is not healthy and poses risks with overconsumption. But its lower in calories and carbs than many alcoholic options. Drinking in moderation can help mitigate negative impacts.

The popularity of White Claw vodka soda shows no signs of slowing down. With its light and refreshing taste profile, keeping White Claw stocked can be a go-to for any gathering. Just be sure to sip smart.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.