Inside White Claw and Other Hard Seltzers
White Claw has taken the alcohol industry by storm, pioneering the hard seltzer craze with its fruit-flavored, bubbly, low-calorie drinks. But what exactly is the secret behind these hugely popular spiked seltzers? Here's a deep dive into the key ingredients and alcohol used in White Claw and other leading hard seltzer brands.
The Rise of Hard Seltzers
Over the last few years, ready-to-drink hard seltzers like White Claw, Truly, and Bon & Viv have disrupted the alcohol industry. Sales skyrocketed over 500% from 2018 to 2019, overtaking big beer brands. Customers, especially health-conscious millennials, are drawn to seltzers' low sugar, carbs, and calories compared to beer, wine, and cocktails.
White Claw dominates the market with over 50% share, offering crowd-pleasing flavors like black cherry, mango, and lime. Competition is fierce as beer companies pump out their own seltzer varieties to tap this lucrative new segment.
But what exactly accounts for hard seltzers' winning formula? Let's unzip a can of White Claw to find out.
The Base: Sparkling Water
The foundation of any hard seltzer is carbonated water. Plain seltzer provides the bubbly, fizzy texture that's the hallmark of these drinks. White Claw specifically uses a highly filtered purified water for a clean, crisp base.
The seltzer is then infused with CO2 to give it effervescence. This carbonation also provides a slight bite to balance the sweetness of added fruit flavors.
The Alcohol: Malt Brewed Spirits
Here's where the "hard" comes in. Hard seltzers get their alcohol from fermented malted barley or another grain. But unlike beer, the malt base isn't brewed into a full-fledged beer.
Instead, the fermented malt gets distilled into a clear, vodka-like alcohol base called a malt brewed spirit. This provides alcohol content without added sugars, carbs, or heaviness.
White Claw uses a proprietary malt brewed spirit with an alcohol content around 5% ABV. This keeps calories low at around 100 per can. The alcohol base provides a light buzz without overwhelming the delicate seltzer flavors.
The Flavors: Fruit Essences and Natural Ingredients
Fruit flavor is arguably the most important ingredient in hard seltzers’ success. Brands like White Claw use a blend of fruit essences and juices to achieve bold, authentic flavor in every sip.
White Claw's flavor team sources fruit purees and juices then perfects the profiles. Each essence captures the complexity of fresh fruit, from juicy mango to zesty lime.
Only natural flavors are used, avoiding artificial or chemical additives. A touch of pure cane sugar brings out fruitiness. White Claw contains only 1 gram of sugar per can, keeping the flavors crisp.
Bonus Ingredients: Electrolytes and Vitamins
Some hard seltzer brands enhance their drinks by adding supplemental ingredients like electrolytes and vitamins. For example, White Claw's new Iced Tea Hard Seltzer line contains an extra boost of electrolytes from potassium and magnesium.
This helps replace electrolytes lost from alcohol consumption, preventing dehydration. It also provides the satisfying replenishment you'd get from a sports drink.
Some seltzers also add B vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants. While these extras aren't necessary, they can help minimize alcohol's impact on the body.
Popular Hard Seltzer Brands
White Claw pioneered the hard seltzer movement, but many other brands have followed suit. Here's how some of the top seltzer competitors compare:
Truly
Truly was one of the first seltzer brands giving White Claw a run for its money. It's made by Boston Beer Company, the producer of Samuel Adams beers. Truly has a similar calories, carbs, and alcohol profile to White Claw with popular flavors like lemonade, wild berry, and pineapple.
Bon & Viv
Owned by Anheuser-Busch, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer features unique flavors like prickly pear and cranberry lime. It's also made with cane sugar and natural fruit essences for only 1 gram of sugar and 2 carbs per serving.
Nauti
This newer seltzer brand combines fruit flavors with coconut water for added electrolytes. Nauti also contains antioxidants and amino acids to support active lifestyles. Flavors like pineapple mango and grapefruit mimic Pina Coladas and Palomas.
High Noon
High Noon differentiates itself by using real vodka and fruit juices for a bolder alcohol kick and fuller texture. With 4.5% ABV and under 100 calories, it provides a happy medium between hard seltzers and cocktails.
Bud Light Seltzer
Bud Light entered the hard seltzer segment in early 2020 with classic flavors like lemon lime and strawberry. Made from cane sugar and natural fruit flavor, Bud Light Seltzer echoes top brands' recipes resulting in low calories and carbs.
Hard Seltzer Nutrition Facts
One of the biggest appeals of hard seltzers is their low calorie, carb, and sugar content compared to other alcohol sources. Here are the nutrition basics:
- Calories: Around 100 calories per 12oz can
- Carbs: 1-2 grams per can
- Sugar: 1-2 grams per can
- Alcohol content: 4-6% ABV
This contrasts with around 150 calories and 15 grams of carbs in a 12oz beer. Cocktails and wine contain 100-300 calories depending on alcohol content and added mixers.
While no alcohol is healthy, hard seltzers provide a lighter option. As always moderation and hydration are key.
The Bottom Line
Hard seltzers like White Claw provide the perfect storm of fizzy carbonation, fruit-forward flavors, and just enough booze. While malt-brewed spirits give them their kick, natural flavors and low carbs/calories make them crushable and fun.
These spiked sparkling waters have become a staple drink option. Though no alcohol is truly healthy, hard seltzers let health-minded folks imbibe without derailing their goals. Just be sure to drink responsibly and in moderation.
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.
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