Hard sodas have been growing in popularity over the past few years as a refreshing and flavored alcoholic beverage option. But what exactly is the alcohol content and type of alcohol used in hard sodas? Here is a comprehensive look at the key facts about the alcohol content of major hard soda brands.
What is Hard Soda?
Hard soda is a type of flavored malt beverage that contains alcohol. It is a carbonated soft drink combined with beer, malt liquor, or spirits. The term “hard” refers to the alcohol content. While traditional soft drinks do not contain any alcohol, hard sodas typically have an alcohol by volume (ABV) content between 5-12%.
Some of the most popular hard soda flavors include classic soda flavors like root beer, cream soda, and orange. However, hard soda comes in a wide variety of fruit and unique flavor combinations as well. The alcohol provides a kick while the flavors make it more palatable than drinking a spirit straight.
Hard sodas are pre-mixed drinks, meaning they are ready to drink straight from the can or bottle. This makes them convenient and portable. They are typically sold in grocery stores, liquor stores, bars, and other locations where beer is available.
Key Brands of Hard Soda
Here are some of the major producers of hard soda currently on the market:
- Henry’s Hard Soda
- SpikedSeltzer
- Smirnoff Ice
- Mike’s Hard Lemonade
- White Claw
- Truly
- Crook & Marker
- Nude
These brands offer a wide selection of hard soda flavors including fruit flavors like mango, grapefruit, pineapple, cherry, and more. They also offer hard soda versions of classic soda flavors like orange, root beer, cola, and lemon-lime.
Alcohol Content and Type in Major Hard Soda Brands
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the key hard soda brands and details on their alcohol content and type:
Henry’s Hard Soda
- Alcohol Content: 4.2% to 6.9% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Malt beverage
Henry’s Hard Soda contains cane sugar and natural flavors. The alcohol content ranges from 4.2% to 6.9% ABV depending on the variety. Henry’s is considered a flavored malt beverage.
SpikedSeltzer
- Alcohol Content: 6% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Malt beverage
SpikedSeltzer hard sodas contain 6% alcohol by volume. They are classified as malt beverages made from fermented cane sugar.
Smirnoff Ice
- Alcohol Content: 5% ABV in the U.S.
- Alcohol Type: Malt beverage
Smirnoff Ice has an alcohol content of 5% ABV in the United States. It is fermented from malt and classified as a flavored malt beverage.
Mike’s Hard Lemonade
- Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Malt beverage
Mike’s Hard Lemonade contains 5% alcohol by volume. It is brewed from malt and considered a flavored malt beverage.
White Claw Hard Seltzer
- Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Fermented cane sugar
White Claw is made from seltzer water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and fruit flavor. The alcohol base is fermented from cane sugar. White Claw has 5% ABV.
Truly Hard Seltzer
- Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Fermented cane sugar
Truly contains 5% alcohol by volume. It is made from fruit flavors and cane sugar alcohol that is fermented and blended with seltzer water.
Crook & Marker Spiked & Sparkling
- Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Malt beverage
Crook & Marker’s hard sodas contain 4.5% ABV. They are classified as flavored malt beverages brewed from grains.
Nude Hard Seltzer
- Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
- Alcohol Type: Fermented cane sugar
Nude Spirited Seltzer contains 5% alcohol by volume from fermented cane sugar blended with seltzer water and natural flavors.
Types of Alcohol Used in Hard Sodas
Based on the alcohol content and type details for major brands, there are two main categories of alcohol used in hard sodas:
- Malt beverages – Hard sodas like Henry’s, Smirnoff Ice, Mike’s, and Crook & Marker are malt beverages. They are brewed from fermented grains like barley malt. This gives them a beer-like quality with carbonation and flavoring added. They contain around 5% ABV on average.
- Fermented cane sugar – Brands like White Claw, Truly, and Nude use fermented cane sugar as the alcohol base. The cane sugar goes through a fermentation process to produce alcohol. It is then blended with seltzer water and natural fruit flavors. These beverages tend to be gluten-free. They also contain around 5% ABV.
So in summary, the two main alcohol sources are malted grains or fermented cane sugar. But in both cases, the alcohol content is relatively low compared to spirits or wine, typically ranging from 4-6% ABV.
Reasons for Popularity of Hard Sodas
Why have hard sodas surged in popularity in recent years? There are several driving factors behind the rise of spiked seltzers and flavored malt beverages:
- Flavors – Hard sodas come in appealing fruity and sweet flavors ranging from citrus to tropical fruits. The flavor makes them more drinkable than straight spirits or regular beer.
- Fizz – The carbonation gives hard sodas a light and refreshing feel compared to wine, cocktails, or heavier beers. The seltzer-like fizz makes them crushable and drinkable.
- Lower alcohol content – With typically 4-6% ABV, the alcohol content is higher than beer but lower than a cocktail. This makes hard sodas sessionable.
- Gluten-free options – Many hard seltzers use fermented cane sugar, making them gluten-free. This appeals to health-conscious drinkers.
- Convenience – Hard sodas come ready-to-drink in portable cans and bottles that can be taken anywhere.
- Health halo – Words like “seltzer” and “spiked” give the perception of a healthier alcoholic option than drinking a cocktail or sweet wine.
The combination of appealing flavors, moderate alcohol content, convenience, and perception of being a lighter alcoholic option has fueled the hard seltzer craze. Brands have also heavily marketed them as fun, flavorful, and refreshing.
Differences Between Hard Seltzers and Hard Sodas
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some differences between hard seltzers and hard sodas:
| Hard Seltzers | Hard Sodas |
|---|---|
| Made with fermented cane sugar as the alcohol base | Made with malt or beer as the alcohol base |
| Have a cleaner flavor profile from the seltzer | Have a more complex, soda-like flavor |
| Fruit flavor comes from natural extracts | Flavors come from both natural and artificial sources |
| Known for more subtle fruit flavors | Trademark flavors like lemonade, root beer, etc. |
| Brands include White Claw, Truly, Nude | Brands include Smirnoff Ice, Henry’s, Mike’s |
However, there is a lot of crossover between hard seltzer and soda brands. Overall, they share the same premise of providing a flavored, fizzy, alcoholic drink with moderate alcohol content.
Nutritional Profile of Hard Sodas
What are the nutritional facts and calories typically found in hard sodas?
First, hard sodas tend to be relatively low in calories compared to other mixed drinks. A standard 12 oz. serving generally ranges from 100 to 140 calories. They also tend to be lower in carbs than beer or cocktails.
Here is the nutritional profile for a sampling of popular hard soda brands (12 oz serving):
| Hard Soda Brand | Calories | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|
| White Claw | 100 | 2.5 |
| Truly | 100 | 2 |
| High Noon | 130 | 1 |
| Smirnoff Ice | 228 | 32 |
| Henry’s | 137 | 8 |
| Mike’s Lemonade | 140 | 34 |
As you can see, White Claw, Truly, and other hard seltzer brands made with fermented cane sugar tend to be lower in calories and carbs. Malt beverage hard sodas like Smirnoff Ice and Mike’s have more carbs due to the malted grains used in brewing.
Hard sodas also do not contain any fat or protein. And unless fruit juice is added, they have minimal vitamin content. So while refreshing, they should not be considered a healthy beverage choice.
Conclusion
Hard sodas offer a flavored and fizzy alcoholic beverage experience that has proven very popular with consumers in recent years. The two main alcohol sources used are brewed malt beverages or fermented cane sugar. While their alcohol content is relatively low compared to other drinks, typically 4-6% ABV, they do provide a “hard” kick.
Major hard soda brands include classics like Smirnoff Ice and Mike’s Hard Lemonade along with newer seltzer brands such as White Claw and Truly. Thanks to appealing flavors, moderation alcohol content, convenience, and perception as a lighter drink choice, hard sodas have surged in popularity.
While they make vary in their ingredients and production method, all hard sodas provide a flavored, carbonated, alcoholic beverage alternative to beer, wine, or cocktails. So the next time you reach for a refreshing flavored fizzy drink with a kick of alcohol, you can understand exactly what kind of “hard” beverage you are enjoying.