9 Best Low-Calorie Hard Seltzers for a Healthier Happy Hour
No matter the season, there's always a good reason to enjoy a refreshing low-calorie hard seltzer—whether it's for a rooftop happy hour, a backyard BBQ, or a relaxing day by the pool. But if you're looking to keep your calorie count in check, finding the right hard seltzer doesn't have to be a challenge. We've put together some tips and rounded up 10 low-calorie options you'll want to stock your cooler with all year long.
A great habit is to always check the ingredients label, paying attention to calorie, sugar, carb, and alcohol content. "Alcohol content matters because alcohol makes you hungrier while also lowering inhibitions, so you're more likely to overeat later," explain The Nutrition Twins®, Tammy Lakatos Shames, RD, CDN, CFT, and Lyssie Lakatos, RD, CDN, CFT, members of our Medical Expert Board. "If a hard seltzer is gluten-free, it can be a plus as well, as people who are gluten sensitive and don't know it may experience bloating or gas after drinking hard seltzers that contain gluten."
Ideally, choosing a hard seltzer with 100 calories or less is key. However, keep in mind that if you treat yourself to more than one, those calories can quickly add up.
Here are some excellent low-calorie hard seltzers to try anytime you need a light, refreshing beverage.
Spindrift Spiked
Calories: 84-98
Carbs: 2-5 g
Sugar: 1-4 g
ABV: 4%
Calling all Spindrift fans! Stay true to your favorite brand by sipping Spindrift Spiked when you crave a low-calorie hard seltzer.
Spindrift's Assorted Spiked Staycation Pack comes complete with four tasty flavors, including pineapple, mango, lime, and strawberry lemonade, that range between 84 to 95 calories and 0 to 3 grams of sugar per can. In addition, Spindrift's Assorted Spiked Paradise Pack will transport you to the tropics with flavors like blood orange tangerine, passion orange guava, grapefruit, and lemon, ranging in calories from 84 to 98 and 0 to 4 grams of sugar.
White Claw
Calories: 100
Carbs: 2 g
Sugar: 2 g
ABV: 5%
Lisa Young, Ph.D., RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, nutritionist in private practice, and member of our Medical Expert Board, recommends White Claw, which weighs in at 100 calories per can. It contains 2 grams of carbs and 2 grams of sugar. Some of the brand's refreshing flavors include black cherry, raspberry, natural lime, and ruby grapefruit.
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer
Calories: 100
Carbs: 2 g
Sugar: 2 g
ABV: 4.7%
Topo Chico's standard hard seltzer is a malt liquor with additional minerals and draws inspiration from Topo Chico® Mineral Water. Each can contains 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar. The brand's spiked variety pack includes strawberry guava, oasis cherry, tangy lemon-lime, and tropical mango.
High Noon Hard Seltzer
Calories: 100
Carbs: 4 g
Sugar: 2.6 g
ABV: 4.5%
High Noon's Hard Seltzer is gluten-free, made with real fruit juice, and has 100 calories and 2.6 grams of sugar in a can. The brand's tequila seltzer variety pack, for instance, is a great option to pack away for a weekend at the lake or enjoy when you host friends for a backyard shindig. The pack's flavors include strawberry, lime, grapefruit, and passionfruit; however, there are a bunch of variety packs and refreshing flavors to choose from.
Smirnoff Sparkling Seltzer
Calories: 90
Sugar: 0 g
ABV: 4.5%
With no sugar and 90 calories a pop, Smirnoff's seltzer is the ultimate addition to any beach or pool day situation—and it's the ideal choice for lemonade lovers. Consider your spiked seltzer needs met this sizzling season with pink, peach, pineapple, and blue raspberry lemonade flavors.
FICKS Hard Seltzer
Calories: 100
Sugar: 0 g
ABV: 5%
FICKS Mango Hard Seltzer uses real, fresh mango and lime juices to achieve its delicious flavor. It is 100 calories a can and doesn't have any added sugar. Other hard seltzer flavors from FICKS include cranberry, blackberry, and grapefruit—all of which are concocted with real fruit for a "farm-to-fizz" taste.
San Juan Seltzer
Calories: 85
Carbs: 0 g
Sugar: 0 g
ABV: 4.5%
Many hard seltzers contain around 100 calories in addition to extra carbs and sugar. However, San Juan Seltzer is just 85 calories per can and has absolutely no carbs or sugar.
The Nutrition Twins tell us, "The alcohol content is a little lower than other seltzers (4.2% [in their "original" cans] vs. 4.5-5% in other hard seltzers). Raspberry-Cran, Huckleberry, Fuji Apple, and Rainier Cherry all have this weight-loss nutrient profile (the same calories, carbs, sugar, and alcohol content)."
Barefoot Hard Seltzer
Calories: 70
Sugar: 2 g
ABV: 4%
Wine lovers should check out Barefoot's Hard Seltzer at a cool 70 calories per can. This wine-based seltzer contains 2 grams of sugar.
"We like that they're gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them," The Nutrition Twins point out. "The pineapple and passion fruit, cherry and cranberry, peach and nectarine, and strawberry and guava all fit into the weight-loss nutrient profile."
Pabst Blue Ribbon High Seltzer
Calories: 25
Sugar: 4 g
ABV: 0%
THC: 10 mg
At only 25 calories per can, Pabst Blue Ribbon High Seltzer may be the most appreciated guest at the party. For those who want to avoid alcohol altogether but still want a "buzz" from THC, this may be the choice for you. Each can contains 4 grams of sugar and 10 milligrams of THC.
"The flavors include simple ingredients like lemon, kiwi, strawberry, and other juice concentrates, depending on the flavor, as well as water, sugar, cannabis extract, and natural flavors," The Nutrition Twins share.