Hard seltzers are the hottest new trend in alcoholic beverages around the world. But what is it exactly? And what are the best Swiss hard seltzers to discover?
What is a hard seltzer?
A hard seltzer is a sparkling drink made with carbonated water, alcohol and natural fruit flavors. It generally contains between 4 and 6% alcohol, little or no sugar, and few calories. It is therefore a light and refreshing alternative to beers, wines or cocktails.
Hard seltzer was born in the United States in the 2010s, where it was a huge success with consumers concerned about their health and well-being. The global hard seltzer market is expected to reach $14.5 billion by 2027.
In Europe, hard seltzer is starting to make a name for itself, particularly in the United Kingdom, Germany and France. And in Switzerland? The country of chocolate and cheese is not to be outdone! Several brands of Swiss hard seltzers have emerged in 2020, benefiting from the boom in the category and the growing demand from Swiss consumers.
What are the brands of Swiss hard seltzers?
In Switzerland, there are currently still fears of brands of hard seltzers produced on the territory. They are distinguished by their origin, their composition, their taste or their design. Here is a non-exhaustive selection of Swiss hard seltzers to test:
- Sundays Hard Seltzer : This is the first premium hard seltzer launched in Switzerland, by an independent start-up based in Zurich. It stands out for its five original flavors (pink grapefruit, lime-ginger, raspberry-lemongrass, pineapple-coconut and black cherry), its 5% alcohol content, its absence of sugar and its use of natural fruit extracts. . It is made and produced in Switzerland from fermented alcohol (not distilled).
- YEAAH : it is the most awarded Swiss hard seltzer, having won several gold medals at the World Beer Award 2020. It is characterized by its natural and refreshing taste, its alcohol content of 4.5%, zero sugar and 86 calories per can. It is made in Switzerland from natural mineral water and distilled alcohol.
- Nylo Hard Seltzer : it is a vegan and gluten-free hard seltzer, which focuses on simplicity and transparency. It offers three classic flavors (lime, peach and raspberry), a 4% alcohol content, zero sugar and 80 calories per can. It is produced in Switzerland from natural mineral water and distilled alcohol
- OKIPIC: in the family of fermented drinks, the youngest from Dr. Gab's has the sweet name of Hard Seltzer , literally "carbonated alcoholic water"! Fresh, fruity, gluten-free and with a refreshing power inversely proportional to its sugar content
Many imported brands
A few Swiss brands but many foreigners on the Swiss alcoholic beverage market:
- Smirnoff Hard Seltzer: it is a brand of hard seltzer belonging to the well-known British group Diageo, which offers two flavors (orange and grapefruit) with an alcohol content of 4.7%, zero sugar and 72 calories per can. It is made from distilled alcohol and fruit flavors.
- Topo Chico Hard Seltzer: it is a brand of hard seltzer belonging to the American group Coca-Cola, which offers three flavors (lime, mango and cherry) with an alcohol content of 4.7%, zero sugar and 96 calories per bobbin. It is made from sparkling mineral water, distilled alcohol and fruit flavors.
- Luke's Hard Seltzer: it is a brand of hard seltzer belonging to the German group Radeberger Gruppe, which offers four flavors (lime, pink grapefruit, raspberry and ginger) with an alcohol content of 4%, zero sugar and 80 calories per can . It is made from carbonated water, distilled alcohol and fruit flavors.
- White Claw : is a brand of hard seltzer from the United States, which is the leader in the American market. It offers several flavors of hard seltzer, with an alcohol content of 4.5%, 95 calories per can and zero sugar. It is made from sparkling mineral water, fermented alcohol and natural fruit flavors. White Claw arrived in Switzerland in 2021. It offers three flavors of hard seltzer in Switzerland only: mango, lime and raspberry. White Claw can be purchased online through home delivery platforms like drinkdirect.ch, or in select retail stores or bars.
Where to buy hard seltzer in Switzerland?
Since hard seltzer is a new category of drinks, it is not yet available everywhere. However, it can be found in some retail stores (Coop, Migros, Globus, Aldi, Denner) or in some bars, restaurants or clubs. It can also be ordered online on brand sites or on home delivery platforms.
What are the differences with Hard Ice Tea?
Based on an infusion of black and green tea, and a little sugar, we do not work on fermentation, but on the addition of distilled alcohol, vodka.
Our Mullet Tea is distinguished from hard seltzer by the fact that it is not carbonated . No carbon dioxide (Co2) is added and it is therefore very easy to drink. Secondly it is extremely good and tasty. Despite the presence of 4.2% alcohol, the bitterness of the vodka is not felt, and it almost feels like tasting a non-alcoholic drink, even with a very low sugar intake. And conversely, we have tasted many hard seltzer during the development of our recipes, and it must be said, few of these are good or pleasant to the taste.
Hard seltzer and even more so hard ice tea are trendy, light and thirst-quenching drinks that are attracting more and more consumers in Switzerland. Whether for an aperitif with friends, a festive evening or a moment of relaxation, Le Mullet Tea is the ideal companion to enjoy life and your evenings without feeling too guilty. So, don't hesitate to discover it and find your favorite flavor!
