Spiked Seltzer Craze Hits Tailgating Scene

By Carroll R. Walton, carroll@insidetailgating.com

Is it just us or was 2019 the summer of seltzers?

The bubbly beverages, spiked with liquor, are all the rage these days, and we get it. They’re light, refreshing, flavorful and cool, not to mention low on carbs and calories—around 100 calories, the same as a light beer—and with less alcohol content than wine.

Bon & Viv just landed the NFL’s first ever hard seltzer sponsorship. That means not only will you be seeing hard seltzer popped open at tailgates everywhere but Bon & Viv will be sold in 16-ounce cans in 27 NFL stadiums across the country. For those still trying to catch up on the craze, read on for a breakdown of what’s going on in the hard seltzer industry.

Spiked seltzers first appeared on the scene three years ago, in 2016. Now all sorts of beverage-makers are getting in on the act—beer brewers, liquor companies, seltzer makers—adding that much more fizz to the fire. That’s winwin for the consumer, not to mention the tailgater, because the selection is huge and growing by the minute, both nationally and locally.

We’ll take you through some of the big national brands.

White Claw, a spin-off from the makers of Mike’s Hard Lemonade, is a wildly popular brand that already has a clear foothold in the market. It’s made with gluten-free malt beverage and a splash of fruit flavor. White Claw comes in six flavors including Black Cherry, Ruby Grapefruit, Natural Lime and Raspberry.

Truly is another heavy hitter in the hard seltzer industry, made by the Boston Beer company. It features the widest variety of flavors among the top brands and divides them into three categories: berry, citrus and tropical. Truly is made with all-natural flavors and sweeteners and comes in flavors like Blueberry & Acai, Orange, Lemon and Passion Fruit.

Bon & Viv just made the boldest marketing move yet, taking advantage of the inroads made by its producer Anheiser-Busch. (Bud Light is already the NFL’s official beer.) Bon & Viv boasts gluten-free ingredients, zero grams of sugar, and natural fruit flavor. Their selection of flavors includes Black Cherry Rosemary, Grapefruit and Pear Elderflower.

Among the liquor producers who are in on the act are Vodka specialists Smirnoff, which created flavors like Pina Colada, Berry Lemonade and Pink Apple Rose. Sauza created a hard seltzer made with its signature tequila called Sauza Agua Fuerte, with flavors ranging from pineapple and grapefruit to lime.

Polar Seltzer, the second largest producer of seltzer water in the U.S. behind LaCroix, finally got in on the act too. They joined forces with Harpoon Brewery to create a hard seltzer called

Arctic Summer. Their spiked seltzers are made from the already-popular Polar flavors like Pineapple Pomelo and Ruby Red Grapefruit.

Among other beer producers, Natural Light jumped on the seltzer train, creating its own hard seltzer with flavors like Catalina Lime featuring cherry and lime and a Mango and Peach called Aloha Beaches.

Many of these companies joined some local seltzer-makers at the first ever hard seltzer festival called Fizz Fight, held in Denver, Colo. on Sept. 14. White Claw, Truly and Smirnoff were among the 20 hard seltzers served up at the three-hour tasting event. Each company offered two ounce samples of three flavors, giving attendees a total of 60 favors to try.

Another Fizz Fight festival is scheduled for Los Angeles in November, and six other cities are expected to follow suit: Austin, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, and Tucson.

Check them out: https://fizzfight.com/

For tailgaters heading out to the lots this fall, we’ve got five cocktail recipes compliments of Truly Hard Seltzers to add some sparkle to your pre-game spread.

6 oz. Truly Hard Seltzer Wild Berry

.5 oz. Stevia Simple Syrup

.25 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

4 Strawberries 4

Basil Leaves

In a mixing glass, add stevia syrup, lemon juice, two basil leaves, two strawberries cut into small pieces and muddle. Then cover with ice and shake.

Next, add Truly Hard SeltzerT Wild Berry to the mixing tin. Pour over 14oz. cooler glass. Garnish with more strawberries and fresh basil leaves. Serve cocktail with remainder of can.

Optional: Add 1 oz. vodka.

4 oz. Truly Hard Seltzer Wild Berry or Colima Lime

2 oz. Pomegranate Juice Pomegranate Seeds

.5 oz. Stevia Simple Syrup

1 Lemon Wedge

1 tsp Ginger Paste

In a mixing glass, add ginger, pomegranate juice, squeezed lemon wedge, and stevia simple syrup. Cover with ice and shake. Add Truly Hard Seltzer Wild Berry to mixing tin and strain over crushed ice in a copper mug. Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Serve cocktail with remainder of can.

Optional: Add 1 oz. vodka or gin.

6 oz. Truly Hard Seltzer Wild Berry

.5 oz. Stevia Simple Syrup

.25 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

6 Blueberries

6 Mint Leaves

In a mixing glass, add mint leaves, lime juice, blueberries and simple syrup. Muddle then cover with ice and shake. Then add Truly Hard Seltzer Wild Berryto mixing tin. Strain into an iced highball glass. Garnish with 2 blueberries and mint top. Serve cocktail with remainder of can.

Optional: Add 1 oz. white rum.

4 oz. Truly Hard Seltzer Lime

.5 oz. Light Agave Nectar

1 Lime Wedge Cubed Fresh Mango

1.5 oz. Ceres Mango Juice

5 Thin Jalapeño Wheels

1 pinch of Chili Lime Salt

In a mixing glass, add jalapeños, squeezed lime wedge, and agave nectar. Muddle gently, then add fresh mango juice. Cover with ice and shake. Then, add Truly Hard Seltzer Lime to mixing tin. Strain over a 12oz. double rocks glass and garnish with sliced fresh mango dusted with chili lime salt. Serve cocktail with remainder of can.

Optional: Add 1 oz. blanco tequila.

6 oz. Truly Hard Seltzer Lime

.75 oz. Light Agave Nectar

.75 oz. Aloe Vera Water

1 Lime Wedge

5 Mint Leaves

4 Cucumber Wheels

1 pinch Sea Salt

In a mixing glass, add sea salt, cucumber, lime, mint, and agave. Muddle gently, then add aloe vera water. Cover with ice and shake. Then add Truly Hard Seltzer Lime. Strain into an iced 14 oz. cooler glass. Garnish with cucumber and mint. Serve cocktail with remainder of can.

Optional: Add 1 oz. vodka or gin.

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