Wildly popular seltzer brand Spindrift now makes hard seltzer — after testing all 4 flavors, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the drink of summer 2021

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• Spindrift is known for infusing real squeezed juice into its seltzers.
• Just like its non-alcoholic seltzer, Spindrift Spiked Seltzer offers a fresh, fruity taste.
• The drink became available in mid-April in select cities across the U.S.

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The sparkling seltzer market has tons of options, but Spindrift stands alone as the first sparkling water made with real squeezed fruit juice.

If you haven't tried Spindrift before, this hint of juice adds a deeper flavor than you'll find from most seltzer brands. It also comes in refreshing flavors like cucumber, cranberry raspberry, orange mango, and more. 

Its unique flavor has drawn a fervent fan base and sales have exploded over the last few years, growing 800% between 2016 and 2018, according to Bevnet. Once local to only New England, you can now find Spindrift nationwide at major retailers such as Target and Trader Joe's. 

The wild success of its non-alcoholic seltzers has resulted in even more hype for it's most recent launch: Spindrift Spiked Seltzer.

Being both a Spindrift fan and hard seltzer enthusiast, I knew I had to get my hands on a pack of the new spiked seltzer. I tried all four flavors of Spindrift Spiked Seltzer to see how it stacks up against a saturated hard seltzer market ahead of the summer.

What's in Spindrift Spiked Seltzer?

There are four flavors of Spindrift Spiked Seltzer: pineapple, mango, lime, and half and half (half tea, half lemonade). Compared to popular hard seltzers, Spindrift has a slightly lower ABV than Truly, White Claw, and Bon & Viv, at just 4%. All four flavors are under 100 calories per can, too, lower than most competitors. 

The biggest difference between Spindrift and competing seltzers is the 4% to 10% fruit juice in its hard seltzers. Despite the juice, the Spindrift seltzers somehow boast only zero to three grams of sugar per can and fewer carbohydrates than competitors.

The spiked seltzer is currently available in select major cities including Boston, Los Angeles, and San Diego, though you can also buy it online through Total Wine.

Review of Spindrift Spiked Seltzer

Each can of Spindrift Spiked Seltzer has a thin design similar to White Claw and minimal branding. I paired my first seltzer, a half and half-inspired mix of black tea and lemonade, with a batch of hot wings hoping it would cool off my tongue.

Seconds after I cracked open the can and took my first sip, I noticed how non-alcoholic the drink tastes. It was akin to a watered down Arnold Palmer, but much more fizzy and bubbly.

This provided an immediate cooling sensation and I could sense the fresh, cane sugary taste of the lemon and tea.

Next, I tried the pineapple flavor. The fruity taste was a bit more apparent than the half and half flavor, and the alcohol stood out more, too. I liked the smooth, tropical flavor more and more as I sipped on it. I felt similarly about Spindrift's mango flavor.

I saved lime for last since it's often one of my least favorite flavors of seltzer. Yet, the second I cracked open the can, I could smell just how genuine the taste was compared to other lime-flavored food and drinks I've had. This was easily the most enjoyable flavor of the pack and reminded me of a quality, crisp sour ale.

The bottom line

After polishing off the cans from my taste test, I immediately looked up where I could find Spindrift Spiked Seltzer. It's one of the best alcoholic seltzers I've ever tried. The fresh hint of juice fused well with the bubbly effects of the seltzer, and the alcohol subtly blended into the beverage. It's a crisp, refreshing drink that would be perfectly at home in a beach cooler or at a summer cookout.

The low 4% ABV means it will likely take more than one drink for you to feel its effects. This could be a plus or a negative for some people, depending on the setting or occasion for drinking the seltzer. Still, it feels more refreshing than higher-alcohol competitors.

For now, the seltzer is just entering U.S. markets which means it could take awhile before it hits your local convenience or grocery store. (You can buy it online and have it shipped, however.)

Pros: Real juice taste, crisp bubbly effect, standout lime flavor

Cons: Hard to find in stores, will require more than one or two drinks to feel a buzz