Food & Drink
The Best Hard Seltzers in 2021, Ranked
We’re ranking the best hard seltzers of 2021 to help you figure out what you’ll be ordering from Gopuff all summer
April 15, 2021
Everyone has a hard seltzer now. And we’re not just talking about legacy brands like Bud Light and Coors Light. We’re talking A-list celebrities, TikTokers, fitness influencers and (gasp) even craft breweries. So we’re here with our ranked list of the best hard seltzers to help you navigate the neverending terrain, pick favorites and suggest what to snack on when you inevitably try them all.
Our Hard Seltzer Faves
Best craft seltzer—Two Robbers Craft Hard Seltzer
About : Named quite literally because the founders’ apartment was robbed twice while they were starting the brand. The robbers didn’t bother to take the seltzer recipe. Their loss.
Variety Pack Includes: Cucumber Watermelon, Orange Mango and Pineapple Ginger
Where to buy on Gopuff: PA, NJ, TX
Best enjoyed with: Cheetos Puffs
Best infused seltzer—Vizzy Hard Seltzer w/Antioxidant Vitamin C
About: Hard seltzer infused with vitamin C from acerola superfruit
Variety Pack #2 Includes: Papaya Passionfruit, Raspberry Tangerine, Watermelon Strawberry and Blackberry Lemon
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
Best indulgent seltzer—Smooj
About: A smoothie seltzer (pours thicc), with some of the best merch in the game
Where to buy on Gopuff: PA
Buy it:
Best enjoyed with: Reese’s King Size
Best brand you’re most likely to buy merch from someday—New Belgium Fruit Smash
About: A light, bubbly seltzer from one of America’s favorite craft breweries
Variety Pack Includes: Berry Blast, Tropical Punch, Pink Lemonade
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Gushers Flavor Mixer
Best purpose-driven seltzer—Four Peaks Sun Day Seltzer
About: Brewed in a Tempe production facility powered largely by 500 solar panels and the Arizona sun
Where to buy on Gopuff: AZ
Variety Pack Includes: Lime, Grapefruit, Tropical, Prickly Pear
Best enjoyed with: Tony’s Chocolonely 32% Milk Chocolate Bar
Best flavor offering in a variety pack—White Claw 24-Pack
About: A variety pack with some of White Claw’s best flavors
Variety Pack Includes: Watermelon, Black Cherry, Mango
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot
Best beach day seltzer—Corona Hard Seltzer
About: Refreshing 90-calorie Corona seltzers. Can’t give this category to anyone else and look Corona in the eye. Plus, it’s delicious.
Variety Pack #2 Includes: Pineapple, Passionfruit, Raspberry, Strawberry
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Tostitos Hint of Lime
Best drop culture (the supreme of seltzer)—Nectar
About: Drops in specific cities on specific dates, and sells out in minutes
Variety Pack Includes: Asian Pear, Mandarin, Lychee, Yuzu
Where to buy on Gopuff: CA
Best enjoyed with: Dunkaroos
Best small biz seltzer—Solset Electrolyte Hard Seltzer
About: USDA organic, gluten-free seltzer with vitamin C and electrolytes
Variety Pack Includes: Black Cherry, Lime Zest, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Tropical Citrus
Where to buy on Gopuff: PA, OH
Best enjoyed with: Slim Jim Original Giant
Best emerging style—Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer
About: Gopuff’s fastest-selling new item of 2021 not named “CACTI”
Variety Pack Includes: Strawberry Tea, Lemon Tea, Raspberry Tea, Peach Tea
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Grandma’s Big Chocolate Chip Cookie
Best organic seltzer—Flying Embers Hard Seltzer
About: Barely avoided the 2017 Thomas Fire in Ventura County. Now continually gives back to area first responders.
Variety Pack Includes: Watermelon Chili, Guava Jalapeno, Pineapple Cayenne (Sweet & Heat) or Clementine Hibiscus, Black Cherry Rose, Passionfruit Elderflower (Fruit & Flora)
Where to buy on Gopuff: AZ, TX, OH, CO, WA, VA, NC
Buy it:
Best enjoyed with: Simply Cheetos Crunchy White Cheddar Jalapeno
Best new OG seltzer—White Claw Variety Pack No. 3
About: Three new White Claw flavors paired with the classic mango favorite
Variety Pack #3 Includes: Blackberry, Mango, Strawberry, Pineapple
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Takis Fuego
Best Arnold Palmer–esque seltzer—Luck Springs Half and Half Hard Lemonade & Tea
About: A hard seltzer that’s made with real black tea and fruit juice
Also Available: Peach Tea, Lemonade, Raspberry Tea
Where to buy on Gopuff: TX
Best enjoyed with: Arnold Palmer Fruit Snacks
Your new favorite seltzer—Alani Seltz Hard Seltzer
About: Fitness influencer–founded (Katy Hearn). A well-known wellness brand breaking into the seltzer category.
Variety Pack Includes: Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Peach-Please, Frozen Lemonade, Mimosa
Where to buy on Gopuff: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MO, NC, NE, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA
Best enjoyed with: Skinny Dipped Dark Chocolate Cocoa Almonds
Best celeb-owned seltzer—CACTI Agave Spiked Seltzer
About: Travis Scott’s new 7% tequila-flavored offering became Gopuff’s biggest product launch of all time last month.
Variety Pack Includes: Pineapple, Lime, Strawberry
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Buy it: CACTI Seltzer Variety 9-Pack
Best enjoyed with: Rap Snacks Cardi B Cheddar Bar-B-Que Chips
Best cocktail-inspired seltzer—SESH
About: A cocktail-meet-seltzer founded by a Seagram’s heir in his Williams College dorm to help his friend with Type 1 Diabetes have a tasty beer alternative. How’s that for an origin story?
Variety Pack Includes: Moscow Mule, Mojito, Paloma, Gin and Tonic
Where to buy on Gopuff: OH, IL, PA
Buy it: SESH Variety 12-Pack
Best enjoyed with: Tate’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies
Best “now with alcohol” seltzer—Topo Chico Hard Seltzer
About: The iconic sparkling mineral water brand, now with alcohol
Variety Pack Includes: Strawberry Guava, Tangy Lemon Lime, Exotic Pineapple, Tropical Mango
Where to buy on Gopuff: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, MA, NJ, OK, OR, TX, WA
Buy it: Topo Chico Variety Pack 12-Pack
Best enjoyed with: Classic Chili & Salt Pork Rinds
Best late-night seltzer—Bud Light Platinum Hard Seltzer
About: Bud Light’s strong hard seltzer—don’t sleep on the Platinum, and its 8% ABV
Variety Pack Includes: Wild Berry, Citrus, Blood Orange
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Funyuns
Best wine-based seltzer—Barefoot Seltzer
About: Now there is wine hard seltzer because of course there is. And it’s spectacular.
Variety Pack Includes: Peach & Nectarine, Pineapple & Passionfruit, Strawberry & Guava, Cherry & Cranberry
Where to buy on Gopuff: It’s available nationwide.
Best enjoyed with: Cheez-It Crackers Original
Best spirit-based seltzer—Hornitos Tequila Seltzer
About: Two pretty best friends—tequila and hard seltzer. A ready-to-drink cocktail in a can from a premium tequila-maker Hornitos.
Where to buy on Gopuff: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, IA, IL, KY, MA, MO, NE, NJ, NY
Buy it:
Best enjoyed with: Sour Patch Kids
Best not-quite-seltzer carbonated hard tea—Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea
About: Female-founded and matcha-infused. Emmy Award–winning host Jeannie Mai recently joined the executive team.
Variety Pack Includes: English Breakfast, White, Darjeeling
Where to buy on Gopuff: AZ, CA, MA, PA, VA
Best enjoyed with: Smart Sweets Sweet Fish
Best “as seen on reality TV” seltzer—Loverboy
About: Started by Kyle Cooke from Bravo’s Summer House. Enjoyed on-air in copious volumes.
Where to buy on Gopuff: PA, TX
Buy it:
Best enjoyed with: Pretzel Crisps Original
If you’ve tried them all, we salute you and hope you took plenty of breaks. A dozen new brands likely launched in the time it took you to finish this article. Find them on Gopuff in seconds, have them delivered to your door in minutes.
