the 17 best seltzer drinks
It’s really freaking hot out and we all need a cocktail to help us cool down. There’s nothing like something bubbly and refreshing on a hot summer day, so one of the 17 best seltzer drinks should do the trick!
We’ve reached the point in the summer where I feel like the Wicked Witch of the West.
“I’m melllllltinggggggg.”
In order to beat the mid-July heat, I usually find myself poolside or tucked away in the air conditioning.
For either summer strategy, I definitely need a cocktail.
Enter one of my light, fizzy favorites: seltzer drinks!
photo credit: saltycanary.com
Seltzer cocktails are my summer jam because of their light, effervescent nature: their lightness in both calories and mouthfeel is ideal for the hottest dog days of summer.
So what better way to beat the heat than to share some of my favorite summer seltzer drinks with y’all today?
(ok, ok, I snuck in a few fall and winter seltzer drink recipes too!)
This recipe round up list features some of the best seltzer drinks made with hard seltzer, flavored selzter and just plain ol’ seltzer or soda water.
(If you’re looking for some of my other favorite summer cocktails, check out these Corona Floats, Watermelon Frozen Rose, Classic Margaritas or my favorite hurricane drink recipe.)
photo credit: simplymaderecipes.com
THE BEST SELTZER DRINKS: WHAT IS HARD SELTZER?
Hard seltzer is exactly what you think it is: boozy fizzy water. If you want to get technical, it’s a malt beverage that is made with malt base, fermented sugars and carbonation.
The fizzy, fruity beverage is generally much lower in carbs and calories than a traditional beer, making it ideal for those of us who want to be more health conscious when imbibing or for folks who don’t like beer.
While hard seltzer tastes great and is boozy and refreshing on it’s own, I love using it as a cocktail ingredient too…adding things like fresh fruit and herbs and mixing in another liquor to create a light and elevated summer sipper.
THE BEST SELTZER DRINKS: WHAT IS FLAVORED SELTZER WATER?
Real quick science lesson: seltzer water is flat water that is made bubbly by an infusion of a carbon molecule…which is how we get to its alternative name: carbonated water.
Flavored seltzer waters are carbonated, fizzy water (which is normally unflavored) with added flavor. Usually fruity, sweet and refreshing flavors are the most popular, like lemon, lime, grapefruit, cranberry, pomegranate and cucumber. (but flavor options are totally endless!)
THE BEST SELTZER DRINKS: IS SELTZER WATER THE SAME AS CLUB SODA?
photo credit: aprilgolightly.com
The terms seltzer water, sparkling water, club soda, tonic water all sometimes seem to be used interchangeably, but they are all a little bit different.
Sparkling water (also known as sparkling mineral water) is naturally carbonated and comes from springs or wells with natural fizzy carbonation. This carbonation comes from natural minerals including sodium, magnesium and calcium. Sparkling water is normally not a cocktail mixer due to it’s unique taste and higher price point.
Seltzer water is different than sparkling water because it as been artificially carbonated. It is what you most commonly think of when you think of the fizzy drinks that are currently so popular on the market. It makes a great alcoholic drink mixer because its essentially a blank slate to build flavors and add a little fizz to any cocktail.
Club soda pretty similar to seltzer water as is also artificially carbonated, but unlike seltzer, contains additional minerals to enhance the flavor. Although there are slight differences, club soda and seltzer water can basically be used interchangeably in cocktail recipes.
Tonic water is also artificially carbonated and contains added minerals (so it’s like seltzer and club soda…) but, it usually contains quinine, which is what gives tonic water its uniquely bitter taste. Tonic water also contains sugar (to balance the quinine) so it also contains calories, while sparkling water, seltzer water and club soda do not.
photo credit: honeyandbirch.com
the best spiked seltzer drinks
Spiked seltzer drinks are summery beverages that will add a little refreshing fizz to your sippers. Many feature fresh summer herbs and fruits...but if you're still looking for a little fizz in colder months, I made sure to include a couple cold weather spiked seltzer standbys.
raspberry gin seltzer
A fruity spin on the classic gin rickey cocktail, this Raspberry Gin Seltzer is a fizzy, light and refreshing cocktail made with local hard seltzer, Brizo Seltzer, brewed by NoDa Brewing here in Charlotte!
Moscow Mule Recipe Made With Brizo Craft Spiked Seltzer
Another fizzy favorite starring NoDa's Brizo Seltzer, this spin on the classic Moscow Mule features Ginger Lime Brizo and tons of fresh lime!
Sparkling Watermelon Lychee Cocktail
This summer sipper featuring lychee fruit, lychee juice, watermelon, mint, and spiked sparkling seltzer would be perfect poolside.
Low Calorie Spiked Tropical Slushies & Ice Pops
In the height of summer heat, a low calorie spiked tropical slushie is a great, refreshing way to cool down. There's also a recipe option to make the spiked seltzer smoothing into ice pops!
blackberry basil gin fizz
This cocktail is inspired by one of my all time favorite simple drinks: my dad's gin and tonics. The addition of summer blackberries and fresh basil make it smoother for people who don't love gin's piney taste and bold flavor.
Pineapple Coconut Mojito Recipe
Transport yourself to the tropics instantly with a round of these pineapple coconut mojitos made with coconut water and seltzer!
How to Make a Mint Julep
Add a little bit of fizz in this spin on the classic Derby drink!
Strawberry Lemonade Fizz
To me, strawberries are like THE classic summer ingredient, so this spiked and bubbly strawberry lemonade is a summer must!
Vanilla Peach Fizz
You had me at summer peaches, homemade vanilla bourbon and club soda.
Sparkling Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
A sparkling spin on the traditional salty dog cocktail made with loads of grapefruit juice and tons of bubbles!
Gin Mojito
Adding another mojito to this list because there's no such thing as too many mojitos.
Blackberry Mojito
See? There's no such thing as too many mojitos and I love the addition of blackberries to this summer sparkling seltzer drink.
Pineapple Mint Shrub Cocktail
This drinking vinegar is a delicious addition to a cocktail but also would make a perfect mocktail with just seltzer water or club soda!
Lemon Blueberry Vodka Spritzer
I see this lemon blueberry vodka spritzer becoming a regular rotation in our house...perfect for any time of year!
Grapefruit Mint Vodka Spritz
Checks all my summer seltzer drink boxes: fizzy, fruity , refreshing!
Winter White Wine Spritzer
Another seltzer drink starring grapefruit, but taking it in a winter direction!
Pomegranate Bourbon Fizz
One more winter option...I love the warming addition of bourbon and that the seltzer water bubbles cause the pomegranate seeds to dance to the top of the drink!
Hi, thank you for the wonderful article! Yeah, we all are melting and hiding in the shades and yeah, seltzers are so comforting and I prefer to drink it in the garden so that it’s cooling effect may not be sucked away by the heat anywhere else!