The Spike in Spiked Beverages: What To Know About Ciders, Seltzers, and Cocktails on the Go

When deciding on a selection of alcoholic beverages to brighten your holiday festivities the options may seem overwhelming. Of course, you most likely will select from a comfortable and familiar list that includes beer, whiskey, rum, red and white wines, and often champagne. 

But if you want to add some interest to your standard repertoire, then offer a variety of hard seltzers and ciders that you and your guests will enjoy. And with online beverage shopping cider and seltzer delivery to your front door livening your beverage menu is easier than ever.  

More than a Fleeting Trend 

Many products have their “flavor of the month” and certainly the foods and drinks we consume are no exception. The alcoholic beverage industry has had a notable shift in the last few years with the increased popularity of hard seltzers, ciders, and even cocktails on the go. The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a tidal wave of purchasing alcohol online and home alcohol delivery, thus inviting consumers to broaden their tastes and sample new products. 

Hard seltzers and ciders are not technically new products as they have been in the marketplace for many years, but they have experienced a surge in popularity for reasons in addition to their ease of delivery. They tend to have fewer calories than most beers or mixed drinks because of lower sugar content and because of the main ingredients used, they are mostly gluten-free.  

What are Hard Seltzers and Ciders? 

Spiked seltzer, hard seltzer, and hard sparkling water are often used interchangeably to denote an alcoholic beverage made from fermented cane sugar, carbonated water, and fruit flavorings. Their alcohol by volume (ABV) ranges from about 4-6% and are found in a variety of flavors including strawberry, raspberry, and citrus fruits. Some more exotic flavorings have been introduced to the market such as mango, blood orange, guava, elderberry, and hibiscus. Though not to be construed as a healthy drink because of the fruit juice content, they are an alcoholic alternative for people who want to consume less sugar or who may be gluten-intolerant.  

Hard ciders offer more nuanced options for enjoyment. Not to be confused with apple cider, which is non-alcoholic, hard ciders are a traditional old-world beverage made from fermenting apples. Cider processing is more akin to winemaking in that its flavors can be imparted by terroir, that is, the environment in which it is produced as well as the type of barrels used for aging. 

While some eating apples are used for cider-making, cider apples are the main component. These tend to be quite bitter or sour, not pleasant for eating, but perfect for cider. Blends of both cider apples and edible varietals can be used which offer differences in flavor as well as sweetness. Although ciders are typically only associated with the fermentation of apples, pears are also sometimes used as an interesting alternative to the fermentation process.  

How Do You Drink Hard Seltzers and Ciders?

Hard seltzers do not have to remain in the bottle or the can. They are, of course, delicious and refreshing on their own, but also lend themselves to flexing your mixology muscles. Using hard seltzers as a base to traditional cocktails or those of your own invention, add depth to what you and your holiday guests will enjoy. 

Adding one of your favorite spirits like gin or vodka to a hard seltzer is an easy place to start. Add a twist of lemon or lime and you have already created something new. Do you have a favorite cocktail that uses club soda or another fizzy drink as its main ingredient? Substitute the soda with a hard seltzer to change up familiar combinations.  

You can also get experimental using hard cider as a base for some tasty, yet innovative cocktails. Some folks might be purists when it comes to hard cider because it is spectacularly delicious on its own. But add a little bartending ingenuity and hard cider cocktail options can become seemingly endless. Hard cider, with its crisp and complex flavors, pairs well with whiskey and bourbon in combination or as a base for more familiar cocktails. And to get into the holiday spirit, hard cider is the perfect accompaniment to spiced rum or hot toddy drinks. 

Hard Seltzer and Ciders as Cocktails on the Go 

Packaged as individual drink servings just like beer, hard seltzers and ciders are a significant part of the cocktail on the go movement. In the not-so-distant past beer was the main beverage to fall into this category, but with alcohol home delivery increasing as well as the desire to have more options cocktails on the go fill a specific, popular niche. Consumers of alcoholic beverages are savvy and want a variety of choices just as they enjoy variety with other products. The popularity of these drinks should be reflected in your shopping cart as you make your online alcohol delivery orders. 

Have you made your shopping list for your family events and holiday parties? Hard seltzers and ciders are excellent beverage options to add some interest to your festivities. And don’t forget to add a few for unusual gifts to those with adventurous tastes. Check out your favorite online liquor store now and order a selection to be delivered to your home.