Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Pinterest
Flipboard
Email
Messenger
WhatsApp
12 Best Seltzers in the World: The Official List
The world’s best hard seltzers brands have officially been named at an industry-wide event overnight. Held in the UK, the Hard Seltzer Masters 2022 awards saw the biggest names in fruity, spiked and flavoured drinks putting their best foot forward, and while there were a number of winners on the night, it was a homegrown seltzer hero that took home major honours. Sydney-based seltzer brand FELLR walked away with a Master award for its revered Passionfruit release, topping the Brewed category. The win followed the group’s Gold from this year’s World Premix Awards, along with a silver at the San Francisco Spirits Awards. But the biggest round of applause on the night went to Belgium-based Young Heart Seltzer, which took home both a Master and Taste Master award for its Green Tea & Muscat Grape, staking a claim for the best seltzer in the world.
Image: FELLR
Hard Seltzer Masters 2022 Awards
Arriving via the Global Spirits Masters platform, the 2022 Hard Seltzer Masters awards celebrated the boundary-pushing distilleries, breweries and taste-makers in the emerging industry. Since 2013, the seltzer category has steadily grown in popularity, with the alcoholic sparkling water taking a major piece of the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) category, both here in Australia and overseas. With most cans offering around 4%ABV and fewer than 100 calories, the streamlined beverage has managed to provide a welcome respite from hard and heavy beers and wines traditional drunk Down Under.
In fact, recent figures from consumer research group Nielsen revealed that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans quadrupled their spending on hard seltzers. During this period, the market swelled significantly, seeing AUD$3.7 billion ($USD2.7 billion) spent on seltzers in 2020, accounting for a whopping 10 per cent share of the beer and cider market, and it’s set to continue. Reports from analysis firm Grand View Research suggested that the global hard seltzer market is expected to be worth USD$49.4 billion by 2028, courtesy of a growing demand for lower-ABV drinks.
With the appetite for seltzer continuing to grow in the United States, other countries are following suit, birthing a wide-reaching industry, not unlike the craft beer movement of the past decade. Now, the 2022 Hard Seltzer Masters awards are shining a light on the industry’s top performers across five key categories, including:
- Brewed
- Spirit-Based
- Flavoured Seltzer
- Fermented
- Malted
Judged by a panel of expert judges, including some of the UK’s best publicans, bartenders and spirits writers, the 2022 Hard Seltzer masters awards revealed the impressive trajectory the industry is on, celebrated with some incredible releases. Top-ranked drops received a Master award, while Gold and Silver awards were also up for grabs. Below, you’ll find a list of all Master award winners from the night, representing the very best seltzers in the world for 2022, as first reported by The Spirits Business.
Image: Young Heart Seltzer
1. Young Heart Seltzer – Green Tea & Muscat Grape
The big winner on the night came from the most unexpected of places. Where most brands found success int the Spirit-Based category, Belgian distiller Young Heart’s Fermented approach delivered massive results, with the unique Green Tea & Muscat Grape named Best in Show for the 2022 Hard Seltzer Masters awards. According to the brand, the naturally brewed product is low in calories and sugars, naming it a low-carb option for those looking to trim the fat. Best of all, this award-winner makes use of two different types of reen Teas, Sencha & Gunpowder, which are blended with Muscat Grape and a hint of celery. While it might be a little out of left field, this release can now safely lay claim to being the best seltzer in the world.
Award: Master
Category: Fermented Seltzer
Brand: Young Heart
ABV: 4.5%
Country: Belgium
Image: Fellr
2. FELLR – Passionfruit
Australian favourite FELLR pulled out all the stops, with its Passionfruit release named as the best seltzer in the world for the Brewed category. It’s a massive accolade for the Sydney business, which was only launched in July 2020 during the height of a global pandemic with co-founders and marketers, Andy Skora and Will Morgan building FELLR out of their garages.
“We’re absolutely thrilled and humbled to have received a prestigious Master’s Medal at The Hard Seltzer World Masters in the UK, where FELLR Passionfruit was ranked as the #1 Brewed Hard Seltzer globally,” FELLR co-founder Will Morgan said. “FELLR Watermelon also received a Gold Medal at the event. This truly is a testament to the work we’ve put in to create a truly unique and refreshing brewed Seltzer, using only the best and finest all-natural ingredients.”
Award: Master
Category: Brewed Seltzer
Brand: FELLR
ABV: 4%
Country: Australia
Image: Say Vodka
3. Say Vodka Seltzer Grapefruit-Lemon
Crafted by Finnish company Anora Group, Say Vodka’s Grapefruit-Lemon was commended for its vibrant nose and fruit-forward characteristics. According to the judges, the spirit-based seltzer delivered a strong hit of both major fruit components, with a solid balance that was capped off with a subtle sweetness.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit-Based
Brand: Say Vodka
Owner: Anora Group
ABV: 4%
Country: Finland
Image: Yan Tan
4. Yan Tan – Damson & Rhubarb Hard Seltzer
Little known UK seltzer producer Yan Tan managed to knock it out of the park with its entirely unique Damson & Rhubarb release. The spirit-based drop was awarded a Master medal for its ability to deliver intense flavours of sweet stone fruit, coupled with a healthy dose of rhubarb spice.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit Based
Brand: Yan Tan
ABV: 4%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: Mike’s Hard Seltzer
5. Mike’s Hard Seltzer – Raspberry
One of the more recognisable releases to score a Master award this year, Mike’s Hard Seltzer crashed into the top 12 with its Raspberry release. Famous for its tartiness on the nose, this refreshing brew has only 2 grams of sugar per can and features a subtle hit of fresh-picked raspberries in each mouthful. With fewer than 100 calories and a rich finish, it’s not hard to see why this was named as one of the world’s best seltzers for this year.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit Based
Brand: Mike’s Hard Seltzer
Owner: AB InBev UK
ABV: 5%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: Long Shot Drinks
6. Long Shot Drinks – Pink Grapefruit Hard Seltzer
The first of two Master award winners for Long Shot Drinks, the Pink Grapefruit Hard Seltzer was among the favourites of the judges, who noted the release’s light carbonation and a tart finish, which delivered a uniquely balanced finish. Over the past few years, the UK distiller has become renowned for using all-natural fruit juices and a neutral spirit, resulting in a lighter, cleaner drink that comes in under 70 calories per can.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit Based
Brand: Long Shot Drinks
ABV: 4%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: Long Shot Drinks
7. Long Shot Drinks – Raspberry & Blackcurrant Hard Seltzer
Like its Pink Grapefruit stablemate, the Raspberry & Blackcurrant Hard Seltzer also performed strongly among the judging panel. The UK distiller’s alcoholic fruit-infused sparkling water was one of the major winners in the sprit-based category, highlighted by strong berry notes and a balanced alcohol integration.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit Based
Brand: Long Shot Drinks
ABV: 4%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: High Water
8. High Water – Mango and Peach
Another UK label to take home a Master award at this year’s event, High Water was commended for its Mano and Peach spring water release. According to judges, the hard seltzer showcased a juicy, bold mango aroma and featured pleasant carbonation that delivered an impressively fruity finish.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit Based
Brand: High Water
ABV: 5%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: Pals Vodka
9. Pals Vodka – Central Otago, Peach, Passionfruit and Soda
While the UK was easily the best-represented region this year, the competition for the world’s best seltzer certainly embraced its international scope. New Zealand-based brewer Pals Vodka secured a Master award for its Central Otago, Peach, Passionfruit and Soda release, with the judges impressed with the tart passion fruit and juicy, fresh peach on the palate.
Award: Master
Category: Spirit Based
Brand: Pals
ABV: 5%
Country: New Zealand
Image: Two Brooks
10. Two Brooks Lime Cooler
Another dual Master medallist, Two Brooks managed to secure major accolades for its Lime Cooler seltzer this year, courtesy of its zesty lime palate. The independent distiller’s process involves no added sugar and light sparkling carbonation that makes the final product a little lighter than normal, which is a huge plus in our books.
Award: Master
Category: Fermented Seltzers
Brand: Two Brooks
ABV: 4%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: Two Brooks
11. Two Brooks Mango Hi Ball
Similarly, Two Brooks also secured a master award for its Mango Hi Ball release, which is now one of the world’s best seltzers. The tropical and refreshing can is one of the more fruit-forward brews on the list and along with its stablemate, dominated the fermented seltzer category this year.
Award: Master
Category: Fermented Seltzers
Brand: Two Brooks
ABV: 4%
Country: United Kingdom
Image: Adán & Eva Hard Seltzer
12. Adán & Eva Hard Seltzer Coconut Lemon
Finally, the judges were impressed with one of the most adventurous releases on the chopping block. Costa Rican brewer Adán & Eva took home a Master award in the Flavoured – Other category for its stunning and just a little bit bizarre Coconut Lemon hard seltzer. The low ABV release is among the most popular in the brand’s limited selection, however, industry recognition such as this is certain to swell the confidence.
Award: Master
Category: Flavoured Seltzers – Other
Brand: Adán & Eva
Owner: Florida Ice & Farm Company – FIFCO
ABV: 4%
Country: Costa Rico
Hard Seltzers Masters 2022 Awards
With the Hard Seltzer Master awards done and dusted for this year, the world’s best seltzer producers are returning home with a swathe of accolades and industry recognition under their belts. Here is a list of all award winners from the night, across all major categories.
One of the more common production methods, Brewed Seltzer involves a familiar process that is not unlike beer brewing. This form of the drink results in a sparkling naturally brewed alcoholic beverage with a complex profile that is designed to be easy to drink. Like a beer, it will feature a clean, crisp finish and may even be lightly hopped.
Spirit-based seltzers are the most commonly produced of the categories. This method involves adding an alcohol base to the sparkling liquid either early in the production process or significantly after. This can also be referred to as ‘spiking’ and is the simplest way to create alcoholic components. These seltzers tend to be a little lighter and more carbonated than other categories.
One of the more diverse categories up for judging, fermented seltzers utilise a slightly different production method that is more akin to traditional distillation. In this category, most producers will use a sugar-based fermentation that produces a neutral alcohol base that is often flavoured with fruit or other aromatics. Fermented seltzer brewing is a more complicated process than spiking, however, it can result in a stronger, more balanced finished product with a greater depth of flavour.
A different process again, Malted seltzer is an emerging category tha borrows from traditional whisky production. Certain brands, such as Bud Light’s Lime-A-Ritas, use malted barley create its base spirit, which can then be utilised in a seltzer release. Unconventional, this process is usually reserved for the big-end of town or those with the logistical capabilities to make it work.
By far the best-loved category in the seltzer market, flavoured seltzer can arrive in a variety of different formats. The simple and straightforward nature of the production process, particularly for spirit-based releases mean that is far easier to accurately and effectively infuse flavours at a base level. For example, US favourite White Claw is famous for it’s Black Cherry and Watermelon flavours, which have helped to spur a new generation of flavoured seltzers across the globe.
General FAQs
What is the best seltzer in the world?
At the 2022 Hard Seltzer Masters Awards in the United Kingdom, the Young Heart Seltzer – Green Tea & Muscat Grape was named master and taste master, making t the world's best seltzer for 2022.
Who owns White Claw?
Hard seltzer brand White Claw is owned and operated by Mark Anthony Brands, an Ireland-based alcohol company that specialises in pre-mixed and ready-to-drink offerings.
Nick Hall
Nick Hall is the Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many and an accomplished journalist. He completed a Bachelor of Creative Industries at the Queensland University of Technology, with a double major in Journalism and Music. Prior to working at Man of Many, Nick spent two years as a journalist with Inside Franchise Business, focusing on small business, finance and legal reporting. In 2021, Nick was named B&T's Best of the Best Journalist of the Year. With an extensive background in the media industry, Nick specialises in feature writing, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment content. A qualified barber and men's stylist, Nick also holds a Cert III in Barbering from the Queensland Hairdressing Academy.
