Something about 2019 brought about the rise of “hard” drinks. While everyone is still enjoying their cocktails like the Cuba Libre and the Long Island Iced Tea, many drinkers are opting for alcohol infused with some of their favorite drinks. This past spring and summer saw White Claw take the drinking community by storm, and since then, other drinks have been popping up on the market. If you’re looking to try a few unique new drinks, here are five you might consider trying.
White Claw
We had to start with White Claw – the drink that started it all. The hard seltzer drink popped up on the scene in 2016, but it wasn’t until 2019 that its popularity rose. With five different fruit flavors, White Claw is ideal for seltzer drinkers who also enjoy a little kick. Their classic flavors include Natural Lime, Black Cherry, Mango, and more. The craze for White Claw reached maximum capacity in September of 2019 when the company declared a shortage in the United States. Tons of other brands realized the popularity of this new spiked drink and decided to jump on the trend.
La Colombe Hard Cold Brew Coffee
If there’s one thing we know, it’s to never come between a coffee lover and their drink. Now, their hands will probably be glued to this latest drink. La Colombe, a Philadelphia-based coffee company teamed up with MillerCoors to create La Colombe Hard Cold Brew Coffee. A mixture of Colombian and Brazilian coffee, the hard coffee comes in Black or Vanilla.
Pabst Blue Ribbon Stronger Seltzer
After the White Claw craze, Pabst Blue Ribbon (or PBR) launched their own seltzer in August 2019. In fact, it’s not your regular hard seltzer. It’s “Stronger Seltzer”. PBR has a long-standing mission of providing their customers with the best quality drinks, and they deliver with their newest one. While it contains less sugar than most hard seltzers, its alcohol content is also higher than most at 8%. Brands like White Claw feature multiple flavors, while PBR Stronger Seltzer only comes in a natural lime.
Pura Still Spiked Still Water
The new alcohol trend seems to cater to those who love seltzer water, but what about those who aren’t a fan of the carbonation? Their wishes have been answered with Pura Still. While White Claw and PBR are giving their customers hard seltzer, Pura Still has canned hard water. With zero bubbles, 95 calories, and 1 gram of sugar, this drink has mass appeal. Pura Still’s spiked water comes in three flavors: blackberry, mandarin orange, and mango.
LQD Creative Liquids
For those who aren’t fans of hard seltzer or coffee, you might try your hand at LQD Creative Liquids and their brews. With Hard Green Tea and Hard Coconut Water on their roster, their beverages are definitely appealing. LQD has Hard Coconut Water options that include original and pineapple, while their Green Tea comes in peach and passion fruit. Ranging from 4.2% to 5.2% ABV, these drinks are perfect for daytime drinking.
The next time you attend a get-together or host one, don’t be surprised when guests expect to see newcomers like White Claw and PBR Stronger Seltzer on the menu. These five new, unique alcohol drinks are steamrolling over classic beer and mixed drinks. Hop on the train and drink responsibly!
