Consumer demand for lower-ABV drinks has catapulted hard seltzers into the limelight in recent years. But which brands came out on top in our blind tasting?

Over the past five years, the hard seltzer sector has grown from being a relatively unknown category to becoming one of the biggest ready-to-drink (RTD) segments. However, IWSR Drinks Market Analysis reported a 10% decline for the category in the US last year, mainly due to malt-based variants, and following stiff competition from spirit-based RTDs and canned cocktails.

Despite the decrease, the hard seltzer category has evolved and matured with producers focusing on unique flavour combinations and premium spirits bases to keep consumers intrigued. The lower-ABV content and fewer calories are also helping the sector to gain favour among health-conscious drinkers, in addition to its convenient format.

With many new brands and products on the market in recent years, The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC) brought back its Hard Seltzer Masters blind tasting for another year, to decide which brands were worthy of Master, Gold and Silver medals.

The judges comprised two panels, the first of which was chaired by Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business magazine. Carruthers was joined by Anne Jones, Waitrose, drinks expert, and Antony Moss MW.

Panel two was chaired by David T Smith, writer, consultant and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo. Also sitting on his panel were: Rosie Milsom, head of new product development at Atom; Rosie Lees, co-founder and director of Nineteen94; and Evan Prousaefs, bar manager at Sexy Fish in London.

Read on to discover 10 brands that took home Master and Gold medals in our 2023 competition.

Everyday Weekend Lime and Soda Hard Seltzer

One of only two Master medallists in this year’s Hard Seltzer Masters, Everyday Weekend Lime & Soda is made with premium vodka, sparkling water and lime.

The 5% ABV product was described by one judge as “exactly what you’d want from a lime hard seltzer”. Tasting notes included “good fizz, nice level of lime and acidity”.

Pals Vodka, Red Peach, Yuzu and Soda

New Zealand-based producer Pals took home a flurry of medals including four Golds and two Silver medals in the Spirit-Based flight.

One of the Golds went to Pals Vodka, Red Peach, Yuzu and Soda, which offered “beautiful light peach notes” on the nose, leading to “delicate yuzu” on the palate.

Fellr Mango

Australian brand Fellr received a Gold medal for its mango-flavoured variant, praised for its “fresh, tropical” palate. With an ABV of 4%, the product contains 83 calories per 330ml can.

The Fellr range also includes a passionfruit variant, lime and soda, and watermelon.

Sparklys Hard Seltzer Holunder

This year’s Taste Master accolade – the top award of the competition – was bestowed upon Sparklys Hard Seltzer Holunder.

One judge particularly liked the hard seltzer’s “good elderberry on the nose” and its “rich and jammy” palate with “fruity and floral notes”.

The expression is made with elderflower, and is described as ‘tart, floral and light as a feather at the same time’ by the brand.

Pepito Sorbete – Cherry and Pineapple

In the Malted flight, Pepito Sorbete – Cherry & Pineapple stood out, winning a Gold medal.

Lauded by the panel for its notes of “marzipan and pineapple”, the expression carries an ABV of 4%. The brand also took home a Silver for its Pepito Sorbete – Coconut & Ginger.

Pals Gin, Hawke’s Bay Lemon, Cucumber and Soda

Gold medallist Pals Gin, Hawke’s Bay Lemon, Cucumber and Soda impressed judges with its notes of “cucumber and subtle lemon”.

The “delicate and fresh” seltzer is bottled at 5% ABV and is made with sparkling water, gin, concentrated apple juice, and ‘natural’ lemon and cucumber extracts.

Sparklys Hard Seltzer Maracuja

Sparklys Hard Seltzer Maracuja bagged a Gold medal in the Fermented flight after the judges found “really lovely bubbles, nice sweetness and a little sourness to balance”.

The 5% ABV ‘exotic and fruity-sweet’ expression is said to feature ‘sun-ripened passionfruit’ and is made using water from the Rhine Valley.

Hard Fizz

Gold medal winner Hard Fizz scored highly in the Brewed round, celebrated for having “plenty of pineapple, sweet vanilla and coconut” on the nose.

The 4% ABV brand includes four products in its range: Passionfruit & Guava; Lychee & Apple; Watermelon & Berry; and Orange & Mango. The brand was established in 2020.

Everyday Weekend Mango and Passionfruit

Everyday Weekend nabbed another medal in the tasting, this time a Gold for its mango and passion fruit-flavoured hard seltzer.

One judge was particularly enamoured with the Gold winner: “Fruity nose with the passionfruit dominating, the palate brings a lighter, fresher taste with tropical fruits lingering in background. Very easy to drink.”

Pals Vodka, Watermelon, Mint and Soda

Described as having a “strong aroma of watermelon”, Pals Vodka, Watermelon, Mint and Soda picked up a Gold in the Spirit-Based round.

Judges enjoyed how fresh and light it was on the palate, and also picked up notes of mint.