How to Find the Healthiest Spiked Seltzer
Updated November 3, 2026: we added a quick answer up top, a nutrition comparison table, and four brands that were not around or not widely sold when this was first written (Carbliss, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, Ashland and the full High Noon range). Bon & Viv, our original number one, has been removed because the brand is no longer widely stocked and its website now redirects elsewhere. Everything else, including Christina’s original reporting and the dietitian guidance, is as it was.
As a major beer lover, I was crushed when I had to give up my go-to drink after being diagnosed with celiac disease earlier this year. Who knew beer had gluten in it? Luckily, spiked seltzer is naturally gluten-free, so I could still kick back with an alcoholic beverage at the end of a long day.
Not only is spiked seltzer gluten-free, it’s also generally a healthier option than many other canned or premixed drinks. And it’s pretty darn tasty to boot, IMHO.
What is the healthiest spiked seltzer?
The short answer: almost every mainstream hard seltzer is 100 calories a can with 0 to 2 grams of sugar, so the healthiest spiked seltzer is the one you can drink in moderation and actually enjoy. If you want the lowest numbers on the label, Carbliss (100 calories, 0 grams of carbs, 0 grams of sugar) and Truly (100 calories, 1 gram of sugar) come out ahead. Truly, White Claw, High Noon and Topo Chico all sit at 100 calories; the differences are in added sugar, carbs and alcohol content, which we have laid out in the table below.
Why spiked seltzer is a “healthier” alcohol choice
The reason spiked seltzers are healthier than other drinks is because they “are typically only made out of carbonated water, alcohol from fermented cane sugar, and fruit flavorings,” explains Paige Valentik, RD, registered dietitian for Sodexo. “This makes the beverage lower in calories and extra ingredients.”
Yep, spiked seltzers are typically lower in calories when compared to heavy beers, wine, or mixed drinks made with high-calorie mixers, says Valentik.
“The calorie content of spiked seltzers are comparable to light beer as well as liquor mixed with no-calorie beverages,” she shares.
There is a caveat, though: Spiked seltzers are only healthier if you practice moderation, of course.
“It’s easy to ‘overdrink’ on spiked seltzers versus other alcoholic beverages, [and then] you’re no longer consuming less calories,” says Valentik.
How to choose the healthiest spiked seltzer
When looking for the healthiest spiked seltzer, Valentik suggests focusing on calories rather than trying to limit specific ingredients. That’s because all alcohol is processed by your body in the same way.
“No matter what form of alcohol a person consumes, it’s going to be digested the same,” she says. “So, focusing on calories from alcoholic beverages is the best way to go versus going crazy with trying to limit carbohydrates/sugars and other ingredients.”
That said, it’s still a good idea to limit added sugars for other health reasons. (Studies link high-sugar diets with everything from heart disease to diabetes to high blood pressure.)
“Look for spiked seltzers with no added sugars or listed as ‘0 grams’ under added sugars on the nutrition facts label,” says Valentik.
Two more things worth a glance at the label. Alcohol content: most seltzers are 4.5 to 5 percent ABV, but some newer ones run 8 percent, which means more calories and more alcohol per can. And the base: malt-based seltzers (fermented like beer) are usually still gluten-free, but if you have celiac disease, a vodka or tequila base or an explicit gluten-free claim is the safer bet.
Spiked seltzer nutrition compared
Figures are per 12-ounce can, taken from each brand’s own label or website in November 2026. Flavors within a brand vary by a gram or so.
| Brand | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | ABV | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbliss | 100 | 0 g | 0 g | 5% | Vodka or tequila |
| Truly (Wild Berry) | 100 | 2 g | 1 g | 5% | Fermented cane sugar |
| High Noon (Watermelon) | 100 | 3.8 g | 2.6 g (from juice, none added) | 4.5% | Vodka |
| White Claw (Cranberry) | 100 | 2 g | 2 g (added) | 5% | Fermented cane sugar |
| Topo Chico Hard Seltzer | 100 | 2 g | 2 g (added) | 4.7% | Fermented cane sugar |
| Ashland Hard Seltzer | 120 | not listed | 2 g | 8% | Malt-free |
The healthiest spiked seltzers, ranked
So, what exactly are the healthiest spiked seltzers? Based on Valentik’s guidelines, here are six good options, ranked by calories first, then added sugar and carbs:
1. Carbliss
Carbliss takes the top spot on the numbers alone: 100 calories, 0 grams of carbs and 0 grams of sugar in a 5 percent ABV can, with a vodka or tequila base rather than malt, so it is gluten-free without the fine print. It is technically a canned vodka cocktail rather than a classic seltzer (black cherry and cranberry are the flavors you will find most places), so expect a fuller flavor than a Truly or White Claw. Skip the 12 percent Cocktail Collection if calories are your focus.
2. Truly
This is my go-to brand of spiked seltzer. Each can is 100 calories, with 2 grams of carbs and 1 gram of sugar. Truly’s spiked seltzers come in fun, fruity flavors like wild berry, blueberry and acai, and lime (my personal fave). I like that the flavors are refreshing without being overly sweet.
3. High Noon
High Noon’s spiked seltzers combine vodka, real juice, and sparkling water in a 100-calorie drink. Each low calorie seltzer can has between 2-3 grams of carbs and 2-3 grams of sugar. Choose from flavors like pineapple, peach, black cherry, and more. The sugar here comes from the fruit juice, not added sugar, which is why it edges out White Claw on Valentik’s added-sugar rule even though the total is slightly higher. The ABV is 4.5 percent, a touch lower than most.
4. White Claw
This super-popular spiked seltzer brand definitely deserves a spot on this list. That’s because White Claw has pretty much mastered the art of fizzy, low-cal drinks. Each can is 100 calories with 2 grams of carbs and 2 grams of sugar. Flavors include watermelon, tangerine, and mango.
5. Topo Chico Hard Seltzer
The hard version of the cult mineral water lands at 100 calories, 2 grams of carbs and 2 grams of added sugar at 4.7 percent ABV, so it is a near match for White Claw on the label. The variety pack runs strawberry guava, tropical mango, exotic pineapple and oasis cherry, and the minerals added for taste (magnesium and potassium chloride) are what give it that slightly salty, sparkling-water finish.
6. Ashland Hard Seltzer
Ashland is a fast-growing newer brand that is spreading across the country. It is malt-free and gluten-free with 2 grams of sugar, but it is 8 percent ABV and 120 calories a can, which is why it sits last on this list. One Ashland is closer to two Trulys in alcohol, so count it that way.
