PRESS Grapefruit Cardamom Hard Seltzer is Citrus and Spice and Everything Nice

— One of the more recent trends in the sparkling water and hard seltzer markets is the use of grapefruit flavors. In actuality, there are at least 16 varieties of grapefruit, ranging from bitter to sweet. Like lemon, lime, and orange, the grapefruit is a sensually flavored citrus fruit that brings great delight to those who enjoy it. As a beverage flavor, it offers all of the tangy notes of citrus. Cardamom is a spice native to the Indian subcontinent and Indonesia. Cardamom was introduced to Guatemala before World War I. Now the county is the biggest producer and exporter of the spice. The tastes of grapefruit and cardamom are available to consumers with PRESS Grapefruit Cardamom Hard Seltzer.

Fresh Scent

When you open a can of PRESS Grapefruit Cardamom Hard Seltzer you are treated to a smell that can only be described as “fresh.” The nodes of the citrus fruit dance in the air, painting a tempting picture of the taste yet to come. Cardamom has a strong and uniquely aromatic fragrance. But PRESS does not go overboard with the spice. Rather it is blended ideally with the grapefruit for an overall tempting bouquet. This particular spiked sparkling water is on the higher end of the calorie scale in terms of hard seltzers. At 110 calories per can, this seltzer has 7 grams of total carbs and 5 grams of total sugars per serving. And while this hard seltzer is carbon filtered to remove gluten, it’s technically not gluten free as a malt-based beverage.

PRESS Grapefruit Cardamom Hard Seltzer Has A Unique Taste

A spiked seltzer grapefruit flavor done wrong will result in a bitter experience. But PRESS does an excellent job of capturing the elusive sweetness of the grapefruit. It is less of an authentic grapefruit flavor and more of a general citrus taste. Cardamom has a strong and  potent flavor. Thankfully, the brewers of this seltzer used proper restraint when it comes to the amount of cardamom. Rather than overpowering the luscious grapefruit taste, the cardamom is merely a hint to add a new level of dimension to the overall citrus flavor. One minor flaw for this beverage is in the area of carbonation. Here, the amount of bubbles is on the lighter side. The beverage could benefit from a higher carbonation factor. As is, it is not bad, but it could be better.

Very Enjoyable

Overall, PRESS Grapefruit Cardamom Hard Seltzer at heart is delicious. At at lower 4% ABV you can drink a few without pause. But if you are concerned about your waistline, keep in mind that each can has 110 calories and is on the higher end of carbs and sugars like other PRESS Hard Seltzer Flavors we’ve reviewed. Despite the higher calorie count, this lightly carbonated citrus cooler has a very enjoyable flavor. There is not heavy bitter aftertaste as can sometimes happen with grapefruit beverages. Cardamom offers a flavor not typically associated with hard seltzers, but it blends nicely in this case. Ultimately, this is an enjoyable seltzer to drink and the unique flavor profile is a bonus.