With So Many Margarita Hard Seltzers and Canned Cocktails, Which Do you Choose?

There are many stories as to the origin of the margarita. However, one of the most credible took place in the 1930s. What happened was an aspiring American actress was drinking in a Tijuana restaurant, and she was extremely picky. The bartender at that restaurant mixed the actress up a sweet and tart drink inspired by the classic tequila shot. Fast forward near a century, the cocktail is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks across Mexico and the United States of America. In fact, according to Drizly’s head of consumer insights Liz Paquette, “Margaritas are the most popular cocktail in the United States.”

Until recently, the cocktail was almost entirely the province of restaurants and bars. Not anymore. With the rise in popularity of Canned Cocktails and Hard Seltzers, fans of the cocktail can enjoy Margaritas at home. Summer 2022 has had a slew of Margarita releases from the top brands in the Hard Seltzer and ready-to-drink canned cocktail industries. So many margaritas! Consumers have top brands to pick from, include Truly, Corona, Topo Chico, Cayman Jack, and Cutwater Spirits.

Truly Margarita Pack

We will start with Truly, the second most popular brand in the hard seltzer market (White Claw still-holding the position of first). Truly announced four Margarita hard seltzer flavors on January 5th, crowning 2022 the year of the margarita. Well, that’s how we see it at Seltzer Nation. The four flavors are Classic Lime, Strawberry Hibiscus, Watermelon Cucumber, and Mango Chili. The brand tested over 100 Margarita recipes and these were the four flavors that rose to the top of the list. These new offerings have the same 1 gram of sugar and 2 carbs as Truly’s classic flavors, but they are slightly higher in calories and alcohol content. The drinks come in at a 5.3% abv and 110 calories. Truly Margarita Hard Seltzers are available in 12 oz Margarita mix 12-packs, 12 oz one flavor 6-packs, and 24oz tall cans.

Corona Hard Seltzer Seltzeritas

Another top-selling brand, Corona Hard Seltzer, announced their new Seltzeritas in March. The Mexican imported brand wanted to release flavors that harked back to their heritage. These Seltzeritas are available in Classic Lime, Strawberry, Mango, and Peach. Each flavor is made with a splash of Mexican lime juice. Corona Hard Seltzer likewise sweetens their Seltzeritas with agave and cane sugar. These have a higher than average alcohol content at 6% abv. Along with a higher abv, these flavors are a tad bit higher than average with 4 carbs, 2 to 3 grams of sugar, and 130 calories per 12 oz can. Seltzeritas are currently only available in 12 oz flavor variety 12-packs.

Topo Chico Margaritas

Popular Hard Seltzer brand Topo Chico has been teasing us with a margarita pack since October of last year. In their press release, Senior Director of Hard Seltzers at Molson Coors said, “With Topo Chico Margarita Hard Seltzer, we’re capturing the complexity of a real margarita in hard seltzer form infused with lime, salt and tequila notes and lightly sweetened with agave. We can’t wait for drinkers to try it.”

The buzz was strong, and in April of this year, the brand delivered. Topo Chico Margaritas are available nation-wide in four flavors, Signature Margarita, Tropical Pineapple, Strawberry Hibiscus, and Prickly Pear. These offerings are available in “standalone” 12 oz and 24 oz cans. They also come in flavor variety 12-packs. The drinks have an alcohol content of 4.5% abv. These Margarita hard seltzers have 100 calories, 3 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of sugar.

Cayman Jack

This isn’t the first Margarita for ready-to-drink canned cocktail brand Cayman Jack. They released a classic margarita rtd (ready-to-drink cocktail) all the way back in 2013, well before the RTD boom of recent years. Nevertheless, in late March of this year, the brand announced a brand new Margarita variety pack with three fabulous new flavors. The flavors in this pack include their tried-and-true original Margarita, and their new Strawberry, Mango, and Watermelon flavors. The  alcohol content of these offerings come in at a comfortable 5.8% abv.

Honorable Mention: Cutwater Spirits

Though Cutwater Spirits, a top-selling ready-to-drink cocktail brand, has been releasing margarita flavors for years, we would be amiss not to mention their 2022 margarita flavor release. Cutwater Pineapple Margarita is made with tequila, triple sec, pineapple flavors, and pineapple juice. The alcohol content comes in at a whooping 10% abv.

With choices aplenty, the only decision left is which margarita to try first.