Sonic Hard Seltzer is not technically new. It didn’t come out last month. It came out last year. But that doesn’t mean the internet doesn’t need another Sonic Hard Seltzer review. Plus, it is definitely new to us—which means it’s probably new to you, too. And you absolutely need to know about it. 

Let’s cover the basics before diving into the full Sonic Hard Seltzer reviews. The alcoholic beverages, inspired by Sonic’s iconic drink menu, are available in three different variety packs: Tropical, Citrus, and Greatest Hits (which contains Ocean Water, Lemon Berry, and Cherry Limeade). Each can is 6% ABV and 100 calories with just 1g sugar. For comparison, a Mango White Claw (the best White Claw flavor) is 5% ABV and 100 calories with 2g sugar. 

Now, let’s talk about the specific Sonic Hard Seltzer flavors to find out if they live up to their original N/A counterparts.

Sonic Tropical Hard Seltzer

There were conflicting Sonic Hard Seltzer reviews even within the Sporked staff. For me, the Sonic Hard Seltzer Tropical variety pack—Ocean Water, Melon Medley, Mango Guava, and Orange Pineapple—was not as successful as the Citrus variety pack (more on that later). But if you ask Sporked senior staff writer and person who does not like the taste of alcohol, Jordan Myrick, they might tell you this is the better of the two. The flavors certainly run sweeter. Mango Guava tastes vaguely of tropical punch with no real standout mango or guava flavor. Orange Pineapple is quite sweet and it’s citrusy almost like an Emergen-C. Still, it was the hit of the pack for Jordan, who liked that it doesn’t taste like alcohol. Melon Medley tastes like generic fake fruit—though I do applaud them for putting a picture of honeydew along with the usual watermelon on the can. No one appreciates honeydew. And then there’s Sonic Hard Seltzer Ocean Water. Now, this one I liked (Jordan did not). It tastes like a fizzy, not too sweet Piña Colada. If you like the LaCroix coconut (an admittedly divisive LaCroix flavor) you’ll like this.

Credit: Liv Averett / Sonic

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Sonic Citrus Hard Seltzer

If you prefer tart and tangy to sweet and tropical, this is the best Sonic Hard Seltzer variety pack for you. In this pack you get Classic Lemonade, Lemon Berry, Cherry Limeade, and Original Limeade. The Lemon Berry is there for those who crave that fruitiness and can’t handle any whiff of alcohol. It’s sweet and definitely berry forward. The Original Limeade is on the opposite end of the spectrum: It’s not sweet at all and very tangy and zesty—almost like biting into a lime peel. The Original Lemonade tastes like a tart lemon soda mixed with tonic water. I really liked it. It’s much more complex and interesting than other hard seltzers I’ve tried. And then there’s the real reason to get this Sonic Hard Seltzer variety pack: the Cherry Limeade. It. Is. So. Good. It might even rival the best hard seltzer I’ve ever had. It really tastes like a delicious cherry limeade—just a bit lighter and more refreshing. It’s not too sweet. It’s wonderfully zesty. It’s very grown-up. I finished a whole can. Pour it over some pebble ice and have yourself a real Sonic happy hour.

Credit: Liv Averett / Sonic

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

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