Brewed alcohol seltzer?!
If you’ve ever wondered what a brewed alcohol seltzer is (or why Coco Loco insists on being a brewed seltzer), settle in. Below we break down how brewed coconut water becomes a crisp hard seltzer, why that matters for flavour, and how Coco Loco is changing the hard seltzer Australia scene with a naturally low‑sugar approach.
Quick note on “seltzer”: the word simply means carbonated water in North American usage, but adopted as a common term globally in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
What is a brewed alcohol seltzer?
A brewed alcohol seltzer ('brewed seltzer') is a type of hard seltzer made by fermenting sugar, malt, or other fermentable ingredients to create alcohol.
These tipples first emerged as a lighter alternative to sugary RTDs: traditional mixed drinks and spirits-based ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. Instead of simply pouring vodka (or generic 'alcohol') into fizzy water, the alcohol is naturally brewed, similar to beer, but filtered for a clean, neutral taste that's perfect for a seltzer.
Originating in the US in the early 2010s, brewed alcohol seltzers quickly gained popularity for their easy-drinking nature and lower-calorie appeal. Whereby spirit-based RTDs, which rely on the addition of hard liquor like vodka or gin, brewed seltzers derive their alcohol content from fermentation, resulting in a more integrated and naturally smooth drinking experience.
A better drinking choice: Natural and neutral
Brewed alcohol offers a lighter, more natural drinking experience compared to spirits. Because it isn’t distilled to high concentrations, it retains more of the original character of its ingredients. It also provides a gentler, more session-able way to enjoy a drink, without the noticeable alcohol flavour of spirits-based beverages.
Fermentation to make alcohol (it's not just for kimchi)
As mentioned, the key difference between brewed alcohol and spirits lies in how they're made. Brewed alcohol, on the other hand, is created through fermentation alone, leading to a more balanced, neutral flavour profile that blends seamlessly with other base ingredients. The fermentation process starts with natural sugars — like those found in coconut water — being broken down by yeast, producing alcohol in a more gradual and organic way.
Spirits, on the other hand, like vodka are distilled, meaning they undergo a process that removes water and concentrates alcohol to a high percentage. This results in a more potent, sometimes harsher taste that requires dilution or mixing to be palatable.
Hard seltzer Australia: the Coco Loco difference
Australia's hard seltzer market has grown consistently since 2020. The impact on the broader RTD category was immediate with popular cider and vodka-based brands losing their premium eye level position to seltzer. However, despite this growth and increased customer demand for hard seltzers, there's been little innovation or differentiation between products on shelves and in fridges.
In 2025, innovation will be key to quenching the thirst of Aussie drinkers with ready-to-drink beverages are racing ahead of every other alcohol category with consumers demanding convenience, bold flavour and genuine refreshment. As prices climb, drinkers are ditching sugary classics for lighter, more authentic options—especially the younger crowd that wants innovation in every can.
Enter Coco Loco: established in 2023 with a Drink Better mission and product vision— to create a deliciously different hard seltzer with coconut water.
Coco Loco is a one-of-a-kind beverage product that was created to fill a gap worth filling in the RTD category: no Australian RTD combined all‑natural ingredients, genuinely low sugar, calorie control, and moreish flavour in one can. Hard seltzers ticked the low‑sugar box but tasted like alcoholic soda water; mainstream RTDs had flavour yet were laden with sugar and calories; “zero‑sugar” variants leaned on artificial sweeteners.
Australian-first: Fermenting coconut water
Coco Loco Hard Seltzer is the first RTD in Australia to ferment coconut water. Coco Loco's unique formulation uses young‑green coconut water as a key ingredient in the brewing process. This method preserves natural electrolytes, removes excess sugar, and locks in a clean coconut character — attributes that cannot be achieved with the usual mix‑and‑blend formulas.
Fermenting coconut water also keeps the drink gluten‑free and vegan while retaining a whisper of coconut character. It’s a true brew‑base seltzer—not a spirit‑and‑soda in disguise.
Coco Loco is brewed and canned in Victoria, family‑owned and operated, and available to buy online.
A low‑sugar alcohol drink done right
Because the base is fermented, not mixed, we don’t need to load in sweetness to hide alcohol burn. One 330 ml can of Coco Loco Passionfruit or Pineapple contains:
- 4 % ABV (one standard drink)
- 3.6 g sugar
- 6 g carbs
- 114-116 calories
That’s lighter than most beers, ciders, or sugary RTDs—proof that a low‑sugar alcohol drink can also taste great.
A flavourful hard seltzer, not a health product
Fermentation is widely recognised for its role in nutrition and gut health, but let's be clear: alcohol is never a health tonic (and be wary of brands that claim to be so). Our fermentation process is about crafting exceptional flavour and a unique drinking experience that tastes like a tropical holiday in a can.
Curious? Explore the full range on our Our Drinks page, or learn more about our purpose‑led approach on About Us.
