As soon as the Drinks Trade tasting panel dropped its “13 New RTD Releases” review earlier this week, one verdict jumped off the page: Coco Loco Pineapple was crowned the Best “Better-for-You” RTD of the entire line-up. It’s a big nod to everything we brew for — clean and delicious flavour, moderation-friendly 4 % ABV (one standard drink per can) and just 3.6g of sugar per drink — proving that our brewed coconut hard seltzer can stand tall among spirit-based heavyweights while still ticking the wellness box. If you’ve been hunting for a genuinely low-sugar, hard seltzer online that doesn’t taste like diet soda, this review from industry experts is your sign to buy now and taste the difference for yourself.

What 13 new RTDs tell us about the Aussie drinks scene – and why Coco Loco Hard Seltzer is a better choice

“Tasted by Drinks Trade: 13 New RTD Releases” is a whistle-stop tour through the freshest ready-to-drink launches landing in bottle-shops this winter. While the piece covers everything from gin-based spritzes to tequila sodas, it highlights three key trends. Below we unpack those take-aways, which confirm that Coco Loco bevies are the answer for “what’s next”.

1. Lower sugar is now table stakes

Most of the 13 newcomers lean hard on “less sugar” or “no added sugar” claims. Consumers who once accepted a syrupy vodka cruiser (we've all been there at one point or another!) now seek drinks that hover around the 100-calorie mark and won’t spike blood-glucose mid-afternoon.

How Coco Loco is naturally low sugar and lower calorie — we ferment the coconut water which uses the natural sugars to create alcohol, thereby lowering the sugar content in the final beverage. Coco Loco Pineapple and Coco Loco Passionfruit contain just 1.2g sugar per 100 ml and no artificial sweeteners. If you’re scanning the shelf for a genuinely low sugar hard seltzer, our numbers don’t lie.

2. Provenance and authentic flavour beat lab-made additives

Drinks Trade notes a lift in spirits-based RTDs calling out single-origin botanicals, regional distilleries and farm-to-can stories. Shoppers want to taste real ingredients, not the vague “natural flavour” line you see on the back of a mainstream lime seltzer.

How Coco Loco delivers all natural, all flavour — our alcoholic coconut hard seltzer is brewed (not blended) in small batches right here in Australia. We use real passionfruit or pineapple juice, then can the beverage immediately for maximum freshness. No coconut water concentrates, no funny busy — just clean, tropical flavour with a whisper of natural sweetness from the coconut water itself.

3. Convenience still reigns, but quality expectations have sky-rocketed

Ready-to-drink was once a by-word for “cheap and cheerful”. And in a lot of cases, the products are still made cheap from questionable ingredients. The 13 products profiled by Drinks Trade show the rise of premium: think single-serve cans retailing at AUD $8–10 and 4-packs around AUD $25. Shoppers no longer baulk at paying for craft-level liquid if it delivers bar-quality taste without the fuss.

As a small batch brand, Coco Loco currently sells direct to maintain price consistency — by selling direct-to-consumer we keep price pressure in check while delivering orders straight to your door. Talk about convenience! You can buy hard seltzer online today and have it on your doorstep in two-three business days in most metro areas.

Where brewed hard seltzer fits in with other RTDs

Unlike spirit-based RTDs, brewed seltzers ferment their own alcohol from a sugar source (ours is coconut water). That keeps gluten off the table and layers gentle complexity that simple vodka + soda can’t match. We also consciously make the ABV a session-friendly 4 % to be one standard drink per can. If the next wave of RTDs is all about cleaner labels and craft techniques, brewed hard seltzer is bang on trend.

The coconut water advantage

Coconut water brings natural electrolytes and a subtle sweetness that lets us skip artificial sweeteners altogether. The result is an alcoholic coconut water that refreshes like a soft drink but behaves like a crisp lager — perfect for daytime gatherings and mindful week-nights alike.

How to try coconut hard seltzer for yourself

1. Pick your flavour – Passionfruit for zing, Pineapple for mellow island vibes, or grab a mixed 16-pack to taste the lot.

2. Order direct via our Shop Coconut Hard Seltzer Online page – free delivery over $130 (that's one case of 24 cans).

3. Risk-free sip – every order is covered by our Great Taste Guarantee. Don’t love it? Return any unopened cans within 10 days for a refund.

Final word: Drink Better, Not More

The 13 RTDs spotlighted by Drinks Trade prove Australia’s ready-to-drink market is levelling-up fast — less sugar, real ingredients and premium cues are the new norm. Coco Loco sits at the intersection of all three, offering a low sugar coconut hard seltzer that’s brewed for taste, not doctored for buzz.

Ready to raise your can to the next chapter of better drinking? Add Coco Loco to cart and taste the delicious difference today. 

This post is based on the Drinks Trade article by Cody Profaca, originally published June 3 2025.