Hard Seltzer – What does this mean?
What is hard seltzer? A closer look at brewed alcohol seltzer and why we do things differently at Coco Loco.
Refreshing brewed seltzer featuring low-sugar alcohol and natural flavours for healthy enjoyment.
If you’ve ever wondered what a brewed alcohol seltzer is – or why we insist on being one – settle in. Below, we break down how made alcoholic coconut water by fermenting the hero ingredient transforming it into a vibrant brewed seltzer, why that matters for flavour, and how Coco Loco is changing the hard seltzer Australia scene with a naturally low-sugar approach.
What is a brewed alcohol seltzer?
A brewed alcohol seltzer, or "brewed seltzer," is a type of hard seltzer made by fermenting sugar, malt, fruit juice, or other fermentable ingredients to produce alcohol. It’s similar to how beer is made but filtered and flavoured for a clean, neutral taste.
This method stands in contrast to spirit-based RTDs (ready-to-drinks), where alcohol like vodka is mixed into fizzy water with added flavour. Brewed seltzer, on the other hand, creates alcohol through fermentation, resulting in a more natural and balanced profile.
Brewed seltzers first gained traction in the U.S. as a lighter, lower-calorie alternative to sugary premix cans. But the concept has found its feet in Australia, too, as more people look for clean-label, better-for-you drinks.
Not all seltzers are brewed equally.
The term "hard seltzer" has become something of a catch-all for anything fizzy and alcoholic in a can. But not every hard seltzer is brewed. Some brands use neutral grain spirits or ethanol mixed with soda water, calling it a seltzer. It’s easier to make, but you can usually taste the shortcut.
We believe brewed seltzer offers a better drinking experience. Because the alcohol is created from fermentation – rather than being added later – it integrates more smoothly into the drink. The result is a cleaner, more refreshing flavour that doesn’t need masking with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Hard seltzer vs brewed seltzer: what's the difference?
In essence, brewed seltzer is a method; hard seltzer is a category. Most consumers don’t realise there’s a difference until they taste it. Spirit-mixed seltzers can have a harsh finish, especially when the base is just ethanol, not a quality distilled liquor like Australian gins. Brewed seltzers, like ours, taste more integrated. Think crisp and clean, not boozy and sweet.
That’s the point of difference we want to make clear. We’re not just a crisp hard seltzer – we’re a brewed alcohol seltzer made with coconut water: an alcoholic coconut water offering a lighter, smoother experience, with an elevated and natural tropical profile.
Coconut water and alcohol: the brewed seltzer difference.
Coco Loco hard seltzer is the first RTD in Australia to make a brewed alcoholic coconut water. Launched in 2023, Coco Loco's unique formulation uses young green coconut water as a key ingredient in the brewing process, resulting in a naturally low-sugar alcoholic coconut water. This method preserves natural electrolytes, used the naturally occurring sugar to make alcohol, and locks in a clean coconut character – attributes that cannot be achieved with the mix‑and‑blend formulas of other alcoholic coconut water beverages.
Fermenting coconut water also ensures our brewed alcohol seltzer is gluten‑free and vegan while retaining a whisper of coconut character. It’s a true brewed alcohol seltzer – not a spirit‑and‑soda in disguise.
Coco Loco is brewed and canned in Victoria, Australia. Brough to you by a family‑owned and operated business, our brewed seltzer is available to buy alcohol online.
We’re committed to the brewed seltzer method because it aligns with our vision: drink better. It’s not about jumping on a trend. It’s about creating something we genuinely enjoy – and we know you will too.
How we make our brewed coconut seltzer.
Our process starts with young green coconut water. It’s fresh, not from concentrate, and rich in natural electrolytes and subtle flavour. Here’s how it goes:
- Fermentation: We introduce a natural yeast strain to the coconut water. As the yeast feeds on natural sugars, alcohol is produced.
- Filtration: Once fermented, we cold-filter the liquid to remove any solids and clarify the brew.
- Flavour balancing: Then we add real juice – like passionfruit or pineapple – natural acids for stabilising, and just a touch more carbonation.
- Canning: Finally, we can the product right here in Victoria.
By fermenting coconut water, we preserve its inherent goodness while reducing sugar content through the brewing process. There’s no artificial sweeteners or artificial flavours in our brewed alcohol seltzer.
What makes our method different.
Other hard seltzer brands typically blend alcohol with sparkling water and then add fruit flavourings. We start with a real ingredient – coconut water – and build the drink from the ground up. That’s what makes Coco Loco an Australian-first.
Our process results in a brewed seltzer that’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and low in sugar. It retains a whisper of coconut character without overpowering the fruit.
A flavourful brewed seltzer, not a health product.
Fermentation might sound like something out of a health food blog, but let’s be real: alcohol is alcohol. What we’ve created isn’t a tonic or a hack – it’s a better way to enjoy a drink.
Our fermented coconut water seltzer is about flavour, not function. We love that it’s low sugar, lighter in calories, and free from artificial nasties. But most of all, we love how it tastes: tropical, delightful, and incredibly easy to enjoy.
The rise of hard seltzer in Australia.
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 crisp 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.
Since 2020, hard seltzer has gone from fringe to fridge favourite. Australian drinkers have embraced the category for its low sugar, session-able style, and its fit with a more balanced lifestyle. But the category’s growth hasn’t necessarily been matched with quality.
Most options on the shelf lean heavily on synthetic sweeteners, artificial flavours, or generic ethanol bases (look on the listed ingredients on the label and check for: 'Alcohol'. This tells you that generic alcohol is being used, not a quality) distilled spirit like Australian gin. There’s a lot of sameness. That’s where we saw an opportunity.
At Coco Loco, we wanted to push the category further. By making a brewed alcohol seltzer from coconut water, we brought a genuinely different taste and process to hard seltzers in Australia.
Who is brewed seltzer for?
We created our purpose-led brand, coco loco, and its namesake coconut water seltzer for people who care about what they’re drinking. And who's making it!
If you’re looking for a low sugar alcohol drink that still tastes like a treat, we made this better brewed alcohol seltzer for you.
Brewed seltzer is for:
- Drinkers who want natural flavour without sweetness overload
- People who read ingredients labels (who appreciate transparency and want to trust what's listed)
- Anyone tired of drinks that are low-sugar through the removal of flavour or "zero" sugar because of artificial additives
-
Those who want a better-for-you (defined here as intentional, well-made, all natural, locally made) alcohol option without sacrificing enjoyment (and flavour!)
It’s not for: - People looking for a sugar hit or could care less about ingredients
- Vodka-soda purists who like the bite and lack-of-flavour volume
- Anyone expecting a health drink (alcohol isn’t one)
Why brewed alcohol seltzers beat blended mixed-drinks.
Let’s compare the methods:
| Brewed Seltzer | Spirit-based RTD | |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol source | Fermentation (ethanol) | Vodka, ethanol (from distilling), gin |
| Process | Brewed, like beer | Mixed post-production |
| Sugar | Naturally reduced | Often added to mask alcohol |
| Taste | Integrated, crisp | Can be sharp or present |
| Calories | Lower | Typically higher (if not artificially sweetened) |
Brewing allows natural ingredients to shine. It reduces the need for sugar or sweetener. It’s a slower method, but we think it’s worth it.
FAQs about brewed alcohol seltzer:
Is all hard seltzer brewed? No. Many popular hard seltzers are made by mixing spirits with water and flavouring. Brewed seltzers create alcohol through fermentation.
Is brewed seltzer gluten free? Yes, ours is. We don’t use malt or wheat. Our alcohol comes from fermented coconut water, making it gluten-free and vegan.
Is brewed seltzer better for you? It’s lower in sugar and calories than many alternatives. But it’s still alcohol. We brew to deliver great flavour with fewer additives.
Can I drink brewed seltzer on a low sugar diet? With 3.6g sugar per can, Coco Loco is one of the lowest sugar alcohol options available in Australia.
Does coconut water make good alcohol? When mastered, coconut water can ferment beautifully, leaving a clean taste and natural body. Plus, this process preserves the trace minerals you don’t get in standard brews.
Our other favourite Australian brewed alcohol seltzers.
We’re all about celebrating intentional alcohol – and while brewed seltzer is still a growing niche in Australia, there are a few standout brands doing great things with quality, character, and care. Here are some of our favourites:
Wavee Seltzer
Brewed on the beaches of Australia, Wavee Seltzer brings a chilled, sun-soaked attitude to the brewed seltzer category. They focus on low-carb, low-calorie, naturally flavoured drinks that don’t compromise on taste.
We love that Wavee hasn’t chased the no-sugar trend too hard – keeping a touch of natural sweetness gives their drinks a better flavour profile than most. In a market where "zero" often means "artificial," it’s refreshing to taste something honest.
But what really sets Wavee apart is their ethos. Like us, they prioritise quality over profit, transparency over marketing spin, and integrity over fleeting influence. Their brand feels grounded and real. We're proud to share a space with a fellow Australian business that's brewing for the right reasons.
Learn more about Wavee hard seltzers here.
Fellr
As one of the pioneers of Australian hard seltzer, Fellr deserves recognition, and hey get it. Their visibility and scale helped put brewed seltzers on the map locally. And while not every flavour hits the mark for us, we respect the the brand and the business; these Aussies have built a brewed alcohol seltzer brand that leads globally, not just locally.
Fellr uses a custom brewing method that’s designed to give a fuller mouthfeel – a smart move in a category where drinks can sometimes feel too thin or watery. And most commonly, flavourless. Their seltzers are also vegan, gluten-free, and low-sugar.
What stands out most about Fellr is their consistency and resilience. They’ve grown steadily, stayed independent, and remain an important player in the hard seltzer Australia scene. We might be competitors on paper, but we’re also fans of their growth and commitment to making drinks people love.
To see how Fellr has created waves in the brewed seltzer game head to their website.
Coco Loco (yes, us again)
No list of Australian brewed seltzers would be complete without the first (and only) brand fermenting coconut water. We’re proud to be doing things differently: offering a better drinking option for anyone who wants to drink better.
But our mission goes deeper. We built Coco Loco to challenge a market that prefers buying over building. We’re family-owned, independently run, brewing and canning every drop of our alcoholic coconut water here in Australia: regional Victoria specifically.
Creating something unique in a cluttered, consolidated drinks market isn’t easy. But we’re here for the long game. We believe it’s possible to scale with integrity, lead with flavour, and build something genuinely worth sharing.
Coco Loco Hard Seltzer: Nutrition facts
Each 330ml can of Coco Loco contains:
- 4% ABV (1 standard drink)
- 3.6g sugar
- <6g carbs
- 114–116 calories (depending on flavour)
Compare that to the common RTD (20-35g sugar), cider (18-25g sugar), coconut water and alcohol (12-17g sugar), or vodka soda (0-2g sugar). We’re light, but still full of good flavour.
This is a low-sugar brewed alcohol seltzer that's intentionally better from concept to can – natural, balanced, and delicious. See our full nutritional panel details and ingredients on our hard seltzer collection page, or individual product pages: Pineapple Hard Seltzer and Passionfruit Hard Seltzer.
Why there aren't more brewed alcohol seltzers in Australia.
If you’ve made it this far, you might be wondering – why aren’t there more Australian-brewed alcohol seltzers on the market? The disappointing truth has already ben stated, our industry often leans towards “buy over build.” Importing known brands or licensing products for domestic canning is more cost-effective than building something new from scratch.
Launching a brewed seltzer requires more than just a good recipe. You need infrastructure, access to capital, brewing knowledge, the patience to create something great, and the fortitude to build awareness in market of the final result. It's a slower process, and it doesn’t guarantee immediate scale or shelf space at liquor stores. That’s likely why there’s a shortage of truly brewed alcohol seltzers here in Australia – and why we’re proud to be among the few in this craft collective.
But that’s also what makes this niche so exciting. The few Australian brands that have committed to brewing – rather than blending – stand out for all the right reasons.
What’s next for brewed seltzer in Australia?
We believe the next wave of brewed alcohol seltzer innovation in Australia will be led by more brands like us that demand better of the alcohol industry. It's high time for more integrity, transparency, and quality. As drinkers become more ingredient-conscious, they'll start to care more about how their drinks are made – not just what’s printed on the can.
We’re already seeing this shift with craft beer, natural wine, and kombucha. The RTD category, which includes hard seltzer is next.
We're hopeful that more Australian businesses will be inspired to build rather than buy. It takes time, investment, and plenty of passion – but the reward is worth it: drinks that are better tasting, made locally, and created with the intention of "selling" less (controversial, yes. But the right ethos, 100%).
Until then, we’ll keep doing what we do best: making a coconut water brewed alcohol seltzer. Honest to goodness.
Curious? Explore the full range on Our Drinks page, or learn more about our purpose‑led approach on About Us.
This article was updated from the original on July 13, 2025.