Move Over, White Claw. Texas’ New Hard Seltzers Are Here!

Move Over, White Claw. Texas’ New Hard Seltzers Are Here!

KNOWN AS THE "unofficial cocktail of West Texas," Ranch Water, a refreshing and low-calorie blend of tequila, lime and soda water, has long been a staple of glass-raisers across Texas eager to find a simple and refreshing way to imbibe away their sweaty summer malaise. Since everything is bigger in Texas — including the bubbles — this classic Texas cocktail is getting its own national holiday.


National Ranch Water Day will now officially take place on April 11 every year due to the work of Texas-based RancH2O Spirits, which registered the holiday in the National Day Archives. RancH2O offers its own canned version of the staple cocktail, which it officially launched in October of last year alongside three other canned hard seltzer flavors — Classic Marg, Vodka Soda and Gin Fizz.

RancH2O may have been an early Texas entry into the canned hard seltzer market, which has been dominated for the past few years by early innovators like White Claw and Truly, but several other Texas and regional favorites like Karbach Brewing, which launched its Ranch Water hard seltzer back in January, have started to pile hard into the mix.

In late March, Saint Arnold Brewing Company debuted its Superfine hard seltzer lineup. The line, which the company says uses high quality, 100 percent real fruit in its recipes, is now available in variety packs containing a delightful mélange of the lines four flavors: Mimosa Morning, Berry Lounge, Sangria Sunset and Lemon Drop.

Also in March, it was announced that Diageo acquired Texas-based Lone River Ranch Water, launched by Houstonian Katie Beal Brown last spring. Former ad exec Brown navigated a new industry during the global pandemic, and her creation — in flavors like Spicy (with jalapeno, of course) and Rio Red Grapefruit — was among the fastest-selling brand in the segment.

Texan favorite Topo Chico, owned by Coca-Cola since 2017 when the soda giant acquired the beloved Mexican company for a cool $220 million, also released its first line of canned hard seltzers late last month. Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, which comes in four fruity flavors — Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava, Tangy Lemon Lime and Tropical Mango — provides imbibers with a bold punch rounded out by the brands famous bubbles.

And coming this month is dive bar staple Lone Star Brewing's first foray into canned hard seltzers. Lone Star Agave Seltzers come in two flavors — Agave Lime and Agave Watermelon—that are inspired by beloved Texas ingredients and local taste profiles.

So, on April 11 of this year, grab yourself a pack of one — or all — of these refreshing new entries into the Texas spirits market and raise a glass to the first official National Ranch Water Day.

Food
Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

THE STANDARD BEARER FOR LUXURY

We built The Village communities to exemplify sophisticated retirement living in Houston, surrounded by the heritage neighborhood of River Oaks, Tanglewood and Southampton. Each offers impeccable designer finishes and Aspenwood service detail with dining and resortstyle amenities making them premier locations for discerning Houstonians and their families. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, generous natural light, and expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful spaces are designed for entertaining, fitness, and relaxation with a dedicated team to provide a secure lock and leave lifestyle for our members.

Keep Reading Show less

Houston Arboretum

WE ALL LOVE a Rodeo, but sometimes we need options for events that have a different energy, speed — and crowd size. Check out some artsy, unique happenings around Houston in March!

Keep Reading Show less

Dr. Edward Lee and Nuveau

DR. EDWARD LEE believes in bringing the most advance treatment options to his patients at Nuveau. At the River Oaks practice, he performs the latest nonsurgical rejuvenation procedures, such as BOTOX and fillers, various laser treatments, and other nonsurgical treatmetns such as CoolSculpting and EmSculpt. He also does facelifts, upper and lower blepharoplasty, brow lift, and rhinoplasty for facial rejuvenation. Plus, he can achieve natural results with breast augmentation and breast lift surgery, as well as body contouring, such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, Brazilian butt lift and mommy makeovers.

Keep Reading Show less