Hard seltzer company White Claw sparked a social media frenzy after launching a new 0% alcohol variety pack with a hefty price tag.
The drinks come in four flavors: Black Cherry Cranberry, Mango Passion Fruit, Peach Orange Blossom, and Lime Yuzu, and are designed to replicate the taste of the original White Claw Hard Seltzer.
Each 12-ounce can has 15 calories and contains electrolytes to keep you hydrated.
Once it hits Kroger, Total Wine & More, and Albertsons/Safeway stores on January 1st, users on X and TikTok shared their thoughts on the new product line.
“We've come full circle,” Caitlin tweeted, along with a photo of 0% White Claws stacked up in a grocery store.
Many accounts questioned the purpose of the new non-alcoholic drink, with some saying it was just a purpose. Rebranded sparkling water.
User Alex Jewell took issue with the “new wave of drinking” tagline, sarcastically calling it a “clever reinvention” of soda water.
“Oh… How about using it as a mixer… I bet it would go well with vodka…” user Cleo Night wrote.
“So, flavored water?” another user asked.
Some online users have questioned the pricing of the new seltzers, with suggested retail prices ranging from $17.49 to $19.99 for a 12-pack and $10.99 to $11.49 for a six-pack.
“You can drink sparkling water for the price of beer,” one user wrote.
“Probably half the price and there's literally soda right there,” chimed in another.
The launch of the new product coincides with “Dry January,'' when some people start the new year off with a break from drinking.
Those who had abstained from alcohol for a month or permanently expressed excitement about drinking.
“I actually like this,” Michael Antero wrote on X. “As someone who can't drink alcohol, maybe I should try a new drink?”
Influencer @delanielynne announced on TikTok that she had been “waiting all throughout her pregnancy” to try the non-alcoholic White Claw beverage. She posted a video of herself dancing to Lizzo's song “About Damn Time” in front of her new product.
Popular TikTok channel Bro Bible pointed out that the branding on the new seltzer water cans is very similar to White Claw Surge, which is 8% alcohol by volume.
“Imagine mixing up people at work,” Brother Bible joked.
Former French Laundry sommelier and wine expert Ian Blessing told FOX Business that anything that makes non-alcoholic beverages for adults more accessible to the general public is a good development.
“However, White Claw 0% is an obvious strategy for market share in the fast-growing non-alcohol industry.
“There are more interesting and thoughtful instant drink options out there,” he told FOX Business. “Ultimately, I'm glad that there is an option for those who want to drink White Claw, enjoy its flavor, and continue their rituals without alcohol. Personally, I prefer traditional non-alcoholic options. I’m happy to continue using soda, or carbonated drinks, at a fraction of the cost.”
Aaron Sternlicht, addiction expert and co-founder of Family Addiction Specialists, said it's positive to have another non-alcoholic option on the market.
“Along with mocktails and sober bars, the rise of these beverages reflects a positive shift in societal attitudes towards alcohol consumption,” he told FOX Business. “This trend not only caters to individuals in recovery, but also appeals to a broader demographic seeking healthier lifestyle options. Abstinence is becoming increasingly celebrated, and these alternatives , providing a social experience that avoids the potential risks associated with alcohol. Overall, this trend signals a cultural shift towards conscious drinking and inclusivity in social settings.”
White Claw's newest beverage category is the result of “years of research” to develop the first “real-tasting” non-alcoholic beverage. According to a press release.
In a statement sent to FOX Business, Mark Anthony Brands President Phil Ross acknowledged exploring these semi-alcoholic and non-alcoholic lifestyle changes.
“Gen Z and Millennials of legal drinking age want more flexible drinking options, with or without alcohol, so in the same way we disrupted the hard seltzer category a few years ago, “We saw an opportunity to disrupt the non-alcoholic space. It looks, tastes and feels fundamentally different,” he said.
“White Claw 0% Alcohol offers the depth and complexity of flavor you would expect from a non-alcoholic beverage and looks like something you would be proud to bring to any adult drinking occasion,” says Anthony. he added.
The majority of alcohol drinkers, roughly 80% of Millennials and Gen Z, are interested in exploring a “sober and curious” or “wet” lifestyle, the company's new research shows. It was revealed.
FOX News' Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.
