Brewed Alcohol Seltzer

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 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 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.