Among the 19 various hard lemonades that I sampled, my objective was to determine the top choice. Mike’s Hard Lemonade has broadened its range of flavors, and Mike himself has even introduced a diverse selection. The hard lemonade category has thrived over time, and it encompasses more than just Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

If you want to give it a go, here are the top five brands of hard lemonade. When we were in college, we definitely had our first drink and it gave us that nostalgic feeling of being back in high school, but now we can enjoy the best hard lemonade on the market. They’re even better than the many “seltzers” available now. After trying nearly 20 different kinds of spiked lemonade, I think we should drink even more of them. It’s a perfectly acceptable beverage for anyone. And let’s not forget about Limeade Hard Mike’s, which is not technically lemonade, but it’s just as tasty and refreshing.

Best Flavored.

You might be surprised by how grown-up and nuanced Mike’s hard lemonade flavor really is. My critique is that it’s only light on the lemonade aspect, but it’s definitely worth trying. The flavor tastes like a good quality brand of Maraschino cherries – it’s rich, tart, and has the actual flavor of cherries. However, the cherry Black flavor can be tough, as it often tastes like cough syrup when you get a whiff of its smell.

Image courtesy of Merc / Target.

Finest Strawberry Lemonade.

“I want what’s in a canned cocktail,” they said. They thought this was delicious and they are not just interested in the plain flavor of booze. That’s why it’s the top hard lemonade for Myrick Jordan, senior staff writer for Sporked. It doesn’t taste like a cocktail, it tastes like fizzy fruit snacks. If the thought of alcohol tasting in your alcoholic beverage makes you shudder, this is the best hard lemonade for you.

Image courtesy of Merc / Target.

Ultimate Party Beverage.

I think people would be quite delighted if you brought a six-pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade to a party. It truly just tastes like a great soda. It doesn’t taste like a bunch of synthetic flavors, surprisingly, and it’s sweet and tangy. However, it is still a very easy drink. (For instance, the iPod click wheel is outdated and I now have short hair.) Many things have changed since then, both in me and the world, but I recall it being quite good during my college days. I felt apprehensive about trying Mike’s again.

Image courtesy of Merc / Target.

Finest Artisanal Mixed Drink.

Bringing you something that is not only a cocktail but also a visually appealing representation of craft branding is what I aim to achieve. The taste of vodka, honey, and lemon is what you will experience. This hard lemonade was the closest thing to an actual cocktail. Unlike the usual ABV% of 5%, each can of Lemonade Hard Monaco has a higher ABV% of 9%. It is made with real vodka, not just a simulated version. In addition to their existing lineup of hard lemonades, they have recently launched a new and exciting addition for the summer of 2022.

Image courtesy of Merc / Target.

Top-notch.

Give it a go. Summer is approaching. It is the finest tough lemonade. I genuinely couldn’t detect the alcohol, but there’s liquor in it. It’s akin to a homemade effervescent lemonade. It’s not excessively sweet at all; it’s highly tangy. It smells very lemonade-like and enticing (presumably because it’s made with real juice!). We absolutely adore Simply Lemonade at Sporked (it claimed the second position in our finest lemonade ranking), so I had great expectations and they were more than fulfilled. I sampled this from a Big Gulp-sized can and it was so fantastic that I absolutely would have consumed the entire thing if it were the ’80s and it was still acceptable to become slightly intoxicated at work.

Image credit: Merc / Kroger.

Justine Sterling

Justine Sterling is the editor-in-chief. She has been writing about beverages and food for over a decade and is an at-home cook and snacker. Don’t worry, she’s not a food snob. She loves fresh-shucked oysters for sure, but if there are no actual limes in the ingredients, she also loves Tostitos Hint of Lime and will leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases.