Hard seltzers like Truly and White Claw have become incredibly popular in recent years as a low-calorie, low-carb alternative to beer and cocktails. With so many flavors and brands available, many people wonder which hard seltzer actually has the lowest amount of carbs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the carb content of Truly versus White Claw to determine which seltzer has less carbs.
The Nutrition Facts
To accurately compare the carb content of Truly and White Claw, we need to look at the nutrition facts labels of each brand. Here are the key details:
Truly Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 12 fl oz can
- Calories: 100
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Sugars: 1g
White Claw Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 12 fl oz can
- Calories: 100
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Sugars: 1g
At first glance, Truly and White Claw have identical carb and sugar content per can. Both contain 2g total carbs and 1g of sugar per 12oz serving. So in terms of numbers alone, it’s an exact tie between the two brands.
The Details on Truly’s Carbs
Digging deeper into the nutrition details, we find some subtle differences between Truly and White Claw when it comes to carbs. Let’s start by taking a closer look at Truly.
The 2g of carbs in Truly come from cane sugar. Truly uses cane sugar to add a touch of natural sweetness to their seltzers. The sugar contributes flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. While many hard seltzers use artificial sweeteners, Truly relies on organic cane sugar.
It’s also worth noting that the carb and sugar content remains consistent across all of Truly’s flavor varieties. No matter which fruit flavor you choose, Truly only uses 1g of organic cane sugar per can, allowing the fruit flavors to shine through.
Truly Flavor Examples
- Truly Lime: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
- Truly Grapefruit: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
- Truly Mango: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
- Truly Lemonade: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
So when it comes to Truly, all flavors contain 2g total carbs and 1g sugar coming solely from organic cane sugar.
The Details on White Claw’s Carbs
Now let’s examine White Claw’s carb content. Like Truly, White Claw also contains 2g of carbs per 12oz can. However, the source of the carbs is slightly different.
White Claw uses a blend of malted barley and gluten-free alcohol base for its hard seltzer. The malted barley contributes a very small amount of carbs and sugar. White Claw also uses a touch of stevia leaf extract to balance flavor. So the 2g carbs in White Claw comes from a blend of malted barley and stevia sweetener.
Additionally, unlike Truly, the carb content in White Claw varies slightly across flavors. The sweetness level changes based on the fruit variety, requiring different levels of stevia extract. So be sure to check labels closely if carbs are a concern.
White Claw Flavor Examples
- White Claw Black Cherry: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
- White Claw Mango: 3g carbs, 1g sugar
- White Claw Lime: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
- White Claw Ruby Grapefruit: 2g carbs, 1g sugar
The differences are minor, but White Claw Mango contains 3g carbs while most other flavors have 2g. So flavor choice matters slightly more with White Claw.
The Verdict: Which Has Less Carbs?
Based on the nutrition facts and ingredients, neither Truly or White Claw can claim the title of being the lowest carb hard seltzer overall. When comparing the same flavors side by side, the carb content is identical at 2g per can.
The source of the carbs differs, with Truly deriving from cane sugar and White Claw from malted barley and stevia. But the total carb count ends up being the same.
The only exception is certain specialty flavors of White Claw that contain 3g carbs instead of 2g. So for the most part, there is a carb content tie between Truly and White Claw. Choosing flavors wisely when buying White Claw can help minimize any variation.
The Tiebreaker: Ingredients
While the carb numbers might be a tie, looking closely at the sweetener ingredients gives Truly a slight edge.
Truly only uses organic cane sugar to provide 1g of sugar per can, giving it a relatively clean, straightforward ingredient list. White Claw, on the other hand, relies on a blend of malted barley and stevia leaf extract for sweetness.
Since stevia is an artificial sweetener, some consumers prefer Truly’s use of cane sugar as a more natural sweetening agent. This gives Truly a slight advantage in terms of ingredient quality and transparency.
Finding the Best Low Carb Options
When comparing mainstream brands like Truly and White Claw, there is not a clear winner in terms of carb content. Both brands hover right around 2g to 3g of carbs per can depending on flavor.
To find hard seltzers with even less carbs and sugar, consumers may want to look at newer specialty brands focused specifically on low-carb formulations.
For example, brands like Social Light, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, and Smirnoff Seltzer offer ultra-low carb options with less than 1g of sugar per can. Explore specialty health food stores or order online to find these lower carb niche seltzer brands.
Or, some consumers simply dilute a Truly or White Claw with extra seltzer water. This cuts the carb and sugar content in half for an easy do-it-yourself way to lighten up the drink.
In the end, both White Claw and Truly offer refreshingly low-calorie options compared to beer, wine, and cocktails. For the lowest carb results, pay close attention to flavors and consider expanding beyond the two most mainstream brands.
Factors Beyond Carb Content
When choosing a hard seltzer brand, carb content is just one consideration. Here are some other factors that impact which brand ultimately fits a person’s preferences and lifestyle best:
Flavor Options
Truly offers 20+ flavor choices from citrus to fruit flavors like mango, cherry, pineapple, apple, and more. White Claw has over 10 flavors encompassing citrus, tropical, and berry varieties. Variety and novelty flavors can be a deciding factor for taste preference.
Calories Per Can
Beyond just carbs, overall calorie content can matter for those tracking calories or managing weight. Truly and White Claw both offer 100 calories per 12oz serving.
ABV (Alcohol by Volume)
The alcohol percentage ranges from 4.5% to 5.5% for most hard seltzers. Truly tends to be around 5% ABV. White Claw measures 5% ABV. Higher alcohol content provides more bang for the buck.
Mixability
Some seltzers like White Claw have more neutral flavors that mix well with juices, purees, or alcohol. Truly’s fruit flavors tend to be more dominant. Mixability allows for more versatility and customization.
Packaging Formats
Beyond 12oz cans, Truly and White Claw offer larger cans like 16oz and 24oz, as well as variety packs. Format diversity makes it easier to buy in desired quantities.
Brand Reputation & Loyalty
Both Truly and White Claw have strong brand recognition. But individuals may identify more with one brand’s personality and image over the other.
Price Point
Budget conscious shoppers may find better deals on certain brands based on promotions, sales, and availability in their area.
Considering all these factors leads to the optimal hard seltzer choice for taste, lifestyle fit, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Truly or White Claw gluten-free?
Yes, both Truly and White Claw are certified gluten-free. Most hard seltzers advertise themselves as gluten-free since they are made from fermented cane sugar, fruit flavors, and seltzer water.
Are there carbs in Truly Lemonade?
Truly Lemonade contains 2g net carbs and 1g sugar per 12oz can, consistent with all Truly flavors.
Does White Claw Ruby Grapefruit have carbs?
Yes, White Claw Ruby Grapefruit contains 2g net carbs and 1g sugar per 12 ounce can.
What Truly flavor has the least carbs?
All Truly flavors contain 2g net carbs and 1g sugar per can. There is no Truly variety with fewer carbs than others.
Is White Claw Mango higher in carbs?
Yes, White Claw Mango comes in slightly higher with 3g net carbs vs only 2g for other White Claw flavors. Mango contains a bit more sweetener for extra flavor.
Does alcohol content affect carb amount?
No, the alcohol percentage or ABV does not directly impact the carbohydrate or sugar content of hard seltzers. However, higher ABV options generally have more calories.
Are hard seltzers keto friendly drinks?
Most hard seltzers clock in under 5g total carbs per serving, making them a keto friendly beverage option. Confirm carb counts and ingredients lists to identify the best low carb choices for your diet.
Do different flavors change calorie content?
Within the same brand, changing flavors generally does not affect calorie content. Truly and White Claw both contain 100 calories per 12oz across all options.
The Takeaway on Truly & White Claw Carbs
When it comes to the old debate of White Claw versus Truly, neither brand clearly comes out on top as the definitive lowest carb hard seltzer. The main consideration is choosing flavor varieties carefully when carb content is a primary concern.
On average, most flavors contain 2g net carbs and 1g sugar for both brands. White Claw Mango is slightly elevated with 3g carbs. Truly drinks get their sweetness from cane sugar, while White Claw uses stevia leaf extract.
For the lowest carb options, branch out beyond just the two most mainstream brands. Seek out specialty seltzer makers focused on low-carb, low-calorie formulations. Or simply add extra seltzer to dilute your drink.
At the end of the day, White Claw and Truly both provide light, refreshing taste in a low-carb package. Focus on your favorite flavors, try mixing it up with custom recipes, and as always, enjoy your hard seltzer sensibly.
