When I received and first blogged about cans of Thorntail Hard Agave, I called them canned cocktails, taking a cue from the company’s press release. After drinking them and taking notes, I realize that these are in fact hard seltzers crafted from an agave wine base. Granted, they are bit more artisanal than mass-market hard seltzers, incorporating real fruit concentrates and such, but seltzers they are.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that! The company’s goal is to create an “alternative to the canned seltzers and overly carbonated vodka drinks that were on the market” (CEO’s comments in the press release) and at 5% alcohol by volume with the light and crisp flavor profiles, I would say they accomplished that goal.

Here are my reviews of the three flavors Thorntail currently offers; unlike my usual beer reviews, organized by appearance-smell-taste-mouthfeel, these are more of my thoughts as I’m drinking them in a stream-of-consciousness format.

Sea Salt Lime

Sea Salt Lime, like all of these, is 5% ABV. The nutritional info on the can also notes that it is 110 calories, with 1 gram of sugar, and 4 grams of carbs. Here’s the company’s description and ingredients:

Sea salt lime evokes the essence of a margarita by blending the tang of lime with the subtle saltiness of the sea all combined with hard agave. Close your eyes, take a sip, and it’s like lounging on a beach, waves gently lapping nearby—a perfect seaside escape in every sip without the need for sand between your toes.

Fermented Blue Agave Nectar (Water, Blue Agave Nectar), Lime Juice Concentrate, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Invert Sugar, Sea Salt, Citric Acid

Quite a pale yellow, mostly clear, pours like a seltzer with good effervescence which settles quickly. Aroma is lime forward, with fresh lime juice and a sweet note of agave (like honey). Reminds me of a margarita, which I know is intentional. Doesn’t drink like one though; there’s an initial floral, lightly acidic lime flavor followed by an earthy bitter note, maybe some lime leaf with a mineral-like character, and a hint of saltiness. It’s quite light and while it finishes clean, it’s a bit watery/seltzery with that bitter note following into the finish, which is a bit odd.

Passionfruit Guava

This one has 120 calories with 2 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of carbs. Description and ingredients:

Passionfruit Guava is a vibrant burst of paradise, marrying the luscious sweetness of passionfruit with the exotic juiciness of guava. It’s a delightful elixir that radiates sunshine in every sip, offering a taste of tropical bliss, perfect for those seeking a lively indulgence.

Fermented Blue Agave Nectar (Water, Blue Agave Nectar), Guava Juice Concentrate, Orange Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Invert Sugar, Citric Acid, Sea Salt

Pale yellow, clear, fizzy but ephemeral. The aroma is sweet and tropical, kind of a tropical Hawaiian punch and bubblegum character, which I find appealing. Something of a POG flavor profile, with sweet guava and a slightly artificial hint of passionfruit. There’s a touch of orange as well, which rounds out the POG impression. There’s a light minerality but overall it’s clean with a sweetish finish.

Peach Strawberry

If you like peach, you’ll like this one. It has 110 calories, with 1 gram of sugar, and 5 grams of carbs.

Peach Strawberry is a delightful blend of ripe peach, luscious strawberry, and hard agave—offering a refreshing drink for those seeking a sophisticated touch in their everyday lifestyle, whether you’re unwinding after a hike or fueling up for your next thrilling adventure.

Fermented Blue Agave Nectar (Water, Blue Agave Nectar), White Peach Juice Concentrate, Strawberry Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Invert Sugar, Sea Salt, Citric Acid

This one is pale yellow-pink-peach color, I want to say darker/more colorful than the others. A peachy aroma hits first, kind of a cross between natural and artificial peach scent, a touch syrupy, maybe like some type of peach cocktail. I don’t get any strawberry notes in the nose but it comes out in the flavor, along with peach schnapps (which is what I was grasping for in the aroma). There’s some good sweetness here along with the seltzer minerality. It’s pretty tasty for what it is, what I’m looking for in a hard seltzer, and in my opinion the best of the three.