Independent beverage brand, Hard Fizz, is gearing up to launch its first new flavour in almost a year, as the company pivots towards vodka drinks. The new vodka lime and soda comes alongside rising demand for spirit-based RTDs.
Hard Fizz was co-founded in 2020 by international DJ Paul Fisher, social media influencer Chloe Fisher, current CEO Wade Tiller, and growth marketer Joel Scott, and has had significant social media reach attracting investment. Its most recent funding round, in June 2024, raised $2.5 million. The brand achieved national retail ranging in Coles Liquor in 2023, and with Endeavour Drinks Group in 2024.
The alcoholic seltzer brand plans for the new vodka lime and soda flavour to be in market in the next few months, and is also producing a run of its best selling watermelon flavour in vodka form, marking the beginning of the end of seltzer as its core range.
The new 4% ABV blends also lean into the ‘better for you’ movement with just 80 calories per 330mL can and zero sugar.
Tiller said the company has been prolific with its releases over the years, but took the time to make this one perfect.
“Vodka RTD’s have been flying off the shelves of late – specifically, low calorie, no sugar varieties – and we wanted to be at the forefront of that,” said Tiller.
“It’s actually really interesting, the growth of ‘healthier’ alcoholic beverages in recent years. In 2021, just 21 per cent of all vodka RTD’s on the market were classed as ‘better for you’ and that’s now up to 45 per cent – that’s people voting with their feet. Vodka lime and soda is a fan favourite at the bar, but our version is distinctly Fizz and doesn’t have any of the nasties.”
