Hard Mtn Dew Hard Seltzer Black Cherry 24OZ

Hard Mtn Dew Hard Seltzer Black Cherry 24OZ is a 5% ABV flavored malt beverage in a 24-ounce can that delivers a bold, soda-forward black cherry experience with zero added sugar. Produced by Boston Beer Company, this expression stands out in the hard seltzer aisle as a technically distinct product — it is a fermented malt beverage rather than a traditional hard seltzer, giving it a different body and flavor foundation than most competitors.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Massachusetts, USA  |  Style: Flavored Malt Beverage  |  Producer: Boston Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Boston Beer Company, founded in 1984 and best known as the maker of Samuel Adams, produces Hard Mtn Dew under a licensing partnership with PepsiCo. Despite the "Hard Seltzer" label commonly associated with it, Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry is classified as a flavored malt beverage — brewed with malted barley, wheat, and hops, then fermented in the manner of a traditional malt liquor. The liquid is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium instead of sugar, resulting in a zero-added-sugar product with certified color and natural flavors providing the black cherry character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pronounced artificial cherry dominates the nose immediately upon cracking the can. There is a noticeable sweetness on the scent — reviewers from The 108 have described the cherry aroma as intense and overpowering.

Taste: The palate opens with a strong, candy-like black cherry flavor that multiple reviewers have compared to Jolly Rancher candy. Mid-palate, the artificial sweetener backbone becomes apparent alongside a faint malt undertone. Taste of Home noted the watermelon and black cherry variants carried a distinct Jolly Rancher quality, while Recommend If You Like called this the "most soda-like" expression in the Hard Mtn Dew lineup, describing the black cherry as a nice counterpart to the brand's other citrusy flavors, if perhaps a hair too sweet.

Finish: The finish is moderately short with lingering artificial cherry sweetness and a slight medicinal edge that several critics noted. The carbonation tapers off quickly, leaving a dry, diet-soda-like aftertaste.

How to Drink Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry

Most drinkers consume this straight from the 24-ounce can, well chilled. Its bold sweetness and low ABV make it a grab-and-go option rather than a mixing base. That said, adventurous drinkers have used it in a Cherry Mule, substituting it for ginger beer with a squeeze of lime to temper the sweetness; a Black Cherry Shandy, mixing it half-and-half with a light lager for a more balanced, less sweet drink; or a Cherry Limeade Cooler, combining it with fresh lime juice and a splash of club soda to add tartness and dilute the candy-forward profile.

Best For

• Casual outdoor gatherings like barbecues or tailgates where easy-drinking, low-ABV options are preferred
• Mountain Dew fans curious about an alcoholic spin on the brand's flavor universe
• Drinkers who enjoy intensely sweet, candy-flavored malt beverages over dry or tart seltzers
• Sessions where a zero-added-sugar option is desired without sacrificing bold flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry taste like? Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry delivers a strong, candy-forward artificial cherry flavor often compared to Jolly Rancher candy, underpinned by noticeable artificial sweetener and a faint malt character. It is among the sweetest and most soda-like expressions in the Hard Mtn Dew lineup.

How does Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry compare to White Claw Black Cherry? White Claw Black Cherry is a true hard seltzer with a lighter, drier, and more subtly fruited profile, while Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry is a flavored malt beverage with a much bolder, sweeter, more candy-like cherry taste. Drinkers who prefer restrained fruit and clean finishes generally favor White Claw, whereas those seeking a full-flavored soda-style experience may gravitate toward Hard Mtn Dew.

Is Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry good for beginners? Its 5% ABV and intensely sweet, soda-like flavor make it approachable for those new to alcoholic beverages, though drinkers sensitive to artificial sweeteners may find the aftertaste off-putting.

Where is Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry made? Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry is produced by Boston Beer Company, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, under a licensing agreement with PepsiCo for the Mountain Dew brand.

What foods pair well with Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry? Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the drink's sweetness as a cooling contrast; smoked pulled pork sandwiches complement the cherry notes; salted pretzels or popcorn balance the sugar; pepperoni pizza works as a classic casual pairing; and vanilla ice cream alongside the cherry flavor creates a float-like dessert experience.

What sizes does Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry come in? Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry is available in a 24-ounce single-serve can as well as in variety packs that typically include 12-ounce cans alongside other Hard Mtn Dew flavors.

Is Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry worth the price? Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry positions squarely in the value tier of flavored malt beverages, competing with mass-market hard seltzers and flavored malt drinks. The 24-ounce format offers a generous pour for the category, making it a reasonable choice for drinkers who enjoy its bold, sweet profile.

Why Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry?

What sets this product apart is its identity crisis — marketed alongside hard seltzers but technically a flavored malt beverage brewed with malted barley, wheat, and hops. That distinction gives it a fuller body and more aggressive flavor than a typical spiked seltzer. For drinkers who find White Claw and similar products too subtle or too dry, Hard Mtn Dew Black Cherry swings to the opposite extreme with an unapologetically candy-sweet, soda-inspired character. It occupies a specific niche: the intersection of brand nostalgia for Mountain Dew, demand for zero-added-sugar beverages, and a preference for maximum flavor at an accessible 5% ABV.