Surfside Raspberry Vodka 4Pk

Surfside Raspberry Vodka 4Pk is a non-carbonated, spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktail packaged as four 12 oz cans at 4.5% ABV. Named the #1 top-growth spirits brand worldwide from 2022 to 2024 by IMPACT Databank, Surfside has rapidly redefined the canned cocktail category by using real vodka rather than the malt-liquor base found in most competitors.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5% (9 proof)  |  Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA  |  Style: Spirit-Based RTD Cocktail  |  Producer: Stateside Vodka

Production & Heritage

Surfside is built on Stateside Vodka, a Philadelphia-based distillery that rose to prominence through its cocktail lounge and craft spirits program. The base vodka is seven-times hand-distilled from 100% non-GMO US corn in a custom copper pot still, then finished through a proprietary multi-stage process involving carbon filtration, oxygenation, and ultra-cold filtration. The proofing water itself is treated through a custom system that infuses a range of minerals, including electrolytes. Each 12 oz can delivers just 100 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates, and the liquid is intentionally non-carbonated — a deliberate departure from the fizzy profile of most RTDs, resulting in a smoother, more tea- or lemonade-true drinking experience. The underlying Stateside Vodka earned a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2024, and the Surfside brand was honored as the 2025 Spirits Brand of the Year by Market Watch Magazine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe raspberry leads immediately, followed by a subtle citrus lift and a faint floral sweetness. There is no harsh alcohol presence on the nose, consistent with the low 4.5% ABV.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, with juicy raspberry dominating from the first sip. At mid-palate, a tart lemonade backbone emerges, balancing the berry sweetness with crisp acidity. The vodka base is clean and nearly transparent, allowing the natural fruit and juice flavors to carry the profile without cloying sugar.

Finish: Short and refreshing, with lingering raspberry and a light, dry close. The non-carbonated texture gives the finish a smooth, rounded quality rather than the sharp effervescence typical of hard seltzers.

How to Drink Surfside Raspberry

Surfside Raspberry is designed to drink straight from the can over ice or poured into a tall glass — no mixing required. For those who enjoy experimenting, the raspberry profile adapts well to a few simple builds. A Raspberry Vodka Collins works by pouring a can over ice with a splash of club soda and a lemon wheel, adding just enough fizz to lengthen the drink. A Berry Mule pairs a can with ginger beer and fresh lime, where the raspberry rounds out the ginger's spice. A Sunset Spritz combines a can with a float of Aperol and fresh mint, creating a bittersweet counterpoint to the fruit-forward base.

Best For

• Beach days, poolside gatherings, and outdoor cookouts where glass bottles are impractical
• Calorie-conscious drinkers seeking a 100-calorie, gluten-free option with real vodka
• Introducing spirit-based RTDs to friends who typically drink malt-based coolers or hard teas
• Stocking a portable cooler for tailgating, camping, or boating

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Surfside Raspberry taste like? Surfside Raspberry delivers a bright, juicy raspberry flavor balanced by tart lemonade acidity and a clean vodka backbone. It is non-carbonated, smooth, and notably lighter in sweetness than most competing canned cocktails.

How does Surfside Raspberry compare to Twisted Tea Raspberry? Twisted Tea Raspberry uses a malt-liquor base, while Surfside Raspberry is made with seven-times-distilled corn vodka, resulting in a cleaner, less sugary flavor profile. Twisted Tea's parent company launched Sun Cruiser in March 2024 as a vodka-based hard tea specifically to compete with Surfside's spirit-based approach.

Is Surfside Raspberry good for beginners? At just 4.5% ABV with a fruit-forward, non-carbonated profile and 100 calories per can, Surfside Raspberry is highly approachable for anyone new to spirit-based RTDs. The vodka is virtually undetectable, making it an easy entry point.

Where is Surfside Raspberry made? Surfside Raspberry is produced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, using Stateside Vodka as its base spirit. Stateside operates a distillery and cocktail lounge in the city, where the vodka is hand-distilled from US-grown corn.

What foods pair well with Surfside Raspberry? Grilled shrimp skewers complement the berry sweetness with smoky char. Fresh goat cheese salads mirror the tart, tangy acidity. Lemon-herb chicken keeps pace with the citrus undertones. Dark chocolate truffles create a rich contrast against the light raspberry fruit. Spicy fish tacos benefit from the drink's cooling, non-carbonated texture.

What sizes does Surfside Raspberry come in? The standard format is a 4-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the most widely available configuration for this SKU.

Is Surfside Raspberry worth the price? Surfside Raspberry positions as a premium RTD within the canned cocktail category, justified by its real vodka base, low-calorie profile, and gluten-free credentials — distinguishing it from cheaper malt-based alternatives that dominate the segment.

Why Surfside Raspberry?

The fundamental differentiator is the base spirit: while the vast majority of canned tea and lemonade cocktails rely on malt liquor, Surfside uses a seven-times-distilled, copper-pot corn vodka that earned a 2024 BTI Gold Medal on its own merits. That spirit foundation produces a noticeably cleaner, less sweet drinking experience at only 100 calories and 3 grams of carbs per can. Industry recognition has been emphatic — IMPACT Databank ranked Surfside as the world's top-growth spirits brand three years running, and Market Watch named it 2025 Spirits Brand of the Year. For drinkers who have outgrown malt-based RTDs but still want the convenience of a ready-made cocktail, Surfside Raspberry represents a genuine step up in both ingredients and execution.