City Water Citrus Seltzer Variety 12Pk

City Water Citrus Seltzer Variety 12Pk is a mixed citrus hard seltzer collection from Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville, Illinois, at 5% ABV. What distinguishes this variety pack is Solemn Oath's use of real fruit oils rather than artificial flavorings — a detail rooted in an eight-month development process during which the brewery tested numerous flavor suppliers and concentrations before finalizing its lineup.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Naperville, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Hard Seltzer Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Solemn Oath Brewery

Production & Heritage

Solemn Oath Brewery, based in Naperville, Illinois, built its reputation on inventive craft beer before expanding into hard seltzer with its City Water line. The development cycle for City Water spanned roughly eight months, with the brewing team experimenting with different flavor suppliers, concentrations, and combinations before settling on their preferred profiles. The use of real fruit oils is central to the brand's identity, intended to carry natural fruit character from the first sip through the finish — a deliberate departure from the synthetic flavor approach common in mass-market seltzers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus peel leads immediately, with grapefruit rind and lighter lemon-lime notes emerging as the seltzer opens up in the glass. The fruit oils contribute an authentic, zesty quality rather than a candy-like sweetness.

Taste: The grapefruit expression — the best-documented flavor in the citrus range — opens with a subtle grapefruit entry that builds steadily in intensity. The body carries a surprisingly creamy, lightly foamy mouthfeel. Across the citrus varieties, expect clean, fruit-forward profiles balanced by the seltzer's inherent crispness.

Finish: The grapefruit variety fades into whole-grapefruit character and closes with a lightly dry sensation, a sprinkle of salinity, and a sour gummy grapefruit note. Overall, the citrus expressions trend toward refreshingly dry finishes rather than lingering sweetness.

How to Drink City Water Citrus

Serve ice-cold, straight from the can or poured over ice for maximum refreshment. These seltzers also work as low-effort cocktail bases: try a Paloma Seltzer by adding a splash of fresh lime and a salted rim, which amplifies the grapefruit's natural salinity; a Citrus Shandy by combining half-and-half with a light wheat beer for an effervescent hybrid; or a Seltzer Spritz by floating an ounce of Aperol on top of the grapefruit variety for a bittersweet, low-ABV aperitivo.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings
• Offering a gluten-conscious, lower-calorie alternative at casual get-togethers
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to a locally brewed seltzer option
• Warm-weather day drinking where sessionability matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does City Water Citrus taste like? The citrus varieties lean into authentic fruit character driven by real fruit oils, with grapefruit being the most prominent expression — delivering a building citrus intensity, a creamy body, and a lightly dry, slightly salty finish.

How does City Water compare to White Claw? White Claw is the dominant mass-market hard seltzer at 5% ABV, while City Water comes from a craft brewery background and emphasizes real fruit oils over standard flavorings. Drinkers who find White Claw's citrus flavors thin or artificial often note City Water's fuller, more natural fruit presence.

Is City Water Citrus good for beginners? At 5% ABV with clean, fruit-forward flavors and no heavy bitterness, this variety pack is highly approachable for anyone new to hard seltzers or looking for a lighter alternative to beer and cocktails.

Where is City Water made? City Water is produced by Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago known for its growing craft beverage scene.

What foods pair well with City Water Citrus? Grilled shrimp tacos match the citrus brightness; ceviche echoes the lime and grapefruit acidity; a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette keeps the pairing light and complementary; salty tortilla chips with fresh pico de gallo provide textural contrast; and grilled chicken with a citrus glaze reinforces the fruit-forward character.

What sizes does City Water Citrus come in? The Citrus Seltzer Variety is available in a 12-pack format of standard cans, which is the primary configuration for this product.

Is City Water Citrus worth the price? City Water positions as a craft-tier hard seltzer — slightly above mass-market options like White Claw or Truly — justified by its real fruit oil formulation, extended development process, and independent brewery provenance.

Why City Water Citrus?

In a hard seltzer market flooded with nearly identical offerings, City Water's eight-month development process and commitment to real fruit oils represent a genuine point of differentiation. The citrus variety pack showcases Solemn Oath Brewery's craft sensibility applied to a format often dominated by large corporate brands. The grapefruit expression in particular demonstrates a layered, evolving flavor profile — from subtle entry through a creamy body to a dry, slightly saline finish — that outperforms many competitors in complexity. For drinkers who want the convenience of seltzer without sacrificing the authenticity of craft production, this 12-pack delivers on that promise.