Mike's Hard Black Cherry 6Pk Cans

Mike's Hard Black Cherry 6Pk Cans is a flavored malt beverage at 5% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, blending black cherry sweetness with tart lemonade refreshment. What distinguishes this expression from many flavored malt beverages is Mike's proprietary filtration process, which strips the malt base of beer-like character before flavoring is added — resulting in a notably cleaner, fruit-forward drink.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: United States (Hillside, NJ & Glendale, AZ)  |  Style: Flavored Malt Beverage  |  Producer: Mike's Hard Lemonade Co. (Mark Anthony Brewing)

Production & Heritage

Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., headquartered in Levittown, Pennsylvania, operates under the Mark Anthony Brewing umbrella, with production facilities in Hillside, New Jersey and Glendale, Arizona. The process begins with a fermented malt base made from malted barley and a proprietary yeast strain. That base then undergoes an intensive proprietary filtration process designed to strip away residual beer-like flavors, creating a neutral alcohol foundation. Cold-pressed natural lemon flavor, sugars, and black cherry flavoring are blended into this clean canvas — a method that sets Mike's apart from traditional malt beverages where residual malt character often competes with added fruit flavors.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright black cherry jumps from the can immediately, carrying a candy-like fruit sweetness layered over a faint citrus backbone. There is very little malt presence on the nose, a direct result of the aggressive filtration.

Taste: The entry is sweet and tart cherry, dark and juicy, settling quickly into a lemonade-like citrus tang at mid-palate. Light carbonation lifts the flavors and keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. The clean malt base stays quietly in the background, letting the fruit do the talking.

Finish: Smooth and lightly sweet with a refreshing, crisp close. The cherry flavor lingers briefly alongside a subtle lemon zest before fading cleanly.

How to Drink Mike's Hard Black Cherry

Served ice-cold straight from the can or poured over ice, this is at its best on a warm day when maximum refreshment is the goal. For a simple twist, try it in a Cherry Lemonade Shandy by mixing half-and-half with a light wheat beer to dial back the sweetness and add body. A Black Cherry Spritz — topping a splash of elderflower liqueur with Mike's Hard Black Cherry over ice — makes a low-effort warm-weather cocktail. It also works well in a Cherry Mule, substituting it for the ginger beer and vodka combination, with a squeeze of fresh lime to sharpen the tartness.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and outdoor cookouts where easy-drinking refreshment is key
• Stocking a cooler for a beach day or pool party
• Offering guests who prefer fruit-forward drinks over beer or wine
• Casual game-day gatherings where convenience and flavor variety matter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mike's Hard Black Cherry taste like? It delivers a juicy, dark cherry sweetness balanced by a zesty lemonade tartness, with light carbonation and a clean, smooth finish that avoids any heavy malt flavor.

How does Mike's Hard Black Cherry compare to Smirnoff Ice? Mike's Hard Black Cherry leans more heavily into fruit-forward sweetness with its proprietary filtration creating a cleaner base, while Smirnoff Ice is vodka-branded (though also a malt beverage in the U.S.) and tends toward a crisper, more citrus-driven profile. Consumers who prefer pronounced fruit character generally gravitate toward Mike's, while those who want a drier, more neutral drink often reach for Smirnoff Ice.

Is Mike's Hard Black Cherry good for beginners? At 5% ABV with a sweet, fruit-forward flavor and almost no perceptible alcohol bite, it is one of the most approachable flavored malt beverages on the market and a natural starting point for those new to the category.

Where is Mike's Hard Black Cherry made? It is produced by Mark Anthony Brewing at facilities in Hillside, New Jersey and Glendale, Arizona, under the Mike's Hard Lemonade Co. brand, which is headquartered in Levittown, Pennsylvania.

What foods pair well with Mike's Hard Black Cherry? Grilled chicken or pulled pork benefits from the cherry sweetness cutting through smoky, savory flavors. Mild soft cheeses like brie complement the fruit notes without overpowering them. It pairs well alongside fresh fruit platters, particularly strawberries and watermelon, which echo the berry-forward profile. Vanilla ice cream or cheesecake creates a simple dessert pairing where the tartness balances the richness.

What sizes does Mike's Hard Black Cherry come in? The standard format is a six-pack of 12 oz cans, though Mike's Hard products are also commonly available in variety packs and single-serve larger cans depending on market availability.

Is Mike's Hard Black Cherry worth the price? Mike's Hard Black Cherry positions as an accessible, entry-level flavored malt beverage, and the six-pack format delivers solid value within the ready-to-drink category — comparable in price tier to competing brands like Smirnoff Ice and Twisted Tea.

Why Mike's Hard Black Cherry?

The real differentiator here is the production method. Mike's proprietary filtration process strips the fermented malt base of virtually all beer-like character before any flavoring is added, giving the final product a noticeably cleaner canvas than most competitors in the flavored malt beverage space. That means the black cherry and lemon flavors come through with more clarity and less interference from residual grain notes. At 5% ABV, it hits a sessionable sweet spot — enough presence to feel like a real drink, light enough for extended warm-weather sessions. For anyone seeking a fruit-driven, easy-drinking alternative to beer, this six-pack delivers exactly what the category promises without the muddled flavors that can undermine lesser-filtered rivals.