Best High Noon Flavors Ranked by Taste and Popularity
I still remember the barbecue where I swore off malt-based seltzers for good. The chemical aftertaste, the bloating, the weird artificial sweetener film left on my teeth it was enough to make me stick to beer. Then someone handed me a can of High Noon Sun Sips. It tasted like actual fruit juice and clean vodka. No weird funk. No headache-inducing sweetness. Just crisp, refreshing flavor.
If you are reading this, you are probably standing in the aisle of a liquor store staring at a wall of colorful cans, or maybe you’re planning a weekend cooler for the beach. You want to know which high noon flavors are worth your money and which ones might end up sitting at the bottom of the fridge until next summer.
This isn’t a generic list copied from a press release. This is a hands on ranking based on taste tests, texture analysis, and drinkability. We are breaking down the best high noon flavor options so you can buy the right pack every time.
Why High Noon Seltzer Dominates the Market
Before we rank the high noon flavors, we need to understand why this brand took over. Unlike its competitors, the high noon drink isn’t a malt beverage. It is made with real vodka and real fruit juice.
This distinction matters for flavor. Malt beverages often require heavy flavoring to mask the fermented grain taste. Because high noon seltzer uses neutral vodka, the fruit juice shines through cleanly. There is no background noise on your palate.
When you crack open a high noon variety pack, you are getting a simpler ingredient list: vodka, real fruit juice, and sparkling water. That simplicity is exactly what consumers wanted, and it drove the brand to become the top selling spirit based hard seltzer in the US.
Top 10 High Noon Flavors Ranked by Taste and Popularity
We tested these based on fruit authenticity, sweetness balance, and refreshing finish. Here is the definitive ranking of high noon flavors.
1. Peach
This is widely considered the best high noon flavor for good reason. It doesn’t taste like peach candy rings; it tastes like a ripe, juicy Georgia peach. The aroma hits you the second you pop the tab. It’s sweet but finishes dry, making it dangerous you could easily drink three without realizing it.
- Taste Profile: Authentic stone fruit, floral sweetness, clean finish.
- Why it ranks #1: It balances the acidity of the carbonation with the natural sugar of the peach juice perfectly.
2. Pineapple
If you like tropical drinks but hate the syrup, this is your high noon drink. It has that distinct tangy bite you get from fresh pineapple. It’s slightly more acidic than the peach, which makes it incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
- Taste Profile: Tart, tropical, zesty.
- Why it ranks #2: It cuts through salty snacks better than any other flavor.
3. Watermelon
Watermelon is a risky flavor. It often tastes like medicinal syrup. High Noon nailed this one by keeping it light. It tastes like water infused with watermelon chunks rather than a Jolly Rancher. It is the star of the Pool Pack high noon variety pack.
- Taste Profile: Light, crisp, subtle melon sweetness.
- Why it ranks #3: It is the most crushable flavor for long afternoons in the sun.
4. Grapefruit
This is for the palates that prefer tart over sweet. It mimics the experience of a greyhound cocktail (vodka and grapefruit juice). It has a genuine citrus pith bitterness that adds complexity. If you find other high noon drink flavors too sweet, start here.
- Taste Profile: Bitter-sweet, citrusy, sharp.
- Why it ranks #4: Authentic citrus oil flavor that feels sophisticated.
5. Black Cherry
Black cherry is a staple in the seltzer world, but the high noon seltzer version feels darker and richer. It lacks the medicinal cough syrup vibe that plagues other brands. It feels like a dessert seltzer without the calories.
- Taste Profile: Deep berry, mild tartness, jammy.
- Why it ranks #5: A solid, reliable option that beats the white claw version easily.
6. Lime
Simple, classic, effective. The Lime high noon drink is essentially a vodka soda with a splash of lime juice in a can. It is utilitarian. It doesn’t excite you like Peach does, but it never lets you down.
- Taste Profile: Zesty, sour, clean.
- Why it ranks #6: It is the best mixer if you want to pour it over ice and add fresh mint.
7. Passion Fruit
This flavor is polarizing. For some, it’s an exotic escape; for others, it’s a bit perfumey. It has a musky sweetness typical of passion fruit. It adds diversity to the high noon flavors lineup but isn’t for everyone.
- Taste Profile: Tropical, floral, aromatic.
- Why it ranks #7: Unique profile that stands out in a sea of citrus.
8. Mango
Mango suffers slightly from being a bit heavy. The juice content here feels thicker on the tongue compared to the Watermelon or Lime. It’s delicious, but you might only want one.
- Taste Profile: Rich, heavy tropical, sweet.
- Why it ranks #8: Good flavor, but lower drinkability over a long session.
9. Lemon
It’s good, but it’s redundant. With Lime and Grapefruit already nailing the citrus category, Lemon feels a bit safe. It tastes like a high-quality lemonade seltzer.
- Taste Profile: Sour, bright, simple.
- Why it ranks #9: It’s a solid filler in a high noon variety pack, but rarely a first choice.
10. Pear
This flavor is subtle almost too subtle. It has a nice crispness, resembling a dry cider, but the flavor can get lost against the vodka and carbonation.
- Taste Profile: Mild, floral, dry.
- Why it ranks #10: Great for those who dislike strong fruit flavors, but boring for the rest of us.
Nutritional & Flavor Profile Comparison
To help you choose the high noon seltzer that fits your diet and taste preference, we’ve compiled the data below.
| Flavor | Calories | Carbs | Sweetness (1-5) | Acidity (1-5) | Best Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peach | 100 | 2.6g | 4/5 | 2/5 | BBQ / Party |
| Pineapple | 100 | 2.6g | 3/5 | 4/5 | Beach Day |
| Watermelon | 100 | 2.6g | 3/5 | 2/5 | Poolside |
| Grapefruit | 100 | 2.6g | 2/5 | 5/5 | Brunch |
| Black Cherry | 100 | 2.6g | 4/5 | 3/5 | Evening |
| Lime | 100 | 2.3g | 1/5 | 4/5 | Dinner Pairing |
Why “Real Juice” Changes the Game
The secret weapon of high noon drink flavors is the ingredient list. Most seltzers use “natural flavors,” which is industry-speak for chemical compounds derived from natural sources but heavily processed.
High Noon uses actual fruit juice concentrate. According to food science research, real fruit juice contains organic acids and esters that artificial flavorings struggle to replicate perfectly (Source: Journal of Food Science). This is why the high noon drink finishes cleanly your body recognizes the sugar source (fruit) rather than a synthesized sweetener profile.
When comparing a high noon variety pack to a malt-based competitor, the difference is texture. Malt beverages have a heavier mouthfeel due to the residual sugars from fermentation. Vodka is distilled, removing those impurities and resulting in a lighter body that allows the high noon flavors to pop.
Choosing the Right High Noon Variety Pack
If you are new to the brand, committing to a single flavor 4-pack can be risky. High Noon smartly bundles their cans into themed packs.
The Sun Sips Variety Pack (Original):
Includes Grapefruit, Black Cherry, Pineapple, and Watermelon. This is the starter kit. It covers all bases citrus, berry, and melon. If you want to know what the best high noon flavor is for your palate, start here.
The Pool Pack:
Includes Kiwi (exclusive), Guava (exclusive), Peach, and Lime. This is the summer essential. The inclusion of Peach makes this highly sought after.
The Tropical Pack:
Includes Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit, and Watermelon. This is for the sweet tooth. These high noon drink flavors lean heavier on the sugar perception, even though the carb count remains low.
Choosing the right high noon variety pack depends on your crowd. If you are hosting a mixed group, the Original pack is the safest bet because Grapefruit and Black Cherry appeal to people who might usually drink wine or dark spirits.
Tequila Seltzer vs. Vodka Seltzer
Recently, High Noon expanded into tequila seltzers. It is important not to confuse these with the standard high noon seltzer. The tequila versions use real blanco tequila and fruit juice.
The flavor profile is earthier. You get that distinct agave bite. While the best high noon flavor in the vodka line is widely considered to be Peach, the standout in the tequila line is Lime. The acidity of the lime pairs classically with the agave.
However, for the average drinker looking for something “easy,” the vodka based high noon flavors remain superior. The vodka is smoother and disappears into the juice, whereas the tequila makes its presence known.
Industry Impact and Market Trends
The rise of the high noon drink signaled a shift in the alcohol industry known as “premiumization.” Consumers are drinking less, but better. Data from the IWSR Drinks Market Analysis shows that while overall alcohol volume consumption is stabilizing, the ready to drink (RTD) category, specifically spirit-based ones, is growing rapidly (Source: IWSR).
This trend explains why you are seeing more high noon drink flavors hit the shelves. People are willing to pay a few dollars more for a high noon variety pack over a budget malt seltzer because they perceive the health and taste benefits of “real vodka, real juice.”
For deeper insights into beverage trends, you can read our analysis on emerging flavor trends (internal link).
FAQ: Common Questions About High Noon
Q: Is High Noon actually gluten-free?
A: Yes, absolutely. Because the high noon seltzer is made with corn-based vodka, it is naturally gluten-free. Unlike malt beverages which are brewed from barley, High Noon is safe for those with Celiac disease.
Q: Does High Noon have added sugar?
A: No, there is no added sugar. The sweetness comes entirely from the real fruit juice and a touch of fruit juice concentrate. This keeps the carb count low (around 2.6g) while maintaining authentic taste across all high noon flavors.
Q: Which High Noon flavor has the least calories?
A: All standard vodka high noon drink flavors are 100 calories. The variance in sugar and carbs is negligible between flavors, usually differing by less than 1 gram. You can choose based on taste preference without worrying about the diet impact.
Q: Why are High Noons more expensive than White Claw?
A: The price difference comes down to ingredients and taxes. Vodka is taxed at a higher rate than malt liquor in many states. Additionally, sourcing real fruit juice and premium vodka for the high noon drink costs more than brewing a malt base and adding flavoring agents.
Q: What is the rarest High Noon flavor?
A: Flavors like Kiwi and Guava are often locked inside specific variety packs (like the Pool Pack) and aren’t sold individually in many markets. Seasonal releases like Cranberry also appear for limited times, making them harder to find than the standard high noon variety pack.
Final Thoughts
The dominance of High Noon isn’t accidental. They solved the biggest complaint about hard seltzers the artificial taste by simply using better ingredients. Whether you grab a single can of Peach or a full high noon variety pack, you are getting a consistent, quality product.
For the absolute best high noon flavor, stick to the stone fruits and tropicals (Peach and Pineapple). They leverage the real juice formula the best. But honestly, in a cooler full of ice on a hot day, you can’t really go wrong with any of them.
