Smash or Pass? Crystal Light Enters the Cocktail Game with New 77-Calorie Vodka Refreshers

Crystal Light is making a move into the world of alcoholic beverages with the launch of Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers—a low-calorie, zero-sugar vodka drink that’s set to shake up the hard seltzer aisle. Known for its signature powdered drink mixes, Crystal Light has been a go-to cocktail mixer for years, and now they’re doing the mixing for you.

Each Crystal Light Vodka Refresher is crafted with triple-filtered vodka, light carbonation, and the brand’s fan-favorite flavors, making it one of the lowest-calorie ready-to-drink cocktails on the market. With just 77 calories per can, zero sugar, and an ABV of 3.8%, these refreshers are designed for those who want a lighter, more refreshing alternative to traditional vodka sodas and hard seltzers.

The first two flavors hitting shelves—Wild Strawberry and Lemonade—bring the same crisp, fruity taste that fans love, now with a boozy twist. And with millions of social media users already using Crystal Light as a cocktail mixer, this new launch feels like a natural evolution for the brand.

“With tens of millions of social media videos showcasing creative ways to mix Crystal Light into cocktails, creating a delicious lower-calorie vodka refresher was a natural step for us,” said Jeremy Kross, Director of Beverage Mixes at The Kraft Heinz Company. “We’re bringing fans a ready-to-drink version in a new format—now with a light, refreshing twist—offering the same signature flavors they know and love.”

The rise in demand for lower-alcohol cocktails is real, with nearly 40% of hard seltzer drinkers preferring options under 4% ABV. Crystal Light is stepping into that space as the first powdered beverage brand to enter the hard seltzer aisle, giving consumers a new go-to drink that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers will be available this month at select retailers in the Northeast U.S. in a four-pack for $9.99, with bigger expansion plans, new flavors, and multipack options coming in 2026.