If you're new to Garden Seltzers, you're not alone. About 7 in 10 first-time sippers tell us the hardest part wasn't deciding whether to try one, it was picking which one. There's a quiet wall of cans, a lot of jargon, and not much that explains it like a friend would.
This guide is that friend. By the end of these five minutes, you'll know exactly what to look for, what to skip, and which can most first-timers reach for first.
Skip ahead, start with the Light Sampler →Start light. Always.
Every Garden Seltzer brand makes a few different tiers. The temptation is to grab whichever one looks the most fun on the can. Don't. Start at the lightest tier.
The reason is simple: a lighter sip is sessionable. You can have one with friends, gauge how it feels, and decide whether to keep going. A heavier option, on a first try, is the most common reason people say "this isn't for me" and never come back. The drink wasn't the problem. The starting point was.
If you're new, the lightest tier exists for you. Skipping it is the most common first-timer mistake we see.
Look for the triple zero.
Not every "feel-good" drink earns the badge. Before you click add to cart, flip the can (or the product page) and check three numbers. They should all read zero.
| Delta Light | Other Garden Seltzers | A Glass of Wine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 | 50 to 100 | 120+ |
| Sugar | 0g | 2 to 8g | 1 to 3g |
| Alcohol | 0% | 0% | 12 to 14% |
| Artificial sweeteners | None | Sometimes | None |
Triple zero (calories, sugar, alcohol) is the cleanest baseline you can ask for. It's the difference between "I had one" and "I had one and feel fine in the morning."
Five ingredients you can pronounce.
Flip the can. There are five things on it. That's the whole list.
- 1 Sparkling water
- 2 Plant extract
- 3 Citric acid
- 4 Natural fruit flavor
- 5 A touch of stevia (the leaf)
No artificial sweeteners, no synthetic colors, no mystery extracts. Lab-tested by a third party. COA on the product page.
The Light Sampler. 4 four-packs. 16 cans.
One 4-pack of every Light flavor: Bright Berry, Tropical Mango, Juicy Watermelon, and Squeeze of Lime. Try each, find your favorite, then come back for full packs.
Flavor matters more than you think.
Most first-timers focus on the tier and forget about the flavor. Then they end up with a watermelon when they're a citrus person. (Or vice versa.) Don't make this trade-off when you don't have to.
The Light tier comes in four. They all share the same clean base. They're just dressed differently:
Bright Berry
Mixed berries with a little tart. The crowd-pleaser.
Squeeze of Lime
Crisp, dry, and just enough zing. The hosting MVP.
Tropical Mango
Ripe, smooth, never syrupy. Tastes like a vacation.
Juicy Watermelon
Sweet, soft, refreshing. The summer go-to.
Our suggestion for first-timers: get the variety pack. Try one of each across a couple of weeks. Pay attention to which one you reach for second. That's your flavor.
The Light Sampler · 16 Cans · 4 Flavors
$67.96 $54.37 20% off · code NEW20
Free shipping over $50 · Code NEW20 auto-applies at checkout
★★★★★ 4.88 from 13,458 verified buyers. "My first ever can. I get it now." Tasha M., verified.
30-day Sip-It-and-Love-It refund. If it's not for you, we refund the full pack. No questions.
This is nothing like an edible.
Different format. Different timing. Different feel. A garden seltzer is a sip, not a dose: you control your pace, the onset is fast and predictable, and the whole experience is sociable, not sneaky. It's closer to "a glass of wine, but cleaner" than to anything edible-shaped.
- Onset: Most sippers feel it in about 15 minutes (edibles: 60 to 90)
- Format: Single sippable can (edibles: hard-to-portion gummies)
- Vibe: Casual, sociable, paced (edibles: hit hard, all at once)
- Panel: 0 calories, 0 sugar, 0 alcohol (edibles: usually sugary)
How sippers describe the feeling.
Words first-timers use after their first can: easy, light, sociable, refreshed. Not "knocked out." Not "wired." Just an even, casual lift to the moment you're already in.
It's not a replacement for a wine night. It's not a stand-in for an espresso. It's its own thing. The closest analogy our sippers reach for: a really good seltzer that lets the conversation breathe a little easier.
Built to drink like a beer, not like a shot.
Most sippers feel something in 10 to 20 minutes. Stop when it feels right. The other half of the can keeps fine in the fridge.
Reactions vary by person, body chemistry, hydration, and what you've eaten. Sip slow on your first try and pair with food and water like you would with anything new.
5 moments first-timers love a Light.
Where the can earns its place. Pick the one that matches your week.
Your first order is 20% off with code NEW20.
The Sampler is one-time only (it's our starter, not a subscription). But because it's your first order, you save 20% with code NEW20 at checkout. Here's the math:
The discount auto-applies at checkout, no manual entry needed. After this first order, if you find a flavor you love, individual flavors are subscribable so you can save 20% on every order forever. The Sampler is just for finding your favorite.
The Light Sampler · 16 Cans · 4 Flavors
$67.96 $54.37 20% off · code NEW20
Free shipping over $50 · Code NEW20 auto-applies at checkout
★★★★★ 4.88 from 13,458 verified buyers. "My first ever can. I get it now." Tasha M., verified.
30-day Sip-It-and-Love-It refund. If it's not for you, we refund the full pack. No questions.
100,000+ sippers later.
A 4.88 average across 13,458 verified reviews. Here's what first-timers said after their first try.
"My first ever can. Bright Berry. I get it now. Already on my third order."
"Was nervous. Started with the Lime. It's literally just a really clean seltzer. Easy."
"Perfect for kicking back after work. The sampler is the easiest way in. I take one with me everywhere now."
The 30-second recap.
- Start light. Lightest tier first. Always.
- Triple zero. Zero calories, zero sugar, zero alcohol. Non-negotiable.
- Pick your flavor. Or get a sampler and find it.
- Sip slow on your first try. Pace it like anything new.
- Use code NEW20 at checkout. 20% off your first order. Auto-applied.
Free shipping over $50 · 30-day guarantee · No subscription
Ready to try?
The Light Sampler is the easiest first step. Four flavors, 16 cans, one chance to find your favorite.
The Light Sampler · 16 Cans · 4 Flavors
$67.96 $54.37 20% off · code NEW20
Free shipping over $50 · Code NEW20 auto-applies at checkout
★★★★★ 4.88 from 13,458 verified buyers. "My first ever can. I get it now." Tasha M., verified.
30-day Sip-It-and-Love-It refund. If it's not for you, we refund the full pack. No questions.
First-timer questions, answered.
What does it taste like?
Crisp, lightly sweet, and refreshing. Each flavor leans on real fruit notes (Bright Berry, Tropical Mango, Juicy Watermelon, Squeeze of Lime) with a clean fizz and a dry finish. No syrupy aftertaste.
How would sippers describe the feeling?
Most sippers describe a sense of light, sociable ease. It's a feel-good sip built to fit casual moments, easy gatherings, and slow weeknights. Pace yourself, especially the first time, and pair with food and water like you would with anything you're trying for the first time.
Can I have it with alcohol?
We recommend keeping it separate. Delta is a clean, alcohol-free option built to stand on its own. Combining with alcohol changes the experience and isn't something we encourage.
How do I save 20%?
Apply code NEW20 at checkout (or just click any Add to Cart on this page, it auto-applies). It saves 20% on your first order. After this first try, individual flavors are subscribable so you can save 20% on every reorder forever, but the Sampler itself is one-time only.
Where do you ship?
We ship to most U.S. states. Eligible orders ship free over $50. You'll see exact availability and timing at checkout.
