How Much Alcohol Is in a High Noon or White Claw?

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

While both offer low-calorie, flavorful options, the alcohol content differs between the two popular brands, with a standard High Noon at 4.5% ABV and White Claw typically at 5% ABV in the US. This primary difference stems from the type of alcohol each company uses for its distinct beverages.

Quick Summary

Standard 12oz White Claw contains 5% ABV derived from a gluten-free fermented sugar base, while a High Noon has 4.5% ABV from distilled vodka and real fruit juice. Specialized options like White Claw Surge offer a higher 8% ABV.

Key Points

High Noon's ABV: Standard High Noon is 4.5% ABV and is made with real vodka and real fruit juice.
White Claw's ABV: A standard White Claw is 5% ABV in the US, derived from a fermented, gluten-free alcohol base.
Alcohol Source Matters: High Noon uses distilled vodka, while White Claw uses a fermented sugar base, impacting flavor and composition.
Higher Potency Options: White Claw offers a higher-ABV version called Surge, which contains 8% alcohol.
Standard Calorie Count: Both brands' standard 12oz cans contain around 100 calories, keeping them comparable for health-conscious consumers.
Key Difference: The most significant distinction is the alcohol base: distilled vodka for High Noon versus a fermented sugar base for White Claw.

Comparing the Alcohol Content

At first glance, hard seltzers like High Noon and White Claw appear quite similar, with their low calorie counts and refreshing fruit flavors. However, a key distinction lies in their alcohol by volume (ABV) and the source of that alcohol. Understanding these differences can help you make a more informed choice based on your preferences.

High Noon: Made with Real Vodka

High Noon has carved out a niche for itself as a vodka-based seltzer, a major departure from many of its competitors. This ready-to-drink cocktail uses real vodka, real fruit juice, and sparkling water for a cleaner, crisp taste. The standard High Noon product line has an ABV of 4.5%, which is slightly lower than a typical White Claw.

Alcohol Source: High Noon is made with distilled vodka.
Standard ABV: 4.5%.
Typical Calories: 100 calories per 12oz can.
Ingredients: Real vodka, real fruit juice, and sparkling water.

White Claw: Fermented Alcohol Base

White Claw's original hard seltzers are brewed with a gluten-free fermented alcohol base, typically from fermented cane sugar. While the taste is light and crisp, the source of the alcohol differs significantly from High Noon. For its standard line, White Claw contains 5% ABV, a half-percent higher than a standard High Noon. White Claw has also introduced other product variations, including the higher-potency White Claw Surge.

Alcohol Source: Fermented gluten-free sugar or malt base.
Standard ABV: 5%.
White Claw Surge ABV: 8%.
Typical Calories: 100 calories per 12oz can for standard versions.

Comparison Table: High Noon vs. White Claw


Feature	High Noon (Standard)	White Claw (Standard)
ABV (Alcohol by Volume)	4.5%	5% (US & Canada)
Alcohol Source	Distilled Vodka	Fermented Gluten-Free Base
Typical Calories (12oz)	100	100
Typical Carbs (12oz)	<3g	2g
Ingredients	Real vodka, real juice, sparkling water	Purified carbonated water, alcohol, natural flavors, cane sugar

Factors to Consider When Choosing

When deciding between High Noon and White Claw, several factors can influence your choice beyond just the basic alcohol content. Your preference for taste, ingredients, and alcohol type plays a significant role.

Alcohol Source: Do you prefer the taste and feel of a drink made with a distilled spirit like vodka (High Noon), or are you perfectly fine with a hard seltzer from a fermented sugar base (White Claw)? Some drinkers report a cleaner, less lingering aftertaste with spirit-based beverages like High Noon.
ABV Levels: Consider the slight difference in ABV. If you are watching your intake, the 0.5% difference can add up over multiple cans. Conversely, if you want a bit more potency, a standard White Claw has a slight edge, and its Surge line offers significantly more alcohol.
Ingredients: High Noon explicitly markets the use of real fruit juice, a feature that may appeal to consumers who prefer more natural ingredients in their beverages. White Claw uses natural flavors and juice concentrate.
Flavor Profile: The flavor profile of High Noon can feel more like a light, canned cocktail due to the vodka and real juice, while White Claw has a classic, straightforward hard seltzer taste.
Gluten: Both High Noon and White Claw's standard products are gluten-free, so this is not a major differentiating factor for most people with a gluten sensitivity.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between High Noon and White Claw boils down to a matter of personal preference regarding the alcohol base and flavor. While High Noon offers a slightly lower 4.5% ABV made from real vodka, White Claw provides a standard 5% ABV from a fermented sugar base. Both deliver a low-calorie, low-carb experience in a convenient can. For those seeking higher alcohol content, White Claw Surge is an option with 8% ABV. The best way to find your favorite is to try both and see which one's taste and profile you prefer for your next casual drink or social gathering. For more information on units of alcohol and responsible drinking, consult reliable health resources like Drinkaware.

Drinkaware: How many units and calories are in hard seltzer?

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a standard 12oz White Claw, with its 5% ABV, is slightly stronger than a standard 12oz High Noon, which has 4.5% ABV.

High Noon is made with a base of real vodka and real fruit juice, unlike many competitors that use a fermented sugar base.

White Claw's alcohol comes from a fermented gluten-free sugar base, blended with seltzer water and fruit flavors.

Yes, White Claw has a product line called White Claw Surge, which contains a higher alcohol content of 8% ABV.

Yes, both High Noon and the standard White Claw products are gluten-free.

Yes, standard 12oz cans of both High Noon and White Claw typically contain 100 calories.

ABV can sometimes vary depending on the market and local regulations. While a standard White Claw in the US is 5% ABV, some international versions may have 4.5% ABV, as indicated by White Claw UK's product pages.