You are likely familiar with them, shiny, bright colourful bottles in the fridge of your local bottle shop, almost blazing under the lights. Regular Vodka Cruisers are party favourites and have been for years, having sweet and fruity flavours and easy-drinking style. However, there is a new trend in the shelves: Vodka Cruiser Sugar Free.

They appear alike, they elicit the same amount of fun and they are just as straightforward to indulge in- but the question remains, are these sugar free cruisers actually healthier or is it manipulation on the part of the marketers? Wondered whether you should continue drinking your normal or change to sugar free vodka cruisers, then you're here. So what is it that makes them different and which one could be more intelligent to choose? Well, let's see.

What’s the Real Difference Between Regular and Sugar Free Cruisers?

The first clue is the name, of course standard Vodka Cruisers contain added sugar whereas low or zero-calorie sweeteners are used in Vodka Cruiser Sugar Free. However it does not always stem down to a simple replacement of one ingredient to another, as the alteration may have an impact on taste, calories, and even the next day.

Regular Vodka Cruisers are popular because they are daringly sweet and they can be compared to soft drinks or fruity punches. They are crowd-pleasers and the flavour obscures the alcohol nearly as much as it can. However, such sweetness is accompanied by additional calories and carbohydrates, which not all people would like to have in their beverage. Conversely, sugar free cruisers work to bring the same bright tastes without the sugar crash. You might be a person who wants to reduce refined sugar consumption, keep your carb intake low, or just never want that bloated feeling after a couple of drinks and a zero sugar cruiser may be a better option.

It is usually a matter of taste that determines what one goes with. Are sugar free vodka cruisers as tasting as the regular ones? The brief answer: nearly. The majority of sugar-free types contain sweeteners, such as sucralose or stevia, as an attempt to imitate the sweetness of sugar. They are fairly good imitations, although you may pick up a bit of a lighter flavour or aftertaste depending on your palate. Interestingly, the sugar-free ones are actually preferred by some people: they are less sticky and syrupy, and just more refreshing.

Another large difference is calories. One regular Vodka Cruiser has the potential to contain 150 180 calories of which a majority of the calories are sugary. Those can all get high in a social situation where you may have a number of them. By eliminating the sugar, the Vodka Cruiser Sugar Free versions can cut the calories by 30-40%. This is a significant difference when you are on a diet or you just wish to have some drinks without the feeling of being bloated.

Then there is the issue of hangovers. Sugar does not cause hangovers, directly, but it may contribute to them. High-sugar drinks will also contribute to dehydration, as well as blood sugar spikes, which will make you feel more sluggish the following day. This would imply that sugar free cruisers may offer you a slightly smoother morning after, but moderation is the key.

The playing field is even as far as cost is concerned. Regular and sugar free vodka cruisers cost the same and you can find them in the majority of big bottle shops. The key obstacle is the availability of flavours- not all the sugar-free range may be available, depending on the shop you visit. When you are specific about your favourite flavour then it is worthwhile to check before you make the switch.

Key Takeaways: Which One Should You Choose?

• For Fewer Calories and Less Sugar: When you want to keep down on calories or have to cut back on sugar, have Vodka Cruiser Sugar Free or any other cruiser with zero sugar. They are lighter and not too much flavour is lost.
   
• For the Sweet Tooth Crowd: Regular Vodka Cruisers are also a winner in case you are crazy about sweetness and do not have any problem with calories and sugar.
   
• For Hangover-Friendly Nights: No beverage is hangover-proof, but a little bit kinder are the sugar free cruisers with less sugar.
   
• For Taste Purists: The surest method of making a choice is to compare and contrast the two hands-on. There are those who religiously swear by the original and those who prefer the cleaner and less syrupy taste of sugar free vodka cruisers.
   
• For Diet-Friendly Drinking: When you are on a low-carb diet or keto diet, a zero sugar cruiser is more suited to your lifestyle as compared to the regular one.
   
• For Experimenters: There are various flavours in both flavours so take a couple in each version in case you like variety. You may find that you have different preferences given the occasion-or even your mood.

Which between Vodka Cruiser Sugar Free and the regular RTD is better is dependent on your priorities; either go full sweet or lower calories. Each is good in its own way and so take one of these from Harry's Liquor, taste it, and decide which fits your taste and lifestyle best.