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We Tasted 10 Flavored Sparkling Water Brands and This Is the Best
Sparkling water is a staple in the world of healthy drinks. With zero calories, no sugar, and plenty of flavor when you choose wisely, it’s a go-to alternative to soda.
Lachlan Merritt
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Sparkling water is a staple in the world of healthy drinks. With zero calories, no sugar, and plenty of flavor when you choose wisely, it’s a go-to alternative to soda.
The popularity of flavored seltzers has surged in recent years, with large companies creating extensive product lines and smaller brands emerging everywhere. However, the quality of flavored options varies widely.
We sampled 10 popular zero-calorie sparkling waters, selecting a berry flavor from each for consistency. It was a challenging test, but we determined which brand offered the best-tasting flavored sparkling water.
Tasting Process
Two testers sampled each sparkling water blind, evaluating taste, texture, and whether they would purchase it again. The results showed a significant variation among brands. Some were crisp, clean, and flavorful, while others were overpowering, artificial, or lacked effervescence.
Even though all samples were berry-flavored, identifying the exact berry flavor without the cans was often difficult.
S. Pellegrino – Blood Orange & Black Raspberry
S. Pellegrino has been producing high-quality sparkling mineral water for over a century. Their Essenza line includes five fruit blends. The Blood Orange & Black Raspberry flavor, however, fell flat. It lacked aroma, had very light fizz, and was described as “bitter” by one taster and like “old sparkling water” by the other.
La Croix – Cran-Raspberry
La Croix, established in 1981, offers one of the largest flavor selections with over 19 varieties. The Cran-Raspberry flavor received mixed reactions: low fizz, artificial taste, and a thick texture left it underwhelming despite its fruity aroma.
Polar – Raspberry Lime
Polar has been producing seltzers since 1882 and now offers around 20 flavors. The Raspberry Lime flavor had better carbonation but fell short on taste. One taster found it bland, while the other thought it resembled watered-down ginger ale.
Bubly – Blackberry
Bubly, Pepsi’s sparkling water line, features 16 flavors with essences and extracts. The blackberry flavor delivered noticeable flavor, but testers disagreed on its authenticity. One found it pleasant; the other thought it was too strong and artificial.
Poland Spring – Triple Berry
Poland Spring’s triple berry flavor divided opinions. One taster enjoyed the subtle, refreshing berry taste, while the other felt it was nearly flavorless. Those who prefer gentle, understated flavors may enjoy this one.
Bowl & Basket – Raspberry
ShopRite’s store brand, Bowl & Basket, offered a simple raspberry flavor. Tasters described it as clean with slight fruit flavor and good bubbles. It didn’t stand out but was a solid mid-pack choice, showing that store brands can compete with national labels.
AHA – Raspberry-Acai
AHA, Coca-Cola’s sparkling water line, includes blends, some with caffeine. The Raspberry-Acai flavor produced mixed reactions: one taster found it tangy and bubbly, while the other detected a faint berry taste with an unusual, off-putting undertone.
Perrier – Strawberry
Perrier, bottling sparkling mineral water since 1863, offers nine flavored options. Strawberry flavor divided tasters: one enjoyed the flavor and fizz, while the other found it overpowering with artificial notes.
Schweppes – Raspberry-Lime
Schweppes, known for launching the first soft drink in 1783, offers eight sparkling water flavors. Raspberry-Lime was universally liked. Tasters praised its tangy, refreshing flavor and strong, lasting carbonation.
Waterloo – Strawberry
Waterloo, a newer brand founded in 2017, offers 12 flavors. The strawberry flavor was a clear winner, impressing both tasters with authentic berry taste, clean refreshment, and balanced carbonation. The brand emphasizes natural flavor development and considers carbonation an essential ingredient, which shows in the final product.
Among all the sparkling waters we tried, Waterloo Strawberry emerged as the best choice for flavor, texture, and overall drinkability.
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