You’ve probably heard all the jokes about how sparkling water has no flavor — but there are a few brands of fizzy water that prove that assertion dead wrong. If you’re searching for sparkling water with the most flavor, you’re in the right place.
Below, you’ll find our carefully curated list of incredibly flavorful sparkling water brands available in most grocery stores. However, if you can’t find them at your local retailer, you can certainly find them online.
The Ground Rules: Sweeteners and Flavoring
Sweeteners are often one of many key flavor components in commercial beverages. But when it comes to sparkling water, sweeteners are uncommon. They can even be a bit controversial. For that reason, we have denoted which beverages contain sweeteners, as well as what type – from natural sugar to artificial sweeteners.
As for flavoring components, our entire list of flavorful sparkling water brands contains flavoring that can be described as “natural.” That simply means they contain naturally-derived essences or are flavored with real fruit juice.
Spindrift
Spindrift is our team’s first choice for most flavorful sparkling water. Its ingredients set it far apart from most other brands. Instead of using ambiguous combinations of natural essences, Spindrift flavors its beverages with natural fruit juice for a more authentic flavor.
Spindrift takes its name from “the refreshing spray that blows off of a breaking wave.” However, we’re happy to share that it tastes significantly better than saltwater.
With your first sip, you’ll notice a more vibrant and natural flavor than most other sparkling water brands offer. It has the bubbles of a typical refreshing seltzer, but with a bold splash of fruit juice added.
The lime is sharp, the grapefruit is tart, and the lemon is almost strong enough to make you pucker up. Spindrift does an excellent job of offering a balanced, light and refreshing beverage that packs a flavorful punch.
A newer player in the beverage industry, it began in 2010 as a Boston area artisan brand that quickly grew favor across the country. Its fruit is sourced from small family farms, and new flavors are still developed in small batches by the company’s founder.
Key Qualities
- Contains a small amount of natural fruit sugar
- Vibrant natural colors from fruit juice
- Non-GMO
Flavors
- Raspberry Lime
- Grapefruit
- Blood Orange Tangerine
- Half Tea & Half Lemon
- Mango Orange
- Lime
- Lemon
- Pineapple
- Pink Lemonade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Lemon Limeade
- Blackberry
- Cranberry Raspberry
- Strawberry
S.Pellegrino Essenza
You’re likely familiar with San Pellegrino, the popular Italian sparkling mineral water in that iconic green bottle. It’s actually the largest sparkling water brand in the world. You may be less familiar with Essenza – the brand’s line of canned sparkling mineral water with natural flavors added.
Gently sweetened with stevia, the zero-calorie sparkling water comes in a stylishly designed skinny can. The blends of flavors are bold, refreshing, and even available in caffeinated varieties.
Even if you are averse to artificial sweeteners, you may find yourself surprised by the enjoyably dulcet taste of this beverage. San Pellegrino Essenza may well be the perfect choice for soda lovers seeking an alternative to curb their sugar intake.
San Pellegrino describes its product simply as “Tastefully Italian.” The company has been exporting mineral water internationally from Italy for over 120 years. In 1999, the brand celebrated 100 years of bottling and exporting the natural spring water from the town of San Pellegrino. With a focus on healthy beverages to accompany fine dining, it has also been offering fruit flavored sparkling water since 1959.
Key Qualities
- Gently sweetened with stevia
- Caffeinated varieties available
- Carbonated with natural CO2
Flavors
- Original San Pellegrino (unflavored)
- Pink Grapefruit & Citrus Blend
- Blood Orange & Black Raspberry
- Lemon & Lemon Zest
- Tangerine & Wild Strawberry
- Dark Morello Cherry & Pomegranate
SodaStream with Fresh Fruit Juice
If you drink a lot of sparkling water, it’s easy to justify the economics of making your own at home. Not only can it be more affordable than bottles or cans — you can flavor it exactly the way you like it. Instead of wondering if your sparkling water will have enough flavor, add natural fruit juice yourself to ensure it’ll be just how you like it.
You’ll keep your tastebuds guessing with variety. The options for flavoring your homemade sparkling water are pretty much endless. Add lemon, lime, grapefruit, cranberry, or any other juice you can fathom.
For even better flavor than bottled juice, squeeze it fresh. Lemons and limes are affordable and widely available. Add some fresh herbs like mint or basil to kick it up an extra notch.
The SodaStream brand has been around since 1903 and has been continually innovating home carbonation machines. Its gas canisters can easily be exchanged at several major retailers, and many attractive models are available – often at discounted prices online. By turning your tap water into sparkling, you can also avoid introducing more plastic or aluminum bottles and cans into the world.
Key Qualities
- Infinitely customizable flavors
- Fun and easy to use
- Economical and environmentally-friendly
Flavors
- Any fruit juice
- A wide variety of flavor concentrates
- Combine with any other beverage
Waterloo
With Waterloo, you won’t just get flavor – you’ll get huge variety. This flavorful sparkling water is an affordable crowd favorite, available in 14 flavors. The carbonation is strong, the flavors are bold, and we think the name is pretty darn cool.
Naturally flavored using essences similar to those in LaCroix or Bubly, Waterloo has somehow managed to add a bit more bite to its sparkling water. While the flavors may not taste like fruit juice, they have a boldness that is uncharacteristic of flavored sparkling waters in the same category.
Admittedly, not all of the flavors are on point (avoid the grape unless you love cough syrup). However, Waterloo’s lime, grapefruit, cranberry, and cherry limeade are simply divine.
Seasonally, Waterloo offers some pretty intriguing flavors. Spiced apple, anyone? You don’t often encounter sparkling water that shares a palate with scented candles, but here we are.
Waterloo was founded in 2017 as an independently owned sparkling water company with a focus on sustainability. According to its website, Waterloo is produced in “zero waste” plants and packaged in aluminum that is 70% recycled.
Key Qualities
- Variety of unique flavors
- Highly carbonated
- Affordable
Flavors
- Spiced Apple
- Cranberry
- Blackberry Lemonade
- Cherry Limeade
- Peach
- Black Cherry
- Lemon-Lime
- Grape
- Strawberry
- Summer Berry
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Grapefruit
- Original (unflavored)
Topo Chico
If your sparkling water has been limited to LaCroix or Bubly thus far, you’ve doing your mouth a disservice that can be remedied with a green glass bottle. Simply put, we love Topo Chico. It’s ridiculously bubbly, naturally sourced, and has a ton of flavor.
When it comes to Topo Chico, you can have it in any flavor you want – as long as it’s citrus. While variety is limited, you’ll appreciate the unique flavor of mineral rich, natural sparkling water combined with your choice of lime, grapefruit, or tangerine.
The real explanation for the brand’s refreshing flavor stems from the water itself. Unlike other brands of sparkling water, it has much smaller, fizzier bubbles. The effervescence coats your tongue evenly and tingles spectacularly with every gulp.
Founded in Monterrey, Mexico in 1895, Topo Chico has only gained mass popularity in the United States in recent years. According to legend, the beverage is sourced from a spring that at one time healed a princess who drank from and bathed in the water. That princess is even featured on the label of the bottle, adding a mythos to the brand which was recently acquired by The Coca-Cola Company.
Key Qualities
- Highly carbonated
- Naturally sourced
- Aesthetically pleasing bottle
Flavors
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Tangerine
- Mineral Water (unflavored)
Try to Most Flavorful Sparkling Water Brands for Yourself
We selected these particular brands, in part, because they are widely available in stores throughout the United States. If you’re seeking big flavor, be sure to give one of our choices a try.
If you can’t find them near you, each is available online. Just be sure to take the time to chill them before drinking for optimal tasting.