Ranking The Best (And Worst) Seltzer Brands Based On An Exhaustive Taste Test (2023)

FAQs

What is the best tasting flavored sparkling water? ›

The Water Itself

La Croix has big, throat-burning bubbles and a harsh, almost metallic finish compared to Waterloo, which tastes more effervescent and has a smooth, clean ending.

Yes, lime bubly smells pretty much like everyone's favorite lemon-lime soda. It tastes like Sprite (or 7UP) too, though obviously not as sweet, since none of the bubly varieties contain any sweeteners.

Spindrift sparkling water tops our list with its simple ingredients, containing just carbonated water and real squeezed fruit, and its delicious flavor offerings. Our favorite flavor is Raspberry Lime, but they offer a range of delicious flavors from a refreshing Cucumber to a slightly sweet Pineapple.

Both of these flavors are more flavorful than many of their sister flavors. LaCroix again comes out on top with a more lasting flavor and aftertaste, while bubly seems to rely on the initial burst of taste that comes with the first whiff of the drink.

A recent lawsuit, though, claimed LaCroix uses synthetic ingredients, like limonene, which can cause kidney toxicity and tumors, and linalool, which is also used in cockroach insecticide.

Before carbonation and canning, our water undergoes a multi-step filtration process to ensure a pure product for you. Our water is free of fluoride, sodium, and other additives/impurities before we add our flavors and carbonate. The water used in Waterloo is sourced regionally.

Well, that depends on how much you're drinking. Sip a sparkling glass or two and you're completely fine - the drink is all-natural, zero-calorie, and ultimately hydrating. But if you're guzzling can after can at your desk, it could be time to slow down. For one, carbonation can cause some serious bloating and gas.

Is drinking seltzer as healthy as drinking water? ›

Early studies indicate that seltzer water is just as hydrating as still water. Seltzer water is an excellent choice for staying hydrated. The most prevalent health benefit of seltzer water is its lack of sugar and calories.

La Croix was light and marginally floral. Bubly had a hint of sweet candy and was noticeably less carbonated. This variation also smelled of bubble gum. Some features our editors unanimously agreed on were that La Croix had better flavor and Bubly was more fragrant.

Though a relative newcomer, Bubly has quickly established itself as a leading brand when it comes to sparkling water, up there with Lacroix seltzers and Spindrift. Part of the reason behind Bubly's success lies in the witty marketing but also diverse range of flavors.

Usually, LaCroix tastes like sparkling water with a hint of flavor, but this tasted like carbonated coffee. It is bitter and strong, and I definitely did not want to take a second sip. Upon opening, I got a whiff of sour watermelons like the Sour Patch Watermelon Candy, and a hint of pickles.

La Croix vs.

Let's get one thing clear: La Croix is absolutely healthier than soda or sugar-sweetened beverages such as iced tea and lemonade.

It's hydrating

Still water is the king of hydration, but sparkling water hydrates and refreshes you just as much. If you're already drinking still, the odd glass of sparkling will mix things up and do you no harm. So you're good to go if there's no added sugar.

No evidence suggests that carbonated or sparkling water is bad for you. It's not that harmful to dental health, and it seems to have no effect on bone health. Interestingly, a carbonated drink may even enhance digestion by improving swallowing ability and reducing constipation.

La Croix was light and marginally floral. Bubly had a hint of sweet candy and was noticeably less carbonated. This variation also smelled of bubble gum. Some features our editors unanimously agreed on were that La Croix had better flavor and Bubly was more fragrant.

But many other issues arise when flavor, like lemon or grapefruit, is added to sparkling water. “To add the fruity taste, these bubbly waters typically use artificial sweeteners like stevia, aspartame, and sucralose to make it sweet,” says Dr. Hashmi.

Is Spindrift healthier than LaCroix? ›

It's not that there is no nutritional difference between Spindrift and erstwhile seltzer starlet LaCroix, or Bubly, or Adirondack, or Polar, or Canada Dry, or whatever zero-calorie, no-sugar, “natural flavored”-flavored brand you prefer; it's just that there's no nutritional difference that matters.

A Chicago-based law firm has filed a class-action lawsuitagainst the makers of LaCroix for falsely labeling their ingredients as natural when, “in fact contains ingredients that have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as synthetic.” The lawsuit specifically notes that LaCroix includes an ingredient ...

Although it's considered to be a weak acid, it can stimulate the same nerve receptors in your mouth as condiments like mustard. The pH level of carbonated water is 3-4 which means it can cause the erosion of tooth enamel which will lead to decay.

Soft drinks, especially colas, seem to increase the risk of repeat kidney stones (Annals of Internal Medicine, Nov. 4, 2014). Mineral water, whether still or sparkling, did not increase the likelihood of a problem.

LaCroix derives its grapefruit flavor directly from pure grapefruit oil, and the company suggests speaking with your doctor if you're worried about it negatively affecting your medication.

Germany: Germany enjoys some of the cleanest water in the world due to strict regulations that govern its water treatment plants.

Taste is amazing, just like a Nehi grape soda, minus the cloying sweetness. My fave flavor of any other seltzer ever tasted! I drink Seltzer water by the 12 or 8 pack in a day. Best thing about this brand, the very yummy Summer Berry flavor is unique to Waterloo.

A study shows that cold and carbonated beverages actually quench thirst better. As the researchers put it: "Thirsty humans often prefer beverages that are both cold and carbonated including: mineral waters, seltzer, sodas, and beers." That may seem obvious, but no one knew why until now.

Do not brush your teeth immediately after: The acidity in the sparkling water softens up teeth, making them sensitive to abrasion. Waiting 30 minutes to brush will decrease further damage.

There is no evidence that carbonated beverages directly cause oesophageal damage. Carbonated beverages have not been consistently shown to cause GERD-related symptoms.

Which is better White Claw or truly? ›

When it comes to nutritional values, the brands are fairly neck and neck. Each contains just 100 calories in a 12-ounce serving. Truly has a slight edge in terms of sugar content, with just 1 gram versus White Claw's 2 grams, although White Claw's iced tea line only has 1 gram.

Drinking too much hard seltzer can also lead to alcohol poisoning and other negative health effects from excess alcohol consumption. “Lighter in calories, and refreshing like a non-alcoholic seltzer, it may be easier to wind up drinking more,” Mills warned.

Island Bay Hard Seltzer, the best drink for no hangover!

Sugary drinks like soda have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and other chronic health conditions, so that is definitely a win for your health. Switching to seltzer is a much better choice, provided you choose a brand that is sugar- and calorie-free.

Soft drinks, especially colas, seem to increase the risk of repeat kidney stones (Annals of Internal Medicine, Nov. 4, 2014). Mineral water, whether still or sparkling, did not increase the likelihood of a problem.

“It doesn't dehydrate you. From a mouth-feel standpoint, it may not seem as hydrating. But from a nutrition standpoint, they are equal.” So if you're obsessed with seltzer, there's good news: it counts towards your daily water intake totals.

Lower Calorie Count

It tends to have fewer calories and less sugar than mixed drinks, beer, or hard cider. Most hard seltzers have about 100 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates in a 12-ounce can. In contrast, a beer of about the same size has about 150 calories and 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates.

The analyses suggest that in humans under ambient heat-stressed resting conditions, ingestion of cold carbonated water increases the cerebral blood flow index, blood pressure, motivation, and exhilaration, whereas it decreases sleepiness relative to ingestion of noncarbonated cold water.

So what's the bottom line? Plain tap water is the best option for our kidneys. A glass of occasional sparkling water isn't going to be detrimental to your health or kidneys, it's all about how much you have. Try and cut down on cola beverages for kidney and bone health.

LaCroix or La Croix (/ləˈkrɔɪ/ lə-KROY) is an American brand of sparkling water that originated in La Crosse, Wisconsin, by G. Heileman Brewing Company and is now distributed by National Beverage Corporation.

Is LaCroix just seltzer water? ›

The rise of La Croix has heralded a new popular love for seltzer water—but if you look closely at the writing on a can of La Croix, you'll see that it's technically sparkling water, not seltzer.

It's the base for brands like La Croix, or what comes out of a SodaStream. Sparkling mineral water is made with water from a mineral spring, like Perrier or Topo Chico. Club soda is carbonated water infused with added minerals, which give it a salty or lightly sweet flavor.

Bubly, which comes in eight flavors — lime, grapefruit, strawberry, lemon, orange, apple, mango and cherry — contains zero artificial sweeteners, flavors or calories, the company said. Its colorful cans have pull tabs reading cutesy phrases like “oh hi.”

If you didn't already know it, Bubly is owned by soda giant PepsiCo.

Drinking a Genki tastes a bit more like drinking a carbonated juice or even a Sprite (they're lightly sweetened though still sugar-free).

Both of these flavors are more flavorful than many of their sister flavors. LaCroix again comes out on top with a more lasting flavor and aftertaste, while bubly seems to rely on the initial burst of taste that comes with the first whiff of the drink.

The scent of the cran-raspberry Lacroix also resembled the smell of Sprite Remix, a berry-flavored soda from the early 2000s that's been discontinued. While nothing can replace the late soda, this LaCroix flavor is a tasty, healthier substitute.

Unlike Sparkling ICE Flavored Waters, LaCroix flavors tend to only have one flavor per can. The taste is crisp and refreshing, and something about drinking out of a can rather than a plastic bottle makes the bubbles more intense.

Is artificially flavored sparkling water bad for you? Make sure it's zero calories and zero sugar. Avoid drinks with high fructose corn syrup and regular sugar. With flavored carbonated waters, artificial flavoring is OK, but it is recommended to limit excessive artificial sweeteners, like aspartame or Splenda.

Tasters agreed that if you're looking for a naturally sweet beverage that's still zero-cal, pick up a can of Perrier. But if you're looking for a light fruit flavor and solid bubbles, grab a Dasani Sparkling.

Is there a sparkling water that tastes like Coke? ›

La Croix Cola Sparkling Water, 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 8)

That said, there's definitely such a thing as too much seltzer. “A large intake of seltzer in a short period of time may cause gastric distress or bloating and can weaken a valve that typically keeps stomach contents down,” Manning says.

The carbonation in sparkling water causes some people to experience gas and bloating. If you notice excessive gas while drinking sparkling water, your best bet is to switch to plain water.

No evidence suggests that carbonated or sparkling water is bad for you. It's not that harmful to dental health, and it seems to have no effect on bone health. Interestingly, a carbonated drink may even enhance digestion by improving swallowing ability and reducing constipation.

Which makes sense, because LaCroix doesn't taste sweet. It doesn't really taste like anything, actually---its appeal is in its bubbly, trustworthy blandness.

But what, exactly, are those natural flavors? LaCroix's site states this: The flavors are derived from the natural essence oils extracted from the named fruit used in each of our LaCroix flavors. There are no sugars or artificial ingredients contained in, nor added to, these extracted flavors.

Soft drinks, especially colas, seem to increase the risk of repeat kidney stones (Annals of Internal Medicine, Nov. 4, 2014). Mineral water, whether still or sparkling, did not increase the likelihood of a problem. Carbonation might even be somewhat beneficial (Urolithiasis, February 2016).

Bubly had a hint of sweet candy and was noticeably less carbonated. This variation also smelled of bubble gum. Some features our editors unanimously agreed on were that La Croix had better flavor and Bubly was more fragrant.

announced Thursday that in March 2020 it will launch a new flavored seltzer brand it is calling “Aha.” Taking aim at weakening brand LaCroix and Pepsi's successful Bubly line, Aha will come in eight flavors, two of which — Citrus Green Tea and Black Cherry + Coffee — will contain 30 mg of caffeine, riding another trend ...

Some agree that it tastes like Coke, while others are unimpressed, like @betches, who described it as "carbonated vinegar on ice."