Recently, I was a guest at a wedding, and they had cans of Dash behind the bar; it was an absolute game-changer! If you're not drinking at events like this, drink after drink of sodas or plain water can get boring. By the time you hit the hay, you're so full of sugar and caffeine it's impossible to sleep. I found this was one of the biggest reasons I stopped going out; luckily, the new sparkling water revolution is here to change that!
Over the past few years, we have seen a dramatic rise in cans of sparkling water. An industry once dominated by San Pellegrino* and Perrier* has given way to brands like Dash*, Aqua Libra*, Liquid Death* and La Croix*. Sparkling water has been a mainstay on the tables of restaurants and pantries across the world for years, but as more and more people become sober curious or just more conscious of their health, the door has opened for new players to take a seat at the table. These brands are creating a new narrative around sparkling water and how we consume flavoured drinks.
Sparking water has been around for almost 250 years as a refreshing beverage, but it's only in the last 10 that we have seen an increase in the flavouring of it. Granted, we have had soda and flavoured water for a long time, but not in the format we are currently seeing. Most flavoured water from the brands we recognise is artificially flavoured and sweetened, and that's where these new brands are leading the charge.
The American market has been taken by storm with brands such as Liquid Death*, whose marketing alone is some of the best in food and beverage right now, with fruit pun names like 'Berry It Alive' and 'Convicted Melon', and 500ml cans that stand out from their competitors.
The US also has La Croix, a brand we haven't seen much of in the UK (although it is available on Amazon*), but is a mainstay on the shelves of American supermarkets and convenience stores. What both brands do incredibly well is sell a lifestyle and an image, something we are now seeing from brands in the UK.
Dash* is the upstart in the UK drinks business, creating billboards that partially cover Coca-Cola ads and being a force for positive environmental and social change. Dash takes the fruit you won't find in supermarkets and uses it to create amazingly flavourful but still good for you sparkling water. Their bold creativity is akin to both La Croix and Liquid Death, using bright colours and a can to stand out from the plastic bottles it's surrounded by.
When speaking to friends who drink, many say that they wouldn't reach for a 0% alternative if they stopped drinking; they would reach for a Dash or Aqua Libra. The reason? Simplicity! There are so many brands creating products with lists of ingredients and purported health benefits, but at the end of the day, what people want is a tasty drink to go with their food, and these new water brands have nailed it. They have shown that you don't need to be fancy; you just need to taste good.
Archie's favourites:
DASH Lime – The Ultimate Refreshment
DASH Lime is my favourite flavour; in both 330ml and 500ml cans, there isn't much better at quenching thirst than an ice-cold Dash. The lime flavour is natural, and as there are no artificial sweeteners or flavours, you aren't left with a weird aftertaste. Ideal for a summer's day by the pool or after a hard workout! Retailing online for £15.99 for a case of twelve, you can subscribe for a discount. They also offer larger cases of up to 96 cans and a 48-can pick & mix.
Aqua Libra Cucumber, Mint & Lime – Perfect with food
Aqua Libra balances their flavours so well that pairing them with food is a breeze. Coming from a sommelier background, I enjoy having a drink that complements what I'm eating, and this does just that. Cucumber, Mint & Lime is my favourite and goes amazingly well with seafood and spicy Asian flavours. The other flavours, being bolder, can stand up to richer food like a chocolate desert or even your eggs benedict at brunch.
£3.50 for 4 cans is a great deal in my eyes.
Liquid Death Mango Chainsaw – A guilt-free treat
Liquid Death has a wide array of flavours that have yet to hit UK supermarkets, currently only offering Still, Sparkling, Mango Sparkling and Lime Sparking through Amazon. At £17.69 for twelve 500ml cans, it's great value for money when put up against the other brands.
Liquid Death uses natural flavouring and agave nectar in their cans, meaning 3g of added sugar per 500ml 'tall boy' can. Liquid Death is more akin to a soda but one that isn't packed with chemicals and a ton of sugar. Both Mango and Lime are delicious, and their regular sparkling is fantastic.
San Pellegrino – Timeless
I thought hard about what to put here and couldn't think of a more perfect option. While not flavoured, I think anyone who enjoys sparkling water will agree that San Pellegrino does it the best. The flavour of their sparkling water is unmatched, thanks to the limestone and volcanic rock that the water passes through before being carbonated. There is also a sense of elegance to their glass bottles, and at a dinner party, the option of San Pellegrino makes a massive difference to my level of enjoyment.
The glass bottles are £1.75 for 750ml at most supermarkets or £7 for six 1L plastic bottles.
NB – San Pellegrino Essenza is definitely not as good, with an unpleasant 'vape-like' taste that I did not enjoy. Stick to the regular version, and you can't go wrong.
Archie Sykes is a passionate writer and athlete. In reviews and essays, he explores the world of no- and low-alcohol products from a perspective of mental health and well-being.
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