I cannot get enough of sparkling water. It’s refreshing, bubbly, and guilt-free! It’s a great after lunch digestive and a stellar mixer for late-night drinks. What did we even drink five years ago!?
If you’re looking for a way to give up your soda or curb afternoon caffeine cravings, sparkling water is a great substitute. The options can be overwhelming! Here are my tried and true favorites by brand:
Schnucks
Their sparkling water is rather new to the scene and they have several different flavors available. My preferred flavor: Peach Pear
Trader Joes
Trader Joe’s sells the water in liter bottles for less than $1 each, which is really affordable. They keep it interesting by rotating out select flavors seasonally. I think they have the best all-around line, with many very delicious options. My favorite year-round flavor is Cranberry Clementine. In the summer, Pineapple, and for the winter, Winter Sangria.
Target
Target has two different store brands of their water, but I particularly like that they offer theirs in one-liter bottles or in cans, which is nice if you’re on the go. They have several solid options, but the ones I go back for are Cucumber Mint, which is so refreshing, and Pina Colada, which is a great replacement for a boozy cocktail.
Aldi
Aldi has three different varieties of sparkling water, and they are priced very well! Overall, it’s not my favorite brand, but their Grapefruit flavor works for me every time!
Polar
This is a less flashy brand, but I love the flavors they offer at my local Dierbergs in the liter size, particularly the Coconut (which is the best coconut I’ve found) and Orange Vanilla (which tastes like a dreamsicle and is totally one of a kind).
Bubly
Strawberry. Hands Down.
La Croix
They have the most flavors for sure, and my favorites are so delicious that I can hardly stand it: Key Lime and LimonCello.
Soda Stream
I also can’t forget to mention the economical & earth-friendly option from our beloved Soda Stream Machine along with a squeeze of any type of citrus. They do offer flavoring that you can add to your bottles of carbonated water, but I haven’t been able to get the ratios just right to make it stand up to some of my favorites above.
There are so many other brands that do the job, too. What are your favorites that I should try next?
As promised, here is a simple summer cocktail to make with your favorite sparkling water:
Sparkling Lemon Drop
Chilled vodka 1.5oz (or more)
One can of lemon flavored sparkling water (any brand)
Juice of one fresh lemon
2 tsp. simple syrup (optional)
Lemon zest & granulated sugar (to add to the rim of the glass)
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice.
Dip edges of an inverted glass of your choice into a shallow dish with sugar and lemon zest.
Pour into a highball or martini glass with ice and top off with sparkling water.
Garnish with a lemon wedge if desired.
Cheers!
