By Ariana Losch |
The best Sparkling Ice flavors deliver a delightful fizz and splash of fresh fruit effervescence. For many people, Sparkling Ice is a zero-sugar, low-cal replacement for sugary soft drinks and other guilty pleasure beverages. But not all Sparkling Ice drink flavors truly shine. If you want to know the best Sparkling Ice flavor to grab the next time you need a fizzy midday pick-me-up, well, keep reading.
A few weeks ago, my colleague Jordan Myrick sat down for an unedited taste test of all the Sparkling Ice flavors we could find in stores (14 in total). The aesthetic? Stunning. You can’t fault that rainbow of dazzling colors. But the flavors? To be honest, we found them a little lackluster. (And yes, as you can see in the video, we did not try Sparkling Ice drinks with ice. That’s on us, you guys. We should have bought ice. Sorry!)
But I’ve learned a lot about this beverage brand since then. Like how beloved it is to many people who appreciate that it contains vitamins and antioxidants, but doesn’t contain sugar. I appreciate it for what it is, not necessarily what we wanted it to be. Sparkling Ice isn’t trying to copy Spindrift or other seltzer brands known for a strong fruit flavor. It’s closer to a diluted diet soda, spritzer, or even something fresh out of a SodaStream. It’s sweetened with sucralose, unlike many seltzers which aren’t sweetened at all. It can be enjoyed on its own or mixed into co*cktails and mocktails for flavor enhancement. So without further ado, let’s dive into the best Sparkling Ice flavors so newcomers and long-time fans alike can find their go-to Ice of choice.
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- Sparkling Ice Kiwi Strawberry
Artificial kiwi and artificial strawberry can be tolerable on their own, but together they are a nightmare combo. You can tell from the bubblegum pink color of this Sparkling Ice flavor that very little of it is naturally occurring, and you can tell from the cloying taste, too. If Sparkling Ice Kiwi Strawberry is your favorite Ice flavor, hey, no judgment—I’m known for sipping soy sauce straight off a spoon. But I can’t in good conscience recommend this to anyone. Next!
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime
The Sporked team loves lemon lime Gatorade, so I had high hopes for this Sparkling Ice flavor. At first glance, you’ll notice the liquid is completely clear. It’s intriguing, sure, but in hindsight, that should have been a red flag. There’s very little flavor overall—it’s like a flatter, duller diet Sprite. It tastes like someone dropped a whole lemon in a glass of water, took it out three seconds later, and did the same thing with a lime. All that said, the flavor isn’t offensive, it’s just a bit boring!
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Coconut Pineapple
The Coconut Pineapple Sparkling Ice leans heavy on the coconut, with the slightest hint of pineapple (if you really hunt for it). Which, heads up: That’s going to be a running theme for all Sparkling Ice flavors that come in combos. They may advertise two flavors, but one flavor is generally more prominent than the other. If you go crazy for coconut or, I don’t know, enjoy sniffing sunscreen, you might like this. Otherwise, you can skip it.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Berry Lemonade
As I so helpfully wrote, in my notes: “It’s not bad, but it’s not much of anything.” The beverage’s ruby color packs a more powerful punch than the taste. There’s a hint of tart berry, and then no lemonade to be found. I would maybe use this as a mixer, but for a standalone drink, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Black Cherry
Hi, it’s me, your friendly neighborhood cherry-flavor apologist. It’s true: I like cherry, even when it reminds me of the cough medicine I used to hate as a child. If you, unlike me, are sensitive to medicinal cherry, this is not the best Sparkling Ice flavor for you. It may, in fact, be the worst. This has a sharp, bitter cherry essence that really lingers. Don’t worry, though—there’s another cherry option on this list that may redeem your faith in cherry flavored bevs altogether! (In the meantime, I’ll be over here, sippin’ this like a cherry-crazed weirdo.)
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine
For ingenuity’s sake, I have to give Peach Nectarine Sparkling Ice credit: It really tastes like nectarine! Artificial nectarine, but nectarine nonetheless. That’s new and fun and fresh, right? Still, as someone who loves peach beverages (Peach Pepsi is my drink of the summer, thank you very much), this could have been better. But if you want to try something unique, it’s one of the Sparkling Ice drink flavors you should give a whirl.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Strawberry Watermelon
Pros: This combo flavor actually does taste like both strawberry and watermelon. Amazing! It’s sweet and summery. Cons: The fake watermelon might remind you of the last time you chewed on a watermelon-scented eraser. (Just me?) If that’s not the kind of nostalgia you’re looking for in your Sparkling Ice flavors, well, keep reading.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade
Is the lemonade in the room with us? I’m not sure why they don’t just label it “Strawberry” Sparkling Ice. I won’t get caught up in false advertising, though. This is bright, refreshing, and probably something Starbucks would pour over bits of dried fruit and charge $5 for. I’m here for it.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Cherry Limeade
Do you like the cherry part of Cherry Coca-Cola? Great, you’re gonna love this. It has a fresh, bright, clean cherry taste. (The official Sparkling Ice YouTube channel actually made a “Cherry Limeade Mule” tutorial, if you want to check that out.)
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry
Now we’re getting into the good Sparkling Ice flavors. Black Raspberry Sparkling Ice packs a bold tartness and fresh—yes, fresh, not artificial—raspberry flavor on the finish. I had the urge to serve this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Fruit Punch
I wasn’t initially sold on Sparkling Ice Fruit Punch. And then I had the brilliant idea—wait for it—to try drinking it over ice. This might not be the mouth-staining, lip-pursing fruit punch from a juice box, but this bright seltzer is super refreshing. It’s fruit punch for adults, and I think that’s beautiful.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry
Sometimes, grape can go so wrong—and other times, so very right. When it comes to Sparkling Ice flavors, Grape Raspberry Sparkling Ice is bold. It’s tart, but not too tart. It’s pretty to look at. Something about this just scratches an itch. The flavor is mostly grape, but finishes on raspberry, but overall? This is one of the best Sparkling Ice flavors for people who would lay down their lives for a good grape soda.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Orange Mango
Here’s the deal: The mango flavor hits right at the beginning of each sip, and then disappears fully into orange. And you know what? That’s A-okay with me, because the overall effect is just so darn pleasant. It’s giving “spa.” (No, not hot tub water; I’m talking about ice water steeping with fresh fruit.) Do you wish you were at brunch right now holding a mimosa? First of all, same. Second of all, if it’s the middle of the work day, grab Sparkling Ice Orange Mango instead. It’s one of the best Sparkling Ice flavors, hands down.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade
Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade Ice sets the standard for Sparkling Ice drinks flavors. It’s bright, zingy, and instantly invigorating. You can barely taste the artificial sweetener. Plus, there’s just something about the carbonation that hits different in this classic lemonade flavor. It’s extra bubbly, and tastes almost chic. This is the best Sparkling Ice flavor. I’m willing to bet that anyone who doesn’t agree would at least place it in the top three.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
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About the Author
Ariana Losch
Ariana Losch is a Sporked contributor, webcomic writer, java junkie, and bad TV enthusiast. She only ever feels at peace laying out on a beach like a kebab, roasting in the sun; sadly, she can never move back to Florida, her home state, because there simply isn’t enough good Mediterranean food. You can find her overstaying her welcome at just about every LA coffee shop, working on a screenplay and avoiding all eye contact. (She is embarrassed to be there, please leave her alone.)
