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The 7 Best Water Flavorings of 2024, According to a Dietitian

Enhance your water with a flavor boost.

Spoonful of powder flavoring above a glass full of water displayed on a pink background

Verywell Fit / Sabrina Jiang

Water is essential for all functions of the body, which is made up of 50 to 60% water. “If you want to be on your A-game (and we all do), hydration is key. Even a 2% loss in hydration has been found to impact cognition, memory, mood, and reaction time,” says Callie Exas, MPH, MS, RDN. Dehydration puts added stress on the body and can impact blood sugar balance, blood pressure, and hormone regulation, which makes it important for all kinds of reasons.

Daily water needs vary from person to person, but the general guideline is between 11 cups and 16 cups for adults, from both food and drink. Some groups of people are at a higher risk for dehydration and may need even more water, including athletes, people who sweat more than average, and people who are breastfeeding, according to Exas. The importance of water is clear, but many people struggle to hit their hydration goals, especially if they don’t enjoy the taste of plain water.

Water flavorings can make drinking fluids more enjoyable. Some water flavorings contain electrolytes, which can be beneficial in replacing losses through sweat. Products with sodium, specifically, can help the body retain more water for faster rehydration. When choosing our top water flavorings, we considered the quality of ingredients, flavor, ease of use, and nutritional composition, including the amount of added sugar, sweeteners, and electrolytes. We also tested several electrolyte-containing water flavorings and evaluated them on taste, smell, dissolubility (for powders), quality of ingredients, value, and nutritional content.

Best Overall

True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets

True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets

 Amazon

Pros
  • Made from real lemons

  • Affordable

  • Convenient, single-serve packets

Cons
  • Tart flavor may not be enjoyed by all

Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 0 calories | Sweetener Type: None | Sugar Per Serving: 0 grams | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes

Why We Recommend It

True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets are our top pick because they are affordable, convenient, easy to use, and made from one simple ingredient—lemons! Lemon is a classic water addition, but you may not always have a fresh lemon at home or want to carry slices in your bag to add to a water bottle on the go, so True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets are a perfect solution.

Inside each packet, you will find small crystals made from real lemon juice and oils. There are zero artificial flavorings or added sugars, and it is non-GMO and gluten-free. Each packet contains no calories or sugar and meets 25% of your daily vitamin C requirements

Essentially, you are adding the equivalent of one fresh lemon wedge to your drink with each serving. It’s incredibly versatile to use in other drinks besides water and can even be used as a substitute for lemon juice in recipes.

Things to Consider

  • One downside might be that it does have quite a tart flavor, which some people may not enjoy.
  • This is simply a water flavoring, and does not contain electrolytes.

Who It's For

This is a great option for people who love lemon water, and are looking for a convenient, on-the-go alternative to fresh lemons.

Best for Athletes

Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets

Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets

Amazon

Pros
  • Informed Choice Verified

  • Includes five electrolytes to enhance hydration and replenish losses through sweat

Cons
  • Will not replenish carbohydrate stores post-workout


Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 15 calories | Sweetener Type: Dextrose and stevia leaf extract | Sugar Per Serving: 1 gram | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes

Why We Recommend It

For optimal performance and recovery during athletic events and training, it's important to replenish the water and electrolytes you lose when you sweat. As an Informed Choice verified brand, Nuun Sport is rigorously tested for recreational and elite athletes. You can easily add one of the dissolvable tablets to a water bottle to drink during or after a long or intense workout. They come packaged in a convenient, recyclable carrying tube that you can easily slip into your workout bag or running belt.

Nuun’s tablets provide sodium, and smaller amounts of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are important electrolytes to help with fluid balance and cell functioning. The tablets contain 300 mg of sodium per serving, which replaces losses through sweat, and helps your body retain water to rehydrate you faster. The tablets are available in a variety of flavors and can also be found with or without caffeine. They are kosher and gluten-free, and the only other added ingredients they may contain are avocado oil, dextrose (sugar), stevia leaf extract, and beetroot powder for color.

It has a good balance of sweet and salty flavor, but it does have a bit of a tart taste as well. These tablets require stirring to completely dissolve, but the result is a smooth texture with no graininess.

Things to Consider

  • The carbohydrate content is very low, which may be preferable for some, but athletes exercising at higher intensities, for longer durations, or in hot conditions may need more sugar to adequately rehydrate and refuel.
  • You may want to pair this beverage with a carb-containing meal or snack, depending on the duration and intensity of your workout.

Who It's For

People on the go who carry their own water bottle, and want an eco-friendly, third-party-tested water flavoring with electrolytes.

Best Ready-to-Drink

Hint Fruit Infused Water

Hint Fruit Infused Water

 Amazon

Pros
  • Contains just purified water and natural flavors

  • Ready-to-drink, no mixing required

Cons
  • Less environmentally friendly

Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 0 calories | Sweetener Type: None | Sugar Per Serving: 0 grams | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes

We We Recommend It

Hint is simply purified water with added natural flavors. It relies on those natural flavors for taste and does not add any sugar or preservatives. It is naturally kosher, vegan, and gluten-free. Similar to flavored seltzer water, it isn't sweetened at all, which you may or may not prefer.

Their original product is flavored still water, but they now offer sparkling and caffeinated varieties, as well as a kid-friendly line of water.

Things To Consider

  • Plastic bottles of water like Hint tend to be pricier and worse on the environment. However, the brand offers larger sizes, which have a lower environmental impact and are more affordable than their smaller, single-serve options.

Who It's For

This beverage is suited to those looking for a ready-to-drink, flavored water, with just purified water and natural flavorings.

Best for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Needed Hydration Support

Needed Hydration Support

Amazon

Pros
  • Third-party tested

  • Contains sodium, magnesium, chloride and potassium

  • No added sugars or artificial flavorings, colorings or sweeteners

Cons
  • Limited flavor variety

Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 0 calories | Sweetener Type: monk fruit | Sugar Per Serving: 0 grams | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes

Why We Recommend It

Adequate hydration is essential during pregnancy to support the health of the mom and growing baby. Hydration is also key while breastfeeding, as you need more water to support an adequate milk supply. During pregnancy, it is recommended to drink 64-96 ounces of water per day, which goes up to 128 ounces per day for postpartum women who are breastfeeding. Needed Hydration Support are convenient electrolyte powder sticks designed to help support the hydration needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Each stick serving contains electrolytes, including 250 milligrams of sodium as well as magnesium, and small amounts of chloride, potassium, and trace minerals to replenish losses and help rehydrate you faster.

Quality is key when selecting supplements during pregnancy and lactation, so we love that Needed participates in third-party testing for nutritional content, heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants. This electrolyte powder is free of artificial flavorings, sweeteners and colorings. It's made with powdered fruit juice for flavor and sweetened with monk fruit, with no added sugar. It comes in three flavors: grapefruit, lemon or lime.

Things To Consider

  • Because this product contains minerals, stick to the recommended dose of one to two servings per day.
  • It only comes in three flavors.

Who It's For

This is a great, electrolyte-enhanced, third-party tested, water flavoring for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The stick format makes it great for people who have their own water bottles.

Best With Collagen

Vital Proteins Hydration with Collagen

Vital Proteins Hydration with Collagen

 Amazon

Pros
  • May support skin, hair, nail, and joints health

  • Contains protein

  • Contains vitamins and minerals

Cons
  • Not suitable for vegans/vegetarians

  • Limited flavor variety

Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 25 calories | Sweetener Type: Dextrose, stevia leaf extract, monk fruit | Sugar Per Serving: 1 grams | Organic: No | Non-GMO: No

Why We Recommend It

Collagen is a protein found in many structural components of the body, such as hair, skin, nails, and tendons. While research on the impact of collagen on joint, skin, hair, and nail health is limited, there is some evidence that it may be beneficial.

Vital Proteins Hydration with Collagen is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen. This beverage provides 5 grams of collagen protein, vitamin C for an antioxidant and immune support boost, and B vitamins for overall cellular health and energy production. It also contains small amounts of electrolytes, including sodium, magnesium, and calcium.

It is sweetened with both stevia and monk fruit extract and contains natural flavorings, with only 1 gram of added sugar from dextrose. It comes in two flavor varieties: lemon-lime and tropical blast.

Things To Consider

  • This product is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, as the collagen is sourced from cows.
  • Because this product contains added vitamins and minerals, it's best not to exceed one or two servings per day. Also, consider any other supplements you are taking before adding this to your routine, to ensure you are not exceeding the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for any vitamin or mineral.

Who It's For

This powder is for those who want a small boost of protein and electrolytes in their water flavoring—athletes, for instance. Compared to other electrolyte powders, it is lower in electrolytes and carbohydrates, so it is suitable for everyday use, or it can be used during or after low-intensity exercise.

Best with Electrolytes

Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix

Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix

Amazon

Pros
  • Contains sodium and potassium for enhanced hydration

  • Four flavor varieties

  • No added sugars

Cons
  • Does not dissolve completely in water

Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 25 calories | Sweetener Type: Fruit powder, monk fruit, stevia | Sugar Per Serving: 4 grams | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes

Why We Recommend It

Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix can help boost your hydration with 240mg of sodium and 300 to 350mg of potassium per serving. A moderate amount of electrolytes, in addition to a small amount of sugar (4 grams) from fruit powders, makes this a great flavoring to have after moderate exercise, or any other time you are looking for an added hydration boost.

We like that this variety pack comes with four flavor varieties including watermelon, berry pomegranate, lemon, and strawberry kiwi. The potassium comes from the coconut water powder base, and the sodium from pink Himalayan salt. It is sweetened with natural sugars from fruit powders as well as monk fruit and stevia. We tested the lemon flavor, which we found to be mild and refreshing in taste.

Things to Consider

  • It does not completely dissolve when stirred into water, leaving behind some particles in the glass.

Who It's For

This powder is a good option for those looking for an electrolyte supplement, suitable for moderate exercise, or whenever you need an added hydration boost. The convenient, single-serve packets are a good option for on-the-go, and can help keep you hydrated while traveling.

Best Drops

SweetLeaf Squeezable Monk Fruit Sweetener

SweetLeaf Squeezable Organic Monk Fruit Sweetener

 Amazon

Pros
  • Zero calorie

  • Very affordable

  • Easy to keep in your bag

Cons
  • Contains glycerin, a sugar alcohol

Key Specs:

Calories Per Serving: 0 calories | Sweetener Type: Organic monk fruit | Sugar Per Serving: 0 grams | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes

Why We Recommend It

If you are monitoring your added sugar intake but still want to enjoy a beverage that tastes sweet, you may want to consider a water flavoring with monk fruit. Monk fruit is a non-nutritive, or non-caloric, sweetener derived from a Chinese plant with a concentrated sweetness level, so a little goes a long way!  

The Sweet Leaf Liquid Monk Fruit Drops come in a convenient squeeze bottle, and each bottle provides 80 servings (one squeeze equals one serving). There are delicious flavors like orange passion fruit, strawberry guava, and even caramel macchiato and English toffee.

Things To Consider

  • This product contains glycerin, a sugar alcohol that is typically used as a sweetener and stabilizer. While it is safe to consume, having too much can cause digestive side effects in some, like gas and bloating.

Who It's For

These drops are a convenient, zero-calorie, sugar-free option to add flavor and sweetness to your water.

Where We Stand

For a simple, convenient, water flavoring, we like True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets. If you are looking for an option with an electrolyte boost, try Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix.

How We Selected the Water Flavorings

When selecting the best water flavorings, we researched several water flavorings on the market, including products with various amounts of sugar, electrolytes, and other added nutrients. We understand that many people can struggle to consume enough water, so we made sure to consider flavorings that are easy to use and have appealing flavor options. We prioritized products with simple ingredients without artificial colorings and flavorings, and other unnecessary additives.

Additionally, we tested several electrolyte-containing water flavorings and evaluated them on taste, smell, dissolubility (for powders), quality of ingredients, value, and nutritional content.

What to Look for in Water Flavorings

The Types of Water Flavorings

In general, water flavorings come in a powdered, tablet, or liquid form. If you prefer to add flavoring to your water on the go, you may want to consider the easy-to-carry, single-serving products, which are generally found as powders and sometimes as drops. There are also pre-bottled or canned flavored water options that do not require mixing.

Electrolytes

In addition to adequate water intake, electrolytes help to maintain adequate fluid balance in the body. For most healthy individuals, eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water is sufficient.

However, you may need more water and electrolytes when you're exercising, ill, or traveling—whenever you might be losing water and nutrients through sweating or other means. For example, high-endurance athletes exercising vigorously for more than 60 minutes may benefit from increased water and electrolytes to replace what is lost through sweat. Sodium, in particular, can enhance fluid retention, helping you stay hydrated.

Exas says, “In cases where you have low mineral intake or where your minerals may be depleted (i.e., burnout, taking certain medications, overexercising), adding electrolytes to your water can be helpful.” Again, this may not be the case for everyone, so speak with a healthcare provider if you’re curious about your individual mineral needs.

Caffeine Content

There is often a concern about caffeine having a strong diuretic effect, but truthfully, moderate caffeine consumption (up to 400 milligrams a day) has been found to only have a minor, short-term effect. Choosing a water flavoring with caffeine is a personal preference, so consider how caffeine makes you feel. Some find caffeine gives them a helpful, added energy boost, while others can feel jittery and experience gastrointestinal discomfort, depending on the individual and the dosage.

Sweetener and Flavorings

It may be hard to drink enough water if you are used to drinking soda or juice, which tastes a lot sweeter. However, many of our picks provide plenty of flavor while leaving out excess sugar, so the transition to water may not be so difficult. We recommend leaning on the natural sugars of fresh fruit, such as in the fruit-infused waters listed above, or stocking up on our top pick, which skips natural and artificial sugars. Non-nutritive sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, and sugar alcohols are other ways to provide sweetness, but not everyone tolerates them well.

Note that in the context of exercise, consuming water flavorings with both electrolytes (primarily sodium) and carbohydrates (often as sugar) can enhance water retention, and therefore help to rehydrate you faster. Added carbohydrates can also help to replete energy stores during and after exercise.

Our Experts

  • Callie Exas, MPH, MS, RDN, provided insights on the importance of hydration.
  • Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN, a Registered Dietitian that specializes in health and nutrition research and supplement testing developed our testing methodology for electrolyte supplements.
  • Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, CDN, is a Registered Dietitian who works with patients to meet their health goals, including athletes looking to improve their performance. She also specializes in supplement research and analysis, and she reviewed and edited this piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is flavored water good for you?

    Not all flavored waters are created equally, so there may be some waters that are good options for some people but not for others. Flavored waters that contain added sugars may not be appropriate for someone with diabetes, for example. Other waters that contain added electrolytes and vitamins may be beneficial for athletes or someone who finds themselves nutrient-depleted, such as people who have just had babies.

  • Does flavored water hydrate you?

    Yes, seeing as the base of flavored water is still water, the science of hydration theoretically works the same whether you are drinking plain tap water or you decided to start drinking water with added flavor. Truthfully, there is not much research on whether or not the addition of flavorings like fresh fruit, juice, or non-caloric flavoring packets hydrate you any better or worse than plain water. However, for certain groups of people, such as endurance athletes or people who find that they sweat heavily, drinking flavored water with added carbohydrates and electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, may further improve hydration.

  • Can you drink flavored water if you have diabetes?

    Being well-hydrated is an overlooked aspect of diabetes management. Water is very helpful for overall blood sugar balance, but be mindful of sugars in water flavorings. If adding juice to your water, keep it a very small splash, for example. Or you may want to opt for products that use natural, sugar-free fruit flavorings like True Citrus or contain alternative sweeteners that are shown to have little to no glycemic impact, such as stevia, monk fruit, or sugar alcohols (allulose or erythritol, for example).

  • Does adding flavoring packets to water make it more or less healthy?

    This depends on the flavoring. If the flavoring contains upwards of 5 grams or more of added sugar per serving, then continuous consumption of that product over a day may significantly contribute to your added sugar intake. Water flavorings that provide electrolytes and other minerals and vitamins may or may not be a healthier option for hydration, depending on your needs.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Casey Seiden, MS, RD, CDCES, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist who specializes in pre- and postnatal health for women, with a specific focus on blood sugar and diabetes management. She is the dietitian at Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates in Manhattan, and owner of the online private practice, Casey Seiden Nutrition.

9 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  3. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Nursing Your Baby What You Eat and Drink Matters

  4. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - How much water should I drink during pregnancy?

  5. Czajka A, Kania EM, Genovese L, et al. Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing. Nutr Res. 2018;57:97-108. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.001

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  8. National Institutes of Health. Dietary supplements for exercise and performance: Fact sheet for health professionals.

  9.  McDermott BP, Anderson SA, Armstrong LE, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Fluid replacement for the physically active. J Athl Train. 2017;52(9):877-895. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-52.9.02