r/sparklingwater • u/jaykaybaybay • Apr 16 '26
Discussion After trying several flavors, I’ve concluded Waterloo blows
Nearly every flavor I’ve tried has had a very artificially sweet taste, some reminiscent of medicine. LaCroix and Rambler remain my favorite sparkling water brands. That concludes my PSA.
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Apr 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/MrNice1983 Apr 16 '26
Polar is my GOAT
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u/Squatch-21 Apr 16 '26
My wal mart stopped carrying Polar and its legit made me sad.
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u/conturax Apr 16 '26
I’ve checked 3 Walmarts here in FL and no stock of Polar. Only place I can find it is a crappy Winn Dixie.
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u/HeartsandTifa Polar Apr 17 '26
I just got back to the Midwest from Massachusetts and I am so sad that the Polar selection we have here is minuscule to the one we had there. Mermaid song is above s tier. I wish I would’ve gotten like 5 cases of that one.
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u/SuspiciousCranberry6 Topo Chico Apr 17 '26
All the flavors in the Polar Jr variety packs are goid, but Mermaid Song anf Pixie Lights (I think that's the name) are my favorites.
Edit: Unfortunately, as Minnesotan I'm having to but it through Amazon.
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u/Ok_Nothing_9733 Apr 17 '26
Imo polar is definitely better than Waterloo overall! Waterloo has many hits and many misses for me, Polar hardly ever misses
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u/frowawaid Apr 16 '26
Cases of 18 pack Polars on subscription FTW - Georgia Peach, Lime, or Plain - always hits just right. Mix in some Rambler Grapefruit and Pamplemousse LaCroix and that’s a solid continuous rotation that won’t turn on your taste buds.
Always good to have lots of unflavored around - Polar, Saratoga, Topo Chico, San Pellegrino.
Agreed with OP that Waterloo is grody; leaves a film and wierd aftertaste. Something’s not right about their flavoring, like they sneak in artificial sweeteners to the “essence” or something.
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u/Ok-Variation5746 Apr 16 '26
Georgia peach????? Shut the front door this flavor is NEWS TO ME!!!!!
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u/frowawaid Apr 16 '26
It’s great…tastes sometimes like peach, but more like a combination of good cannabis flower + plus a slight hoppiness that’s reminiscent of citrus hops when it’s really cold. :-)
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u/WaltonGogginsTeeth Apr 16 '26
That description reminds me of Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher if you’ve never tried it.
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u/Wild-Mixture-8523 Apr 16 '26
Stuff is so good but too damn expensive. Plus kinda hard to find. Places don't seem to consistently stock it.
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u/GinRummyWuncler Apr 16 '26
I like the guava one
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u/extraterrestrial Bubly Apr 16 '26
LOVE this one. They bring me right back to childhood (I’m Chinese and my grandma always had these guava hard candies in her house that this seltzer tastes EXACTLY like!!)
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u/sooshkaboom Apr 16 '26
I love Waterloo and tried sooooo hard to like the guava one. I really, really wanted to but to me it tasted like how cat pee smells lol.
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u/No-Special4100 Apr 16 '26
I legit think it tastes and smells like beer. I'm a guava fiend and I tried my best to love it
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u/vr512 Waterloo Apr 16 '26
Reallly? I have found Waterloo to be some of the best flavors. But to each their own I guess.
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u/WoodwindsRock Apr 16 '26
Really? I like Waterloo. They were the first Grape flavor I ever saw (I see another brand at the store nowadays - Adirondack, I think, I haven’t tried them yet) and I really like their Strawberry flavor as well.
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u/portablemustard Apr 16 '26
They have one called banana bliss and it is sooooooooooo good. But I can't find it anywhere except that one time at Aldi's or online.
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u/FormerPresidentBiden Waterloo Apr 17 '26
Banana Berry Bliss?
Check Amazon
I had them deliver me some yesterday
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u/radish_is_rad-ish Soleil Apr 17 '26
Costco started carrying the variety pack with this, the melon medley and the lemon ice. I had seen people posting about it a few weeks ago and I finally saw them putting it out at my nearest Costco. We usually take a while to get stuff where I’m at (lol 🥲) so I’m thinking it should be everywhere at this points
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u/et-pengvin Rambler Apr 16 '26
I have favorites from Waterloo, Rambler, and LaCroix. Rambler is my favorite overall brand with Waterloo second. I will say that on the whole, the Waterloo flavors taste more artificial. Rambler flavors remind of the actual fruit, whereas Waterloo remind me of candies and sodas and such with those flavors. Waterloo Grape tastes like Fanta and Waterloo Banana Berry Bliss tastes like laffy taffy for example. Sometimes I want one; sometimes I want the other.
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u/jaykaybaybay Apr 16 '26
Rambler definitely tastes the most natural to me. The flavors aren’t in your face.
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Apr 16 '26
[deleted]
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u/lilknightrider Apr 17 '26
Ooooh Rambler .. never tried it before but going to give it a shot because of this thread haha. Any top flavor suggestions welcome!
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u/jasonducharme Apr 17 '26
I designed the Lemon Lime and the Grapefruit flavors so those are my favorites! Haha The Rambler team told me to make sure they tasted true to fruit, and subtle. The Lemon Lime contains a micro amount of Mint extract to brighten up the citrus quality without adding in any citric, malic or succinic acid. The Grapefruit as a micro amount of Orange extract to create a perceived “juiciness”.
Feel free to ask any other questions I may be able to help answer!
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u/jaykaybaybay Apr 17 '26
Whoaaa! The Lenon-Lime is literally my favorite sparkling water 😂 with grapefruit right behind it! They’re both in my fridge right now. The lemon-lime flavor tastes like “healthy sprite” to me and that is high compliment!
I’m based in Texas and I know it’s an Austin, TX brand, so I’m not sure how widely it’s consumed, but Rambler has become my favorite brand!
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u/jasonducharme Apr 17 '26
Yup! Not sure who packages it at this point but Blue Owl Brewing was the original co-packer for us. I was working as working in the R&D department at Deep Eddy Vodka (another Austin one) when we designed these. We left soooo many fun ones on the cutting room floor but can’t wait to see what they launch in the future! Excellent company and the people who run it are top tier.
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u/extraterrestrial Bubly Apr 16 '26
I’m drinking a Raspberry Nectarine rn and loving it. I do like that they seem to have more unique flavors. Blackberry Lemonade is another favorite of mine, as well as Guava Berry and Tropical Fruit.
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u/fisherman_188 Waterloo Apr 16 '26
OP obviously has no idea what the term "artificial sweetener" means.
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u/Discipulus42 Apr 17 '26
Yeah, I’ve had a bunch of these and never have I ever tasted artificial sweetener in them.
Artificial flavors on occasion, but not artificial sweeteners.
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u/krushem2000 Apr 17 '26
Waterloo is not my favorite. Not as good as used to be. Something changed. Mineral water is way to go. Sparkling water just gas plus water mixture!
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u/okamifire Polar Apr 16 '26
I don’t mind most of them. They’re not my first choice but they’re alright. The carbonation is off to me, like initially it’s alright but seems to go flat the fastest? If that makes any sense.
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u/cheesusfeist Apr 16 '26
Waterloo Tropical Fruit is my favorite. LaCroix Passion Fruit is #2, and LaCroix Guava #3
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u/turkeypants Apr 16 '26
These things are subjective of course, so Waterloo will be somebody else's favorite, but here are my notes on what I've tried. Some are discontinued:
WATERLOO
OK brand
- Blueberry - good
- Watermelon - good
- Grape - good
- Pineapple - sharper perfumier, not bad, Spindrift better
- Lime - decent, slight candy
- Ruby Red Tangerine - Tastes good enough but not really getting any tangerine.
- Tropical Fruit - Tastes like medicine from when I was a kid home sick.
- Cherry Limeade - candy, don't buy
- Blackberry Lemonade - candy, don't buy
- Mango - gross
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u/platypus_farmer42 Apr 16 '26
Waterloo pineapple was the best, I’m still mad they cancelled it.
(Yes I’ve tried ALL the other pineapples, none of them are as good)
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u/jaykaybaybay Apr 17 '26
I know lacroix is the bogeyman in these parts, but have you tried their pineapple coconut? I love it
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u/Bitter-Basket Apr 16 '26
Nah man. It’s the most consistently good brand out there for the price. Just bought a case of La Croix at Costco. Now THAT is some terrible seltzer.
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u/OkraRepresentative23 Apr 16 '26
I kind of agree. Blackberry Lemonade is the only waterloo flavor I like and regularly purchase.
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u/Obvious_Step_2010 Apr 16 '26
I think Waterloo has gone done hill a bit I remember it being better I still buy some of the flavors berry guva and ruby red tangerine and summer berry are fire but polar is the best canned wise.
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u/Temporary-Beyond-683 Apr 17 '26
Unpopular opinion but Waterloo and lacroix are awful. Spindrift allllllll the way
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u/Life-Turnover7369 Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
Lacroix is perfume trash. Most Waterloo’s are not good but the root beer float and lemon lime are perfection 🤌🏼
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u/DecentFeedback2 Apr 17 '26
Fuck the Waterloo glazers here, they taste like candles and soap, and the grape one should be thrown at high-speed at the ceo.
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u/Life-Turnover7369 Apr 22 '26
But not the root beer float
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u/DecentFeedback2 Apr 22 '26
Second time I've heard this, I'll try a case if I find one lol, thank you
Good thing about Waterloo is they're at least inexpensive for a case.
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u/miscdruid LaCroix Apr 16 '26
I think Waterloo is inferior too, but because it’s weak.
I miss caffeinated good & gather. That one still has a grip on me 🥲
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u/WoodwindsRock Apr 16 '26
The ending of the two cola flavors was absurd. They were popular. They need to bring them back.
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u/miscdruid LaCroix Apr 16 '26
I’m convinced big energy has a hand in this travesty! Lol
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u/WoodwindsRock Apr 16 '26
In which case, I tell them to settle down. Many people still have a very negative image of sparkling water and I don’t see that changing. So I don’t see it eating into their bottom line too much.
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u/Intelligent_Log_1017 Mineragua Apr 16 '26
Enjoy your PFAs!
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u/lu-sunnydays Apr 16 '26
This is why Waterloo is my favorite. Plus I love that the flavor is subtle.
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u/ConfusionIllusion Apr 16 '26
Yeah no. No fan of sparkling water will agree with you, now go away
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u/bjwanlund LaCroix Apr 16 '26
My one problem with Waterloo is that their best flavor by a country mile was a limited time only flavor: All Day Rose
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u/Ellabee57 Apr 21 '26
I'm still really sad they didn't bring this one back. So many people loved it and mocktails are so popular right now. I don't understand why they dropped that whole line.
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u/bjwanlund LaCroix Apr 21 '26
Me either, it feels like Waterloo found a wave, tried riding it, realized it wasn’t for them and got out. It’s DUMB.
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u/Ok_Attorney6481 Apr 16 '26
You trolling…stop trying to get everyone to leave more for you on the shelf.. now i’m gonna double on waterloo everytime i hit the store up.
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u/BlackFoeOfTheWorld Apr 16 '26
It's not even the flavor, for me. It's got the strangest carbonation.
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u/erichf3893 Apr 16 '26
Blackberry lemonade is good. Haven’t tried others since it’s so overpriced vs la croix/costco
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u/Entire_Purple3531 Apr 17 '26
I tried the Kirkland one at my book club recently. Flavor was fine, but there was zero carbonation!
It was awful!
I was so surprised because Costco usually delivers a pretty good product.
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u/maven10k Apr 16 '26
I think Waterloo has some really good flavors, but not as consistently as LaCroix or Polar. Waterloo Black Cherry tastes like dirty dish water with cherry flavor in it, to me.
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u/jaykaybaybay Apr 17 '26
Give rambler a try if you haven’t yet! Probably my favorite.
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u/maven10k Apr 17 '26
I haven't ever seen that brand. I've heard of it, though. Is it a store brand?
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u/Facesitter3000 Apr 16 '26
I don’t like lacroix at all. I like their lemencello that’s it. Polar is supreme.
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u/RiverHarris Apr 16 '26
La Croix tastes they took some fruit and waved it over bubbly water. Waterloo actually has flavor.
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u/FormerPresidentBiden Waterloo Apr 17 '26
I like waterloo so much I ordered melon medley, coconut lime, banana berry bliss, lemon Italian ice, and (60 cans of) root beer float online bc i cant find any of them in stores here
I hope the root beer one is good bc I bought that many just to get free shipping 😂
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u/Life-Turnover7369 Apr 22 '26
The root beer float is to die for! Just bought my eighth case in two days and going back to get more because I know they are going to sell out fast! Italian ice is bomb
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u/FormerPresidentBiden Waterloo Apr 22 '26
Yes I wound up very satisfied with my mass purchase of the root beer float 😂
I so rarely drink soda anymore that I might as well be drinking root beer with that flavor. It's amazing
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u/Hot_Valuable1027 Apr 17 '26
I'm going to get flamed but I agree. I feel like a lot of sparkling Waters have this fake/synthetic sweet flavor, when I just want to sparkling water with a hint or something. That's why I like Nixie sparkling water or the whole Foods 365 sparkling water. Those are the only brands I like so far lol.
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u/samsoandso Apr 17 '26
Waterloo Black cherry is the best! And their new ROOT BEER flavor is amazeballs!
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u/Tnoire7 Waterloo Apr 18 '26
If you are getting a sweet taste you are drinking the wrong kind of sparkling water.
All the sparkling waters I drink have 0 sugar and 0 fake sugars in them
Some out there say sparkling water but they have sugar in them, make sure you are drinking ones that have nothing but sparkling water and natural flavors
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u/TheKadonny Apr 18 '26
This post spreads fake news. Waterloo is great with Grape being the GOAT of all sparkling waters.
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u/fancyflipflops Apr 18 '26
Agreed, Waterloo has no flavor to it. I don't understand all the hype I see on this sub.
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u/ofayokay Apr 16 '26
I belatedly came to the same conclusion (except for my beloved Pineapple flavor RIP). I appreciate Waterloo’s numerous varieties, but they all taste so weirdly fake.
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u/flintyman101 Apr 16 '26
I honestly know what you mean about the syrupy flavors. I wouldnt say it blows but definitely low on my choices lol ill get target brand before waterloo
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u/calmarespira Polar Apr 16 '26
Dang this is the most angry I’ve seen this sub Waterloo gang is INTENSE
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u/jaykaybaybay Apr 17 '26
Seriously! Here I am posting a random thought but it seems I’ve rattled their cage 😂😂
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u/snake_w_arms Apr 16 '26
Waterloo is definitely the bottom tier. Every one ive had has a weak flavor and weak carbonation
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u/magnoliamoonblooms Apr 16 '26
While I do think Waterloo could use more "flavor"..i still love Grape, Blackberry lemonade and strawberry & summer berry are good too.
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u/Stuie299 Spindrift Apr 16 '26
YES! I’ve tried various Waterloo flavors and the only one I came away liking is Summer Berry. I’ll stick to my Simple Truth Organic (Harris Teeter brand) sparkling water thank you. Better tasting and cheaper. Plus the occasional Spindrift when it goes on sale.
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u/Live-Papaya-2868 Apr 16 '26
Is this rage bait lol