Spindrift Sparkling Water Flavors Ranked

I’ll be the first to say it. I am a Spindrift Sparkling Water addict. I used to live life in oblivion, drinking other sparkling waters thinking they were amazing. Boy, was I wrong. Nothing beats the first fresh sip of a spindrift. It’s not too bubbly, but not too flat at the same time. You can taste the fresh fruit juice in each sip, but it is not overpowering. Somehow, they have mastered the drink of sparkling water.

Ask any of my friends and they will tell you: I cannot stop talking about how much I love these (and I have converted a lot of them, too!) I have a constant stash on top of our fridge of rotating flavors. Some weeks, it’ll be the grapefruit box and the orange mango box from Wegman’s, or the cute four-pack raspberry limes from Trader Joe’s, other times its tallboy strawberry I ordered from Amazon. So, I decided to distinguish myself as a Spindrift expert, and take it upon myself to rank all ten flavors. Disclaimer: this is extremely subjective, and even my opinions change monthly on my favorites. I hope you enjoy!

10. Lemon

Before you complain to me about this crowd favorite being ranked this low, let me set the scene. It’s late on a Friday night in a sophomore dorm, some type of old Justin Bieber/One Direction Song is playing in the background. You pull out your lemon Svedka from its designated hiding spot in your cramped room, grab some ice and pour yourself a drink. If you are anything like me, you would grab one of your endless cans of lemon Spindrift, add a splash of lemonade and declare this drink the best in the world. Well, let me tell you. If this sounds anything like you, do yourself a favor and stop this routine immediately. This drink you idolize so much will soon remind you of a dark night at an off-campus house that you can’t remember all too well. Soon, the taste of a non-spiked lemon Spindrift will trigger your taste buds into thinking you are chugging lemon vodka, and boy does it take time to recover from. So, because of my own fault, I ruined the lemon flavor and have yet to recover, putting this flavor in last place. Oh how I miss you lemon. I am sorry I have left you in the dust.

9. Lime

Are you catching onto a theme? You think I would have learned from my lemon faults. I was ecstatic when lime came out earlier this year. I ordered three eight-packs on Amazon right when I could. It was in love at first sip. Yet, missing my citrus spindrift kick in my drinks, I started to craft cocktails for this new lime flavor that was so refreshing. I had learned from my old, stupid mistakes, I said. I whipped out complicated mojitos with lime, white rum, lime juice and even fresh mint (a small feat to most, but in an off-campus house this is luxurious). I had topped off some strong margaritas with lime to add some fizz to them. Lo and behold, even from these more sophisticated endeavors, lime started to taste more like a cocktail than a refreshing seltzer to me in a short amount of time. Sorry, citrus flavors. This is all my fault. I do not blame you.

8. Orange Mango

This is one of those flavors that go in and out of higher ranks for me. Over the summer, cracking open a nice crisp orange mango under the beaming hot sun is a dream come true. It’s a great way to start a summer morning, reminding me of sipping on OJ when I was a kid. Yet, this blissful nostalgia of orange mango loses its charm once the sweaters, boots, and jackets come out of hibernation. The cracking open of an orange mango while lacing up snow boots and walking what seems like an eternity to class just does not have the same feel. The taste of pure juice of warm fruits teases me in the colder months, and I just can’t get over it. So long, orange mango. Can’t wait to be truly reunited in the spring, when I can fully enjoy you again. (orange mango is still one of the easier boxes to find, so I obviously will have cases of it before spring, but it just isn’t the same).

7. Cranberry Raspberry

My same issues with orange mango arise with cranberry raspberry. I love this drink once the leaves start falling off the trees. Everything just feels right. It tastes like fall, like Thanksgiving is around the corner, like you need to start planning Christmas presents. It makes me want to go to a cranberry bog, even though I usually am not a huge fan of cranberries. The same desire just does not arise in warmer months. That being said, I think this is such an underrated flavor of Spindrift, and wish that is was more readily stocked for purchase. This reminds me of what most people think of a typical seltzer to be. The crisp, bubbly can with a strong fruit flavor. So, whenever I see this flavor out in the wild, I have to get it, no matter the month.

6. Half & Half

This is probably one of the more controversial flavors of Spindrift. I personally am a huge fan. I love how understated the tea and lemon flavors are, but I also hate when a good Arnold Palmer is too sweet. It think this seltzer transports you to a summer day on a lake or after a long hike. Some other of my family and friends think that this flavor is too understated, and feels weird carbonated. So, I urge you to find a half & half and try for yourself. This is also a hard flavor to come by, though, so if you do see one make sure to get it while you can.

5. Cucumber

This is such a unique sparkling water flavor, one that I am sure other brands are kicking themselves for not developing first. It’s subtle, and reminds you that you are taking care of your body (even if its your first sip of water on a hangover morning). I feel like I should be in a spa waiting room in between a facial and a hot stone massage while sipping on this drink. It immediately relaxes me, and leaves me craving more. Even friends who are not fans of real cucumbers love this drink, just proving how satisfying it truly is.

4. Blackberry

We are down to splitting hairs now. These last four flavors are the true OGs, the ones that have subscribed orders on Amazon, that are constantly stocked at home. Blackberry is a unique flavor, because if you pour it into a glass you can truly see just how fresh Spindrift really is. The deep purple color reminds me why I love this brand so much- the real fruit juice in every can. I love a good handful of blackberries, but rarely have them stocked at home. So, this sparkling water gives me my fruit fix for the day. Perfect in any weather, any time of day, you can’t go wrong with blackberry.

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3. Grapefruit

Finally! I have savored a citrus Spindrift! And boy, am I glad about it. Grapefruit is one of the most popular flavors, and for good reason. It’s strong, it’s sour in a good way, it’s pure. There really is no wrong in this can, ever. The bright pink color is perfect for a picnic instagram, and pairs well with every meal, too! Bring this flavor anywhere and everywhere: you will find yourself constantly craving it. Mixed with pure grapefruit juice, it also makes a great cocktail (I make sure not to make this one too often, though.)

2. Strawberry

This is my personal favorite flavor at the moment, and is extremely underrated. I have a fresh case of 12 tallboys, and I am trying not to go through them within one week. Whenever I get a pack after missing it for a while, I am always pleasantly surprised and confused why I ever let myself run out. Strawberry is a great flavor to give to someone asking why Spindrift is different from other sparkling waters. You really taste the perfect combination of fruit and carbonation. Sit back and relax, crack open a strawberry tallboy and enjoy your day, you won’t regret it.

1. Raspberry Lime

Raspberry Lime will never fail. It’s a classic. It’s easy to find, and a crowd favorite. Sparkling water at its finest. Sweet and citrus. Crisp, refreshing, satisfying. I cannot praise raspberry lime enough. All I can say is if you have not had the pleasure of trying it yet, do yourself a favor and go get a can: you can find them virtually everywhere.

Well, there you have it. A far from comprehensive review of the current lineup of Spindrift flavors. I can only dream of what others will need to be added to this list. But, for now, I am going to go crack open a strawberry: all this writing about Spindrift has made me thirsty.