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We’re big fans of sparkling water here at Tasting Table. We’ve tried every Trader Joe’s sparkling water, sipped 23 different La Croix flavors, and completed taste tests of the best seltzer brands out there. Our latest venture was ranking 10 Spindrift sparkling water flavors from worst to best, and selecting a winner was a breeze, so to speak. The honor went to island punch, a bright, fruity flavor that will transport you right to the tropics.
According to Spindrift, its island punch sparkling water is made with 7% real juice. It takes inspiration from the Hawaiian “POG” juice, which is a mixture of passionfruit, orange, and guava flavors. We found that the passion fruit brings an enjoyable tanginess to the water, which is complemented by the sweet guava and the zesty orange. It all blends seamlessly to create a refreshing, complex drink that has more body than other sparkling waters, but a lightness that makes it more enjoyable than a juice or soda.
‘The best flavor ever’
Looking at online reviews, it seems we’re not the only fans of Spindrift’s island punch. When the brand announced the release of the flavor on Instagram, users were quick to compliment it. One person called it the “best flavor” Spindrift has ever made, adding that they “can’t get enough”. Another person raved about the “genuine taste,” saying, “It tastes just like POG juice without all the sugar. Truly amazing job.”
Target shoppers also enjoy the flavor, calling it refreshing, delicious, and balanced. One person said that it was the perfect cocktail replacement, and another praised the rich flavors. “All sparkling water tends to taste the same to me. This one does a good job of telling my nose that something more exciting is going on,” they said.
Our tester suggests trying the island punch as a cocktail mixer. You could use it to make a sparkling grown-up jungle juice or a lighter tropical passion fruit margarita. However, the drink also stands up perfectly when sipped on its own, especially if it’s poured over ice. It might not exactly be a ticket to paradise, but track down an umbrella straw and the right tiki mug, and anything is possible.
