Flavoured Water Comparison UK: Taste, Calories and Value Tested [2026]

Here's a question that's been bothering me: why is the flavoured water aisle suddenly three times the size it was five years ago? And more importantly, is any of it actually worth buying?

After spending the better part of two weeks testing 12 different flavoured waters—and yes, my desk now resembles a hydration station at a wellness retreat—I can finally give you some answers. Some of which surprised even me.

Why Flavoured Water Has Exploded in the UK

The numbers tell the story. Volvic Touch of Fruit alone reaches 2.7 million regular buyers in the UK, making it the most popular flavoured water brand in Britain. But the market has become crowded with everything from premium sparkling options to budget supermarket alternatives.

The appeal is obvious: something that tastes more interesting than plain water but without the sugar load of soft drinks. In theory, it's the perfect compromise. In practice? Well, that depends entirely on which bottle you pick up.

I've noticed a shift at my local Tesco Metro over the past year. The flavoured water section has grown while the traditional squash aisle seems to be shrinking. People are voting with their feet, and manufacturers have noticed.

The Testing Methodology

Let me be clear about how I approached this. Every water was tested blind—bottles decanted into unmarked glasses, flavour revealed only after scoring. I roped in four colleagues (they've stopped questioning my methods, which is either trust or resignation). Each sample was scored on taste intensity, natural flavour quality, aftertaste, and overall enjoyment.

My desk became something of a talking point. Fourteen bottles of various coloured liquids, a scoring sheet that looked like something from a wine competition, and me sipping thoughtfully at 9am on a Tuesday. The facilities team have definitely started avoiding my corner of the office.

We also analysed every label for calories, sweeteners, and ingredients. Because the "healthy alternative" claim means nothing if you're actually consuming artificial sweeteners linked to questionable health outcomes.

Still vs Sparkling: What Type of Flavoured Water Is Best?

The first major decision is whether you want bubbles or not. And frankly, this matters more than most people realise.

Still Flavoured Waters

Still options tend to have a more subtle flavour profile. They're designed to taste like "water with a hint of fruit" rather than a soft drink replacement. This sounds appealing until you actually drink one that's too subtle—at which point you're basically paying extra for water that tastes slightly of disappointment.

Aquaroma stands out in the still category. This Welsh brand sources its spring water from Montgomery and offers genuinely pleasant fruit flavours without artificial sweeteners. The strawberry and raspberry version has a clean taste that doesn't linger oddly on your tongue. At around £1 for a 4-pack of 500ml bottles from Poundland, the value proposition is strong.

But here's what I didn't love: the flavour intensity varies significantly between batches. One week it tastes perfectly balanced; the next, you're essentially drinking scented water. Consistency is the curse of the budget-friendly brands.

Sparkling Flavoured Waters

Sparkling versions are where things get more interesting—and more divisive. The carbonation carries flavour differently, often making the fruit notes more pronounced.

Dash Water represents the premium end of this market. Their approach is genuinely clever: they use "wonky" rejected fruit that would otherwise go to waste, crushed and infused into British spring water. No sweeteners, no sugar, no calories. The grapefruit version is particularly good—bitter and refreshing without any artificial aftertaste.

The downside? It's expensive. We're talking around £1.50 per can. If you're drinking multiple cans daily, that adds up to serious money over a month.

Flavoured soda water and flavoured fizzy water from supermarket own-brands offer a middle ground. Tesco's own sparkling water flavoured waters are surprisingly decent, though they lack the sophistication of premium brands.

UK Flavoured Water Brands Compared: Taste and Value

Let me give you the breakdown from our blind testing, ranked from best to worst value for what you actually get.

Best Overall: Aquaroma Apple & Raspberry

Score: 8.2/10

After testing all twelve options, Aquaroma's apple and raspberry combination came out on top for value-adjusted quality. The flavour is genuinely pleasant—not too sweet, not too artificial—and at roughly 25p per 500ml bottle, you'd struggle to beat it.

I'll admit I didn't expect a brand available at Poundland to win this competition. But the blind testing doesn't lie. Three of my four colleagues independently ranked it in their top three before knowing what they were drinking.

The apple note dominates slightly over the raspberry, which works well. There's a crisp freshness that makes it genuinely refreshing rather than just "flavoured."

Premium Pick: Dash Water Grapefruit

Score: 8.5/10 (but lower value score due to price)

If money isn't a primary concern, Dash wins on taste quality alone. The grapefruit version delivers a sophisticated bitter-sweet balance that feels grown-up in a way most flavoured waters don't.

The "wonky fruit" angle isn't just marketing. You can genuinely taste that this is made from real fruit rather than "natural flavourings" cooked up in a laboratory. My colleague described it as "what posh people drink at spas," which felt simultaneously accurate and insulting.

However—and this is significant—you're paying premium prices for what is ultimately water with a hint of fruit. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on your budget and your priorities.

Best Supermarket Own-Brand: Aldi Aqua Spring

Score: 7.4/10

Aldi's flavoured water range doesn't get much attention, but it probably should. The aldis flavored water options—particularly the summer fruits variety—offer reliable quality at budget prices.

The carbonation level is well-judged: enough to feel refreshing without being aggressively fizzy. And at under £1 for a 1.5L bottle, you're looking at genuinely good value.

What holds it back is a slightly artificial aftertaste that lingers just a moment too long. Not unpleasant, exactly, but noticeable if you're paying attention. Which, admittedly, most people aren't.

The Ubiquitous Choice: Volvic Touch of Fruit

Score: 7.0/10

There's a reason Touch of FruitVolvic Touch of Fruit** dominates the market. It's consistently acceptable. Never brilliant, rarely disappointing. The reliable middle-of-the-road option that won't offend anyone.

The volvic sugar free water versions have improved over the years. The sweetness level has been dialled back, and the fruit flavours taste more natural than they did a few years ago. The lemon and lime version is particularly good for something using artificial sweeteners.

But here's my honest take: you're paying a brand premium for what is essentially a perfectly fine but unremarkable product. The Volvic name carries weight in UK supermarkets, and the pricing reflects that.

Mid-Pack Options

Rubicon Spring (7.2/10) offers something different—actual fruit juice blended with spring water. The strawberry kiwi version is genuinely tasty, though at 12 calories per bottle, it's not quite the "practically water" option some brands claim to be.

Sparkling Ice (6.8/10) divides opinion sharply. My colleagues were split—two loved it, two found it offensively sweet. It uses sucralose, which some people can taste immediately and others don't notice at all. I'm in the "can taste it" camp, which dropped my personal score considerably.

Disappointing Performer: Generic Supermarket Still Waters

Score: 5.5/10

I won't name specific brands here because honestly, they're interchangeable. The bottom tier of still flavoured waters—the 35p bottles with vaguely fruit-themed labels—taste like someone waved a strawberry near a bottle of tap water.

If your goal is simply "not plain water," these technically achieve that. If your goal is actual enjoyment, look elsewhere.

Is Flavoured Water Actually Good for You?

This is where I have to put on my serious face for a moment.

The health claims around sugar free flavoured water deserve scrutiny. Yes, these products typically have zero or negligible calories. Yes, they're better than sugary soft drinks. But "better than Coca-Cola" is a low bar.

The Sweetener Question

The World Health Organisation released guidelines in 2024 suggesting long-term use of artificial sweeteners may increase risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This isn't definitive, but it's worth knowing.

Many flavoured waters use sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame K to achieve sweetness without calories. If you're consuming these daily in significant quantities, the research suggests caution.

The healthiest flavoured water options are those using no sweeteners at all—brands like Dash Water and Aquaroma that rely purely on natural fruit flavourings. They won't taste as sweet, but that's rather the point.

Hydration Effectiveness

The good news: flavoured water does hydrate you just as effectively as plain water. There's no evidence that the flavourings or carbonation affect your body's ability to absorb and use the water.

In fact, if flavoured water means you drink more water overall, it's probably a net positive for your health. Most people in the UK don't drink enough water. If a hint of strawberry gets you closer to proper hydration, that's not nothing.

Dental Concerns

Sparkling flavoured waters are more acidic than still water, which can affect tooth enamel over time. This isn't a reason to avoid them entirely, but it's worth being aware of if you're drinking several bottles daily.

The citrus-flavoured options tend to be the most acidic. Something to consider if dental health is a priority.

Calories in Flavoured Water: The Complete Breakdown

Let me give you the numbers, because they vary more than you might expect.

The "zero calorie flavoured water" claims are often technically true but slightly misleading. Many products contain 2-5 calories per serving—negligible, certainly, but not actually zero.

Calories in Volvic flavoured water range from 2 calories (sugar-free versions) to around 24 calories (original versions). The original versions contain actual sugar, which explains both the higher calories and, frankly, the better taste.

Here's my controversial opinion: the original sugar-containing versions often taste significantly better than their sugar-free counterparts. If you're only drinking one bottle a day, the 20-odd calories from the sugar version might be worth the taste improvement. Though I know that contradicts the entire premise of choosing flavoured water over soft drinks.

Where to Find the Best Flavoured Water Deals

Value matters. Especially when you're buying something as fundamentally simple as flavoured water.

Best Value Retailers

Poundland offers the best prices on Aquaroma—typically £1 for a 4-pack of 500ml bottles. That's roughly 25p per bottle, which is difficult to beat.

Iceland stocks a good range including Aquaroma and supermarket own-brand options at competitive prices.

Aldi and Lidl rotate their fruit flavoured water offers, so check their weekly specials. When they run promotions, the value can be exceptional.

Supermarket Price Comparison

For premium brands like Dash Water, Ocado and Waitrose often run the best promotions. Subscribe-and-save options can drop the per-can price by 15-20%.

Tesco and Sainsbury's price matching means you'll rarely find significant differences between the major supermarkets on branded products. Own-brand ranges are where the value variations become more significant.

Buying in Bulk

If you've found a brand you like, buying in bulk from wholesalers or Amazon can save significant money. Dash Water multipacks, for instance, work out considerably cheaper per can than buying individually.

Though I'll add this caution: don't bulk-buy a flavour you haven't tried extensively. I made this mistake once with a case of 24 cucumber-flavoured sparkling waters. I'm still working through them eight months later.

Bottles vs Cans: Which Flavoured Water Format Wins?

This seems like a minor consideration, but it affects both taste and value.

Cans

Canned flavoured waters—typically the sparkling varieties—tend to stay carbonated better and often taste fresher. The sealed aluminium keeps out light and air more effectively than plastic bottles.

Flavoured sparkling water cans from brands like Dash, Aqua Libra, and Ugly Water are generally my preference for this reason. The carbonation stays crisp until you open them.

Environmental arguments favour cans too. Aluminium recycling rates in the UK are significantly higher than plastic bottle recycling rates.

Bottles

Plastic bottles offer convenience—they're resealable, portable, and fit more easily into bags and car cup holders.

Flavoured water cans can't be resealed once opened, which is frustrating if you don't want to drink 330ml in one sitting.

For still flavoured waters, bottles are the clear practical choice. For sparkling options, I'd argue cans deliver a better drinking experience despite the convenience trade-off.

The Verdict: What Should You Actually Buy?

After testing twelve products, analysing ingredients, and calculating value metrics, here's my straightforward recommendation:

For everyday drinking on a budget: Aquaroma from Poundland or Iceland. The apple and raspberry flavour specifically. Excellent taste for the price, no artificial sweeteners, and genuinely refreshing.

For a premium treat: Dash Water Grapefruit. Yes, it's expensive. But if you want the best-tasting no-sweetener option available in UK supermarkets, this is it.

For sugar-free with recognisable branding: Volvic Touch of Fruit Sugar Free. It's not the most exciting option, but it's consistent, widely available, and generally satisfactory.

If you prefer sparkling own-brand: Aldi's Aqua Spring range offers the best quality-to-price ratio among supermarket own-brands.

My desk has finally been cleared of test bottles. My colleagues have stopped giving me concerned looks. And I now have a much stronger opinion about flavoured water than any reasonable person probably should.

The honest conclusion? Most flavoured waters are fine. They do what they claim to do. But there are genuine quality differences once you start paying attention—and at the budget end of the market, Aquaroma is doing something rather impressive for the price.

Browse the full water category on Grocefully to compare prices across UK supermarkets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is flavoured water good for you?

Flavoured water can be a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, but it depends on the specific product. The healthiest options contain no artificial sweeteners and rely on natural fruit flavourings—brands like Dash Water and Aquaroma fit this category. Products using artificial sweeteners like sucralose are controversial; the WHO has flagged potential long-term health concerns, though the evidence isn't conclusive. For hydration purposes, flavoured water works just as effectively as plain water.

How many calories are in flavoured water?

Most flavoured waters contain between 0-25 calories per 500ml serving. Sugar-free versions typically have 0-5 calories, while versions containing real fruit juice or sugar can have 12-25 calories. Volvic Touch of Fruit Sugar Free has 2 calories per 500ml, while the original version has around 24 calories. True "zero calorie" options like Dash Water contain no calories at all because they use no sweeteners.

Does flavoured water hydrate you as well as plain water?

Yes, flavoured water hydrates you just as effectively as plain water. The flavourings, whether natural or artificial, don't affect your body's ability to absorb water. In fact, if the flavouring encourages you to drink more water overall, it may actually improve your hydration compared to drinking less plain water. The carbonation in sparkling flavoured waters doesn't reduce hydration effectiveness either.

What is the best flavoured water to buy in the UK?

For value, Aquaroma Apple & Raspberry wins—available at Poundland for around £1 per 4-pack with no artificial sweeteners and genuinely pleasant taste. For premium quality, Dash Water Grapefruit offers the best flavour using real wonky fruit. Volvic Touch of Fruit remains the most popular choice in the UK, reaching 2.7 million regular buyers, though it uses artificial sweeteners in sugar-free versions.

What is the healthiest flavoured sparkling water?

The healthiest flavoured sparkling water options are those with no sweeteners and no added sugar. Dash Water leads this category—using only British spring water, carbonation, and infused wonky fruit. Other healthy options include Aqua Libra (no sugar, no sweeteners) and some supermarket sparkling waters that use only natural flavourings. Avoid products containing artificial sweeteners if health is your primary concern.

Can flavoured water help you lose weight?

Flavoured water may support weight loss by helping you avoid higher-calorie beverages. Switching from a 150-calorie soft drink to a 5-calorie flavoured water creates an obvious calorie deficit. However, some research suggests artificial sweeteners can trigger cravings for sweet foods, potentially undermining weight loss efforts. The safest approach for weight loss is choosing unsweetened flavoured waters or plain water infused with fresh fruit.