Sparkling Ice's Christmas flavors are too spicy for me
Posted by brilokuloj on Jan 7, 2025
It’s not often that I buy on-brand Sparkling Ice, because I personally find it’s overpriced for not that big of an upgrade over Kirkland Signature, especially when you drink it in the quantities that I do. But periodically they release limited edition flavors that are worth trying.
This time I’m reviewing their 2024 Christmastime seasonal flavors: Winter Punch, Cranberry Frost, Apple Cider, and Ginger Lime.
One of the more embarrassing facts about me is that I am almost wholly reliant on flavored sparkling water to survive. It’s a step up from my childhood where I exclusively drank full-sugar soda, but it’s still a dumb situation. I have narrowed down that I can only drink tap water if it’s fresh from a glass (and it has to be glass) into my mouth, which means that transportation is basically impossible.
I’ve managed to stay way more hydrated this way, which is enough of an upside that I’ll take it. Before this I would keep a bottle of water on my desk for the whole day and never finish it. But it also means that I have become very… very familiar with the different varieties of sparkling water.
All that to say, I might be the most qualified person in the world to review all of these stupid drinks. You can trust me on this one.
Winter Punch
I’m going into this one from a bias already because I just don’t like fruit punch flavors as it is.
The graphic has a pomegranate, an orange, and a blackberry. I love all these flavors, so I dunno why this isn’t doing it for me, but it tastes weird.
It probably doesn’t help that I tried this flavor on the same day that I tried the cherry flavor in my coffee sampler. It felt like I was under attack by weird flavors.
Cranberry Frost
So this was pretty much just cranberry. Everyone wanted a sip, and Paula claimed she got a ginger note from it, though I’m not sure if I agree.
Apple Cider
Familiar, but not in a good way. Oh my God, this was really gross for me, actually. Apple sodas are few and far in-between; my favorites are Manzanita Sol (red) and Jones Green Apple (green). This might be my least favorite.
Looking it up, it appears Sparkling Ice has an existing “crisp apple” flavor, and I have to wonder how it compares. But I don’t wonder enough to make that financial sacrifice. (Seriously, Sparkling Ice is twice the price of its knockoffs.)
If I hated myself I’d try drinking it hot. Is anyone willing to do that experiment for me? How do you heat up a carbonated beverage without losing the bubbles?
Ginger Lime
Really, really gingery. Woah.
Now this might just be me, but I always find that ginger ale sodas are mostly just watery lemon-lime sodas with no ginger to speak of - that piece of advice about ginger ale helping with stomach aches is just a coincidence because they tend to be more carbonated, I think.
Not this drink. Sparkling Ice’s Ginger Lime is spicy. I think I’d really like it if I was in the mood and had the right meal to eat it with, but it’s not a good “background” drink, if you follow me.
As an aside, I actually don’t think Ginger Lime is a seasonal flavor. It looks like it’s just a flavor they had discontinued for a while, brought back in October, and then rolled into this promotion. There’s a nasty video of it coming out of some dirt. Make of this what you will.
At this point you might be wondering if I even like these stupid drinks. Let it be known that I do. Of the standard lineup, Lemonade is my favorite drink of all time, but the Aldi knockoff Lemonade is just a bit too chemical; meanwhile, Cherry Limeade is always a winner. I used to think the purple flavors were nasty but they’ve grown on me. I have a “Vita Ice” from Woodman’s on my desk right now. I take this shit very seriously.
I guess I’m just not wowed by these yuletide flavors. They’re too experimental for me. But if you’re in the mood for something spicy, the Ginger Lime really does it.
Also, I hope this ad ruins your vocabulary the way it’s just ruined mine:
Categories: food
Tagged: drinks sparkling water