14 New Bottled Waters We’re Watching

CHICAGO -- A new brand from a legendary martial artist/actor, something dubbed a “super water” and a hemp infusion? Yes, it’s time to check in on what’s new in the bottled-water category.

Here are 14 brands that caught our eye …

New Ax-water is marketed as a “super water” infused with aronia berry. Made by Fargo, N.D., natives, the enhanced bottled water hit stores shelves in March locally, and has since grown regionally, with national deals in the works.

"There are thousands of tasty drinks out there," said CEO Blake Johnson. "We decided to shake things up in the beverage industry. My father, a doctor, and myself approached it from an overall health perspective, whereas my business partner Wade came at it from the fitness side."

The benefits of the aronia berry and Ax-water, according to the company, include:

• Cardiac and digestive benefits
• Force against free radicals
• Speed up recovery time after workouts and associated inflammation
• All-natural, no preservatives
• Low in sugar and calories

The drink doesn't need to be refrigerated due to a unique hot-fill process that allows for a two-year shelf life, according to the company

The drinks are available in three flavors—lemon, black tea and blackberry pear—with more to come. A sparkling line is also in the works.

Rethink Brands launched Rethink Kids Water, a boxed water line for children. With zero sugar, zero sodium and zero calories, the new line is marketed as an alternative to juice. The drinks are available in Purified Water, Organic Apple Water and Organic Berry Water. They first launched mid-May in Target and CVS drug stores. The 6.8-ounce water boxes are available in packs of eight starting at $3.49.

The Alkaline Water Co., with products bottled under the trademark Alkaline88, has expanded its reach to the East Coast. The bottled-water maker is using co-packer Virginia-based Grand Springs to reach the new markets. The company packages and sells its alkaline water in 1-gallon, 3-liter, 1-liter, 700-mL and 500-mL sizes to more than 30,000 retail locations in all 50 states.

Just in time for summer, True Drinks, makers of AquaBall Naturally Flavored Water, is now distributing the drinks in new AquaBall six-packs for a suggested retail price of $4.99 to $5.99. The children's beverages are made with no sugar, preservatives, calories or artificial flavors.

Icelandic Glacial, a premium spring water from Iceland, announced a major expansion of distribution that includes convenience, grocery and travel stores nationwide. The increased distribution will place Icelandic Glacial onto shelves in Ingles Markets, Shaw's, Homeland Stores, Kum & Go, Love's Travel Stops, Yesway and ampm.

Voss has expanded its line of sparkling waters to add Sparkling Lime Mint, a flavor intended to encourage mixed drinks made with the bottled water. The premium water maker also markets the drinks, previously available in Lemon Cucumber and Tangerine Lemongrass, as an alternative to carbonated soft drinks.

Savu water comes from an underground artesian aquifer in a Fijian rainforest, according to the manufacturer. The water naturally absorbs electrolytes and minerals from the rocks around the aquifer, the company said. It has high silica levels, low minerality and a pH of 7.8. The water is bottled at the source in recyclable and biodegradable bottles. Savu is available in 330-mL, 500-mL and 1-liter bottles.

Avitae USA, maker of caffeinated waters, launched a new line of extended-release energy drinks dubbed AvitaeXR. The new line features patented bead-based technology that controls the release rate of caffeine, extending the energy boost for up to four hours, according to the Cleveland-based company.

KiKi Maple Sweet Water is refreshing its look and packaging to reflect its “clean, healthy and pure” image. New labels are “vibrant and fully reflect that fact that these Canadian beverages offer an awesome array of flavors and possibilities,” said Keith Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Troll Bridge Creek Inc., makers of KiKi Maple Sweet Water. “Our branding reflects the clean, Canadian image that we all appreciate.”

Another change to KiKi Maple Sweet Water packaging is the development of two new sizes: a 240-mL ready-to-use beverage and a larger 750-mL bottle. The bottles have a new 1.5-inch round screw cap, making the product more user friendly and resealable. The beverage is available in five flavors: Simply Maple, Maple Strawberry, Maple Lemon, Maple Blueberry and Maple Cranberry.

Dallas-based Rocky Mountain High Brands Inc., a company specializing in hemp-infused food and beverage products, calls its new Eagle Spirit Spring Water a “naturally high alkaline water” promising hydration and detoxification. The product is said to offer antioxidants, to strengthen the immune system and to raise the pH of your body.

Waiakea is a bottled water that is naturally filtered through porous volcanic rock. It is enriched with minerals and electrolytes, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium. Waiakea is available in 500-mL and 1-liter bottles. For every liter purchased, the Culver City, Calif.-based company will donate 650 liters of clean water to those in need in rural Africa through its partner, Pump Aid. 

Bonta Hydration is “the world’s first bottled water infused with the vital antioxidants and phytonutrients of the Mediterranean diet, among the healthiest diets in the world,” according to this new company based in New York. Introduced earlier this year, the Bonta line is available in four flavors, with each tied to a wellness area: Inflammation (Blood Orange), Longevity (Cherry), Immunity (Blueberry) and Radiance (Lemon Ginger).

Infamous martial artist and actor Chuck Norris is launching a bottled water called CForce by Chuck Norris. According to the brand’s website, “There’s no other way to describe water that erupts from the ground with such clarity and smoothness. Bottled at the source on Chuck Norris’ Lone Wolf Ranch, we add nothing and take nothing away. It is Ice Age water at its purest.” CForce is based in Navasota, Texas.

Htwo, created by Dr. Cody Cook, was developed based on scientific studies on the benefits of hydrogen water. Htwo’s benefits for health and performance include a boost in endurance, the reduction of lactic acid and fatigue and a product rich in antioxidants.

Htwo is offered in a 500-ml pouch to ensure the beverage delivers a high concentration of hydrogen while the pouch acts as a barrier to hold the hydrogen gas so no seepage can occur. The beverage is 0 calories, sugar free, caffeine free, and fat free, with no additional additives. HTWO is available online and at Kroger grocery stores.