What’s Hot in Sparkling Water?

CHICAGO — Sparkling, seltzer and mineral waters are growing.

The bottled-water subcategory saw a 9.5% increase in convenience-store sales in the 52 weeks ending Dec. 29, 2019, according to Chicago-based marketing research firm IRI. It also saw a 5.1% increase in unit sales for the same period.

Manufacturers have come up with new sparkling water products amid the high demand. Here are some that c-store retailers can consider adding to their cold vaults …

Joffer Beverage Co., Jacksonville, Ore., is bringing the iconic flavors of Jelly Belly jelly bean candies to a new format: sparkling water. The drinks come in French Vanilla, Lemon Lime, Orange Sherbet, Pina Colada, Pink Grapefruit, Tangerine, Very Cherry and Watermelon flavors.

Each drink is made with carbonated water and natural flavors, with zero sugar, calories and sweeteners.

"The Jelly Belly brand promises fun, flavor and quality—characteristics that we believe sparkling water drinkers are looking for—and our product delivers perfectly on that promise," said Justin Joffer, co-founder of Joffer Beverage Co. "We want to bring excitement to the sparkling water category through unique and intense flavor experiences."

Five Jelly Belly Candy Co. family members started Joffer Beverage Co. The drink launched in Hy-Vee stores and is available in cartons of eight 12-ounce cans.

Mad Tasty, a hemp-extract sparkling water, has debuted in select markets. The drink has zero sugar or sweeteners and 20 milligrams of pure broad-spectrum hemp extract.

Ryan Tedder, lead singer of the band OneRepublic, founded the Los Angeles-based company, which released the drink last fall in southern California, Texas, Colorado and other hemp-friendly states. It is also available online.

CBD beverage maker Daytrip, New York, has expanded to the New York and New Jersey areas since its June 2019 launch in California, Washington, Oregon and Michigan.

The CBD-infused sparkling water comes in Cherry, Coconut Pineapple, Lemon Lime and Tangerine flavors. Each drink has 5 calories and 10 milligrams of CBD per can, and retails for $4.99.

“Our sparkling water line is only the beginning. In short order, we plan to introduce a series of food and beverage consumables to the CBD market and establish ourselves as a true leader in the space,” said Shawn Biega, CEO of Daytrip.

Beverage giant Coca-Cola North America, Atlanta, is launching Aha sparkling water in March 2020.

This will be the company’s first new brand since 2006.

Aha sparkling water has no calories or sodium and will come in eight flavors: Lime and Watermelon, Strawberry and Cucumber, Citrus and Green Tea, Black Cherry and Coffee, Orange and Grapefruit, Apple and Ginger, Blueberry and Pomegranate, and Peach and Honey.

The Citrus and Green Tea and Black Cherry and Coffee flavors include 30 milligrams of added caffeine.

The distribution of Limitless sparkling waters will expand after the Chicago-based company's purchase by Keurig Dr Pepper, Plano, Texas, is complete.

Limitless sparkling water has 35 milligrams of caffeine, with no sugar or calories. The canned beverage comes in Grapefruit Hibiscus, Cucumber Pear, Watermelon, Ginger Mint, Blood Orange and Lemon Lime flavors, according to the Limitless website.