Every year, my New Year’s Resolution is to drink more water.
Every year, I fail.
Before this year, I rarely drank water outside of excessive exercise, often taking meager, inadequate sips before quickly becoming repulsed by its blandness. That being said, I quickly came to the unfortunate realization that my dehydration was becoming the root catalyst for a host of daily grievances. After receiving a plethora of new water bottles for Christmas, it became my mission to give myself an incentive to consume more water—ultimately, this incentive came in the form of a small packet of electrolytes called Liquid I.V.
Liquid I.V., an electrolyte drink mix marketed to hydrate the body faster and more efficiently than water alone, comes in a variety of flavors ranging from summery citrus to candy-like imitations. However, not all flavors promise this irresistibility; in fact, some downright dissuade the consumer from further consumption. After sampling almost every flavor Liquid I.V. has to offer, I have compiled a ranking of which flavors to add to your shopping cart—and which flavors to avoid at all costs—when shopping for your hydration needs.
5. Lemon Lime
Though this flavor is meant to bring a punch of citrus tang, it instead comes across as strangely sour and artificial, its bright, zesty notes redolent of dish soap. I originally anticipated an invigorating lemon-lime profile similar to the Gatorade counterpart, but instead, I received an acidic, bitter flavor followed by a chalky aftertaste that lingered for far too long. For someone looking to simply consume enough electrolytes, Lemon Lime may be tolerable simply for utilitarian purposes, but that being said, it’s deeply overwhelming and in no means worth seeking out for palate pleasure.
4. Golden Cherry
Golden Cherry, marketed with distinct notes of citrus and Rainier Cherries, tastes like Kool-Aid’s less favorable twin. Rather than replicating the nostalgic, icy-cold summer drink, this flavor feels distinctly lukewarm and overly concentrated, no matter how much it is diluted or chilled. That being said, the flavors themselves are simultaneously not potent enough to articulate themselves as anything meaningful. This flavor isn’t offensive so much as it is aggressively artificial, leaning hard into an ambiguous “red flavor” that doesn’t quite resemble anything other than sugar.
3. Pina Colada
Emerging as one of the more unexpectedly sophisticated offerings, the coconut in Pina Colada is smooth and lightly creamy without becoming heavy, while the pineapple introduces a measured acidity that prevents the profile from tipping into excess. Together, both notes work in tandem to create a balanced flavor that feels intentional and richly thirst-quenching, carrying a mild sense of dessert-like indulgence while restraining enough to function as an electrolyte beverage rather than a novelty. Additionally, adding this mix to a summer smoothie or mocktail can add a subtle tropical depth whilst doubling as a hydration supplement.
2. Strawberry Lemonade
A very close second, Strawberry Lemonade achieves a compelling equilibrium between gentle sweetness and crisp, citrus lift. The brightness of the lemonade cuts cleanly through the sweetness of the strawberry, producing a flavor that is both lively and refreshing. This electrolyte-packed equivalent tastes almost identical to what it is attempting to replicate, only this time with a smooth, accommodating twist that makes it well-suited for consistent, everyday drinking. Where other flavors risk becoming overwhelming, Strawberry Lemonade is consistently satisfying without ever feeling overpowering, making it a perfect additive to hit hydration goals.
1. Raspberry Lemonade
Raspberry Lemonade stands as the most complete expression of what Liquid I.V. seems to be striving for, achieving a sharp, nuanced balance of flavor and refreshment. The raspberry lends the flavor a vivid floral tartness and subtle complexity, while the lemonade provides a clean luminosity that keeps the profile from becoming overly sweet or one-dimensional. The result brings a lucidity that feels more polished and purposeful than many of the other offerings. It tastes less like an approximation of fruit and more like a fully realized beverage, managing to master a delicate interplay between depth and vibrancy. The clear frontrunner in the lineup, Raspberry Lemonade cements itself as the most dynamic flavor in the collection.
All in all, Liquid I.V. has made my relationship with water much more effortless, with what once felt like a neglected responsibility feeling at least vaguely rewarding now, all thanks to the meaningful intervention of flavored hydration. While certain flavors were unable to redeem my long-standing aversion to water’s metallic plainness, others successfully made the daily task of drinking enough feel a little less punitive. As someone who has spent years treating hydration as an afterthought, that alone feels like a victory.
