There is a specific moment that happens to almost every Costco member. You are pushing your oversized metal cart down the center aisle, you round the corner into the beverage section, and you see the massive stacks of Kirkland Signature sparkling water sitting right next to name-brand seltzers.
Then, you do the math.
A 35-pack of Kirkland Signature canned seltzer sits there for $9.99, while the LaCroix 24-packs or Waterloo 24-packs next to it go for $7.99 or $8.99. Per can, you are looking at roughly $0.28 for the Costco house brand versus $0.33 to $0.37 for the name brands. Over a year of drinking a couple of cans a day, those nickels add up.
But the question isn’t whether it is cheaper. It obviously is. The question is whether it is actually worth drinking. Does it taste like a premium seltzer, or does it taste like carbonated tap water with a faint chemical aftertaste?
This is a complete, honest, and comprehensive review of every Kirkland sparkling water product available at Costco. We will break down the flavor profiles, analyze the ingredients, test the carbonation level, look into who likely manufactures it, and help you decide which packs are worth throwing in your cart and which ones you should roll right past.
Kirkland Flavors at a Glance
| Product | Type / Sweetener | Key Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Lime ⭐ | Canned / Unsweetened | Clean zesty lime peel, crisp bubbles | Buy |
| Kirkland Signature Grapefruit | Canned / Unsweetened | Bright pink grapefruit, zero bitterness | Buy |
| Kirkland Signature Lemon | Canned / Unsweetened | Crisp lemon peel, subtle citrus profile | Buy |
| Kirkland Bottled Variety Pack | Plastic Bottles / Sucralose | Kiwi Strawberry, Orange Mango, Black Raspberry | Buy |
| Kirkland Italian Sparkling Water | Glass Bottles / Unsweetened | Plain, natural mineral spring water | Buy |
Who Makes Kirkland Sparkling Water?
Costco’s private label brand, Kirkland Signature, is legendary in the retail world. It accounts for roughly 25 percent of Costco’s massive sales volume, covering everything from olive oil and golf balls to toilet paper and premium spirits. One of the reasons the brand is so successful is that Costco does not manufacture these items itself. Instead, it partners with major, established brands to produce high-quality items under the Kirkland label.
Costco goes to great lengths to protect the identity of these manufacturing partners, and the Kirkland Signature sparkling water line is no exception. If you look at the packaging, you will only see “Distributed by Costco Wholesale Corporation, Seattle, Washington.”
However, we can look at the clues:
- The LaCroix Comparison: When Costco first launched its Kirkland Signature canned seltzer line in 2018 (initially featuring grapefruit, lemon, and lime), retail industry publications like Grocery Dive immediately pointed out that the packaging, flavor selection, and clean ingredient deck were designed to copy LaCroix’s core lineup.
- Taste Test Indistinguishability: Multiple blind taste tests conducted by seltzer enthusiasts and product reviewers on sites like ShoppingWithDave and Costcuisine have concluded that blindfolded tasters struggle to tell Kirkland Lime or Kirkland Grapefruit apart from their LaCroix equivalents.
- The Ingredient Deck: The ingredients on Kirkland canned seltzers are identical to LaCroix: carbonated water and natural flavors. That’s it. No added sodium, no citric acid, and no sweeteners.
While some online rumors have suggested that National Beverage Corp. (the maker of LaCroix) or another major national bottler produces the Kirkland canned line, neither company has ever confirmed this publicly. Practically speaking, however, the manufacturing origin matters less than what is inside the can. If the ingredients are identical, the taste is indistinguishable, and the price is lower, the Costco brand delivers on the private-label promise.
Kirkland Canned vs. Bottled: Two Completely Different Products
Before you load a flat of Kirkland sparkling water onto your cart, you must understand a critical distinction. There are two completely different product lines sold under the Kirkland Signature sparkling water name, and they are not interchangeable. Getting them confused is the most common mistake Costco shoppers make.
Let’s look at the side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water (Cans) | Kirkland Signature Carbonated Flavored Water (Bottles) |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | 12 oz aluminum cans (35-pack case) | 17 oz plastic bottles (24-pack case) |
| Flavors Included | Lime, Lemon, Grapefruit | Kiwi Strawberry, Orange Mango, Black Raspberry |
| Sweeteners | None (100% unsweetened) | Sucralose (Splenda) |
| Calories per serving | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Added Ingredients | Purified carbonated water, natural flavor | Vitamins (B3, B5, B6, B12, D3), Green Tea Extract, Food Coloring, Preservatives |
| Target Competitor | LaCroix, Waterloo, bubly | Sparkling Ice |
If you are looking for a clean, zero-calorie, zero-sweetener seltzer to drink throughout the day, you want the canned 35-pack. If you want a sweet, fruit-forward drink that tastes like diet soda or juice, you want the bottled 24-pack.
Let’s review each of these products and their individual flavors in detail.
Canned Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water: Flavor-by-Flavor Review
The canned variety pack is Costco’s flagship seltzer product. It is sold in a massive 35-can case containing 12 cans of Lime, 12 cans of Grapefruit, and 11 cans of Lemon. Here is how each flavor stacks up.
Lime
The Lime flavor is the standout workhorse of the Kirkland canned lineup. When you crack open a cold can, the aroma is clean, citrusy, and bright, without any of the heavy, candy-like scent that sometimes ruins cheap lime seltzers.
On the palate, it delivers a very light, crisp lime peel flavor. It is not sour or acidic because there is no citric acid added. The bubbles are medium-intensity and clean, providing a refreshing bite that cuts through the citrus flavor quickly. In side-by-side tastings with LaCroix Lime, Kirkland holds its own remarkably well. It is a highly drinkable, everyday seltzer that also makes an excellent, zero-calorie base for cocktails like ranch water or vodka seltzers.
Grapefruit
Among seltzer fans, grapefruit (often compared to LaCroix’s famous Pamplemousse) is the true test of a brand’s quality. Kirkland Grapefruit passes this test with high marks.
The aroma is bright and immediately recognizable as pink grapefruit. On the tongue, the fruit essence comes through clearly without the bitter, pithy aftertaste that can make real grapefruit juice polarizing. A review by Tasting Table noted that this version “captures the essence of grapefruit without transmitting the negative qualities,” making it approachable for casual drinkers while still satisfying grapefruit purists. It finish clean and crisp, leaving a faint citrus note. This is easily the best-received flavor in the 35-pack.
Lemon
The Lemon flavor is solid and functional, but it sits slightly behind the Grapefruit and Lime. While it is refreshing when ice-cold, the lemon essence can occasionally lean a bit flat, bordering on a slightly artificial lemon-oil note if the drink warms up.
If you prefer a punchy, sharp, pucker-style lemon seltzer (like Waterloo Lemon or Spindrift Lemon), you may find Kirkland’s version a bit too subtle. However, as a basic, non-offensive table seltzer to drink with meals or keep stocked in the office fridge, it does its job perfectly. Swapping a squeeze of fresh lemon juice into the can is an easy way to elevate it.
Bottled Kirkland Signature Carbonated Flavored Water: Flavor-by-Flavor Review
Now let’s turn to the 17 oz plastic bottles. This product competes directly with Sparkling Ice. It is designed for drinkers who want zero sugar and zero calories but still want a sweet, bold, and heavily flavored drink.
Note: Because this product contains sucralose (Splenda) and food dyes, it is not a clean seltzer. If you are avoiding artificial sweeteners, this entire pack is a skip.
Kiwi Strawberry
This is a classic, nostalgic flavor combination that leans heavily into the sweet side. The strawberry aroma dominates the nose when you open the bottle.
On the palate, it is very sweet and fruit-forward, tasting closer to a kiwi-strawberry juice box than a sparkling water. Reviewers at Tasting Table described it as “cloyingly sweet,” which is a common reaction for people who are used to unsweetened drinks. The sucralose sweetener is very present here, leaving a distinct sweet aftertaste that lingers on the tongue. If you love sweet drinks but want to avoid sugar, it satisfies that craving, but it is too heavy for casual hydration.
Orange Mango
Orange Mango attempts to balance the bright citrus of orange with the rich, tropical sweetness of ripe mango. The aroma is pleasant, smelling like a tropical fruit punch.
On the tongue, the orange flavor leads, followed by a softer mango finish. The mango note can taste a bit artificial, reading more like a mango candy than the real fruit. The carbonation is slightly softer in these plastic bottles than in the aluminum cans, which makes the sweet profile feel a bit heavier. It works fine as a soda replacement, but the flavor profile is busy.
Black Raspberry
Black Raspberry is consistently the favorite flavor in the bottled variety pack. The dark berry profile translates better to carbonation and sucralose than the tropical or citrus flavors.
It has a deep, jammy berry flavor that tastes very similar to Sparkling Ice’s black raspberry. The sweetness is balanced by a slight fruit tartness, which helps mask some of the artificial sweetener aftertaste. It has a beautiful deep purple color (from food dye) and looks great poured over ice. If you are going to buy the bottled pack, this is the flavor you will likely run out of first.
Kirkland Italian Sparkling Mineral Water Review
The third sparkling option you will find at Costco is the glass-bottled Kirkland Signature Italian Sparkling Mineral Water. Sourced and bottled in Italy, this product comes in a 24-pack of 16.9 oz (500 mL) green glass bottles.
This is Costco’s answer to San Pellegrino or Perrier.
Let’s look at the mineral content: the nutrition label lists a modest mineral composition, showing about 4% of the daily value for calcium and 10 mg of sodium per serving. The bottle itself labels the water as “low mineral content.”
Compared to heavy mineral waters like Gerolsteiner (which boasts 348 mg of calcium per liter) or San Pellegrino (203 mg/L), Kirkland Italian Mineral Water is much lighter and cleaner. The bubbles are fine, soft, and gentle, providing a smooth mouthfeel rather than the sharp pucker of a standard seltzer. The glass bottle format is a major benefit for people concerned about plastic leaching or those looking for a premium table water to serve at dinner parties.
Note: In late 2024, this product faced a localized recall in Taiwan after import inspectors found trace plastic fragments in a batch. The recall did not affect U.S. stock, and Costco’s ongoing quality monitoring has shown no further issues.
How Kirkland Canned Seltzer Compares to LaCroix
For most shoppers, the decision comes down to Kirkland canned seltzer versus LaCroix. Here is how they stack up side-by-side:
| Brand | Approx. Case Price | Price Per Can | Flavors Available | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Cans | $9.99 (35-pack) | ~$0.28 | 3 (Lime, Lemon, Grapefruit) | Carbonated water, natural flavors |
| LaCroix (at Costco) | $7.99 to $8.99 (24-pack) | ~$0.33 to $0.37 | Over 25 (variety packs vary) | Carbonated water, natural flavors |
The trade-off is simple: Value vs. Variety.
If you are happy drinking lime, lemon, and grapefruit seltzer, Kirkland is the clear winner. You get the same clean ingredients, zero calories, and an identical taste profile at a 20% discount.
However, if you get bored of basic citrus and want to rotate through flavors like Pamplemousse, Key Lime, Peach-Pear, Pasteque (Watermelon), or Tangerine, LaCroix wins. Kirkland’s three-flavor limit can feel repetitive if seltzer is your primary daily beverage.
Is Kirkland Canned Sparkling Water Good for You?
Yes. Kirkland canned sparkling water is an exceptionally healthy beverage choice. It contains:
- Zero calories
- Zero grams of sugar
- Zero sodium
- No artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium)
- No preservatives
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, unsweetened sparkling water is an excellent tool for maintaining daily hydration, counting identically to still water toward your fluid goals.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030 emphasize the importance of cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. Swapping one sugary soda or juice per day for a Kirkland canned seltzer eliminates roughly 150 calories and 39 grams of added sugar from your diet.
What About Dental Health?
Dr. Pooja Singhal and other dental health reviews note that while carbonated water is slightly more acidic than flat water (due to the carbonic acid created by CO2), plain seltzer without added citric acid is minimally erosive to tooth enamel. It is far safer than soda or citrus juices. To minimize any minor risk, enjoy your seltzer with meals rather than sipping a single can over several hours.
🛒 Kirkland Seltzer Matcher
Answer 2 quick questions to find your ideal Costco sparkling match!
1. What is your sweetener preference?
Frequently Asked Questions
What flavors does Kirkland sparkling water have?
The canned variety includes Lime, Lemon, and Grapefruit. The bottled flavored water comes in Kiwi Strawberry, Orange Mango, and Black Raspberry. Costco also carries Kirkland Italian Sparkling Mineral Water in plain unflavored.
Is Kirkland sparkling water good?
The canned citrus seltzer is widely considered a high-value alternative to LaCroix. Multiple blind taste tests find the two nearly indistinguishable. The bottled sweetened version is a different product and more divisive.
Does Kirkland sparkling water have sugar?
The canned sparkling water has zero sugar. The bottled flavored water beverages contain no sugar but do use sucralose as a sweetener.
Who makes Kirkland sparkling water?
Costco does not disclose the manufacturer. Consumer reviewers have noted that blind taste tests frequently find the flavor and carbonation profile very similar to LaCroix. The manufacturer is not confirmed publicly.
Is Kirkland sparkling water carbonated?
Yes. The canned version has medium carbonation, comparable to LaCroix. The Italian Sparkling Mineral Water has lighter carbonation.
Where can I buy Kirkland sparkling water?
Only at Costco warehouse locations. It is not sold through third-party retailers per Costco's private label policies.
Is Kirkland sparkling water the same as LaCroix?
The ingredients are identical for the canned citrus versions: carbonated water and natural flavors. They taste very similar in blind taste tests. LaCroix is made by National Beverage Corp. Whether Kirkland's is manufactured by the same company is not publicly confirmed.
Does Kirkland sparkling water have caffeine?
No. The canned sparkling water contains no caffeine. The bottled flavored version contains green tea extract, which may contain trace caffeine.
Does Costco sell flavored seltzer?
Yes. Kirkland Signature offers both a canned citrus seltzer variety and a bottled flavored water beverage pack, as well as Italian Sparkling Mineral Water. Costco also sells Waterloo sparkling water in bulk packs.
Is Kirkland sparkling water natural?
The canned version uses 'natural flavors' as its only flavoring ingredient, identical to LaCroix. The bottled version contains additional ingredients including artificial coloring and sucralose.
References
- Tasting Table. “7 Costco Kirkland Sparkling Waters, Ranked Worst to Best.” tastingtable.com. 2025.
- Costcuisine. “Costco Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water Review.” costcuisine.com. 2023.
- Grocery Dive. “LaCroix Lookalike: Costco Launches New Kirkland Sparkling Water.” grocerydive.com. 2018.
- ShoppingWithDave. “Kirkland Sparkling Water Review.” shoppingwithdave.com. 2023.
- Tasting Table. “The Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water You Can Just Ignore at Costco.” tastingtable.com. 2025.
- Grand View Research. “Sparkling Water Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report.” grandviewresearch.com. 2023.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030, realfood.gov.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “The Nutrition Source: Water,” hsph.harvard.edu.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Get the Facts: Added Sugars,” cdc.gov.