If you spend any time walking the aisles of a Trader Joe’s, you have probably noticed that their sparkling water section has quietly expanded. What used to be a single stack of plain seltzer bottles has evolved into a full shelf of cans, glass mineral waters, seasonal collections, and juice-infused hybrids that seem to target every demographic in the grocery store.
The question most shoppers have isn’t whether Trader Joe’s sells seltzer. It is which ones are actually worth buying, which ones are overrated, and whether you are getting a legitimate deal or just paying for the Trader Joe’s name and quirky packaging.
This review covers every Trader Joe’s sparkling water and seltzer currently on store shelves. We will review each flavor honestly, detail the ingredients, discuss pricing, examine who likely manufactures the line, and help you find the best options for your fridge.
Trader Joe’s Flavors at a Glance
| Product | Type / Sweetener | Key Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trader Joe's Raspberry Lime ⭐ | 1-Liter Bottle / Unsweetened | Rich raspberry paired with clean key lime finish | Buy |
| Trader Joe's Blueberry Lemonade | 1-Liter Bottle / Unsweetened | Unique ripe blueberry with tart lemonade zip | Buy |
| Trader Joe's Black Cherry Vanilla | 1-Liter Bottle / Unsweetened | Soft vanilla rounding out red black cherry | Buy |
| Trader Joe's Winter Sangria | Seasonal Bottle / Unsweetened | Dry red wine character with citrus and berry | Buy |
| Trader Joe's Cranberry Clementine | Seasonal Bottle / Unsweetened | Zesty, bitter orange rind with tart cranberry | Buy |
| Seltzer with a Splash | Canned Variety / Real Juice | 10-25 calories, small splash of real fruit juice | Buy |
| Italian Sparkling Water | 750mL Glass Bottle / Unsweetened | Imported plain mineral water, gentle bubbles | Buy |
Who Makes Trader Joe’s Sparkling Water?
Like almost all of its private-label items, Trader Joe’s does not disclose the manufacturer of its seltzer water. The packaging simply lists “Distributed by Trader Joe’s, Monrovia, California.”
However, grocery observers and dedicated seltzer enthusiasts have uncovered several significant clues:
- The Cursive “P”: If you turn a bottle of Trader Joe’s naturally flavored sparkling water upside down, you will find a small, stylized cursive “P” stamped into the plastic base. This mark is identical to the private-label bottle molds used by Polar Beverages, based in Worcester, Massachusetts.
- The Polar Shipping Mistake: A review published on Midwexican noted that on at least one occasion, a shipment of Trader Joe’s private-label sparkling water arrived at a retail location with standard blue Polar caps left on the bottles by mistake, confirming the manufacturing link.
- The Polar Legacy: Polar Beverages, founded in 1882 by Dennis Crowley, is the largest independent bottling company in the United States. They are famous for their core Polar Seltzer line and possess extensive private-label manufacturing capabilities.
If Polar is indeed the manufacturer behind the Trader Joe’s line, it explains the high carbonation levels and the presence of complex flavor profiles like Winter Sangria and Black Cherry Vanilla, which are reminiscent of Polar’s seasonal drops. Practically speaking, it means you are getting name-brand seltzer manufacturing expertise at a fraction of the cost.
Trader Joe’s Sparkling Water Product Lines
Trader Joe’s carries several distinct sparkling water categories, and they differ significantly in ingredients, pricing, and taste. Here is how to navigate the product range:
1. Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water (Bottles)
This is the core line. Sold in 1-liter plastic bottles for roughly $0.79 (or in cases), these are clear, unsweetened seltzers with zero calories, zero sugar, and zero sweeteners. They are comparable to LaCroix or Bubly in concept. Available flavors include Grapefruit, Lime, Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Raspberry Lime, Blueberry Lemonade, Black Cherry Vanilla, and seasonal variations.
2. Seltzer With a Splash (Cans)
A juice-infused hybrid product sold in 4-packs of 12 oz cans for around $3.29. Unlike the core line, this product contains a small amount of real fruit juice, which adds a natural color, a hint of sweetness, and a modest calorie count (typically 10 to 25 calories and 2 to 5g of natural sugar per can). It is Trader Joe’s answer to Spindrift.
3. Italian Sparkling Mineral Water (Glass Bottles)
Imported from Italy, this glass-bottled sparkling water contains naturally occurring minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and sodium from the source. The carbonation is softer and finer than the core seltzer line, delivering a smooth mouthfeel. It is sold in 750 mL glass bottles, positioned as a premium table water similar to San Pellegrino.
Flavor-by-Flavor Review: Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water
Let’s look at how the individual seltzer bottle flavors rank on taste, aroma, and everyday drinkability.
Raspberry Lime
Raspberry Lime is the consensus favorite in the Trader Joe’s lineup. When you open the bottle, you get a strong, ripe berry aroma balanced by a clean citrus kick.
On the tongue, the raspberry provides a tart, jammy fruit flavor, while the lime comes through on the finish to prevent it from feeling too sweet or one-dimensional. Multiple independent taste tests on blogs like What’s Good at Trader Joe’s consistently rate this near the top of the brand’s offerings. It holds up well against Waterloo Raspberry and is one of the few store-brand berry seltzers that doesn’t taste like cough syrup.
Blueberry Lemonade
Blueberry is a rare flavor in the sparkling water aisle, making this a unique and welcome addition. Tasting reviews at Midwexican describe it as a “tart delight” with an instant hit of blueberry flavor up front, followed by a bright, refreshing lemonade acidity on the finish.
The lemon note reads as real citrus juice rather than artificial candy. This is a highly refreshing, summery seltzer that also makes a fantastic mixer for gin or vodka. If you want a break from basic lemon or lime, this is the bottle to pick up.
Black Cherry Vanilla
This is an adventurous flavor pairing that plays on nostalgia. The cherry note is dark and slightly tart, while the vanilla adds a warm, sweet aroma that softens the carbonation bite.
Reviewers note that it tastes remarkably like a very light cherry cream soda, but with zero sugar and zero sweeteners. It is sweet on the nose but dry on the palate. It is best enjoyed ice-cold from the fridge; as it warms, the vanilla note can become a bit too heavy for casual drinking.
Winter Sangria (Seasonal)
Released during the winter holidays, Winter Sangria is one of the most creative seasonal flavors on any grocery shelf. It attempts to mimic the deep, complex fruit profile of red wine sangria, blending dark berry notes with subtle citrus peel and a hint of tannin character. It is completely unsweetened and dry. It is highly polarizing—some drinkers love it immediately, while others find the dark, complex fruit profile confusing under carbonation. It is worth trying at least once.
Cranberry Clementine (Seasonal)
Another holiday seasonal release, Cranberry Clementine delivers a bitter-sweet profile. The clementine orange note dominates, bringing a slightly bitter orange rind character that splits opinions. The cranberry adds a dry, tart edge.
Tasting reviews at What’s Good at Trader Joe’s awarded it a high score (8.5/10), comparing it to premium Italian sodas. If you enjoy a dry, citrusy drink with a bit of a bitter edge, this is a strong holiday option. If you prefer sweet, straightforward citrus, stick to Mandarin Orange.
Grapefruit
Trader Joe’s Grapefruit seltzer is competent and clean, but it is noticeably understated. While the grapefruit note is pleasant, it lacks the aggressive punch and bitter rind character that makes LaCroix Pamplemousse or Waterloo Grapefruit stand out. It works fine as a neutral base for a Paloma mixer, but as a standalone drink for grapefruit enthusiasts, it can feel a bit thin.
Lime
A basic, standard lime seltzer. The lime note is subtle and clean, resembling lime peel. The carbonation is on the higher side in the 1-liter bottles, which can occasionally overwhelm the delicate citrus flavor. It is a reliable base for cocktail mixing, but it doesn’t offer anything unique compared to other store brands.
Mandarin Orange
Similar to Lime, the Mandarin Orange flavor is slightly underpowered. The orange flavor can read a bit flat, with some reviewers comparing it to a diluted vitamin C drink. It lacks the bright, sweet citrus punch of Waterloo Peach-Pear or LaCroix Tangerine. It is drinkable, but skippable in favor of the berry options.
Lemon
Lemon is the weakest flavor in the core lineup. Multiple tasters have noted that it carries a slightly soapy or plastic-like aftertaste, a common issue for plain lemon seltzers that rely on artificial citrus oils. The lemon character in the Blueberry Lemonade flavor is significantly more believable and enjoyable.
Trader Joe’s Seltzer With a Splash: Is It Worth It?
The “Seltzer With a Splash” line is a solid value option for Spindrift fans. By adding a small splash of real juice to carbonated water, Trader Joe’s achieves a drink with actual fruit color, natural sweetness, and a very light calorie footprint (around 10 to 25 calories per can).
The flavors (such as Lemon & Ginger or Cranberry & Lime) taste genuine and lack the artificial aftertaste that can affect flavored waters. Because the juice content is slightly lower than Spindrift’s, the color and body are lighter, but it remains a great middle-ground beverage for people who find plain seltzers too dry. At around $3.29 for a 4-pack, it is highly competitive with name-brand juice seltzers.
Overall Value Comparison
Let’s look at how Trader Joe’s pricing and features compare to the rest of the sparkling water market:
| Brand | Approx. Price Per Unit | Sugar | Sweeteners | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trader Joe's Bottles | ~$0.79 (1-Liter) / ~$0.44 equivalent | 0 g | None | Unique flavor variety (Sangria, Blueberry) |
| LaCroix (12-pack) | ~$0.33 per can | 0 g | None | Consistent quality, 25+ flavors |
| bubly (12-pack) | ~$0.42 per can | 0 g | None | Bolder fruit flavors, caffeinated options |
| Waterloo (12-pack) | ~$0.50 per can | 0 g | None | Aromatic intensity, bold citrus |
| Kirkland Cans (35-pack) | ~$0.28 per can | 0 g | None | Cheapest everyday citrus seltzer |
Trader Joe’s is competitive, particularly for the 1-liter bottle format. The main drawback is availability: because it is a private-label product, you must shop at a physical Trader Joe’s location. It is not sold online or through third-party platforms.
Is Trader Joe’s Seltzer Healthy?
Yes. Trader Joe’s core naturally flavored sparkling water line is an exceptionally clean beverage. It contains zero sugar, zero calories, zero sodium, and zero artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives.
Per a 2016 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, carbonated water provides the same hydration efficiency as still water. It counts fully toward your daily fluid intake. Swapping a daily sugary soda or juice for a Trader Joe’s unsweetened seltzer is a simple way to reduce added sugar, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What sparkling waters does Trader Joe's sell?
Trader Joe's offers naturally flavored sparkling waters (Lime, Lemon, Grapefruit, Blueberry Lemonade, Raspberry Lime, Black Cherry Vanilla, Mandarin Orange, and seasonal options), Italian Sparkling Mineral Water in glass bottles, plain sparkling water, and a Seltzer With a Splash line with small amounts of real fruit juice.
Which Trader Joe's seltzer flavor is best?
Raspberry Lime and Blueberry Lemonade are consistently the highest-rated flavors based on multiple independent reviews. Both deliver clear, believable fruit flavor without the flat or artificial notes that affect Lemon and Mandarin Orange.
Does Trader Joe's sparkling water have sugar?
The naturally flavored sparkling waters have zero sugar, zero calories, and no sweeteners. The Seltzer With a Splash line has a small amount of natural sugar from real fruit juice (typically 2 to 5g per can). The Italian Sparkling Mineral Water has zero sugar.
Is Trader Joe's seltzer water healthy?
The core flavored sparkling water line is as healthy as any name-brand seltzer: no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no sodium, and minimal ingredients. It hydrates the same as still water per research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016).
Who makes Trader Joe's sparkling water?
Trader Joe's does not disclose its manufacturer. Consumer reviews and bottle markings have suggested Polar Beverages, the largest independent bottler in the United States founded in 1882 in Worcester, Massachusetts, is likely the supplier. This has not been officially confirmed.
Does Trader Joe's sparkling water have caffeine?
No. The flavored sparkling water and plain seltzer lines contain no caffeine. The Italian mineral water contains no caffeine. Some of the Sparkling Juice products contain tea, which may have trace caffeine.
What is Trader Joe's Seltzer With a Splash?
It's a line of sparkling waters with a small amount of real fruit juice added. It has slightly more calories (10 to 25 per can) and sugar (2 to 5g) than the plain sparkling water line, but no artificial sweeteners. It sits between plain seltzer and a full juice drink.
Does Trader Joe's sell flavored seltzer?
Yes, in a few formats. The naturally flavored sparkling water is the most similar to name-brand seltzer. There are also juiced sparkling beverages and Italian mineral water in the product range.
Is Trader Joe's sparkling water carbonated?
Yes. In fact, multiple reviewers noted that Trader Joe's carbonation is on the higher side compared to some mainstream brands, which can slightly mute delicate flavor notes in the citrus varieties.
Where can I buy Trader Joe's seltzer water?
Only at Trader Joe's store locations. It is a private-label product and not sold through other retailers or major online platforms.
References
- Tasting Table. “Every Trader Joe’s Sparkling Water, Ranked From Worst to Best.” tastingtable.com. February 2025.
- Midwexican. “A Full Flavored Trader Joe’s Sparkling Water Review.” midwexican.com. 2024.
- What’s Good at Trader Joe’s. “Trader Joe’s Cranberry Clementine Sparkling Water.” whatsgoodattraderjoes.com. February 2025.
- Polar Beverages. “About Polar Beverages.” polarbeverages.com. 2026.
- Polar Beverages. “A Sparkling New Era for Time-Tested Polar Seltzer.” polarbeverages.com. 2017.
- Manz, F. & Wentz, A. (2016). Hydration equivalence of sparkling versus still water. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
- Eat This, Not That. “I Tried 10 Trader Joe’s Sparkling Drinks.” eatthis.com. 2024.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030, realfood.gov.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Get the Facts: Added Sugars,” cdc.gov.