• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • Dessert
    • Condiments
    • Reviews
  • About Midwexican
    • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me!

Midwexican

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Midwexican
  • Work With Me!
×

Home » Reviews

Published: Jun 1, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2022 by Tino Marie · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

AHA Sparkling Water, All Fizzy Flavors, Reviewed

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Coca-Cola recently jumped into the sparkling water space, with several fizzy flavors that hit shelves nationally on March 2nd of this year (2020). While the thought of drinking a Coke nowadays makes my teeth hurt, I was all about giving the zero sugar, zero-calorie sparkling water - dubbed AHA - a go. 

I tried all available flavors of Coca-Cola’s AHA sparkling water and was overall pleased with the selection. Not every flavor was a winner, but a few were a few standouts that have made it into my regular beverage rotation. They occasionally change their lineup so some of the reviewed options may no longer be available.

*This is not a sponsored post. I purchased the products with my own $$$. All opinions are my own. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualified purchases.

AHA Sparkling Water Review

Strawberry + Cucumber

Strawberries and cucumbers are two of my favorite whole foods to snack on, often devoured sans accompaniments as a refreshing snack. I was excited to see this flavor combination but skeptical. I pretty much hate anything strawberry-flavored. The flavor is always super artificial, over-the-top sugary, and far from the exquisiteness of a perfectly ripe strawberry.

Strawberry + Cucumber tastes like a strawberry Laffy Taffy in liquid form, the overly saccharine notes replaced with fizz. I tolerate strawberry Laffy Taffy because I know what I’m getting into, but that’s where I draw the line. (And don’t get me started on banana Laffy Taffy, which is the most offensive flavor of the bunch).

The verdict? Like strawberry Laffy Taffy, I tolerate it. The cucumber on the backend helps temper the dominant faux-strawberry flavor, but I won’t be adding this to my fizzy water repertoire. 

Citrus + Green Tea (*contains 30 mg of caffeine)

This flavor makes sense to me. Green tea is an acquired taste. I drink it on occasion, but doctor it up with lemon juice and/or honey to temper the bitterness. Sometimes the mild caffeine kick from green tea is all the pick-me-up I need.

Upon cracking Citrus + Green Tea open, your nostrils will be (pleasantly!) assaulted with citrus. Flavorwise I get all citrus and no green tea, which is cool with me (and I suspect many others). It’s like grapefruit and orange had a lemon party and wound up with one effervescent beverage. Plus it’s 1 of 2 AHA offerings that have caffeine, for the win! You can expect the caffeine equivalent of a cup of green tea.

Orange + Grapefruit

This tastes exactly like peeling an orange smells like. Sweet, citrusy, zesty. It was love at first sip when I tried the Orange + Grapefruit AHA. 

This is just what I want from citrus-forward fizzy water - it’s bold, the flavor hitting your tastebuds with a vibrant citrus wave that quickly fades into a refreshing, fizzy finish. Those bitter notes that often deter citrus aficionados from loving grapefruit are absent, making it a well-balanced, approachable drink.

The orange and grapefruit are both detectable, unlike most of the other AHA flavors where one flavor dominates. The best qualities from both shine - the sweetness from the orange, the tartness from the grapefruit - combining to create one invigorating citrus beverage.

Blueberry + Pomegranate

The Blueberry + Pomegranate combo provides a tag-team of tartness that I am all about. I’m not much of a candy eater, but when I indulge I often buy what I refer to as Halloween candy - Starbursts and Sweet Tarts, all the sugary junk we’re expected to leave behind in our tweens. Drinking this reminds me of Sweet Tarts, minus the exaggerated tartness and tooth decay.

Even though there’s no caffeine in Blueberry + Pomegranate, this flavor gets me jazzed up. It’s just so tart and punchy. Both the flavors intermingle well, with no particular fruit overpowering the other. It’s just delightful! 

Apple + Ginger - Discontinued

Apple + Ginger is surprisingly tart. It’s like eating a Granny Smith that finishes like a Red Delicious. The sharp tartness literally wants to make my mouth water, but the dry, effervescent finish whisks the need away. The overall flavor is reminiscent of apple juice with a fizzy flair.

When I first spied this flavor, I anticipated more from the ginger. I wanted it to be ginger-forward, with the robust spiciness of ginger beer. Sometimes I swear I can detect it when I’m taking a swig, but I think it’s wishful thinking... I’ve never been a big apple juice drinker so this beverage falls flat to me without the punch of ginger. 

Black Cherry + Coffee (*contains 30 mg of caffeine) - Discontinued

This flavor combo struck me as odd. After all, I’ve never seen a Starbucks cold brew coffee with Black Cherry foam. Though maybe they should consider it because I was surprisingly pleased with the Black Cherry + Coffee flavor despite my initial reservations. 

Hey Starbucks, call me. Let’s collaborate.

It starts hot and heavy with the black cherry flavor.... well, hot and heavy for a sparkling beverage, which is more like a peck on the cheek. It finishes with a barely discernible coffee aftertaste. The cherry flavor is quite the opposite of cough syrupy, overly sugary cherry (read: almost any cherry-flavored candy ever created). It’s black cherry, hitting you with a robust and balanced tartness that quickly fades into oh-so-delightfully fizzy oblivion. It’s definitely got the faux cherry thing going on, but I enjoy it here whereas I don’t with strawberry. 

A 12 ounce can of Black Cherry + Coffee provides caffeine equivalent to half an 8-ounce cup of coffee. As someone who does not enjoy getting their caffeine fixes from hot beverages during the spring and summer months, AHA’s Black Cherry + Coffee offers a convenient boost.

Lime + Watermelon

Other than Black Cherry + Coffee, this was the only other flavor of AHA I had immediate doubts about. Couldn’t tell you why. Lime and watermelon are both refreshing flavors, so why not combine them? 

If you had me blind sample Lime + Watermelon and ask me what I thought it was I’d respond with “fizzy lime drink.” I’ve closed my eyes while sipping this, trying to hone in on those watermelon notes, but they remain elusive. If I really concentrate I can tell you that it doesn’t finish like any other fizzy lime drink I’ve ever had. This has a flat (anticlimactic?) finish. I’m left wanting a sharper, tart citrus punch. 

Regardless, it is quite light and refreshing, just not my favorite of the AHA bunch. I’d be inclined to mix this with a few ounces of a complimentary fruit juice over ice instead of drinking it solo.

Peach + Honey

Few things are as satisfying as biting into a perfectly ripe peach. Or eating a straight spoonful of raw honey. Honey is the perfect sweetener - it’s natural and unique, with complex flavors influenced by the plants the bees fed on. 

I have a soft spot for Peach + Honey. The flavor is delicate and beautifully rounded out with a sweet fizzy finish. It's unlike any other sparkling water I've tried so far and I love its unique flavor. I could easily binge-drink an 8-pack of Peach + Honey over the course of a day or two. Begrudgingly I practice restraint because my husband thinks I go to Target way too much as it is... *rolls eyes* 

Mango + Black Tea (*contains 30 mg of caffeine)

I wanted to love this one, to add it to my fizzy drink rotation, but I don’t. I thought the Mango flavor would “sweeten” and compliment the bitter notes from the Black Tea, but I find they clash. As a regular unsweetened tea drinker, I found the Black Tea notes pleasant (sort of like slightly earthy/bitter sparkling water). I think I would have preferred the flavor without the Mango because for me it just doesn’t jive.

Raspberry + Acai

Raspberry + Acai is delicious. I haven’t a clue what Acai tastes like on its own, but it rounds out the dominant raspberry flavor beautifully. It tastes like a blackberry-raspberry hybrid, beginning with zippy slightly tart and sweet raspberry, grounded with the earthy berry undertones of blackberry. If you enjoy berry-flavored sparkling waters, this is one that’s not to be overlooked.

New Flavors!

Fuji Apple + White Tea (*contains 30 mg of caffeine)

I couldn't wait to try this one. My assumption is that this is a replacement for the since discontinued Apple + Ginger. And a fantastic replacement it is! It has a lovely, well-rounded apple flavor very much like a Fuji apple - not too sweet, not too tart, all apple!

I'm quite impressed with this one and love the fact that it has a small hit of caffeine. A solid addition to the lineup, one I hope has staying power.

Blackberry + Lemon

Another flavor I was super excited to see. I have to say I quite like it, though the execution isn't perfect. The lemon is vibrant but the blackberry falls a little flat. There's a hint of unwelcome chalkiness there, but fortunately, it passes quickly and ventures into that subtlely tart/bitter flavor blackberries are known for.

Pineapple + Passionfruit

I'll be honest. If a sparkling water has pineapple in the name my expectations immediately lower. Pineapple is a challenging flavor to get right, especially when paired with another. I was pleasantly surprised with AHA's Pineapple + Passionfruit duo - it has a tropical, pineapple forward flavor with a forgivable amount of artificiality at the end. It doesn't make my Top Four best AHA flavors, but I'll be picking up a case or two this summer.

Tino’s Top Four Best AHA Flavors (in no particular order):

Orange + Grapefruit

Raspberry + Acai

Blueberry + Pomegranate

Peach + Honey

AHA Sparkling Water Review

Silver Medal Mention

Fuji Apple + White Tea

There you have it, those are my favs. Have you tried any of the AHA sparkling water flavors yet? If so, please share your favs!

Other Sparkling Water Reviews

  • Bubly
  • Bubly Bounce
  • Bubbl’r
  • Polar
  • Waterloo
  • Spindrift

The More You Know!

Did you know that the brain’s response to carbonation is actually a pain response, like with spicy foods? A receptor in the brain registers the carbonation as irritation and pain. Check out the podcast episode “What Makes Some Seltzers Sparkle?” on the Sporkful to learn more, hosted by the always entertaining, knowledgeable, and opinionated eater, Dan Pashman. 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

More Reviews

  • Polar Seltzer Water Review
  • A Full Flavored Review of Spindrift Sparkling Water
  • A Full Flavored Review of Bubly Sparkling Water
  • Bubbl'r Sparkling Water Review

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heidi Davidson says

    August 26, 2021 at 6:56 pm

    I love your apple ginger but I can't find it. Help!

    Reply
    • Tino Marie says

      August 26, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      I think they discontinued it - it's no longer listed as a product on the AHA website 🙁

      Reply
  2. Linda I Tomanek says

    October 05, 2021 at 11:35 pm

    i hate the mango one, it tastes like a mango white claw, without the buzz not worth it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow me!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Christina from Midwexican

About Christina

I'm a Minnesota native who can't get enough of south-of-the-border flavors. My recipes combine comforting Midwestern eats with bold Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors. If you love comforting food, bold flavors, and - most importantly - tacos! then you'll love what I'm cooking!

Learn more about me →

Holiday Feast!

  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
  • Turkey Lentil Soup
  • Ranch Cheesy Potatoes with Hash Browns
  • Simple Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
  • Creamed Kale with Cream Cheese (Jalapeno Popper Style!)
  • Mashed White Sweet Potatoes (with Chipotle Honey Butter)
  • White Chicken Porchetta Chili
  • Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Work With Me!

    • Let's Collaborate!

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Midwexican

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT