Flavoured water has a bit of a split personality. On a good day, it's the thing that finally gets you drinking enough. On a bad day, it's squash in a fancy bottle.
We'd know. Our founder Jonny spent years as a self-confessed squash addict before he decided there had to be a better way to make water taste good. Spoiler: that's how Spruce happened.
Is flavoured water healthy?
It can be. Water with flavour still counts towards your daily fluid, and the NHS itself suggests adding a slice of lemon or lime, or trying no added sugar squash, if you don't like the taste of plain water.
The water's the same either way. What changes is everything that's been added to it.
The ten-second label check
You don't need a nutrition degree. Flip the bottle and look for four things.
- FirstSugars"Of which sugars" per 100ml. Some flavoured waters are close to soft-drink levels.
- SecondSweetenersSugar-free drinks use sweeteners instead. All approved, so this one's about what you'd rather have in your glass.
- ThirdFlavour"Flavouring" can mean almost anything. Real fruit near the top of the list is a good sign.
- FourthThe extrasPreservatives, colours, acidity regulators. Not necessarily bad, just worth knowing they're there.
What about your teeth?
Sugar is the big one, so sugar-free is the first win. Fruit flavours are naturally a little acidic, and the NHS notes that fizzy drinks can wear teeth whatever they're sweetened with. Have fruity or fizzy drinks with meals when you can, and keep some plain water in your day too.
Easy ways to make water taste better
Ice cold is the first trick: cold water tastes cleaner and crisper. Then add something fresh, like citrus, cucumber or mint. Freeze berries in water the night before and the flavour builds as they melt. Or try the fizz.
Or skip the chopping board altogether. Tear, tip, top up.
Where Spruce fits
We built Spruce for people who know they should drink more water and just... don't. Real fruit powder leads every blend, it's sweetened with stevia, and there's zero sugar. Tip it into 300 to 500ml of still or sparkling water and you've got a proper drink, from about 43p a glass in our 12-box bundle.
Less of a habit you have to force. More of a ritual you look forward to. For the full squash story, see what to add to water instead of squash.
Powder to the people. Real fruit, zero sugar, water you actually want.
Flavoured water FAQs
Does flavoured water count as water intake?
Yes. Water with flavour added still counts towards your daily fluid. Just keep an eye on the sugar.
Is flavoured water better than squash?
It depends on what's in it. Regular squash can be high in sugar. A sugar-free flavoured water or a real-fruit sachet gives you the taste without the sugar.
Are flavoured water sachets healthy?
Choose ones with no sugar and real fruit. Spruce sachets have 0g sugar, real fruit powder and are sweetened with stevia, with added vitamins or minerals depending on the blend.
What's the healthiest way to flavour water?
Fresh fruit, herbs or a sugar-free, real-fruit sachet. The best one is whichever gets you drinking more water.
General information, not medical advice.
