The idea for KUL MOCKS came to founders Danielle and Nate Goss when Danielle was pregnant with their first child. As a social couple, they looked for an alcohol-free beverage Danielle could enjoy at a party and still feel part of the scene. Danielle, a registered dietitian, also wanted something that didn’t have a lot of additives or sugar. When they couldn’t find what they were looking for in stores, they created it.

Kul Mock’s craft mocktails are designed to be flavorful and fun without loads of sugar, unnecessary ingredients, or alcohol. The “Mock Mule,” “Strawberry Mock-arita,” and the “Blackberry Mock-jito,” contain three to six times less sugar than traditional mocktails. The mocktails are even infused with spirit notes, like natural agave tequila and rum flavors, to give the mouthfeel of a real cocktail sans the alcohol.

Kul Mocks come in 12oz sleek cans, which are sold in convenient 4-packs. We had the opportunity to try all three flavors.

Strawberry Mock-Arita – Upon pouring, Kul Mocks Strawberry Mock-Arita is a beautiful soft pink. Upon opening, it releases a sweet strawberry aroma. The strawberry flavor is sweet and slightly tart with a pleasant, light berry aftertaste and a full mouthfeel.

Mock Mule – This flavor tastes just like a Moscow Mule! The Mock Mule starts with a bright, sweet lime flavor balanced with a hint of warm ginger. Soft carbonation adds dimension to the light, easy-to-sip liquid.

Blackberry Mock-Jito – This was probably our favorite of the three flavors. The sweet blackberry pairs perfectly with the tart lime and zesty mint. The result is a uniquely refreshing sweet-but, not too sugary treat.

Summary:
Kul Mocks are creatively crafted, flavorful mocktails that provide a fun, convenient alternative for anyone abstaining from alcohol. Each flavor brings a new take on classic cocktail flavors with all the excitement, fewer calories, and no alcohol.

Masq founder, Brad Parkes, enjoyed having a few drinks on a Friday or Saturday night but was also striving to make healthier choices and feel better consistently. On a mission to find a better way to drink, he encountered “less bad” options but didn’t see many with ingredients that could make them better, like nutrients and antioxidants.

Brad’s desire for a better-for-you alcoholic beverage initiated the journey that resulted in the creation of Masq Fusions, a line of healthful hard teas. Masq Fusion combines organic Yerba Mate (green-tea base) with fruit juice, herbal extract, monk fruit, blue agave nectar, and a proprietary adaptogen blend. The formula packs in a lot of healthful ingredients but is designed to sell on taste.

Masq Fusions come in brightly colored 12oz sleek cans packaged in convenient 4-packs.

We had the opportunity to sample all three Masq flavors: Dragon Fruit Acai, Lemon Ginger, and Blueberry Lavender.

Dragonfruit Acai – Masq Fusions Dragonfruit Acai opens with a sweet flowery aroma and pours to a soft yellow color. With a smooth, almost creamy texture and light carbonation, the beverage is crisp and just the right amount of sweet. The combination of tropical fruits creates an exotic taste that is enjoyably unique. We love the clean, light texture that is not at all syrupy or heavy.

Lemon Ginger – Masq Fusions Lemon Ginger has a light ginger scent with just a touch of lemon. We enjoyed the well-crafted balance between the bright, sweet citrus taste and the ginger’s warm spice.

Blueberry Lavender – Masq Fusions Blueberry Lavender is a dessert-like beverage with just the right level of sweetness. The bright berry flavors blend with the floral hint of lavender, creating a sweetly mellow blueberry treat. The clean, refreshing finish makes this beverage easy to sip and enjoy.

Summary:
Refreshingly bubbly and flavorful, Masq Fusions are just as light as a seltzer, but with a bigger punch of flavor. With only 110 calories, Masq Fusions pack in both taste and antioxidants and adaptogens, for a healthfully satisfying drinking experience.

To learn more about Masq Hard Tea, visit https://drinkmasq.com/ 

Acqua Panna is packaged in a variety of sizes in both plastic and glass bottles. According to sommeliers, Acqua Panna is best paired with “light” wine and “delicate” foods.

The Acqua Panna we sampled came in a 25.3 fluid ounce clear plastic bottle with a beautifully crisp white label with a bright orange crest and logo. The bottle has a silver twist-off cap adorned with the Acqua Panna crest.

After the first sip of Aqua Panna, you can sense its difference from other waters. The minerals give the water a smooth, rich mouthfeel with no off-flavors or after-tastes. We sampled Acqua Panna with a riesling, and it paired well with the light, sweet wine. Acqua Panna would go well with any delicate dish or dessert.

Summary: Acqua Panna natural spring water is clean, smooth, and artfully packaged to deliver a premium water drinking experience. Perfect for a special occasion, or everyday drinking, Acqua Panna takes spring water to another level of quality and taste.

For more information visit Acqua Panna‘s website.

OhHi boasts only 5 grams of sugar and no artificial ingredients or GMOs. There are four OhHi flavors to choose from – Lemon Lime, Grapefruit, Pomegranate, and Ginger Basil Limeade.

OhHi Lemon Lime

OhHi Lemon Lime has lightly sweet citrus notes with just a hint of a botanical aftertaste. Accompanied by an intense level of zesty carbonation, OhHi Lemon is a refreshing and invigorating beverage experience.

OhHi Ginger Basil Limeade

The warm, spicy ginger flavor comes through first, followed by a touch of earthy basil and citrus. The combination and juxtaposition of the sweet, spicy, and tart make for a delightfully dynamic beverage.

OhHi Grapefruit

The fresh citrus flavor of OhHi Grapefruit is refreshing and energizing. With just enough sweetness to balance the tart notes, OhHi Grapefruit is an enjoyable treat that is perfect for sipping any time of the day.

OhHi Pomegranate

OhHi Pomegranate blends the tangy tartness of pomegranate with the soft botanical notes of the hemp and the zest of the carbonation for a fun, flavorful drink. The subtle sweetness and light texture of OhHi Pomegranate make for a satisfying and highly sippable beverage.

Summary: If you’re looking for a new CBD-enhanced beverage experience without extra artificial fillers or sugar, OhHi Sparkling CBD Seltzers are a perfect match. OhHi Sparkling CBD Seltzers provide a refreshing and convenient way to unwind with a daily dose of CBD.

For more information visit OhHi’s website.

The base of the Tea in the Moment recipes is a blend of cacao beans blended with natural organic ingredients. Cacao husks have been used to brew cacao tea for thousands of years. When brewed as a loose-leaf style tea, cacao shells have a subtle taste reminiscent of dark chocolate. While Tea in the Moment teas are 99.5% caffeine-free, cacao shells contain Theobromine, a natural “feel-good” stimulant.

Tea in the Moment comes in seven flavors–Rose Cacao, Original Cacao, Coconut Cacao, Mint Cacao, Orange Cacao, Chai Lavender Cacao. Each is sold in an attractive white box containing 50g of loose leaf tea.

Rose Cacao

Rose Cacao starts with a strong rose aroma that slightly overpowers the scent of cacao. We loved the combination of the light floral notes combined with the more earthy flavors of the cacao. The balance of cacao shells to rose petals in this blend is perfectly balanced.

Original Cacao

Original Cacao has the intense aroma and flavors of chocolate and cacao. If you’re not accustomed to those rich flavors, it can take a little getting used to. The sweet and unique tea would appeal to dark chocolate lovers.

Coconut Cacao

Coconut Cacao brings in a powerful hit of coconut. This blend is sweet and rich – probably the sweetest of the flavors we sampled. The rich and creamy coconut balances out the cacao’s bitter notes in another nicely balanced combination of flavors.

Mint Cacao

The scent of Mint Cacao reminded us a lot of After Eight mint chocolate. For anyone who enjoys the combination of mint and chocolate, this blend artfully brings together the zesty, refreshing essence of peppermint with the rich chocolatey flavors of cacao.

Summary: Tea in the Moment loose leaf cacao teas combine the chocolatey taste of cacao with the soothing experience of drinking tea. The result is a dessert-like beverage without sugar. We could see adding Tea in The Moment to many moments throughout the day for an enjoyable treat that delivers a boost without the calories or caffeine crash.

For more information visit Tea in the Moment’s website.

Crave energy drinks are vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Each beverage contains only 10 kcal. Crave comes in 250ml cans in three flavors–Passionfruit and Vanilla, Lime and Mint, and Pineapple and Coconut.

Lime & Mint

Crave Lime & Mint starts with lime and mint’s powerful aroma, with the lime overtaking the mint in an overall invigorating scent. We expected this combination of flavors to be refreshing, but it was a bit more sweet. The bubbles’ effervescence adds dimension for an exciting drinking experience, but the aftertaste was a bit too sweet for our tastes. Crave Lime and Mint finishes with a strong hint of mint, making it more distinctive than the other two flavors.

Pineapple & Coconut

Crave Pineapple & Coconut has a sweet and tempting aroma reminiscent of pineapple candy. We expected a bit more pineapple taste, but the coconut flavor overpowered the more tart and fruity pineapple in the blend. You experience the sweetness that comes from the BCAAs with a hint of coconut in the aftertaste. We feel like this flavor could have been amped up a bit to better mask the sweetness of the BCAAs.

Passionfruit & Vanilla

Crave Passionfruit and Vanilla has a delightful aroma that reminds us of Werther’s Original candy. This beverage was by far the sweetest of the three flavors, with the natural sweetness of the BCAAs shining through. Although enjoyable to sip, we wouldn’t recommend Crave Passionfruit and Vanilla to anyone who doesn’t enjoy sweet drinks.

Summary: Crave drinks bring some interesting and exciting flavor combinations to the world of energy drinks. The ingredients deliver a powerful punch of healthful natural energy. These drinks are a bit sweet and may be best served over ice with a splash of water or as a mixer.

 For more information visit Crave’s website. 

Weller’s products include a line of sparkling CBD waters, a CBD drink mix, and a line of Elderberry Sparkling Immunity beverages. We had the opportunity to sample the Elderberry Sparkling Immunity Beverages.

Elderberry is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Since ancient times it has been used for everything from treating infections to healing burns and improving complexions. Today, many people take elderberry as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms and boost the immune system.

Weller’s Elderberry Sparkling Immunity beverages have a base of freshly squeezed elderberry juice combined with sparkling water, juice concentrate, as well as monk fruit concentrate, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D3.

The beverages come in a standard 12oz can wrapped in a purple label with a colored stripe on the top indicating the flavor: lemon-lime, strawberry, or peach.

Lemon-Lime

The lemon-lime flavor has subtle, zesty citrus notes that are balanced nicely with the elderberry and carbonation. The beverage isn’t too sweet, making it easy to sip and enjoy.

Peach

The peach-flavored beverage pours out as a soft pink liquid with effervescent bubbles. The mild peach flavor combined with the elderberry is a mildly sweet treat that is not syrupy or overpowering but rather light and refreshing with a clean finish.

Strawberry

The strawberry flavor is more sweet than tart, resulting in a pleasantly soothing drinking experience. The carbonation brings a nice dimension, rounding out a delightfully satisfying but straightforward beverage.

Summary: Weller Elderberry Sparkling Immunity beverages bring a refreshing twist on an immune-boosting supplement. Packed with immune-supporting ingredients, each of these beverages is light, refreshing,  and enjoyable to drink.

For more information visit Weller’s website.

The Rhythm product line includes Rhythm Recover – Lemon Ginger Seltzer, Rhythm Awake – Grapefruit Rosemary Seltzer, and Rhythm Dream – Blackberry Lavender Seltzer. The products are packaged in 12oz sleek cans and contain 15 mg of CBD from a broad-spectrum hemp-extract that contains 0% THC, is 100% grown in the USA, and has been nano-emulsified for high bioavailability and rapid onset.

We had the opportunity to sample Rhythm Awake and Rhythm Dream.

Rhythm Awake- Grapefruit Rosemary

Rhythm Awake is designed to deliver clean, calm energy with 15mg of hemp extract combined with grapefruit and rosemary flavors and green tea extract. The beverage boasts 50mg of caffeine, which is slightly less than a cup of coffee.

The liquid is light pink in color and highly carbonated. The citrus bite of the grapefruit flavor is countered with the earthly, botanical notes of rosemary. The dynamic combination provides enough flavor to drown out the very subtle hints of hemp that come through only very slightly at the end. The finish is sweet and smooth, making it very drinkable. The tart grapefruit and effervescent bubbles make it a fun and energizing treat as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Rhythm Dream – Blackberry Lavender

Rhythm Dream has a very light berry flavor with a clean, refreshing finish. The subtle notes of lavender give this beverage a spa-like quality, and the 5mg of melatonin bring a wave of relaxation and calm that would prepare anyone for a good night’s sleep.

Summary: Rhythm Infused Seltzers provide an innovatively flavorful take on hemp-infused beverages. Light, refreshing, and creatively formulated, these drinks prove that function doesn’t have to trump taste. Rhythm Infused Seltzers are positioned to help people make room for CBD beverages in their everyday lives.

For more information visit Rhythm Infused Seltzers website.

BioLift contains a patented botanical formula designed to work with your body clock to improve focus. The formula contains Guarna, Ginkgo Biloba, Elderberry, and 10mg of caffeine with carob and apple for sweetness. The result is a drink that delivers energy without the jitters or added sugar that comes with other beverages.

BioLift comes in a futuristic-looking, lightweight, 9oz aluminum bottle with a resealable screw-top lid. The product is available in three flavors; Melon Lime, Mixed Berry, and Mandarin Orange.

BioLift Mixed Berry – BioLift Mixed Berry presents an inviting berry aroma upon opening. A light, non-carbonated texture accompanies the slightly sweet flavor. There is a slight botanical aftertaste that signals the potent ingredients in the patented WakeUp formula, but it is not unpleasant. The drink has a slightly dry finish but is very easy to sip and rather enjoyable as an afternoon refreshment.

BioLift Mandarin Orange – BioLift Mandarin Orange has a subtle artificial, slightly watered down orange essence. The simplicity of the flavor makes it easy to drink and not at all too sweet.

BioLift Melon Lime – BioLife Melon Lime combines a soft, sweet melon flavor with a tart citrus finish. The blend is light and refreshing with just enough contrast and dimension to make it interesting to taste while also being easy to drink.

Summary: While BioLift beverages have a unique botanical-type taste and texture, they are light and sweet enough to easily enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up. With only nine grams of sugar and 41 calories, BioLift beverages present a healthier alternative to sugary energy drinks while still delivering the focus and stamina to fight the post-lunch dip.

For more information visit BioLift’s website.

Just Lemon

The “plain” flavor of lemon water is just that – lemon water. While the name is underwhelming, it is a pretty solid drink whose familiar taste is easy to compare. It’s similar to lemonade, but it isn’t overly sweet. It’s refreshing like water, yet it has more substance. As an adult, I would find this a great alternative to a sugary drink on a hot day and a viable replacement to sports drinks.

Dragon Fruit Mango

The creativity that was lacking in “Just Lemon” must have all gone into this flavor. Dragon Fruit is underused in the world of fruits, but its name alone makes it too cool to ignore. The taste is not unfamiliar compared to most tropical fruits, but it’s relatively mild and not overpowering. Combine it with Mango, and the sweetness serves as an excellent counterbalance to the lemon.

Raspberry Peach Lemon

The perfect summer drink? It’s possible. Its taste is similar to what many flavored teas seem to aim for, but this is a healthier option because it has no added sugar. Consider all of the health benefits on top of the taste, and it’s easy to see why this is a great option to refresh and hydrate from the day’s work.

Blueberry Acai Lemon

Similar to the dragon fruit in terms of sweetness balancing out the sour, Blueberry Acai Lemon is the sweetest of the Lemon Perfect options. It’s still far more mellow than a typical sports drink or juice and contains more antioxidizing health benefits by adding the Acai berry.

Summary: Lemon Perfect is the newest, healthiest spin on sports drinks. These lemon waters are original enough to draw attention but have a familiar enough taste to retain a share of the market.

For more information visit Lemon Perfect’s website.