It’s mid-summer, and sadly, an finish to the sweltering temps isn’t on the horizon. We’re all (desperately) in want of a thirst-quenching bevvy, and whereas cocktails, mocktails, and electrolyte-fueled liquids is perhaps in your record, I’m looking far and huge for the perfect coconut water my stay-cool-this-summer funds can purchase.

Have you ever ever considered what the perfect coconut water to drink was? I haven’t both—that’s, till a number of weeks in the past after I was standing in entrance of the drinks fridge. I used to be overcome with a thought: Was there any tangible distinction between the bottles I used to be looking at? Feeling impressed, I took it upon myself to place this hydrating elixir to the check. It was time to find out the perfect coconut water as soon as and for all.

The way to Decide the Greatest Coconut Water

With tons of manufacturers to select from, shopping the coconut water aisle may be overwhelming. To find out the perfect coconut water we (clearly) wished our coconut water to style somewhat coconut-y. We additionally didn’t need the flavour to be muddled. As a substitute, we aimed for a taste that was pure sufficient to drink by itself whereas additionally doubling as a drink mixer. And no funky aftertastes right here—we have been after unadulterated, drinkable coconut water.

After our thorough style testing, right here are some things to remember as you’re perusing the coconut water aisle. 

Look for easy elements

Ideally, you need the ingredient record to learn “100% coconut water” with nothing else included. Which means that there aren’t any components or preservatives—simply straight up coconut water from the coconut itself. Some manufacturers have added sugar to bump up the sweetness or embody synthetic flavors or colours. Pure coconut water is scrumptious with out something added to it, so stick to easy elements for the perfect taste.

No focus

To be frank, concentrated coconut water is simply not so good as non-concentrated coconut water. The focus course of consists of turning coconut water right into a syrup earlier than it’s imported. As soon as the syrup has arrived at its vacation spot, water is added to it, then it’s packaged and bought. A lot of the well being advantages are stripped throughout this course of, so be sure you search for “not from focus” on the diet label.  

Packaging issues

Coconut water is available in cans, bottles, and cartons known as Tetra Paks. Coconut water will style barely totally different relying on the packaging, even throughout the identical manufacturers. Whereas style varies attributable to private choice, some say the freshest coconut water comes from bottles, adopted by cans, after which Tetra Pak. 

Thai coconuts reign supreme

Be looking out for coconut water produced from Thai coconuts for a candy, nutty coconut water taste. Once more, style is a private choice, however among the hottest manufacturers are from Thailand. Different coconuts are from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brazil, however Thai coconut delivers the perfect, purest taste.

To call the perfect coconut water, I coordinated a group of style testers to attempt to critique all essentially the most buzzy manufacturers. Maintain scrolling for the perfect coconut water for each style choice and wish!

Greatest Total: Innocent Harvest

• Sugar content material: 20g per serving, no added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle

As for the perfect coconut water that testers would drink by itself? Innocent Harvest! The flavour was a pleasant steadiness between fruity and coconut-y, and tasters named this one the winner for its stand-alone taste. Tasters famous this one had essentially the most pure sweetness among the many group. The flavour leans barely fruity and candy, which tasters loved. We’ll be stocking up this summer season for certain!

Greatest Natural: Actual Coco

• Sugar content material: 7g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Tetra Pak

This coconut water tastes prefer it’s straight from the supply. It’s USDA natural, and there’s nothing synthetic about it—all in all, it’s a pure-tasting coconut water that we liked. If natural merchandise are necessary to you, Actual Coco is your finest guess!

Greatest Worth: Good and Collect Authentic Coconut Water

• Sugar content material: 10g per serving, 1g added sugar
• Packaging: Tetra pack

Everyone knows we are able to depend on Goal for a very good deal. Delicate and refreshing, this coconut water is a steal. Because it’s not too candy and has a reasonably impartial taste, we suggest you toss this in your fitness center bag for pre or post-workout hydration, take it with you on a hike, or have it useful on your subsequent yoga class.  

Most Refreshing: Style Nirvana 

• Sugar content material: 10g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle and may

In keeping with our rankings, Style Nirvana was the least candy, however nonetheless contemporary and scrumptious. Many tasters known as out that this one had a barely savory undertone that will go properly in sure blended drinks. Because it’s not too candy, it’s refreshing by itself. It will be an important match when you’re in search of a delicate, not too coconut-y taste. 

Greatest Coconut Water for Hydration: Amy and Brian’s

• Sugar content material: 12g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Can

This model would hit the spot after a tough exercise, making it our selection for the perfect hydrating coconut water. It’s barely candy with no added sugar, and we love that it’s a small household enterprise as properly. Maintain them chilled within the fridge, then seize one earlier than you head to the fitness center to remain hydrated and to assist with restoration. 

Greatest Refrigerated: Dealer Joe’s Single Origin Natural Coconut Water

• Sugar content material: 11g per serving, no added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle

There are many shelf-stable coconut waters on the market, however you’ll discover this one within the refrigerated part of Dealer Joe’s. Barely pink, not overly candy, and utterly refreshing, Dealer Joe’s didn’t miss with this coconut water. Tasters say this has a really related taste profile to Innocent Harvest. We take that as an enormous win. 

The Sweetest Coconut Water: Goya 

• Sugar content material: 15g per serving
• Packaging: Tetra pack and may

The sweetest of the bunch, this coconut water is fruity in taste and really tropical. Suppose: extra of a candy drink than coconut water, however nonetheless gratifying. Persist with Goya if you need a deal with with dinner or a piña colada poolside. 

Greatest For Smoothies: Vita Coco Pressed

• Sugar content material: 10g per serving, 1g added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle

Tasters have been stunned that this one was virtually silky and coconut milk-like. In comparison with the opposite alternatives, Vita Coco Pressed had a thicker mouthfeel than the others, possible attributable to the truth that it consists of precise coconut. Whereas some individuals thought this one was sweeter than the opposite Vita Coco choices, the general rating nonetheless saved this one on the decrease finish of the sweetness scale. Tasters additionally thought this was essentially the most coconut-y of the bunch. This can be a go-to coconut water for smoothies, due to the delicate style and creamy texture. 

Greatest for Enjoyable Summer season Cocktails: Iberia

• Sugar content material: 23g, 12g added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle, can, and Tetra Pak

For the final word summer season get together drink, nothing beats Iberia. Whereas the added sugar units it on the sweeter aspect, this one had a pure coconut taste that testers most popular over the Goya. We’ll be making cocktails and summer season slushies with this coconut water after we’re craving a sweeter deal with. This choose is among the many few that contained added sugar, and tasters famous a slight vanilla taste on this one which a lot of the group appreciated. It’s undoubtedly on the sweeter aspect and would mix properly in a cocktail.

The Greatest Impartial Taste Coconut Water: C20

• Sugar content material: 8g per serving, 2g added sugar
• Packaging: Can

Our crew named C2O the winner for essentially the most neutral-flavored coconut water. Tasters stated they’d use this one for more healthy juices or smoothies as a result of they may belief that the coconut water wouldn’t overpower the opposite elements. This coconut water had a really impartial, virtually delicate taste. Notes talked about that this one felt essentially the most like ingesting plain water. C2O would even be the choose tasters would depend on for hydration throughout these sizzling summer season days.

Greatest for Mocktails: As soon as Upon A Coconut

• Sugar content material: 16g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Can

This coconut water is clean, scrumptious and had us dreaming about summery mocktails. Whereas a candy coconut water can minimize the alcohol in common cocktails, this model is gentle and never overpowering. It’s a super mocktail mixer! We’re speaking excellent zero-proof margaritas, mojitos and even do-it-yourself lemonade.  We’ll be reaching for this coconut water round 3pm on a regular basis this summer season, when it’s time for a enjoyable pick-me-up to get us via a day droop.