Better Bottled Water

Posted by Stephanie Gallagher Oct 28, 2006

I'm always trying to get my kids to drink more water. When Poland Spring and Deer Park launched their Aquapod water bottles this summer, I cheered. Finally, a healthy drink that targeted kids and came with a hefty advertising budget to boot.

And my kids paid attention: They love Aquapod. Even though it's really the same water I've always given them, just in a different package.

But now I can offer them water that actually tastes different. In fact, it tastes like juice should taste: fresh, flavorful, natural.

The water is called Hint, and it has absolutely no artificial sweeteners or sugars. It's just bottled water flavored with extracts, similar to what you might get at a spa.

It comes in wonderful flavors like Peppermint, Apple, Lime, Tropical Punch and Pomegranate-Tangerine. We loved the fruit flavors and the Peppermint. I felt the Cucumber was an aquired taste -- something for adults only.

But all of the flavors had a depth and richness that was much truer to the real taste of fresh fruit and vegetables than any juice I've ever had. They were also more satisfying, even for my kids who love sugary juices.

The only drawback: Hint water is quite pricey. It's $44 for a case of liter-sized bottles online. You can also buy individual bottles at Whole Foods Market, Ralph's, HEB and Stop 'n Shop.