My Honest Liquid I.V. Review

Going to the local food pantry is an adventure. I've found everything from beef broth to goat's milk to dried edamame, and it's always fun to discover new products that I wouldn't have tried otherwise. Recently, I found a bag of Liquid I.V. drink mixes waiting for me in the box. I've had bad luck with drink mixes from other brands, but this summer has been brutally hot, so I decided to give Liquid I.V. a shot and see if the brand lived up to the hype.

Preparation was simple: I poured water and ice into a glass, added the powder and stirred it up. I didn't add anything else to these drinks, so you're getting my honest, unfiltered thoughts on Raspberry Lemonade, White Peach and Orange Vanilla Dream. Need some hydration? Let's quench your thirst with my non-sponsored Liquid I.V. review.

What is Liquid I.V.?

Liquid I.V. aims to make it easier for people to stay hydrated with science-based formulas and ingredients. Most products come with the brand's special Hydration Multiplier, which helps your body absorb and retain water. Liquid I.V. also supports various charities, donating 1% of its sales to DigDeep, MAP International and other organizations.

Raspberry Lemonade

Judging by the name, I expected a pink-tinted powder, but Raspberry Lemonade was white like flour. I learned pretty quickly that all Liquid I.V. mixes come in a bright white hue that makes the water look cloudy. The package was surprisingly hard to open--but, luckily, I had a pair of scissors nearby.

On the first sip, this drink was tart and refreshing, but it didn't taste quite like raspberry lemonade. Instead, it tasted more like regular lemonade with faint berry notes. It's not quite as satisfying as real lemonade, either--think making lemonade from concentrate instead of freshly squeezed citrus.

Still, if you're not picky about the taste, it's a great way to trick yourself into drinking more water. I was a little skeptical of the brand's claims, but I actually felt hydrated and nourished after finishing the glass. I guess the formula really does help your body absorb more water.

The only downside is that the concentrated powder was tart and bitter when I reached the bottom of the glass. Luckily, all I had to do was add more water. You could probably stretch one packet to two or three drinks, which helps offset the cost a little.

White Peach

White Peach is a little more eclectic than your standard drink mix. The website promises a "delicate and floral" taste, which sounds great on a hot day when you're not craving a heavy drink. This time, I came prepared with scissors to make the package easier to open.

As promised, White Peach was light, fruity and sweet, like peach juice mixed with a dash of vanilla. The faint pear notes added a little tartness that balanced out the sweetness. This blend was sweeter than Strawberry Lemonade, but it wasn't saccharine. Instead, it was more like a refreshing fruit tea.

I couldn't stop drinking this beverage, and when I was done, I felt hydrated and a little energized. Maybe I'd been low on electrolytes and hadn't realized it. The light, fruity flavors made this drink more substantial than water but not heavy or syrupy, and I couldn't wait to try it again later.

Orange Vanilla Dream

Orange Vanilla Dream combines bright citrus with creamy vanilla, a flavor combination that makes me think of orange cream soda. Unlike the other two, this mix isn't sugar-free--in fact, cane sugar is the first ingredient. The website also claims that this product contains three times more electrolytes than the "leading sports drink."

I expected a bold citrus tang, but Orange Vanilla Dream was actually the mildest of the bunch. Somehow, the flavors found the perfect balance between tart and sweet, creating a drink that tasted like a lighter version of an orange-and-cream popsicle. The vanilla gave the drink a surprisingly milky flavor that made it even more delectable.

Like the other mixes, this blend left me feeling refreshed, energized and hydrated. Despite the high sugar content, this drink didn't taste particularly sweet. It's crisp, cool and fruity without weighing you down, and it's easy to carry a few sticks in your bag and mix them in your water bottle when you're on the go.

Overall Verdict

Liquid I.V. definitely exceeded my expectations. The light, fruity flavors made me want to drink more water, and I felt refreshed and hydrated after every glass. Just make sure you check the labels if you're on a low-sugar diet. Several mixes are sugar-free, but this isn't the case for every blend.

Have you tried Liquid I.V. before? If not, what's your favorite summer drink? Let me know in the comments.