Looking for an updated Vitamin Water price guide? Vitamin Water is a product by the brand Glacéau. It started off as one man’s convenient way to have water with vitamins and worked its way to becoming a popular beverage consumed in billions of liters annually.
With The Coca-Cola Company upholding its name, this range of enhanced water has a lot to boast about.
A Brief History of Vitamin Water
In 1996 J. Darius Bikoff, a self-professed health nut felt that he was coming down with a cold and had less energy as a result. To mitigate this drawback, he took some Vitamin C supplements with some mineral water.
After some time of consuming the items, he began to think of a way to have them together instead of taking them separately; and so Energy Brands (also known as Glaceau) was born.
Bikoff has noted that the company’s early days were quite the struggle, citing his lack of experience in beverage production coupled with conflict in his personal life, namely a divorce and a subsequent bankruptcy filing.
In spite of that, he gradually made a name for his line of Smartwater by introducing it to small independent natural food stores in his hometown of Queens, New York.
Soon after, he launched a statewide campaign that led up to over 4000 small businesses selling his Vitamin Water and Fruitwater by 2001. An interesting aspect of his tactic was that he did his campaign with slight secrecy from larger companies.
This was to ensure a solid foundation from which he could pursue relationships with larger independent distributors, paving the way for the nationwide distribution of his products.
By May 25, 2007, Energy Brands was acquired by The Coca Cola Company but still retained autonomy. In Bikoff’s own words, “We run independently, we have our own offices. If Coca-Cola don’t call me, I don’t call them.”
How Vitamin Water is Made
Glaceau has dubbed itself a “pioneer of the enhanced water category.” And it takes much pride in its repertoire of Vitamin Water flavors.
To make Vitamin Water, distilled water is combined with a variety of herbs, flavors, and vitamins such as vitamins A and E, as well as the minerals potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and chromium.
Smartwater
Smartwater is Glaceau’s line of vapor-distilled water that includes electrolytes for added taste. It broke out in 1996 as a way to reimagine the bottled water industry, boasting purity and a sensation of hydration in every sip.
The production process of Smartwater mimics the hydrologic cycle consisting of condensation, precipitation, and evaporation, which results in water purity akin to the first drops of rain.
Aside from its original pH-balanced water, Smartwater has an alkaline, antioxidant, flavor-infused, and clarity variety for any type of refreshment.
Jennifer Aniston was a Smartwater spokesperson from 2007 to 2019, endorsing the purified water as a secret to good health and praising it for its 100% recyclable bottle.
Current spokespersons, actress Gal Gadot and NBA player Ben Simmons credit Smartwater for contributing to their wellness and performance in their respective industries.
VitaminEnergy
Distinguished by its electrifying branding, VitaminEnergy is an energy drink with many of the same ingredients as Vitamin Water.
Comprising natural flavors, vitamins (Vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12, and C) electrolytes, and natural caffeine, the 60ml shot lasts seven hours with no sugar crash. It supports weight loss, gut health, and a healthy immune system, all with great taste.
Flavors include; Dragonfruit, Fruit Punch, and Tropical Citrus.
Fruitwater
Fruitwater was a carbonated version of Vitamin Water that was sold between 2013 and 2015. It contained less crystalline fructose (a sugar) than its still counterpart, but contained the same ingredients with a subtle fruity flavor.
A notable ingredient in the drink was Guarana seeds which have twice the amount of caffeine as coffee. Fruitwater flavors included Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Lemon-Lime, Strawberry Kiwi, and Watermelon Punch.
In 2015, Coca Cola discontinued it due to poor sales.
Vitamin Water Price, Variations & Sizes
When it comes to flavors Vitamin Water does not hold back, this variety allows consumers to have a personal favorite that compliments an aspect of themselves.
Under the Vitamin Water banner are variations namely XXX, Focus, and Power-C, which also feature in the Vitamin Water Zero Line. Vitamin Water Zero is a product line that has no added sugar.
Despite the assortment of flavors and categories, the average drink comes in a 16 to 20 fluid ounce bottle and the Vitamin Water prices have similar rates.
Following is the average Vitamin Water price for each category, thereafter is a list of all the Vitamin Water flavors there are.
Name | Size | Average Price |
Vitamin Water POWER-C | 9 fl. oz (500ml), 6 Pack
9 fl. oz (500ml), 24 Pack |
$4.50 |
$19.20 | ||
Vitamin Water XXX | 9 fl. oz (500ml), 6 Pack
9 fl. oz (500ml), 24 Pack |
$4.00 |
$27.00 | ||
Vitamin Water Flavours | 20 fl. oz (591ml), 12 pack | $26.60 |
Vitamin Water Zero Flavours | 20 fl. oz (591ml), 12 pack | $21.00 |
Vitamin Water Zero | 20 fl. oz (591ml), 12 pack | $20.00 |
Vitamin Water Varieties
Name | Profile |
Vitamin Water POWER-C | Dragonfruit flavored with vitamin C and taurine |
Vitamin Water BREEZE-E | Strawberry-watermelon flavored with vitamins C, B5, B6, B12 |
Vitamin Water REVIVE | Fruit punch flavored with vitamins B, C, and potassium |
Vitamin Water ENERGY | Tropical citrus flavored with vitamins B and C, guarana, electrolytes, and caffeine |
Vitamin Water FOCUS | Kiwi-strawberry flavored with vitamins C, B5, B6, B12 |
Vitamin Water SQUEEZED | Lemonade flavored with vitamins B, C, and E, zinc, and calcium |
Vitamin Water XXX | Acai-blueberry pomegranate flavored with vitamins B and C, and antioxidants |
Vitamin Water ESSENTIAL | Orange flavored with vitamin C and calcium |
Vitamin Water Vital-T | Lemon tea flavored with vitamins C and E |
Vitamin Water REFRESH | Tropical mango flavored with vitamins E, B5, B6, B12, and C and electrolytes |
Vitamin Water GO-GO (Zero) | Mixed berry flavored with vitamin E and ribose |
Vitamin Water RISE (Zero) | Orange flavored with vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12, and C and electrolytes |
Vitamin Water SQUEEZED (Zero) | Lemonade flavored with “8 key nutrients from a – zinc” |
Vitamin Water XXX (Zero) | Acai-blueberry pomegranate flavored with antioxidants |
Vitamin Water SHINE (Zero) | Strawberry lemonade with vitamins B5, B6, B12, and C and electrolytes |
Vitamin Water RESET (Zero) | Pineapple coconut flavored with vitamins B5, B6, B12, and C, electrolytes, and potassium |
Vitamin Water FOCUS (Zero) | Kiwi-strawberry flavored with vitamins C, B5, B6 and B12 |
Vitamin Water REVIVE (Zero) | Fruit punch flavored with vitamins B and C, and potassium |
Vitamin Water POWER-C (Zero) | Dragonfruit flavored with vitamin C, B5, B6, and B12, zinc, chromium, and taurine |
Vitamin Water ICE (Zero) | Cool blueberry lavender with vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, and B12, iron, chamomile, and l-theanine |
Discontinued Flavours
Following are flavors Glaceau discontinued over time because of poor sales:
POWER-C | Acerola (the first ever to be discontinued) |
PERFORM | Lemon-lime |
DEFENCE | Raspberry-apple |
STRESS-B | Lemon-lime |
ENDURANCE | Peach-mango |
B-RELAXED | Jackfruit-guava |
TRANQUILO | Tamarind-pineapple |
FORMULA 50 | Grape |
DRIVE | Blood-orange mixed-berry |
SPARK | Grape-blueberry |
GLOW | Strawberry-guanabana |
RESCUE | Green tea |
STUR-D | Blue agave and Passionfruit-Citrus |
FIRE | Spicy watermelon |
Vitamin Water Alternatives/Comparisons
The enhanced water market is a lucrative one and only gaining more ground, though relatively mature Vitamin Water has some impressive competition.
Vitamin Water vs Propelwater
Created under Gatorade and marketed by PepsiCo is Propel Water, this brand of flavored water is infused with antioxidants and vitamins. Priding itself as a zero-calorie electrolyte, it’s a popular fixer for health fanatics.
The flavored electrolyte water comes in eight flavors, including berry, grape, and kiwi strawberry. On average, a bottle of Propelwater contains five vitamins (B3, B5, B6, C, E) and citrates (potassium citrate, sodium citrate) that help prevent kidney stones.
Vitamin Water vs Bai
Bai has a vivid quality of its products. In their own words, they present their flavored waters as a key to ‘modern wellness’. They motion toward a future where the world is enlivened by their drinks and each sip is a step towards that goal.
Their eloquently named flavors include Brasilia Blueberry, Malawi Mango, and Sumatra Dragonfruit.
Along with their element of enticement, Bai also produces antioxidant water on par with Smartwater, super tea, Cocofusions (featuring coconut), and “Bubbles”, carbonated drinks on par with the discontinued Fruitwater.
Vitamin Water vs SoBe Lifewater
SoBe is a brand owned by PepsiCo that produces teas, fruit-juice blends, and enhanced water beverages. Its name is an abbreviation of Miami Beach’s South Beach.
SoBe Lifewater is a beverage that is infused with vitamins, natural sweeteners, and non-caloric flavors, making it one of Glaceau’s top competitors.
It comes in the flavors Apple Pear, Balck and Blueberry, Strawberry dragonfruit, and Yumberry Pomegranate. Unlike Vitamin Water, which has 120 calories per bottle, SoBe boasts its status as a 0 calorie beverage.
How To Drink Vitamin Water
Being such a simple drink, there aren’t any trifling intricacies to drinking Vitamin Water. However, there are a few tips to make the experiences all the more enjoyable.
1. Serving it chilled
Almost every store that sells Vitamin Water will have them packed in refrigerators because the chilled temperature heightens the sensation of refreshment.
Seeing that the drink’s natural flavors taste more dilute, serving it with ice would dilute it even further. Unless that is to your liking, Vitamin Water is best served chilled.
2. Enhancing it with fresh fruit
The eccentric flavors in Vitamin Water’s massive range are the result of natural flavors. One way to enhance them is by adding fresh fruit.
Maybe toss in slices of orange or lemon to compliment the tropical citrus flavor or puree some blueberries to go with the cool blueberry lavender flavor.
How To Store Vitamin Water
Each variety of Vitamin Water and Vitamin Water Zero has a shelf life of 6 months. If unopened, it can be kept in a cool, dry place or refrigerated. If opened, it should be refrigerated and tightly closed if not fully consumed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there juice in Vitamin Water?
No, there isn’t any juice in Vitamin Water however the flavors and colorants are sourced naturally from fruits and vegetables.
2. Where is the water for Vitamin Water sourced from?
The water used to make Vitamin Water is from a municipal source. It is purified using a process called reverse osmosis that removes impurities and provides a consistent taste.
3. Is Vitamin Water Gluten-Free?
Yes, all Vitamin Water products are gluten-free and do not contain any ingredients derived from barley, oat, rye, or wheat. It’s also sodium-free.
Interesting Facts & Myths
1. Vitamin water’s athlete sponsorships
Vitamin Water backs many notable athletes, including acclaimed NBA player Lebron James and renowned basketball coach and former player Steve Nash.
Vitamin Water also provides sponsorship to small-scale sporting events, teams, and individual athletes in smaller leagues.
2. LVMH had shares in Energy Brands
Before its acquisition by Coca-Cola, Bikoff allowed luxury holding company LVMH to buy a 30% equity share in Energy Brands. LVMH later sold its stake to another investor, who ended up selling it again.
The shares ended up in the hands of Tata Group based in India in August 2006, which paid $677 million for them as they sought to expand their American business interests.
3. 50 Cent and Glaceau’s unique bond
Queens-born rapper Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, is a big name in the hip hop industry, having a grammy to his name and dozens of Billboard awards.
In early 2004, Curtis was featured in a Reebok ad wherein he posed with a bottle of Vitamin Water, this caught the attention of pre-Coca Cola Glaceau which offered him a minority stake in the company to pitch the beverage.
Following their agreement, Curtis went on a Vitamin Water crusade doing print ads and national tv ads. He also collaborated with Glaceau to create his own Vitamin Water; grape-flavored Formula50.
This helped popularise the drink among young people and generated Coca-Cola’s interest in the private company.
After Coca-Cola acquired Glaceau for $4.1 billion, Curtis earned an estimate of $100 million, which inspired him to make reference to Glaceau and Coca Cola in his song ‘I Get Money’.