Clearly Canadian Sparkling Water Review

Clearly Canadian is one of those drinks that can make a grocery aisle feel oddly nostalgic. The sparkling water brand is best known for its blue glass bottles and sweet fruit flavors, and its return gave anyone who remembers drinking it years ago a chance to find out whether nostalgia still tastes good when refrigerated.

The short version: Clearly Canadian remains much closer to a flavored soft drink experience than the nearly flavorless sparkling waters that have taken over refrigerators everywhere. There are bubbles, there is noticeable sweetness, and nobody is going to confuse it with plain seltzer that briefly met a blackberry in an elevator.

What Clearly Canadian tastes like

The fruit flavor is the main event. Clearly Canadian has a sweeter, more pronounced profile than many modern sparkling waters, which makes it a better fit for someone who wants carbonation and flavor rather than a barely-there hint of fruit.

That sweetness also means expectations matter. If your usual drink is unsweetened seltzer, Clearly Canadian can feel much more substantial. If you are looking for something that sits closer to soda territory while still being its own thing, the appeal makes considerably more sense.

The glass bottles are still part of the appeal

The blue glass bottle is probably the most recognizable part of Clearly Canadian. It gives the drink a distinctive look and, for longtime fans, provides a sizable portion of the nostalgia before the cap even comes off.

In 2024, the brand was also promoting six-pack cans alongside its glass bottles, including Original and Zero Sugar varieties. Packaging, flavors and availability can change, so check current product information if a particular format matters to you.

Clearly Canadian and the nostalgia factor

Clearly Canadian’s comeback has an unusual history. Fans supported a crowdfunding effort that helped revive the brand after it had become difficult to find. That history explains why the drink has a stronger nostalgia component than the average beverage sitting next to the seltzer.

Of course, nostalgia only gets a drink so far. The reason to buy Clearly Canadian now is the same reason to buy any flavored sparkling drink: you actually like the taste. The bold fruit flavor and sweetness make it distinctive, while the carbonation keeps it refreshing when served cold.

Who will like Clearly Canadian

Clearly Canadian makes the most sense for people who want more flavor and sweetness than standard sparkling water provides. It can also be a fun rediscovery for anyone who remembers the bottles from years ago and wants to see whether their taste buds have been waiting patiently since the 1990s.

For more family beverage choices, explore our guide to healthy drinks for families.

The blue bottle may get you to pick it up. The flavor is what decides whether it gets invited back into the refrigerator.