Dasani, the nation’s top bottled water brand, is joining the fizzy water craze with the introduction of Dasani Sparkling.
The drink, Atlanta-based Coca-Cola’s flagship bottled water offering, will hit shelves in limited supply in December, with a full rollout expected in February.
Carbonation is increasingly showing up in non-traditional categories such as teas, waters and juices, just as soft drinks sales, the longtime home of fizz, are slipping, industry leaders say.
Other Coca-Cola products adding bubbles or created specifically for the category include Fruitwater, Seagram’s flavored sparkling seltzer waters and Honest Fizz.
Pepsi, Coke’s biggest competitor, introduced Aquafina FlavorSplash sparkling water earlier this month while other brands, such as Caribou Coffee and Starbucks, have either added sparkling lite teas and juices or tested “handcrafted” sodas.
“Sparkling and seltzers are a very small part of the business but growing strongly,” said John Sicher, editor and publisher of industry publication Beverage Digest. “Coke has entries from both Seagram and Glaceau and it makes sense to use the Dasani brand too.”
Dasani Sparkling, which is unsweetened and has zero calories, will be offered in lime, lemon, berry, apple and unflavored.
