Vitamin Water Essential Orange (c+calcium)

Made by: Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd

Origin: UK








This Vitamin Water variant is a pale, matt orange colour. The colour fades out to a watery rim at the edge of the glass.

On the nose familiar, powdery aromas of effervescent Vitamin C tablets (Hailborange). More nostalgia follows with dilute orange squash, and we detected a lactic, milky scent that had us discussing calpis (fermented milk) drinks.

Light body and flavours on the palate with ripe citrus and an understated sourness, again with the delivery taking the direction of a calpis drink. There is a subtle chalkiness contributing a little texture to the experience, before the drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Still orange flavour spring water drink with vitamins and minerals

Ingredients: Spring water, fructose, sugar, mineral salts (potassium phosphate, calcium lactate), citric acid, vitamins (C, niacin, E, pantothenic acid, A (beta carotene), B6, folic acid, B12), stabilisers (acacia gum, glycerol esters of wood rosins), colour (beta carotene), flavourings

Price: Should be about £1.30-£1.50 for a 500ml PET bottle, widely available including online (eg www.aquaamore.com)

Itsu Limeflower/ Zesty Orange Vitamin Water

Made by: Made under license

Origin: UK

This still Itsu drink is a pale lemon yellow colour, with a light green hue. The colour fades to a clear watery rim around the edge of the glass.

The aromas are very light and fleeting, lead by a citrus note. There is a glimpse of acacia, a trace of honey...the impression is of a heavily diluted cordial.

This is confirmed on the palate, with flavours that are dilute and ephemeral, unable to express themselves before disappearing. There was only time to detect a warm grassy note and a drop of orange oil, before water washes the palate clean and the drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Vitamin enriched water, zero fat and less than 60 calories, contains 50% of your RDA (vitamin & minerals), suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients: Still water, fruit extract, citric acid, bitter orange peel infusion, limeflower infusion, natural flavouring, minerals (zinc citrate deydrate, potassium iodide), vitamins (C, B3, B5, B6, B12, folic acid), natural colour (safflower and carrot)

Price: £1.50 for a 500ml PET bottle, available from branches of Itsu across London

Vitamin Water Multi-V Lemonade (b-zinc)

Made by: Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd

Origin: UK







This still lemonade drink is a translucent off-white colour, fading to a watery rim around the very edge of the glass. It's appearance is similar to water with an aspirin in solution.

The nose is peculiar, with a lactic aroma at first, like a Calpis (cultured milk) drink. There are more unusual aromas to follow: crushed biscuits, damp walls, papier mache...original! Everything here is subtle and swimming in a well-diluted environment.

The flavours follow suit on the palate, where a faint chalkiness compliments the taste of dilute lemon barley. A flavour of cookie dough emerges with a light citrus tang attached (that Calpis drink again), before everything vanishes in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Still lemon flavour spring water drink with vitamins and minerals

Ingredients: Spring water, fructose, sugar, citric acid, mineral salts (calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate), flavourings, vitamins (C, niacin, E, pantothenic acid, B6, folic acid, B12), stabilisers (acacia gum, glycerol esters of wood rosins)

Price: Should be about £1.30-£1.50 for a 500ml PET bottle, widely available