Issue #413 What Happens When Six Sparkling Waters Travel the World in One Box?
Salacious Drinks ,LLCShare
August is hot, lively, and practically begging for bubbles. So, naturally, the newest sparkling water box from Salacious Drinks is taking us around the world one fizzy glass at a time. Inside, you’ll find six carbonated waters from Spain, New Zealand, the United States, Greece, Ecuador, and Norway. But this is not simply a box of “fancy sparkling water.” Each bottle has its own source, mineral composition, carbonation style, texture, and personality. Some are delicate enough to quietly cleanse the palate. Others arrive with serious minerality and bubbles that refuse to be ignored. That variety is exactly what makes this box so much fun. Let’s pop some bottles!
22 Artesian Carbonated: Spain’s Elegant Sparkler
22 Artesian begins deep beneath Spain’s La Rioja region, where water travels through mineral-rich geological layers before emerging from an artesian source. The source is associated with a long history of bathing and wellness traditions; the water was officially declared minero-medicinal in Spain in 1861. That historical designation is the origin of the brand’s medicinal reputation, although it should not be interpreted as a promise that drinking the water will treat or cure a health condition. At 663 mg/L, 22 Artesian has enough dissolved minerals to give it structure and personality. It contains naturally occurring calcium, magnesium, and fluoride. Calcium and magnesium are essential dietary minerals involved in normal bone, muscle, and nerve function, while fluoride helps support tooth enamel when consumed in appropriate amounts. Its biggest benefit in this box, however, may be culinary. The plentiful but delicate bubbles have been compared to those of fine sparkling wine. They lift flavors without overwhelming them, making 22 Artesian an excellent alcohol-free bottle for celebrations, dinner parties, and food pairings. Try it with seafood, tapas, creamy cheeses, or roasted vegetables.
Antipodes Carbonated: The Silky Palate Cleanser
Antipodes is the quiet sophisticate of the box. Its low minerality produces a light, clean flavor and an exceptionally soft, silky texture. Much of its mineral profile is composed of silica, which contributes to that smooth sensation without leaving a strong mineral aftertaste. At a neutral pH of 7.0 and a TDS of only 130 mg/L, Antipodes works beautifully as a palate cleanser. It refreshes the mouth between bites, allowing you to taste the next flavor more clearly. That makes it particularly useful during a multi-course dinner, cheese tasting, or chocolate tasting. The carbonation is intentionally gentle, creating what the company describes as a fine bead rather than an aggressive blast of bubbles. Antipodes has earned recognition at international water competitions and became the world’s first premium bottled water company to receive carbon-zero certification in 2007. The brand also bottles exclusively in glass. This is the bottle to reach for when you want refreshment without distraction.
Saratoga Carbonated: An American Classic in Blue
That iconic cobalt-blue bottle brings a little American glamour to the August box. Saratoga’s heritage reaches back to the historic spring culture of Saratoga Springs, New York. The story begins near Geyser Lake, where visitors from the United States and Europe once gathered at elegant spring houses to enjoy the area’s celebrated waters. Today, the brand’s sparkling water is still produced at its historic Saratoga Springs bottling plant. With a TDS of only 73 mg/L, Saratoga has one of the lightest mineral profiles in the box. That means its flavor is crisp and approachable rather than intensely mineral. Its champagne-like carbonation helps refresh the palate, cut through rich textures, and complement food without becoming the loudest flavor at the table. Serve Saratoga alongside fried appetizers, buttery seafood, creamy pasta, or dessert. It is also a lovely choice for guests who are just beginning to explore premium water.
A sourcing note for transparency: Saratoga’s current website describes the product as being made with “carefully selected U.S. springs,” so the company does not presently identify every bottle as coming exclusively from the historic Geyser Lake spring.
Souroti: Greece’s Mineral Powerhouse
Now the tasting gets bold. With a TDS of 1,070 mg/L, Souroti is the most highly mineralized water in the box. It rises from a natural mineral spring in Macedonia, Greece, after a deep geological journey that enriches it with bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium, potassium, and other trace elements. The result is a water with noticeable weight, texture, and a distinctly mineral finish. Its carbonation is naturally connected to the source, which gives it a different personality from waters that are simply infused with carbon dioxide after collection. Souroti contains approximately 850 mg/L of bicarbonate, 200 mg/L of calcium, and 60 mg/L of magnesium, according to the brand. These minerals are involved in normal digestive, muscular, nervous-system, and bone functions, although mineral water should complement not replace a balanced diet or medical care. Pair this assertive Greek sparkler with grilled meat, olives, feta, tomato dishes, lemon-roasted potatoes, or other strong Mediterranean flavors.
Splendor Carbonated: Ecuadorian Volcanic Purity
Splendor travels from Ecuador with the lowest TDS in the box: just 31 mg/L. Its artesian water is associated with the volcanic landscape near Ecuador’s Cotopaxi region. With so few dissolved minerals, it tastes exceptionally crisp, clean, and light. The effervescence gives it energy without taking away that minimalist character. Splendor is bottled in 750 mL glass, helping preserve its fresh taste while giving it a polished presence at the table. Its light mineral profile also makes it one of the most versatile waters in the collection. It can accompany delicate foods without covering their flavors and works wonderfully as the foundation for a mocktail. Try it with ceviche, sushi, fresh fruit, salads, or lightly seasoned fish. Its low TDS and subtle flavor also make it an easy everyday hydration option for people who find highly mineralized waters too intense.
VOSS Carbonated: Norwegian Fizz with a Crisp Finish
VOSS brings modern Scandinavian style to the lineup. Its Norwegian water base is given a lively stream of tiny bubbles, producing a clean, crisp, and energetic drinking experience. With a TDS of 280 mg/L, it sits comfortably between the feather-light profiles of Splendor and Saratoga and the more mineral-forward personalities of 22 Artesian and Souroti. That middle position makes VOSS a versatile table water: noticeable enough to be interesting but approachable enough for everyday meals. Its pH of 5.2 reflects the effect carbonation can have on water. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it creates carbonic acid and naturally lowers the pH. That does not mean the water tastes sharply acidic; instead, it contributes to the bright, refreshing bite we associate with sparkling water. VOSS works especially well with spicy food, salty snacks, burgers, grilled dishes, and rich sauces.
August Mocktail: The Spanish Sunset Sparkler
This colorful, alcohol-free mocktail uses 22 Artesian Carbonated because its wine-like bubbles and medium minerality can stand up to citrus, peach, and herbs without disappearing.
Ingredients
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4 ounces 22 Artesian Carbonated
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2 ounces white peach nectar
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½ ounce fresh lemon juice
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½ ounce honey syrup or agave syrup
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2 thin cucumber slices
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1 small rosemary sprig
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Peach slice or lemon wheel for garnish
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Ice
Directions
Gently press the cucumber slices and rosemary in the bottom of a shaker. Add the peach nectar, lemon juice, honey syrup, and ice. Shake briefly, then strain into a chilled wine glass filled with fresh ice. Slowly top with 22 Artesian Carbonated and stir once—just enough to combine everything without flattening those delicate bubbles. Garnish with a peach slice, lemon wheel, or fresh rosemary sprig. The result is bright, softly herbal, and elegant, with enough fruit to feel celebratory without becoming overly sweet. This August box is proof that sparkling water is not one flavor or one experience. It can be silky, crisp, delicate, mineral-rich, naturally carbonated, food-friendly, or mocktail-ready. Six bottles, six countries, and six entirely different expressions of the earth beneath our feet that is what makes this box worth opening
Taste the Box Like a Water Sommelier
Chill every bottle to the same temperature and taste from lowest to highest TDS:
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Splendor — 31 mg/L
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Saratoga — 73 mg/L
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Antipodes — 130 mg/L
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VOSS — 280 mg/L
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22 Artesian — 663 mg/L
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Souroti — 1,070 mg/L
Notice how the waters gradually become fuller, more mineral-driven, and more persistent on the palate. You may also discover that the water with the biggest bubbles is not necessarily the water with the strongest mineral taste. Carbonation and minerality are separate parts of the experience and this box lets you explore both.