According to my computer’s built-in dictionary, the word “pure” is defined as:
1. Not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material.
2. Without any extraneous and unnecessary elements.
If we were to go by those definitions, SoBe Pure Water isn’t at all pure, since it’s not only made with water, but also erythritol, citric acid, natural flavor, calcium lactate, potassium citrate, sea salt, purified stevia extract, tartaric acid, and lactic acid. With that many ingredients, it’s as if SoBe’s benchmark for pure was a rock band groupie.
Perhaps there’s a third definition in the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary that goes something like this:
3. A BS term marketing folks use for products that have no calories, no colors, no preservatives, and no artificial sweeteners.
SoBe Pure comes in three flavors: Watermelon, Golden Pineapple, and Black Cherry. And they’re available exclusively at Target. If you don’t have a Target nearby, you’re S.O.L., which I believe the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary defines as: Settling for Other Liquids.
Each SoBe Pure is enhanced with “a drop of flavor.” But if my math is correct, which it always isn’t because I’m not a stereotypical Asian, a drop shouldn’t be able to create a level of flavor that these SoBe Pure waters have. Their flavors aren’t as strong as SoBe Lifewater, but the difference between the two varieties of flavored SoBe water isn’t much.
SoBe Pure Watermelon is one of those flavors I’m not sure if I truly enjoy. It doesn’t taste like watermelon, but then again, everything “watermelon-flavored” doesn’t taste like watermelon. However, it tastes as if I was making out with a girl who just finished sucking on a Watermelon Jolly Rancher.
SoBe Pure Golden Pineapple is my favorite of the three flavors. Although its aroma is a bit flowery and artificial, it really tastes like someone grabbed a chunk of fresh pineapple, squeezed it over a 20-ounce bottle of water to extract a couple of drops of pineapple juice, recapped the water bottle, and then shook it to mix.
SoBe Pure Black Cherry smells decent, but it tastes vile. Imagine trying to get mo’ ‘tussin by putting some water in a bottle of cough syrup, shaking it, and then drinking it. That’s what SoBe Pure Black Cherry tastes like. I’ve gone through a fourth of the bottle and I won’t finish the rest because it’s quite disgusting.
Overall, SoBe Pure may be “natural with zero calories” and it may have electrolytes, but it doesn’t electrify me. If you’re looking for a lightly flavored water with no calories, no colors, no preservatives, and no artificial sweeteners that isn’t available everywhere, might I recommend Hint Water. They’re definitely a lot more natural tasting than SoBe Pure.
(Nutrition Facts – 8 ounces – 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 30 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.)
Other SoBe Pure reviews:
Thirsty Dudes: Watermelon & Black Cherry
Drink What
Item: SoBe Pure Water (Watermelon, Black Cherry & Golden PIneapple)
Price: $1.00 (on sale)
Size: 20 ounces
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Watermelon)
Rating: 2 out of 10 (Black Cherry)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Golden Pineapple)
Pros: No calories, no colors, no preservatives, and no artificial sweeteners. Has electrolytes. Golden Pineapple was good. Watermelon was decent.
Cons: Black Cherry was vile. Target exclusive. Watermelon doesn’t taste like real watermelons. Scent of Golden Pineapple was flowery and artificial. Not really pure. Carrying an unabridged Oxford English Dictionary.
i wish i’d seen this review before i made the mistake of purchasing several bottles of the black cherry. i’m amazed that something entirely natural can taste so artificial, and you’re spot on in the determination that it was downright disgusting.
I am deeply sorry that I did not write this review sooner. I actually drank these a couple of weeks ago, but the Black Cherry was so bad that I wasn’t ready to relive my experience with it until now.
So pretty much just stick to normal water? 🙂
Well, if you’re in the middle of nowhere and haven’t had any water for days, then this would do fine in a pinch.
This spa I was at last weekend had citrus water and cucumber water available…made by cutting up cucmbers or grapefruits, respectively, and throwing them in the water dispenser. It actually tasted pretty good although I much preferred the citrus water.
I never thought about adding cucumber to water. I should try that sometime after I take the cucumber slices off of my eyes.
Yes, you can add slices of fruit to a bottle or pitcher of water in the fridge, no spa or bottled flavored water needed. Actually, I just add juice or soda to a glass of cold water when I want some flavor. Sometimes just a splash will do it, other times one or two ounces soda or juice to 6 or 7 or 8 ounces of water. Fruity sodas and many root beers work really well this way. Colas not so much. The flavor of many sodas is actually brought out better when heavily diluted. Maybe the carbonation when drunk straight interferes with the taste buds.
Having issues with sugar, and needing something other than water every now and then, I found SoBe Fuji Apple Pear Lifewater Zero, and really like it.
Thanks for reviewing this alternative – the ingredient list sounds similar, so I’m glad I didn’t see an ad for it and run out and get it!
Well, it may not be pure and straight from the bottle the Black Cherry is pretty darn strong. However, per my usual method…..20 cup of ice water with a large splash of Black Cherry or Zero Vitamin Water (lemonade) I will drink several 20 oz cups in an evening. Our city’s disgusting chocolate colored water – even after filtering with a Brita is pretty bad. Adding a splash of flavored water helps.
Sorry I tried the Pineapple and Watermelon – yuck.
Target has this on clearance with only several shelves of Pineapple flavor. They indicate it has been discontinued altogether.
I freakin love the pineapple and black cherry flavors. But the target near my place stopped selling it. Or sobe just stopped producing it. But does anyone know if u drink it past its expiration, is it harmful? I stocked up like crazy. And I wanna drink it. But it expired 9 days ago. If anyone knows outhere,would u let me know. Thanx.
Jeff,
I spoke directly with SOBE. The Pure Water did not get rave reviews and they have discontinued all three flavors. I lodged my complaint. From the contents listed, I don’t see any reason why drinking it after expiration would be an issue. It does NOT contain an artifical sweetener (they get sweeter and yucky after expiration dates) So my thought would be expiration date would not have a negative effect.
I wish I had stocked up like crazy. I would use them past expiration!!