Alex Cooper, host of the Call Her Daddy podcast, is helming a new line of hydration drinks “designed by women for everyone.” These are as visually different as you can get from PRIME, so it’s safe to say the influencer hydration space has range. Speaking of range, every bottle of Unwell Hydration has something pretty rare in the hydration space: caffeine! There’s 75 mg of natural caffeine from green tea per bottle, to be specific. We were sent samples to check out; let’s see how well Unwell understands hydration.
- Unwell Orange Hibiscus
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Pros: This is definitely the most unique of the three flavors due to the hibiscus. There’s an interesting floral factor that’s balanced very well with the orange. And this isn’t entirely relevant, but these bottles are just super cute and simplistic in desig—very visually enjoyable.
Cons: About halfway through the bottle, the hibiscus can get a little overpowering. Or maybe the orange is underpowering. That said, if I want an orange hydration drink, I’m going for Gatorade. But I’m glad this exists for people who don’t want to be punched in the tongue with citrus.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Unwell Strawberry
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Pros: Based on the label design, you wouldn’t be blamed if you expected a candy-sweet strawberry flavor. But think again! Have you ever picked a strawberry that wasn’t entirely ripe yet? This is so authentically that strawberry—almost to a fault. Considering the brand name, it’d almost make sense for that to be Unwell’s gimmick: unripe fruit flavors.
Cons: I know there’s cane sugar and stevia in this, but it is just barely sweet. It’s not a dealbreaker, though. If anything, it’s just another unique factor differentiating Unwell Hydration drinks from the rest.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Unwell Mango Citrus
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Pros: This is a very casual version of a mango drink. Unwell has gone three for three on flavors stronger than LaCroix but weaker than everything else. I’m just glad this isn’t peach mango, which is definitely at the top of the “overdone and rarely great” flavor category.
Cons: Oh my god, these drinks are for hangovers. Why didn’t they just say that? The press release dances around it with the phrase “to help you live your best unwell life,” but come on. Electrolyte-heavy hydration with an 8.4oz Red Bull’s worth of caffeine? And it’s called Unwell Hydration? And the bottle says “LIVE UNWELL, DRINK UNWELL?” I know what you are. Anyway, I’m dinging them sporks for evasive marketing.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
Where can I get Unwell Hydration for myself?
Unwell Hydration is exclusively sold at Target, which appears to be establishing itself as the home of women-focused forays into traditionally male/unisex beverages. Check out my review of Bloom energy drinks from last year to see another entry in that very specific category.