Mineral water was a real thing back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Bottled water was becoming trendy and the promise of bubbles and “healthy” additions like calcium and magnesium made mineral water the drink of choice for stereotypically villainous preppies in teen comedies. But mineral water is still around today and remains a good pick for people who want their water to taste like something that isn’t artificial fruit.
What is the best mineral water, though? We tried a dozen different mineral water brands to find out. And it was a real trip around the world. We tried mineral water from Italy, from Germany, from Georgia (the country!), from Armenia, and more. And each one was distinct in both flavor and bubble quality. And while all of them hydrated us and enriched our bodies with salty, slaty minerals, some definitely tasted better than others.
Whether you’re looking for the best mineral water to drink with dinner or the best tasting mineral water to enjoy on its own, here’s our ranking of the top five best mineral water brands to buy.
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- S.Pellegrino
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Kudos to the marketing department at S.Pellegrino, because the second you see that green glass bottle, you think, “Oooh, fancy.” Luckily, it’s more than just a pretty package. This crisp, not salty Italian mineral water has some of the best bubbles of any of the mineral waters we tasted. They’re so small and gentle—a great palate cleanser with food. And it’s some of the best mineral water to drink with lime. If you want a good bottle of mineral water that won’t bash you over the head with mineral flavor, S.Pellegrino is the best mineral water to plonk down on your dinner table.
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- Mineragua
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I always thought that Mineragua was unflavored Jarritos. It is not. But it is mineral water made by Novamex, which is the producer of Jarritos and Sangria Senorial. So, if you also notice a similar packaging aesthetic, that’s why. Aside from its clean appearance and pleasing logo, Mineragua is explosively bubbly. Like S.Pellegrino, it doesn’t taste salty. Instead, it’s slightly tangy. But mostly, this is the best mineral water if you’re all about the bubbles. Big, beautiful bubbles.
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- Borjomi
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Borjomi hails from the country of Georgia where, according to branding, it is “born in the volcanic depths.” That’s metal as hell. It’s naturally enriched with more than 60 minerals, and you can taste it. It’s really salty—but not overly so. And the teeny, tiny bubbles dance that saline flavor across your tongue. It really tastes like it’s good for you. If you can handle a little salt, this is the best mineral water to buy. And it’s probably the most fun to say, too. I’ve started using it as a greeting. Borjomi, everyone!
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- Topo Chico
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Topo Chico made our ranking of the best sparkling water, but that doesn’t preclude it from also nearing the top of our best sparkling mineral water ranking as well. While Borjomi highlights the saltiness of mineral water, Topo Chico is all about that slatey, rocky flavor. The spritzy bubbles and slightly chalky flavor leave your tongue buzzing. This is definitely the best bottled mineral water to buy in bulk and serve at parties. And it’s great with tequila and lime in a Ranch Water.
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- Gerolsteiner
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If you couldn’t guess by the name, Gerolsteiner is German. Gathered from deep, deep reservoirs, Gerolsteiner has been bottled in Germany since 1888. The brand boasts that its mineral water is some of the most balanced in flavor thanks to a balance of minerals. It’s neither too salty nor too bitter. And I can confirm, this is the best mineral water because of that fact. It’s so extremely flavorful—but perfectly balanced. It’s zesty and zippy and just a little bit savory. I don’t often comment, “Yum,” after having a sip of water. But I wrote, “Yum, yum,” in my tasting notes after sipping this mineral water. Double yum! Run out and get this bottled mineral water ASAP.
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Best Little Bubbles
Best Big Bubbles
Best Salty
Best for Mixing
Best of the Best
Other mineral water brands we tried: Penafiel, Ararat, The Well, Whole Foods Italian Mineral Water, Jermuk, Sprouts Italian Sparkling Mineral Water, Socosani Still
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!