There are more carbonated water brands than most people can count, nearly all of them producing the same three to five flavors over and over again. Enter Sanzo Sparkling Water, an Asian-inspired seltzer company with fresh, interesting flavor profiles.
Sanzo’s beverages are made with real fruit juice, have no added sugar, and come in flavors like yuzu and lychee. Though the drinks aren’t available at all grocery stores, you can find them at Whole Foods — and, like most products, they’re available on Amazon.
Is Sanzo seltzer worth sticking into your rotation? I tasted them all to find out.
Samples were provided by Sanzo. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Best: Pomelo
$35 for a 12-can variety pack from Amazon
I adore this. There’s a ton of flavor here, so if you prefer a milder seltzer experience, maybe look elsewhere. Made with 7% juice, it’s not too much different than a Spindrift — just a little bolder. A pomelo is very much like a grapefruit, so if you’re into that, then give this a look.
2. Calamansi
$35 for a 12-can variety pack from Amazon
Common in the Philippines, calamansi is a great choice for a sparkling water flavor. It’s kind of like you rolled a green apple, pear, orange, lemon, and lime into one fruit. This is quite tart, and I’m here for it. Absolutely no notes.
3. Yuzu
$35 for a 12-can variety pack from Amazon
Seeing that yuzu is one of my favorite flavors in general, I wasn’t surprised to discover that I’m a fan of this option. Sanzo has smartly hit this with a bit of ginger, which I love. It’s nice to see yuzu standing solo when it usually shows up as the second half of a two-fruit flavor. This is piquant, refreshing, and delicious.
4. Mango
$35 for a 12-can variety pack from Amazon
This tastes the most like a mango of any mango seltzer I’ve had. It’s tropical, flavorful, and just about transports you right to the middle of the jungle. Mixing this with a little bit of rum seems like a no-brainer.
For more great taste tests, please sign up for our free newsletters.
5. Lychee
$35 for a 12-can variety pack from Amazon
This one is the only dud for me, but I’m just not a lychee person. Not a thing Sanzo could have done about that. Are you a lychee person? I’ve heard about you. You might like this.
