Essential Water flavours bottled by Pepsi. - Photo by Sacha Walters

Pepsi Cola Jamaica has introduced their Aqua Essential Flavoured Water, a great new alternative for those who want to avoid drinking sugar-laden beverages.

The newest addition to the bottling company portfolio, Aqua Essential Flavoured water is infused with a bold burst of flavour without the addition of unwanted sugar and calories.

"Everyone knows that it is essential to drink water and all about the benefits of getting the right amount every day," said Denise Dixon, marketing manager at Pepsi Cola Jamaica.

She explained that the reality is that some persons just do not enjoy plain water and would prefer something with a little more flavour.

Available flavours

Aqua Essential Flavoured Water is available in three flavours; mandarin, wildberry, and lime.

The water is lightly sweetened with sucralose, the sweetener preferred by those who enjoy a little sweetness, but are trying to reduce the calories and sugar in their diet.

It is available in 20-ounce bottles and can be found in supermarkets and grocery stores islandwide.

What the tasters thought

A number of Gleaner company staff members sampled the new flavours and we share their comments.

I had the Wildberry flavour and I loved it! It's not too sweet and does not have an 'acidic' taste like another brand. Go Pepsi-Cola!

There is no fizz like some other 'water' which is good. There isn't an overwhelming taste of the fruits, but it's a little too 'watery'. A little more sweet is necessary. The after-taste is quite fine though.

It's really refreshing.

Had the wildberry, it is not too acidic or sweet. Tastes like it's sweetened with splenda.

The wildberry has an after-taste that I don't like.

At first it's refreshing but it has a bitter after-taste.

The lime is very good, it was like refreshing lemonade without all the sugar.

The Wildberry is disastrous. Took one sip and had to throw the rest away. Cloying, lacking that refreshing feel, and altogether a sugar and water mixture that went oh so wrong.

The mandarin has a heavy after-taste of the artificial sweetener, although I rarely drink these types of 'water'.

I quite like it. I am happy that I can finally have a Pepsi product that is not soda based. Great!

I tried the mandarin flavour and it is refreshing, had a slight taste of mangarine/tangerine

I prefer the lime, it makes drinking water very easy and it's not fizzy.

I particularly like the lime flavour.

I liked it at first, but the after taste is not good. Plain water is the best.

The wildberry has an artificial sweetener 'after-taste'. I don't like that, especially because of the negative reports about these low calorie or no calorie artificial sweeteners. Couldn't they just give us the flavour without the sweetener? If they could, I'd rate the product 9 out of 10.

The wildberry flavour is refreshing with a little zing of sweetness.

The lime tastes the best, refreshing and goes down crisp. Reminds me of lemonade without the sugar, which is good.

Good, I like the wildberry flavour.

I had the wildberry. It was rather refreshing. A light taste of fruit and sweetness without being overpowering. Good stuff!

I know it's artificial but I like the lemon-flavoured water. I hate to drink plain water unless I am really dying of thirst or taking a pill so anything that makes it go down easier works for me.