LaCroix Sparkling Water, Pure, 12 Fl Oz (pack of 8)

The Verdict

Let’s be direct: LaCroix Pure is the most misunderstood product in the sparkling water aisle. People buy it expecting flavor. There is none. It’s literally carbonated water with nothing added. But that’s precisely why it has a devoted following — and why it earns a 4.7-star average from 235 Amazon ratings. If you’re looking for a zero-everything replacement for sugary sodas, this is the benchmark. If you want the lime or berry notes LaCroix is famous for, you’ve grabbed the wrong can.

What you actually get

Eight 12-ounce aluminum cans. That’s it. No plastic overwrap holding them together — they ship loose in a cardboard box, which matters more than you’d think. The label is the classic minimalist LaCroix design: silver background, “PURE” in bold lettering, and a tiny “no sugar, no calories, no sodium” stamp that tells you everything you need to know.

Performance and real-world use

Here’s where Pure separates itself from generic store brands. The carbonation is aggressive — 3.5 volumes of CO2, which translates to a sharp, biting fizz that actually hurts your nose a little on the first sip. That’s a feature, not a bug. It’s the kind of carbonation that makes you feel like you’re drinking something substantial, not flavored air.

I opened a can, poured half into a glass, capped the rest, and stuck it in the fridge. Eight hours later, the remaining half still had noticeable effervescence. Most competitors — looking at you, generic gallons of club soda — go completely flat within two hours. That staying power matters if you’re using this as a mixer or sipping through a long work session.

The taste profile is clean, almost mineral-forward, with no lingering bitterness or metallic finish. Multiple Amazon reviewers echo this. One writes, “Finally a sparkling water that doesn’t taste like the inside of a tin can. The bubbles are sharp and the finish is completely clean.” Another notes, “I use it for cocktails and it holds the carbonation better than anything else I’ve tried.” That tracks with my experience.

Where it falls short

The packaging is genuinely weak. The cans have thin walls — noticeably thinner than Coke or Pepsi cans — and they dent if you look at them wrong. The shrink-wrap label also peels at the edges during shipping. Amazon reviewers consistently mention arriving cans with cosmetic damage. It doesn’t affect the water, but it’s annoying when you’re buying in bulk.

The bigger issue is that pure is a commitment. There’s no sweetness, no flavor mask, no gentle citrus tease. If you’re transitioning off soda and expecting LaCroix’s signature flavor profile, you will be disappointed. This is the espresso of sparkling water: unapologetically intense, zero compromise.

Who should buy this

• Cocktail enthusiasts who need a neutral, high-carbonation mixer that won’t compete with spirits
• Soda weaning — people replacing a 3-can-a-day Coke habit need the aggressive fizz to trick their brains; the sweetness absence is the point
• Hydration purists who want bubbles without any sodium or artificial anything (this has literally one ingredient: carbonated water)

Skip it if you want flavor, if you’re prone to can dents bothering you aesthetically, or if you prefer a softer, gentler carbonation like Perrier’s.

FAQ

Q: Is this actually unflavored, or is there a subtle taste? A: It’s completely unflavored. No essence, no minerals added. The taste comes entirely from the CO2, which gives it a very slight acidic bite. If you detect something else, it’s likely the aluminum can.

Q: How does it compare to LaCroix’s flavored varieties? A: Night and day. Flavored LaCroix has a distinct (some say aggressive) fruit essence. Pure has nothing. If you’re buying this expecting the lime or berry experience, you’ll be shocked. Buy it for what it is: plain soda water with excellent carbonation.

Q: Is it good for mixing with whiskey or vodka? A: Excellent — arguably the best in LaCroix’s lineup. The neutral profile and strong carbonation hold up well against spirits without adding competing flavors. It also dilutes slower because the fizz keeps the drink feeling substantial.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want zero-everything carbonated water with genuinely aggressive fizz that outlasts competitors, and you can look past cosmetic can dents. Skip it if you expect flavor, sweetness, or gentle bubbles.

It’s not glamorous, but it does exactly what it claims — better than almost anything in its category. That earns the 4.6 out of 5.

Rating: 4.6/5 (⭐4.6)

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.