I first learned about Moment’s non-alcoholic functional water on Shark Tank, and I found it to be an exciting concept that reflects the growing non-alcoholic beverage industry.
Moment drinks combine water, juices, and adaptogens like Ashwagandha, chaga, turmeric, and L-theanine, which are believed to help calm the mind and restore balance.
As someone who deals with anxiety, I’m open to trying non-alcoholic alternatives to help relax my mind.
I was invited by Moment to sample their line of functional waters. Armed with four different Moment botanical water flavors, I set out to try and review each one. The drinks were provided, but my review is 100% honest.
Moment Botanical Water Review
Sparkling Lemon Turmeric
Of all the four Moment drink flavors I tried, the Sparkling Lemon Turmeric is my favorite flavor.
Pouring into a glass, it pours a straw-yellow color with a bit of haze, and it’s not easy to tell if it’s carbonated.
The smell is a mix of lemon and turmeric, both not too strong but giving off a zesty vibe. There’s also a hint of black pepper.
As for the taste, get ready for a punch of sour lemon water. Besides the strong lemony sourness, there’s a subtle taste of turmeric that doesn’t overpower the lemon flavor.
The carbonation is low on the palate, but it works well since the lemon flavor is so intense.
Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus
Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus has a somewhat hazy red color with medium carbonation. The bubbles settle to a moderate amount after a few minutes, making it look fizzier than the Sparkling Lemon Turmeric.
The smell reminds me of cherry pie, with a strong cherry and bready scent (like pie crust). There’s also a faint whiff of vinegar.
As for the taste, it’s like a light cherry cough syrup, but watered down. I also pick up hints of apple cider vinegar and hibiscus, and a mild sourness similar to kombucha.
The finish is a bit sour with a touch of spice from the cinnamon, leaving a thin film on my teeth after each sip.
Sparkling Cherry Chaga
Just like the Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus, the Sparkling Cherry Chaga pours the same color with medium carbonation, although it is less fizzy than the Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus.
On the nose, the cherry aroma really stands out here, even stronger than in the Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus. I also catch the slightest hint of hibiscus.
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite Moment botanical water flavor. If the other cherry flavor had me thinking about cough syrup, this one leaves no doubt.
Sparkling Cherry Chaga has a more robust cherry flavor, and the taste of stevia is quite pronounced, giving it an artificial taste that I associate with energy drinks and cheaper mocktails.
The mouthfeel is syrupy and thick, leaving a film on my tongue as well.
Still Blueberry Ginger
The final Moment drink I tried is the Still Blueberry Ginger. It has the same reddish color as the two cherry flavors, with the slightest twinge of brown.
The aroma is not my favorite, with a subtle smell of ginger and a scent of artificial sweetener. Sadly, I am not getting any notes of blueberry.
Thankfully, the blueberry is more obvious once I drink it. The flavor starts with a faint taste of blueberry (similar to the intensity you’d get from a blueberry yogurt), before finishing with a zing of ginger.
The sweetness was well-balanced with the zing of the ginger, providing just enough contrast to keep the flavor profile interesting.
Overall, the taste of the blueberries is not too strong, and it won’t make you pucker. That said, I thought it tasted faintly artificial, but not as much as the aroma led me to believe.
I didn’t mind that this variety was still water, but I think it would work equally well as sparkling water.
Moment Botanical Water Ingredients
Sparkling Lemon Turmeric: Sparkling filtered water, erythritol, lemon juice concentrate, organic apple cider vinegar, malic acid, organic ginger juice, natural lemon flavor, organic pear juice concentrate, natural ginger flavor, Moment proprietary adaptogen blend (L-theanine, ashwagandha), organic turmeric juice powder, organic black pepper extract.
Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus: Sparkling filtered water, red dragon fruit puree, organic apple cider vinegar, hibiscus flower extract, erythritol, natural black cherry essence, organic cinnamon extract, Moment proprietary adaptogen blend (L-theanine, ashwagandha), monk fruit, stevia leaf extract.
Sparkling Cherry Chaga: Sparkling filtered water, erythritol, cherry juice concentrate, natural hibiscus concentrate, lime juice, malic acid, hibiscus flavor, Moment proprietary adaptogen blend (L-theanine, ashwagandha), monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract.
Still Blueberry Ginger: Filtered water, erythritol, blueberry juice concentrate, blueberry essence, natural ginger extract, natural jasmine extract, malic acid, Moment proprietary adaptogen blend (L-theanine, ashwagandha), monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract.
Moment Botanical Water Calories
Each 11.5 ounces/340mL serving contains:
- Sparkling Lemon Turmeric: 20 calories, 0g fat, 0mg sodium, 8g carbohydrates (total sugar: <1g, erythritol: 6g, dietary fiber: <1g)
- Sparkling Cherry Hibiscus: 15 calories, 0g fat, 0mg sodium, 4g carbohydrates (total sugar: <1g, erythritol: 1g, dietary fiber: <1g)
- Sparkling Cherry Chaga: 20 calories, 0g fat, 0mg sodium, 10g carbohydrates (total sugar: 2g, erythritol: 6g, dietary fiber: <1g)
- Still Blueberry Ginger: 20 calories, 0g fat, 0mg sodium, 9g carbohydrates (total sugar: 2g, erythritol: 6g, dietary fiber: <1g)
Final Verdict Of Moment Drink
After trying all four Moment drink flavors, I found myself enjoying the Sparkling Lemon Turmeric the most, followed by the Still Blueberry Ginger. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of both cherry flavors.
Things I Loved:
- The sourness from the Sparkling Lemon Turmeric added some pep in my step during an afternoon slump. It is also reminiscent of my favorite seltzers. However, I can see it being too sour for some people.
- I was pleasantly surprised by the Still Blueberry Ginger. Despite the initial aroma of artificial sweeteners (erythritol and stevia), which made me anticipate disliking this flavor, my perception changed after the first sip.
- It’s challenging to replicate blueberry flavor in drinks without it tasting too artificial (there’s a reason so few companies choose to attempt it). However, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste.
- I appreciate what the company is trying to do with the use of adaptogens like L-theanine and ashwagandha. As someone always on the lookout for natural ways to feel calmer and more focused, this caught my attention.
- As someone with anxiety, I also value that they donate 1% of the profits to mental health non-profits, demonstrating a commitment to practicing what they preach.
Things I Did Not Like:
- For both cherry flavors, I couldn’t ignore the faint cough syrup taste, syrupy texture, and the lingering film on my tongue. I wished the hibiscus taste was stronger, especially since I love hibiscus tea.
- I didn’t feel any adaptogen effects from drinking Moment. That’s expected, though, as adaptogens take a while to build up in the body and become effective.
- I am concerned with the use of sweeteners like stevia and erythritol. Besides not liking the taste of stevia, I’ve read that it can interfere with the production of gut-healthy bacteria, something I try to avoid.
- Erythritol has been linked to digestive issues and can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke, so it’s not something I want to be drinking regularly. Since Moment is meant to be consumed every day, it’s something you might want to consider.
Where to Buy Moment Botanical Water
If you’re in the United States, you can order Moment drinks directly from Moment. They even have a subscription service that you can sign up for.
We hope you enjoyed our Moment drink review. If you’re craving even more non-alcoholic drink reviews, check below: