We Asked 'The Water Sommelier' to Rank His Favorite Bottled Waters and His Answers Surprised Us

Bottled water ranked

Is there a certain bottled water brand that you swear by? Do you only seek out Poland Spring or Acqua Panna? If that sounds familiar, then you probably know that not all bottled waters are the same.

“Water has taste, based on the region the water passes through,” says Martin Riese, clean water advocate and the content creator known as The Water Sommelier. “Like wine, water has terroir, it leaks out minerality from the different stone layers because water is the universal solvent.” These minerals affect the flavor and even the texture (yes texture) of water, which means that you can have a much different experience depending on the brand of bottled water you grab.

When speaking about minerals in particular, you can measure the overall mineral water content in bottled water in TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). “The more minerals are dissolved, the higher the TDS,” says Riese.

“For example, Smart Water and Dasani have a TDS of 28 and Essentia has around 60,” he says. In his native Germany, there are more than 60 natural water brands that fall under the medication law, which means it’s considered a state-approved medication due to the high mineral levels, he adds.

But how do you find the best bottled water here in the U.S.? Riese says that's really a trick question because there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Much like wine or any other beverage, the best bottled water for you really depends on a number of factors, including your lifestyle, food preferences, budget, etc.

Riese spends a lot of time thinking about and drinking water, so he's dug deeply into the nuances of what you can find in bottles (and cans) here in the States and around the world. Using that knowledge, he suggested 12 bottled waters that are great for different reasons, including everyday hydration and some options that are fancy enough to serve at a dinner party. 

Related: We Had Coffee Experts Rank 13 Instant Coffee Brands and You Can Buy the Winner at Target

The Best Bottled Waters for any Occasion, According to The Water Sommelier

1. The Best Bottled Water for the Morning: Ararat

You lose more water than you realize as you sleep, which makes it even more important to hydrate as soon as you wake up. With a TDS of 2400, Riese recommends Ararat from Armenia, which is loaded with minerals, including sodium, magnesium and calcium that can help you get ready to face your day. What's even better? Riese has also seen the water at some Walmart locations, so you might want to see if your local store carries the brean.

2. The Best Bottled Water for Gym Goers: Borjomi

After chatting with Riese, we might switch up what we drink post-workout. “When sweating you lose tons of minerals and your body wants them back,” says Riese. “There are healthier options than sports drinks, including mineral waters that have more electrolytes dissolved than a traditional sports drink.” Borjomi, which comes from the Borjomi Gorge of central Georgia, has a TDS of more than 4000.

3. The Best Bottled Water for Lunchtime: Icelandic Glacial

Filtered slowly for 5,000 years through layers of lava rock, add this Icelandic Global water to your lunchbox for an option that meets top food and safety standards. With a TDS of 62, Riese feels this lower minerality pairs perfectly with a light salad without overpowering it.

Related: 30 Fresh Salad Ideas

4. The Best Bottled Water for Daily Hydration: Arrowhead

This familiar brand of bottled water is sustainably sourced from mountain springs across California, Colorado, and British Columbia. Not only does it go through various quality assurance tests, but also is rechecked multiple times throughout the process. Riese recommends Arrowhead because it’s a great spring water for daily hydration with a TDS of around 140.

5. The Best Bottled Water on the East Coast: Poland Spring

Poland Spring is a bottled water brand that you’ll commonly find at grocery stores on the East Coast. Since its conception in 1845, Poland Spring has provided quality water with a TDS of around 100. “NY tap is soft water, which means it has small amounts of calcium and magnesium dissolved and gluten reacts better in soft water than in hard water, so when you live in NY, be proud of your tap,” says Riese.

Related: The 17 Best Bagel Shops In NYC for Lox and a Schmear or Perfect Bacon, Egg and Cheese

6. The Best Bottled Water for Calcium-Seekers: Gerolsteiner

Calcium is important to help promote strong bones, assist nerve function and assist cardiac function. Although a glass of milk can check that box, one bottle of Gerolsteiner from Germany has more calcium dissolved than a glass of milk, according to Riese. Plus, it has a TDS of 2,500 which is on the higher end.

7. The Best Bottled Water to Pair with Red Wine: FIJI

FIJI used to be a water that you could only find in restaurants, but over the years it's made its way into the mainstream, even showing up in convenience stores. Riese is a fan of the water in the square bottle, and for good reason. “Fiji water contains natural silica minerals, which is what gives the water its signature smooth and almost sweet taste,” says Riese. “Drinking Fiji water along with your tannin-rich red wine will lower the tannins in your red wine so the fruit complexity comes to your palate.”

8. The Best Bottled Water to Pair With Sushi: Saratoga

Made in the US, Saratoga offers a slightly sweet and smooth flavor that pairs nicely with sashimi, according to Riese. It has a low mineral content with a TDS of 40, which means it won't overpower the flavors of the delicate fish. It's also a great water to pair with other raw seafood, like oysters.

Related: Here's Exactly What Happens to Your Body if You Eat Sushi Every Day

9. The Best Bottled Water to Pair with Pasta: Socosani

The origin story of this water involves an Italian pharmacist who came across a valley in the Peruvian Andes Mountains. Socosani is a “fun” water with bubbles and a TDS of 1800. “Due to the higher minerality the water can hold up to the flavors of pasta and the tiny bubbles will lighten up the stronger umami flavors,” says Riese.

10. The Best Bottled Water to Pair with Steak: Vichy Catalan

With a TDS of 3053, Vichy Catalan from Spain can stand up to a steak like a red wine. With around 1000mg of sodium, the water has a light salty taste that pairs well with red meat. Riese also drinks it after a big meal for a very good reason. “Vichy is my tiny little secret against the hangover. Drink Vichy before going to bed, and the hangover will be fought way faster,” he says.

Related: 55 Mouthwatering Steak Recipes To Bring the Steakhouse to Your Dinner Table

11. The Best Bottled Water for the Nightclub: Liquid Death

When you don't feel like drinking a beer but are in the mood for a cool can, Liquid Death is here for you. It's U.S.-sourced, has a great design and is available in still, sparkling and flavored varieties. Riese says it has a TDS of 133, which will help you feel much better the next morning than a beer would.

12. The Best Bottled Water for a Fancy Party: NevasWater

There's even bottled water that’s special enough for a celebration, including NevasWater from Germany with a TDS of 2000. “Sourced by two spring sources and packaged in black champagne bottles, it pops open like champagne and it’s fun to do so when you want to celebrate but don't want to drink alcohol,” says Riese. Is it practical? Definitely not. Is it fun to know that things like this exist? Absolutely!

Up next: I Tried 12 Canned Biscuits and the Winner Won by a Landslide