cactus water and melon water

Drinks suppliers are hoping to tap the clean living trend with two new additions to the alternative waters category: cactus and watermelon water.

Following in the footsteps of coconut and birch waters, True Nopal cactus water made its UK debut in Boots stores this week. Listings with Waitrose, Ocado and As Nature Intended are expected soon.

The chilled drink, which was the first cactus water to launch in the US in 2014, is sourced from the nopal cactus found in Arizona, and contains 29 calories per 330ml carton (rsp: £1.69). It also comes in a one-litre format (rsp: £3.49).

True Nopal is being distributed in the UK by Lucozade Ribena Suntory, marking the drink’s first launch outside of the States. “We believe the clean living, natural trend is only set to continue and plant waters are proof of this,” said Vicky Morgan, LRS new business controller.

Also new to alternative waters is What a Melon from Solution Sciences. Positioned as fruit water, not juice, it contains no pulp or pips, and its only added ingredient is 2% lemon juice to help increase ambient shelf life to six months. Each 330ml carton (rsp: £2) promises the same level of electrolytes as the equivalent amount of coconut water.

The drink is available now from Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic and London indies. More listings are set to be announced.

The rollout closely follows the launch of ‘tree waters’ to the UK market by Sibberi, including birch water in February and maple and bamboo variants earlier this month.