What Exactly is IZZE?
IZZE is officially classified as a "sparkling juice drink" by its manufacturer, PepsiCo, which acquired the brand in 2006. The drink was originally created in Boulder, Colorado, with the goal of offering a more sophisticated, naturally-derived fizzy beverage than traditional sodas. It aims to fill the gap between plain, unsweetened sparkling water and the often sugar-laden world of soft drinks.
The key to understanding IZZE's identity is to look at its ingredients and manufacturing process. The drink is made by combining a significant percentage of real fruit juice from concentrate with sparkling water. This gives it a naturally sweet and fruity flavor profile without the need for additional artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
The Ingredient Breakdown
Unlike traditional sodas that rely on high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, IZZE's primary ingredients are centered around fruit. A typical can of IZZE contains the following:
- Sparkling water: Provides the carbonation and fizz.
- Fruit juice concentrates: The source of the drink's sweetness and fruit flavor. Ingredients often include apple, white grape, and specific fruit juice concentrates depending on the flavor (e.g., clementine, blackberry).
- Natural flavors: Enhances the overall taste profile.
- Citric acid: Used for tartness, not as a preservative.
For example, IZZE's Clementine flavor contains sparkling water, apple juice concentrate, clarified orange juice concentrate, and clarified clementine juice concentrate. This blend creates a beverage that has a bolder fruit flavor and more substantial sweetness than a typical fruit-flavored sparkling water.
IZZE vs. Soda vs. Sparkling Water: A Comparison
To fully answer the question, a side-by-side comparison is helpful. The table below highlights the key differences in ingredients, nutrition, and overall profile.
| Feature | IZZE Sparkling Juice | Traditional Soda | Plain Sparkling Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetener Source | 60-70% fruit juice concentrate | Added sweeteners, often high-fructose corn syrup | None |
| Added Sugar | No added sugar | Yes, typically high amounts | No |
| Artificial Ingredients | No artificial sweeteners or preservatives | Often contains artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners | No (for plain) |
| Calories | Varies by flavor, typically 70-90 calories per 8.4 oz can | High, often 100+ calories per can | 0 calories |
| Flavor Profile | Substantial, fruity flavor with natural sweetness | Often intensely sweet, with a wide range of flavors | Neutral, or very light flavor from natural essences |
The Nutritional Difference
IZZE is frequently positioned as a healthier alternative to soda, and its nutritional profile supports this claim in key areas. For one, the absence of high-fructose corn syrup and artificial additives is a major distinction. The sugar content comes from the fruit juice itself, not from added refined sugars, although it is important to note that it is not a low-calorie drink. For instance, an 8.4 fl oz can of IZZE Sparkling Clementine has 90 calories and 19 grams of sugar, all from the fruit juice concentrates. This is comparable to, or sometimes lower than, many sodas, but significantly higher than sparkling water.
The Reason for the Confusion
Several factors contribute to the ongoing debate about IZZE's classification. The primary reason is that it possesses characteristics of both categories. The carbonation gives it a similar mouthfeel to soda, while its fruity flavors and "no added sugar" label draw parallels to modern flavored sparkling waters. However, the substantial fruit juice content and associated natural sugars and calories clearly place it in a different league from zero-calorie sparkling water brands like Bubly or LaCroix.
Additionally, the company itself has had product lines that further blur the lines. For example, the discontinued "IZZE Fusions" was described as a mix between sparkling water, sparkling soda, and juice.
A Fizzing Awesome Niche
IZZE occupies a unique and successful niche in the beverage market. For those seeking a bubbly, flavorful drink with a natural fruit taste but without the artificial ingredients and excessive added sugars found in most sodas, IZZE provides an appealing option. For consumers trying to eliminate sugar and calories entirely, plain sparkling water remains the better choice. Ultimately, whether you personally categorize IZZE as a special type of soda or a juiced-up sparkling water, its place as a distinct and popular beverage is undeniable. You can learn more about their flavors on the official IZZE website at izze.com.
Conclusion
While IZZE shares the carbonation of both soda and sparkling water, its unique combination of fruit juice and water places it in its own category: sparkling juice. It is not a soda due to its lack of added sugar and artificial ingredients, but it is also not a zero-calorie sparkling water due to its reliance on fruit juice for sweetness and flavor. The product is a testament to the evolving beverage market, where consumers are increasingly looking for options that are more natural than traditional soft drinks but more flavorful than plain water.
