What are the ingredients in Poppi water?

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

Every can of Poppi contains apple cider vinegar, a key ingredient that provides a mouthwatering edge and contributes to its overall profile. This sparkling prebiotic drink combines a handful of core components with varying fruit juices to answer the question, "what are the ingredients in Poppi water?" and offer a healthier alternative to traditional soda.

Quick Summary

A can of Poppi contains sparkling water, organic cane sugar, apple cider vinegar, prebiotics from agave inulin and cassava root fiber, natural flavors, and a sweetener. Specific ingredients vary by flavor, which also include fruit juices and natural colors for a distinctive taste and low-calorie profile.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Poppi is made from sparkling water, organic cane sugar, organic apple cider vinegar, and prebiotic fibers like agave inulin and cassava root fiber.
Flavor Variations: Specific flavors include additional fruit juice concentrates, natural flavors, and natural colorings, with some even containing natural caffeine.
Prebiotic Benefits: The prebiotics in Poppi are dietary fibers that feed healthy gut bacteria, distinguishing it from traditional sodas that offer no functional health benefits.
Low Sugar and Calories: Each can contains 5 grams of sugar or less and 35 calories or less, making it a healthier alternative to sugary beverages.
Sweetened with Stevia: Poppi uses stevia leaf extract, a zero-calorie natural sweetener, in addition to minimal organic cane sugar to achieve its taste.
Marketing Positioning: Poppi markets itself as a healthy, gut-friendly soda alternative, differentiating itself from competitors and traditional soft drinks.

Core Ingredients in Poppi Water

At its foundation, every Poppi flavor is built on a consistent set of core ingredients designed to offer a low-calorie, prebiotic-enhanced beverage. While the specific fruit juices and natural flavors change from one variety to the next, the key components remain the same across the lineup.

Sparkling Water: The base of the beverage, providing the crisp carbonation that mimics traditional soda.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): A signature ingredient that provides a slightly tangy flavor and is touted for its potential health benefits, such as aiding digestion.
Organic Cane Sugar: Used in small, carefully measured amounts to balance the flavor, ensuring the total sugar content remains low (typically 5 grams or less per can).
Prebiotic Fibers: Poppi includes prebiotics, which are a type of fiber that serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria. The primary sources are organic agave inulin and cassava root fiber.
Natural Flavors: These are used to create the specific taste profiles for each flavor, from Classic Cola to Raspberry Rose.
Stevia Leaf Extract: A natural, zero-calorie sweetener that provides additional sweetness without contributing to the sugar or calorie count.

Flavor-Specific Ingredients

Beyond the core formula, each flavor of Poppi incorporates unique ingredients to achieve its specific taste and color. This is where the drink's variety truly shines.

For example, the Strawberry Lemon flavor includes strawberry juice and lemon juice concentrates, in addition to the core ingredients. The Orange flavor adds orange juice concentrate and beta-carotene for color. The Wild Berry flavor uses a combination of raspberry juice concentrate and vegetable juice for color.

The Role of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is the ingredient that arguably launched the brand, after co-founder Allison Ellsworth used it to help with her chronic digestive issues. The ACV in Poppi is diluted to a palatable level and is included in every flavor.

While ACV has been a traditional folk remedy for years, scientific research is ongoing regarding its full health effects. However, some studies suggest it may help with managing blood sugar levels, increasing feelings of fullness, and providing antimicrobial properties.

Prebiotics and Gut Health

The prebiotics in Poppi, sourced from agave inulin and cassava root fiber, are a type of dietary fiber that promotes a healthy gut environment. Unlike probiotics, which are live bacteria, prebiotics are the food that helps the good bacteria in your gut thrive. This focus on gut health is a key differentiator from traditional sodas, which often contain high-fructose corn syrup and offer no functional health benefits.

Poppi vs. Traditional Soda: A Nutritional Comparison


Feature	Poppi (average)	Traditional Soda (e.g., Coca-Cola)
Calories (per 12 oz can)	25	Approx. 140
Total Sugar (per 12 oz can)	5g or less	Approx. 39g
Prebiotic Fiber	2g (from agave inulin/cassava root)	0g
Functional Ingredients	Organic Apple Cider Vinegar	None
Sweeteners	Organic Cane Sugar, Stevia Leaf Extract	High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Health Benefits	Supports gut health	Minimal to none

The Difference Between Poppi Flavors

Though they share a foundational recipe, the taste profile and exact ingredient list can vary. Flavors like Grape and Classic Cola use apple juice concentrate and fruit/vegetable juice for color. On the other hand, the Raspberry Rose and Orange flavors highlight their respective fruit juices more prominently. Some flavors, like Classic Cola and Doc Pop, also contain a small amount of natural caffeine derived from green tea. This flavor-specific customization allows Poppi to offer a diverse range of beverages that cater to different palates while maintaining their core health-conscious principles.

Conclusion

Poppi water is defined by a consistent, health-forward ingredient list that includes sparkling water, organic apple cider vinegar, a small amount of organic cane sugar, prebiotic fibers, and stevia. Flavor variations are achieved through different fruit juice concentrates and natural flavors. This composition allows Poppi to position itself as a refreshing, low-calorie alternative to traditional soda, providing a fizzy drink experience with added gut-supporting benefits. Its combination of core and flavor-specific ingredients is what gives it a unique place in the functional beverage market.

For more information on the benefits of apple cider vinegar, you can visit the comprehensive article on the BBC Good Food website: Top 5 health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, every can of Poppi contains organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, which is a key ingredient and a central part of its health-focused branding.

The prebiotic ingredients in Poppi are derived from natural sources, specifically organic agave inulin and cassava root fiber, which act as food for beneficial gut bacteria.

No, Poppi does not use artificial sweeteners. Its sweetness comes from a combination of natural fruit juice concentrates, a small amount of organic cane sugar, and stevia leaf extract.

While all flavors share a core base of sparkling water, ACV, prebiotics, and sweeteners, the specific fruit juice concentrates and natural flavors are what distinguish one flavor from another.

Yes, according to product specifications listed on retailer sites and the Poppi website, their prebiotic sodas are gluten-free.

The calorie count per 12-ounce can is low, typically around 25 calories, depending on the specific flavor.

Some Poppi flavors, such as Classic Cola and Doc Pop, contain a small amount of natural caffeine. Most flavors, however, are caffeine-free.