What is a Cirkul Drink? Your Complete Guide

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a survey of 3,258 customers, 96% of people drink more water with Cirkul, which is a customizable hydration system featuring a special bottle and flavor cartridges called Sips. The Cirkul drink system is designed to combat flavor fatigue, a common barrier to staying hydrated, by letting users adjust the flavor intensity of their water with a simple dial.

Quick Summary

Cirkul is a customizable hydration system using flavor cartridges, called Sips, to infuse water on demand. The bottle features an adjustable dial, letting users control the flavor intensity for each sip, offering a wide range of sugar-free, zero-calorie options. The system is designed to encourage increased water intake throughout the day.

Key Points

Customizable Flavor: Cirkul uses flavor cartridges, or Sips, with an adjustable dial to let you control the taste intensity of your water.
Variety of Choices: With over 100 flavors, including options with vitamins, electrolytes, and caffeine, Cirkul offers something for everyone.
Healthier Hydration: The system provides a zero-calorie, zero-sugar alternative to sodas and other sweetened beverages, encouraging increased water consumption.
Less Plastic Waste: Using a reusable bottle and concentrated cartridges significantly reduces the plastic waste generated compared to single-use flavored water bottles.
Consider Sweeteners: While most flavors contain the artificial sweetener sucralose, which is generally considered safe, there are unsweetened 'PureSip' options available.
Easy to Use: The system is simple and portable, making it easy to enjoy flavored water on-the-go by just twisting in a cartridge.

Understanding the Cirkul System

At its core, a Cirkul drink is not a pre-mixed beverage but rather a customized drink made on-the-go using a special water bottle and flavor cartridges. The system consists of three main components: a reusable water bottle, a lid with a built-in flavor dial, and a replaceable flavor cartridge, known as a 'Sip'. Users simply fill the bottle with plain water, insert a Sip, and turn the dial to their desired flavor strength, from a subtle hint to a more intense taste. The flavor is only released as the user drinks, mixing with the water just before it hits the mouth. This innovative approach offers a fresh, customizable drinking experience without the need for sugary sodas or pre-bottled flavored waters.

How Cirkul's Flavor Dial Works

The brilliance of the Cirkul system lies in its adjustable Flavor Dial, located on the lid of the bottle. This dial gives you full control over how much flavor is added to your water. The settings range from 0 to 10:

Setting 0 (or 'X'): Delivers plain, unflavored water.
Settings 1-3: Offer a very subtle hint of flavor, ideal for those who prefer a less intense taste.
Settings 4-7: Provide a medium flavor concentration, which many users find to be the 'sweet spot' for daily hydration.
Settings 8-10: Maximize the flavor for a bolder taste, similar to a traditional sports drink or sweetened beverage.

This customization is particularly useful for people transitioning away from sugary drinks, allowing them to start with a stronger flavor and gradually decrease the intensity as their taste buds adjust.

Exploring the Diverse Cirkul Flavor Categories

Cirkul offers a vast array of flavor options to suit every palate, and these Sips are grouped into different categories, each with its own health benefits. Some of the most popular categories include:

LifeSip®: Enhanced with B vitamins to support overall wellness.
FitSip®: Packed with electrolytes for rehydration, perfect for workouts.
GoSip®: Infused with caffeine for an energy boost.
PureSip™: Features unsweetened, naturally flavored options with zero sweeteners.
TeaSip® & BrewSip®: Offers iced tea and coffee flavors for a unique, refreshing twist.

This variety ensures that users can match their drink to their needs, whether they want a simple, unsweetened fruit essence or a caffeinated pick-me-up.

Cirkul vs. Traditional Flavored Water and Hydration Systems


Feature	Cirkul Drink System	Single-Use Flavored Water Bottles	Powder Packets & Drops (e.g., Mio)
Flavor Control	Fully customizable with a dial (0-10).	Fixed flavor, no adjustment.	Variable concentration based on mixing.
Waste Reduction	Significantly reduced plastic waste from reusable bottle and small cartridges.	High plastic waste from each individual bottle.	Variable, small packets or plastic bottles.
Ingredients	Generally sugar-free, zero-calorie options; some use sucralose or stevia; some are unsweetened.	Often contains sugar, calories, and/or artificial ingredients.	Can contain artificial sweeteners, dyes, and preservatives.
Convenience	Easy to use on-the-go with water refills.	Grab-and-go but requires repurchasing bottles.	Requires mixing in a separate bottle, can be messy.
Cost	Low cost per drink refill (as low as 50 cents) with subscription.	High cost per bottle, requires constant repurchase.	Can be cost-effective, but requires separate water.

Potential Health Considerations

While Cirkul promotes hydration, it's important to be mindful of its ingredients. The majority of flavors use sweeteners like sucralose, which is generally recognized as safe by the FDA. However, some studies have raised concerns about the long-term effects of sucralose on gut bacteria and overall health, especially for individuals with existing gastrointestinal issues. Cirkul offers unsweetened 'PureSip' options for those who want to avoid artificial sweeteners entirely. For most people, consuming Cirkul in moderation is a healthier alternative to sugary sodas and can be an effective tool for increasing daily water intake.

Getting Started with Your Cirkul System

Starting with Cirkul is straightforward. First, purchase a starter kit, which typically includes a bottle and a few Sips. Choose between plastic, stainless steel, or squeeze bottle options. To begin, simply fill the bottle with fresh water, unwrap a flavor cartridge, and insert it into the lid. Twist the cartridge clockwise to lock it in place. Then, adjust the flavor dial to your preferred intensity and start sipping. The company offers a subscription service for regular delivery of Sips, ensuring you never run out of your favorite flavors.

Conclusion

For anyone struggling to drink enough water, the Cirkul system provides an innovative and highly customizable solution. By offering a vast selection of zero-calorie, zero-sugar flavors with adjustable intensity, Cirkul makes hydration more enjoyable and engaging. While the cartridges do produce some plastic waste and contain artificial sweeteners in most versions, they still represent a significant step toward reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles and sugary beverages. Ultimately, a Cirkul drink is a modern, personalized way to stay hydrated, allowing users to tailor their water to their unique taste preferences while keeping health and convenience in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Cirkul counts toward your daily water intake. The cartridges contain a small amount of concentrated flavoring, but the primary liquid you are consuming is water, and the body hydrates in the same way it would with plain water.

Cirkul flavors are generally considered a healthier alternative to sugary sodas and drinks because they contain zero calories and zero sugar. However, many flavors contain the artificial sweetener sucralose, so moderation is key. Unsweetened options (PureSips) are available if you want to avoid sweeteners entirely.

The lifespan of a Cirkul cartridge, or 'Sip', depends on the flavor intensity setting you choose. At a medium setting (4 or 5), a cartridge can last for approximately five to six 22-ounce bottle refills. A higher setting will consume the flavor more quickly.

The 'X' setting on the flavor dial, or sometimes '0', completely cuts off the flavor, allowing you to drink plain, unflavored water from the bottle. This is useful for when you want a break from flavor or to make the cartridge last longer.

Cirkul uses both natural and artificial flavors, depending on the specific product line. Some Sips, like the PureSip category, use natural flavors with no sweeteners. Other categories may use a combination to achieve a specific taste.

No, Cirkul flavor cartridges are not recyclable and must be thrown away after use. Each cartridge is wrapped in a non-recyclable foil, contributing to plastic waste, though significantly less than single-use bottles.

The Cirkul Sip cartridges are specifically designed to be used with the unique Cirkul bottle and lid system. While the lid may fit some wide-mouth water bottles from other brands, the system is engineered to work together for optimal flavor mixing and control.