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Photo:Courtesy of Brand
Courtesy of Brand
When I was little, I would raid the pantry often for my mother’s collection of Crystal Light. I remember the tiny packets were my favorite way to flavor a glass of water. Well, years have passed, and I haven’t touched a box of Crystal Light in ages. But the brand has nowlaunched new productsthat might make me feel like I’m sifting through Mom’s assortment again.
After a decade, the household name for powdered beverages has redesigned its logo and released a set of three new product lines and flavors:
According to Jeremy Kross, associate director of PSB Beverage Mixes at theKraft Heinz Company, Crystal Light’s release is a response to consumers’ new need for “functional benefits” in their drink choices. “We saw an exciting opportunity to innovate around our fans’ evolving preferences,” he said.
The company has claimed a nutritional or recreational purpose for each product line. Mixology caters to those who are sober-curious and looking to unwind with an alcohol-free drink. According to Crystal Light’s spokesperson, the Immunity line is “infused with zinc and vitamin C to help support the immune system.” Lastly, each flavor of the Energy line has 75 milligrams of caffeine per serving to help you stay energized. But are these new functional benefits healthy for you, and do they taste good? Read on for all the info.
So far, Crystal Light has released only one line: Mixology. The nutrition label shows that one packet has 10 calories, 35 to 40 grams of sodium and 1 gram of carbohydrates. Similar to many drink options on the market, this product usesaspartame and acesulfame potassiumas sweeteners. Some might worry about whether these sugar substitutes are healthy, butEatingWell’s social media specialist and registered dietitianAnnie Nguyensaid, “There isn’t enough research to say if sugar substitutes are healthy and the long-term impacts on your health.” However, she went on to say, “Artificial sweeteners can help you cut back on your added sugar intake, which can be especially helpful for people with diabetes.”
Nguyen and I discussed whether Crystal Light is hydrating or not. She explained, “Drinking Crystal Light isn’t necessarily keeping you hydrated, as there isn’t a significant amount of electrolytes in a packet. You are most likely staying hydrated because Crystal Light is helping you drink more water.” If your goal is to hydrate,water is still your best option, but Crystal Light packets make for a tasty refresher when you’re in the mood for something more flavorful.
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As far as “functional benefits,” Nguyen talked about the immune-supporting nutrients in the Immunity line and the caffeine in the Energy line. When it came to the Immunity line, she said, “Zinc and vitamin C are great micronutrients to help your immune system, but you shouldn’t rely just on Crystal Light for a boost.” She suggested that you include zinc- and vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, bell peppers, nuts and seeds in your eating pattern to help support your body’s immune system. But to be clear, no one food or drink can promise immunity. For the Energy line, Nguyen said the 75-milligram serving of caffeine would be great for a quick boost of energy. But she also mentioned to “be aware about how much caffeine you are drinking from other caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and sodas throughout the day. Drinking too much caffeine can affect your sleep, mood and heart.”
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I got the chance to try these new drinks for myself, and I’m very impressed with the taste. Each one reminds me of an ice-cold glass of Kool-Aid on a hot summer day, except with adult-tailored mocktail-inspired flavors. Of the eight new products, the Mixology line’s Watermelon Margarita especially wooed me, since it reminds me of a tart watermelon Jolly Rancher.
It’s clear the company spent plenty of time in research and development on this new release. Compared to the Crystal Light I remember, the fruit-flavored powder dissolves much more easily into water, so you don’t get as much of that tannic, dry mouthfeel. Plus, there’s plenty to enjoy with each mix—one small packet makes over 16 ounces of beverage. I simply use a spoon to combine the powder with water, drop in some ice and sip while I go about my day.
The Bottom Line
Crystal Light just released its first new powdered drinks in over a decade, including eight delicious flavors across three product lines: Mocktail, Immunity and Energy.
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