Ready to upgrade your drink game? Here's your guide to craft sodas, sparkling waters, and the exciting world of beverages that aren't just Coke or Pepsi.
The Rise of Alternative Beverages
Something shifted in how we drink in the 2020s. Sure, classic sodas aren't going anywhere—Coca-Cola will probably outlive us all. But an entire universe of alternative beverages has exploded onto the scene, and honestly? They're worth exploring.
Whether you're cutting back on sugar, looking for gut-health benefits, wanting something more interesting than plain water, or just curious about what's beyond the standard fountain drink options, 2026 has more choices than ever.
At StackCart in Granby, MA, we've been steadily expanding our beverage selection because our customers keep asking: "What else you got?" This guide covers everything from sparkling waters to craft sodas to prebiotic drinks.
Sparkling Water: The Gateway Drink
If you're new to the alternative beverage world, sparkling water is your starting point. It's basically water that's more fun.
The Major Players
LaCroix
The millennial favorite that launched a thousand memes. LaCroix's appeal is its subtlety—a hint of flavor, no sweetness, zero calories.
- Pamplemousse (grapefruit, and yes, the name matters)
- Limoncello (surprisingly accurate lemon dessert vibes)
- Key Lime (tart and refreshing)
Liquid Death
The punk rock of sparkling water. The branding is aggressive (a skeleton drinking water, "Murder Your Thirst"), but the water is excellent. Comes in tallboy cans (looks like beer), actually sourced from the Alps, strong carbonation.
Topo Chico
Mexican mineral water with cult status since 1895. Aggressive bubbles that last, authentic mineral taste, perfect for mixing with spirits.
Spindrift
The sparkling water with actual fruit in it. Unlike most flavored sparkling waters, Spindrift puts real squeezed fruit in theirs. Best flavors: Grapefruit, Raspberry Lime, Mango Orange.
Prebiotic and Gut-Health Sodas
This is the big trend of the mid-2020s. Drinks that taste like soda but claim to be good for your gut.
Olipop
The OG prebiotic soda. Olipop has 9 grams of fiber per can and is sweetened with stevia and cassava root syrup. It tastes remarkably close to actual soda.
- Vintage Cola — Shockingly good cola alternative
- Classic Root Beer — The best of the lot for most people
- Strawberry Vanilla — Creamy and nostalgic
- Orange Squeeze — Like Fanta but... responsible?
Poppi
Poppi uses apple cider vinegar as its base. Lower in fiber than Olipop but slightly tangier. Best flavors: Strawberry Lemon, Orange, Doc Pop, Classic Cola.
Craft Sodas: Small Batch, Big Flavor
Beyond the mass-market alternatives, there's a whole world of small-batch craft sodas made with real ingredients.
What Makes a Soda "Craft"?
- Real sugar (usually cane sugar) instead of high fructose corn syrup
- Actual ingredients you can pronounce
- Unique flavor combinations
- Small-batch production
Brands Worth Finding
Boylan Bottling Co. — One of the oldest craft soda makers (since 1891). Try their Birch Beer, Black Cherry, or Ginger Ale.
Jones Soda — Known for wild flavors. Worth trying: Berry Lemonade, Green Apple, FuFu Berry.
Maine Root — Fair trade, organic, made in Maine. Their Root Beer is one of the best in the game.
Energy Without the Guilt: Better Energy Drinks
Celsius
Fitness-focused energy without the crash. Green tea caffeine, no sugar, B vitamins for actual energy. Best flavors: Sparkling Orange, Peach Vibe, Kiwi Guava.
Alani Nu
The Instagram favorite. Pretty cans, solid energy, reasonable caffeine (200mg). Top picks: Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Cosmic Stardust, Mimosa.
Yerba Mate (Guayaki)
South American tea-based energy. Different kind of buzz—less jittery, more focused. Natural caffeine from yerba mate leaves, packed with antioxidants.
Building Your Alternative Beverage Rotation
Daily Drivers
- Plain sparkling water (LaCroix, store brand)
- Filtered water
- Unsweetened tea
A Few Times a Week
- Prebiotic sodas (Olipop, Poppi)
- Flavored sparkling water (Spindrift)
- Kombucha
- Better energy drinks
Special Occasions
- Craft sodas
- Fancy bottled teas
- That weird limited edition flavor you're curious about
FAQs
Are these drinks actually healthier than soda?
Depends on the drink. Sparkling water = obviously yes. Prebiotic sodas = lower sugar, potential gut benefits, probably yes. Craft sodas = still sugar, but at least real sugar.
Why are these so expensive?
Better ingredients cost more. Real sugar > HFCS. Small batch production > industrial scale. Glass bottles > plastic. You're paying for quality.
What's the best soda replacement for someone who drinks a lot of Coke?
Start with Olipop Vintage Cola. It's the closest thing to "healthy Coke" on the market. Then transition to flavored sparkling water as your palate adjusts.
Shop the Alternative Beverage Selection at StackCart
We keep Granby, MA stocked with the good stuff:
- Full sparkling water selection (LaCroix, Spindrift, Topo Chico, Liquid Death)
- Olipop and Poppi prebiotic sodas
- Craft sodas in glass bottles
- Better energy drinks (Celsius, Alani Nu)
- Kombucha refrigerator section
Next time you're grabbing drinks, skip the standard soda aisle and explore the alternatives. Your taste buds (and maybe your gut) will thank you.
StackCart — Small town, big beverage selection. Fizzy, functional, or just different—we've got your drink.