i've been tempted to try these, so i think i'll go ahead and get some after reading this. thanks!

REALLY? I may have to try them now, thanks for the review!!

Why not just enhance your water with something natural like lemon, lime or cucumber? This is just another plastic bottle to be thrown out.

i'm interested in seeing what the ingredients are...
just because it's sugar free doesn't mean that its good for someone. i would rather drink the sugar (within reason) than the artificial sweeteners for the sake of "sugar-free"

Thank you for this review. My wife is always complaining about not wanting plain water... but something with a little flavor. We don't keep sodas or any other artificially sweetened beverages around.
You said a local grocer... who? We have several around here and I don't want to travel all over town just to find out there isn't any in our area.

I agree with the person above who said they want to see the ingredients ...

...Really? How is this very different from Crystal Light? Sugar free means very little...

an fyi:
From Wikipedia.org
"Critics say acesulfame potassium has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic"
"Some potential effects associated with Acesulfame K have appeared in animal studies. Acesulfame K has been shown to stimulate dose-dependent insulin secretion in rats..."

Acesulfame Potassium is in MIO.

You can see the ingredients here:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=179516548760320

Artificial sweeteners and food dyes. Blech.

So it's basically concentrated diet pop? Mmmm...where can I get some (sarcasm alert)? This post seems at odds with other I've read at thekitchn.com, dare I ask if there was a little quid pro quo?

i agree with xphilter.
at is starting to sound like sell-outs for kick backs and freebies. first the paper towel dispenser and now this. lol

@tasharoe @xphilter why would you think that we got a "kickback", "quid pro quo" or "freebie" for either of these posts? That seems an uncharitable assumption. If we do any sponsored posts they are clearly marked as such. If you don't like the product, fine. But don't accuse us of "selling out" just because we cover things you personally don't like.

I saw a commercial on tv for this product and was completely turned off, it just looked like food dye being poured into the cup of water! yuck!! We try to avoid foods and drinks with artificial colors as a general rule, and this product looks like one hundred percent food coloring

like that you added this since my comment
"Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf."
how clever of you.

whether its a sponsored post or not by you giving them an "independent product review" doesn't bode well for AT.
i guess if i had a blog that touted the "green aspect" and "reduce/reuse/recycle" theology and then review cigarettes on my blog with the caveat that they are my personal views. Living green doesn't just apply to the planet, but to humans as well.

Crikey, such hostility. Looks like some people could *use* a few more artificial ingredients.

People are allowed to give positive reviews to things you don't like. Disagree with the review, but don't disagree with their right to even review it.

That said, I'm not going near this. Artificial sweeteners give me severe migraines, and more importantly, after recently finishing treatment for lymphoma, nothing that might be a carcinogen is going in my body.

I'm surprised the comments section wasn't closed; because you should have seen this coming.

Personally, yet another possibly carcinogenic, artificial, over priced, chock full o' dyes, "enhancer"? Meh. Makes kool-aid look like a health drink.

And on TheKitchn? But it's their blog.

Why are so few content with water? Perhaps I'm spoiled living in NYC, but I'm very content to drink water -- until happy hour!

I'm just surprised to see this product reviewed here. It's not what I come to this site for. I kind of wonder if it's an attempt to create another page-view increasing uproar like the review of that cooking creme, (also Kraft, hmmm). And while I will choose to believe that this wasn't sponsored in any way, the bland praise without bringing up the issues often discussed on this site, (is it a need? is it healthy? is it wasteful? is it special?), does make it sound like an advertisement, intended or not.

What s00ngtype said. Gross.

Agreed. This is far from the type of product that I come to this website for. If I wanted reviews for stuff like this, I'd read the Kraft "magazine" they send me every month with different ways to use their processed products to create cheap and easy meals.

I wish everyone would just calm down. If you don't like it - don't buy it! Or, better yet, SKIP THE POST. Scroll back down to the latest "Weekend Meditation" or something better suited to what you think The Kitchn is all about.

I opened this from my reader *because* it was different from the usual fare here and I was intrigued.
Not all product reviews are product placement, people.

I agree with acvaz. Calm down and read a different post.

As someone else who can't have "real" sugar for health reasons, I appreciate this tip for a product that will spice up plain water. Yeah, Crystal Light gets old. Thanks for the heads-up!

Thanks for the review! I adore Crystal Light's Cherry Pomegranate juice...powder...stuff. But I really do hate the packaging for it (either individual foil containers for a bottle/glass or larger foil containers that make a pitcher-full). If I find this in my store, I'll probably pick it up to try it out. Thanks for letting me know of its existence!

Very entertaining comments! MidC-Frank, you are spoiled, yes. I have to travel all over the country and can tell you that NYC is one of the few municipal water sources I can happily drink. It's very good. Anaheim and much of SoCal is so bad it's impossible for me to swallow, and everywhere else is somewhere in between.

When one is stuck in a hotel for several days at a time, those little CL packets and an aluminum bottle (combined with free ice!) are god-sends. I do wish this product didn't have to add the dyes, but whatever. I'll give it a go and am happy to see it reviewed.

(Hey, I do cook 95% organic, from scratch, politically correct meals at home. CSA veggies, farmer's market fruits, homegrown chickens and eggs. The whole nine yards. But we can't *all* be perfect all the time, you know?)

While I don't support the hostility in the comments, I am truly baffled by this post. I'm not accusing Sarah Rae of product placement, but this is such a bizarre post and tone for what thekitchn has traditionally been about (even in comparison to the cooking creme post that lathered everyone up). It's a plastic bottle of dye and artificial sweetener you add to water. Water.

For me, there's nothing inspiring or nourishing about it (to reference the blog's tagline), and to each their own, but I think the reading community is owed a more thorough examination into the artificial sweeteners used, or even some reference to the waste of plastic (I mean, c'mon, this site is constantly ripping on unitaskers, artificial ingredients, and over packaging, and that's why I love it!)

I worked at a Moroccan restaurant for a while and I liked adding rosewater to my water. Calorie and dye free, adds a little something to the water and you don't need very much of it. You can get bottles of it very cheaply.

I don't drink as much water as I'm supposed to, and flavoring the water makes it easier for me to get the hydration I need to continue nursing. With that said, I appreciate this post because this is the only blog I frequent that has reviewed this product.

I really don't see why people have to make such a fuss. Just scroll on by if it's something you're not interested in!

I didn't have a problem with the Cooking Cream post because I've seen it all over tv and wondered what the heck it is, too. I felt like Faith's review of the product was honest and in depth, and took into account all sides of the argument.

That said, this post is completely different. I don't believe it was a product placement either, but I'm still disappointed. This MiO Water stuff, like the Cooking Cream, is another "food" product that is full of weird ingredients and isn't healthy or wholesome whatsoever. I'm surprised it was reviewed, and I'm even more surprised that it gained a positive response from Sarah Rae. I don't have to like every product AT/TK reviews, but I expect them to take into considerations like the fact that it's a franken-food and it's wasteful.

The third ingredient in this stuff is propylene glycol, which, while used as a solvent in food and pharmaceuticals, is also a major component in certain anti-freezes. Can't see myself voluntarily consuming that stuff.

I really don't like that Apartment Therapy seems to ignore its own stances across its subsidiary blogs. This product flies in the face of the ethos of Re-Nest, for example, because it comes in a plastic bottle made for one-time use, which cannot easily be repurposed. You tacitly say so yourself by highlighting MIO's "fun flip top cap." Please -- a cap is not fun, it's just a freakin' cap. Your readers are intelligent enough to prefer well-written, transparent posts that don't sound like they come from an advertiser.

For my part, I can't just skip over a post like this that reviews something I don't like. I knew I didn't like this product *because* I read your post, but I dislike the post *more* because it does not contend with the ethical implications of MIO, both in packaging and ingredients. Propylene glycol?! Are you really going to show us the ingredients and then not say a thing about all the artificial components?

Give me a slice of fresh lime over plastic-wrapped sweetener any day. And give me AT posts that address the obvious problematics of products over posts that try to pull wool over my eyes.

For chrissakes. This is a blog that is marketed to many different people with many different outlooks. Does the plastic flip top of the product run counter to the ethos of renest? Sure. But you know what else is? Any number of posts on the main AT page highlighting the newest piece of furniture, or how to spray paint (gasp!) pieces of furniture. Or posts on Unpluggd that give reviews of technology that use any number of harmful chemicals and materials in its construction. And yet we don't see sturm and drang in every comments thread highlighting the awesome new computer monitor, despite the mercury found within.

We all get it -- you have certain commitments to environmental protection and chemical free living that make you recoil at the reviewed product. Great. *But this blog isn't only for you.* It's also for those of us who might actually use and enjoy the product and appreciate the review of it.

So go enjoy your fresh lime and feeling of moral superiority and leave the rest of us in peace.

I was amused that the author bitched about not liking Crystal Light and then continued to endorse this product that is pretty much exactly the same (artificial sweetener/water flavorer). and worst of all, it's a Kraft product.

but I also agree with the other commenters who find not only this product unappealing, but also at/thekitchn's willingness to review said product. maybe because we look to this site for something different that we didn't know about - a real alternative. this is more of the same that I'd expect to see reviewed in a fluffier publication, like a local newspaper.

Sarah Rae and Faith -- I feel really defensive on your behalf! I wonder if people would have been so upset about you reviewing a Kraft product with artificial this-and-that if your conclusion had been negative? Very fashionable to hate on the big corporations, after all.

Thank you for writing this with the belief that we're all adults. Not all of us are perfect. Not all of us eat 100% organic all the time and avoid all traces of artificial ingredients. If there's a product that could help some of us drink more water when we're watered out, then you're doing us a service reviewing it. We can all decide what to do with the info, or we can ignore it completely. But either way, thanks!

i guess it's one step better than drinking soda which people do and if they're trying to cut that out and finding it hard, this might be a good transition nicotine-patch-type product for them. i think it's weird too though.

my recent discovery are the gatorade powders. the drinks are full of high fructose corn syrup but gatorade is great when you're working out in the hot sun or playing an intense sport like hockey. the powders don't have hfcs - just the salt and the electrolytes and you can control the taste by only sprinkling in what you like or using a bigger bottle if you like it more watered down. genius! and way cheaper than bottled gatorade.

Calm down, everyone. There is no need for such hostility.

It's nice to care about things that enter into your body, but what about caring about what comes out too? I think ultimately that's more important than making sure everything that you digest is "pure" and "wholesome."

@Faith Durand I'm sorry if I was a little harsh. My comment was written as a little tongue-in-cheek remark, but obviously it could be read in a different tone. This post just seems so drastically different from all the others that I have read, so much that if this had been the first post I read at thekitchen.com I would not have come back. In the post you talk about 'healthy' and how others taste 'artificial' but the entire contents of the MiO is artificial. In fact, if you look at the ingredients, it is remarkably similar to diet pop (so why not just drink that?). But, you are more that welcome to write whatever you want about. However when it goes against the perceived ethos of the site, this might be the reaction.

xphilter - I never claimed in my review above that the MiO product was "healthy" or "not artificial." I stated that it didn't taste artificial and that we look for sugar free alternatives due to my health conditions in our family.

I clearly listed the ingredients above and didn't feel I needed to state the obvious that nothing on the list was organic, farm raised or good for you. But that doesn't mean the product won't make a good addition to our pantry for times you just don't want the same thing glass after glass. And we may or may not be rebels who drink diet soda as well.

Just because there are folks that read The Kitchn to enjoy our thoughts on wholesome fresh ingredient focused recipes and train of thought, it doesn't mean that it's all we eat. We could potentially enjoy a bag of Cheetos from time to time or snack on a bag of M&M's.

@Faith Durand I should also add that I like the underlying purpose behind this post, to find a healthy way to spice up water. However, this product is so anti-healthy that it really does not even require a review. Given the knack this blog has for finding uncommon things, perhaps there exists a little known company that produces concentrated juices, teas, or other flavors that would fit the bill. I'm not sure if it exists, but I'm sure thekitchn.com could find it!

xphilter we've covered such items before but this post was specifically aimed at finding something that doesn't contain sugar, even natural varieties. We don't drink tea, so finding something other than water can be a chore.

I usually lurk and don't comment (guilty as charged), but the comments on this post compelled me to login. I'm disappointed that the editors have replied in such a defensive way to the comments of their readers. Increasingly, bloggers are compensated or given incentives to review or give away products, and I believe that the critical readers among us are merely on alert for these sort of potentially biased reviews. I genuinely appreciate the disclaimer that this post included, as it gave me reason to trust the reviewer more than I otherwise would have.

Back to the product itself--I admit to being a *tad* disappointed that this product was given coverage, as I look to this blog (and the sister blogs) to find products, tools, ideas, etc. that are not as conventional and often a healthier and greener alternative. Personally, I would never use this product, but have been looking for a similar, more natural product to add to my H20--please review one if it's out there!

I will still read (and lurk around the comments section) the whole AT site, but would rather that the editors take a more explanatory stance (versus defensive) when their readers voice a concern. That's all.

I'm actually glad that both Faith and Sarah Rae have responded defensively, because that's the normal response to being attacked.

I love this blog, but I always wince when I read the comments. The writers are so open minded, sincere, and genuine. The readers seem not to be.

I've learned so much from reading this site, both from the gentle and earnest outlook of the writers and from the practical stuff (yes, I benefited from learning how to slice an avocado). If these gals wrote the way some of you comment, I'd have written this blog off months ago as snobby and full of itself.

I think burp_excuzme hit the nail on the head. I don't care one bit that you only use natural sweeteners or prefer the taste of real water if only ugly things are coming from your thoughts.

I've been following this comment thread, as well as many of those from the more 'controversial' posts, and boy am I glad Faith and SaraRae spoke up. Some of the commenters are downright nasty and mean, and it wouldn't hurt to see some of them banned. I think a lot of thought and effort goes into what's posted on the site (even though  some of it doesn't always interest me), and as such I think it's only fair/courteous that commenters do a little more to voice their concerns/dissension in a more respectful manner. The name calling, and stinging remarks makes theKitchn a very sad/depressing place sometimes. I often wonder how the bloggers take the abuse. Needless to say, I'm hopeful people can look at some of the nastiness that came out of both this post and the Cooking Creme post, and maybe learn to be a little nicer. Even though I've never seen your face, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to be more considerate in your interactions in the comments. 

@sarahrae I agree, you never explicitly state it is healthy and I apologize if your integrity was questioned. My only suggestion would be to directly address negatives of what you are reviewing. Although you did post a photo of the ingredient list, it was the last photo of the group and the post did not mention anything such as "While tasty, this product does include artificial sweeteners, colors, and additives." There is nothing wrong with a product like this in moderation, but it seemed at odds with what I think the thekitchn.com brand is about; at least with not discussing the downsides. I am not an expert and this is only my opinion that you are free to ignore. Again, I'm sorry you felt the need, or were forced, to add the disclaimer to your post based on my comment.

@tasharoe Your bias disgusts me. At least quote the rest of the article and not just the points that defend your point of view.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acesulfame_potassium

As with other artificial sweeteners, there is concern over the safety of acesulfame potassium. Although studies of these sweeteners show varying and controversial degrees of dietary safety, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved their general use. Critics say acesulfame potassium has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic, although these claims have been dismissed by the US FDA[9] and by equivalent authorities in the European Union.[10]

Some potential effects associated with Acesulfame K have appeared in animal studies. Acesulfame K has been shown to stimulate dose-dependent insulin secretion in rats, though no hyperglycemia was observed.[11]

One rodent study showed no increased incidence of tumors in response to administration of acesulfame K.[12] In this study, conducted by the National Toxicology Program, 60 rats were given acesulfame K for 40 weeks, making up as much as 3% of their total diet (which would be equivalent to a human consuming 1,343 12-oz cans of artificially sweetened soda every day). There was no sign that these (or lower) levels of acesulfame K increased the rats' risk of cancer or other neoplasms.[13] Further research in terms of food safety has been recommended.[14][15]

to everyone complaining about the negative/"ugly"/whatever comments in response, how would you pronounce "Schite" as written in the review? because I'd pronounce it a lot like the British pronounce the word sh*t! so the review started off with a jab at Crystal Light, which is the same freakin' type of product! I find it hard to believe that everyone's world is so full of light and goodness that they're soooooooo offended and ashamed that so many REGULAR readers responded with distaste for this review.

as for the defensiveness of the editors/author, I agree they should defend themselves if there's something to defend, but let's be reasonable. sarah rae, I don't think anyone is saying they *never* have a Cheeto or grab a bag of Skittles, but you've also got to be able to understand that a review for this type of product is [traditionally] way out of place on this website. no, you never call it healthy, but re-read your first sentence! "for health reasons..." basically, it's full of contradictions, and people called you out for it. try and understand what your readers are upset about, and learn from it, improve your writing.

wow, these comments are nuts. i saw an ad for this product over the weekend and was curious about it. thank you, sarah rae and the kitchn, for posting a review. one of your pictures is of the ingredient list on the back of the bottle. i can see that it's artificial stuff w/o you having to explain it. so this product is not something that i would personally ever buy, but appreciate the review for helping me determine that.

This Kitchn post was written by Sarah Rae so I'm not surprised at the subject matter and the approach. Her posts often seem to spark more vitriol than most. I think it's because, yes, her taste deviates more than the other writers from the overall Apartment Therapy sensibility (she's posted on her love for Guy Fieri, been drawn in by Ace of Cakes' Duff Goldman and his cake tattoos at Michaels, professed love for her electric skillet).

So if you are offended by the middlebrow tastes that Sarah Rae clearly embraces then her posts aren't for you. But some clearly appreciate her take and from her post here they might then discover something else in the Kitchn they'd never encounter otherwise. They might start using cucumber slices, pomegranate syrup, or sumac to flavor their water or brewing their own sodas. That's what this place seems to inspire...but for some people there needs to be a point of entry and I think Sarah Rae provides that.

WOW. To all of those berating Sarah Rae for her use of defining this water enhancer as healthy you should be ashamed. No, artificial enhancers are NOT necessarily healthy... but for someone who is say...diabetic.. and can not ingest any natural sugars, this is a wonderful and "healthier" alternative.
Some people do not have the luxury of being able to ingest all "natural" foods. I myself am missing a protein on my DNA strand and am unable to process many uncooked vegetables like cucumber and melon.
Thank you Sarah for helping out all of those who can't follow the typical definition in "healthy" foods and beverages.

Ingredient list of this stuff: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=179516548760320

No, thanks.

This will fall primarily on deaf ears, but I feel compelled to point this out. I've been reading The Kitchn for some time now, and this is the first time I have seen a patently mainstream "diet" product featured on the blog. The writers do an amazing job of featuring vegan, gluten free, quick meals, and even "veggie heavy" meals. But as a recent convert to Weight Watchers for an upcoming wedding I have started to notice that a lot of the recipes and single products featured here need a really heavy amount of tweaking to be considered healthy for someone that is dieting (to be completely clear, many Weight Watchers locations have been recommending this product to the point of handing out coupons- I personally haven't tried it). It should be considered by some of you that your diet is not everyone's diet. It's one thing to voice an opinion ("this isn't for me") but you can't expect a wide reaching blog to cater only to you. It's not feasible.

Have you tried True Lemon (they also have lime and orange) - http://www.truelemon.com/? It's crystalized lemon with nothing else. It's what helps me drink more water, which I'm really bad about otherwise. I like that it's very portable and each packet is equivalent to a wedge. I appreciate this post as like it or not, not everyone is good about drinking water. :o)

@hoosgracie - THANK YOU! This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for!! I am going to buy True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange today!

RebeccaDE - They're all good, we keep them in the house as well. They work great for marinades and salsas in a pinch as well!

@hoosgracie THIS. I am totally, completely, and 110% addicted to TrueLemon. :D

Anyone who says this isn't totally paid for and wrote by the company itself is just deluding themselves. Most of the comments also appear totally wrote by marketers. First time to this site but I definitely won't be coming back.

armakan - I'm sorry you feel that way, but posts on our site that are sponsored are clearly labeled. Hopefully you won't further mistake our enthusiasm/awareness of a product for a paid advertisement (which legally has to be disclosed).

Wow Yuppies and hippies like the ones beaten up the author of this article need to review stuff for themselves and shut the hell up. I never comment on anything but the negativity and overall douchebaggiery of the selling out comments is so irrelevant to anything. Get a life; do something positive like educate/feed/cloth the poor. Help a handicapped person but leave these reviewers alone. Write to the FDA or the world health organization and get real bad stuff off the shelf but stop wasting regular consumers like my time with hippie BS whining, The only good hippies were Abbie Hoffman and the Yippies anyway the rest were pop posers who would later become the douche yuppies of the 1980’s. IN CLOSEING THERE ARE MANY CAUSES TO GET BEHIND YOU RIGHTOUSE PIECES OF CRAP.

I don't drink plain water. I bought the Mango Peach yesterday and tried it last night..put a little in a bottle of water and was very good. Try it - you will like it. :)

I am trying to lose empty calories from sugary drink mixes and soda, so I picked up two varieties of MiO during my Thanksgiving grocery shopping: Sweet Tea & Fruit Punch. Both are very good indeed! The Sweet Tea tastes like the fountain tea you would get at a good diner or restaurant, and the Fruit Punch was just right; not overly sweet or acid. These are going to be a Godsend for me. I will definitely buy them again, and try some other flavors!

As good as these taste, they have ingredients in them that aren't meant for consumption, (Propylene Glycol) which is in things like lotion to keep them moist, and in antifreeze. It's known to cause diseases in animals, and kidney problems in humans when largely consumed. And Acesulfame Potassium is a fake sweetener that is potentially carcinogenic. I have had MiO once, and it was delicious, but as a skeptic, I knew it was too good to be true! Sorry to burst the MiO bubble. When I get thirsty and tired of plain water, I drink iced tea.

Wow. I hadn't read the other comments when I posted mine. I just thought "i'll comment on this, ! did research too." Clearly others have done research as well! There isn't hostility needed here, it's really just a drink enhancer. I was surprised to see it on the Kitchn too, I use this site for recipes and fresh ideas, and am just not a fan of MiO, but may be a fan of something or some product that comes up. I'll be open minded. But all in all, MiO isn't healthy, and agree that it doesn't really belong here.

I couldn’t find it in my local grocery store in Illinois, but I requested a free sample at freemio.net and the Strawberry Watermelon flavor rocks! I can’t wait to try the other flavors.

Please everyone keep your comments to yourself. So they like it! I like it! You don't have to use it!!! Spend your time being happy and smile for life moves way to fast to be so negative!!!!!!!!

My husband uses these all the time, and he's recently started using the Energy version. He was trying to convince me they were "healthy" because the label said natural flavors or something. I turned the bottle around and started reading the ingredients to him... really? This is not natural or healthy! He just laughed and continues to use them.

I'd like to see him just drink water! Why can't we just drink water? There are so many truly natural ways to enhance the flavor. I chug plain water all day. It's become a habit. I don't understand not "liking" water. It doesn't take like anything!

While I support everyone's decision to eat or drink whatever they want to, products like these concern me especially regarding children. It's causing our palettes to reject the REAL natural flavors and that makes me sad.

I love this stuff... i don't drink enough water but i LOVE sweet fruit juices... No these aren't super natural but they've got me drinking water, leaving me feeling better by the end of my work day, and snacking less. So i say win!

To those saying "why dont you just flavour your water with lemon, cucumber, lime or rose water?" i say.. because i dont want water barely flavoured with a lemon.. i want sweet fruit juice and this is a great alternative for someone who doesn't want to injest a bottle of liquid sugar.

I am drinking some of this Mio right now. I do like it for the water I always have by the bed. This is Kraft selling the syrup instead of the bottle of sugar-free pop. I like to make water mixtures weak and that is easy with this stuff.

Calm down. This flavoring isn't going to be what you die from. I didn't really expect to like it either, but it is kind of fun. Big deal! Anything fun is good as long as it isn't really dangerous to you or to the world. "Can't we all just get along?"

I add a little to some herbal tea that is not as delish as promised..presto--very tasty!
Healthy, but yucky, herbal teas can really use this.

From a bottle of Sweet Tea flavored MiO.

Water, Propylene Glycol, Malic Acid, Natural Flavor, contains less than 2% of Citric Acid, Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium (Sweeteners), Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)