Make a splash
Irish bottled water demand is accelerating as health trends, DRS and flavoured and functional formats drive sustained category growth
Print22 January 2026
Irish consumers are increasingly viewing bottled water as the go-to choice for healthy hydration, driven by wellness trends and government encouragement to prioritize water over soft drinks. Demand for bottled water, still, sparkling and with a hint of flavour is showing no signs of abating. The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has further boosted the category, especially for flavoured varieties.
As demand continues to accelerate, now is the ideal time for bottled water brands to enhance visibility, introduce innovations, and foster consumer loyalty.
Irish bottled water demand continues to benefit from health-led consumer trends and strong volume growth, with still formats dominating as functional and flavoured waters gain traction among shoppers. Euromonitor’s recent Bottled Water in Ireland report notes that wellness focus and safety concerns have lifted sales, supporting continued category expansion as consumers favour lower-sugar hydration options over traditional soft drinks.
The data highlights that functional and flavoured still waters are driving growth by offering lighter tastes and added benefits that appeal to health-conscious drinkers, while sparkling remains a smaller segment of the market.
Deep RiverRock, the ‘number one’ water brand for on-the-go
Deep RiverRock range
With over 30 years of experience in the market, consumer preference is at the heart of Deep RiverRock’s mission. As the number one impulse water brand on the island of Ireland* and on-the-go purchases are rising, Deep RiverRock delivers hydration that fits into busy, mobile lifestyles.
Deep RiverRock is meeting increased consumer demand for flavoured water with the top-selling 750ml flavoured water range on the island of Ireland*, including the number one flavour – Apple & Pear*.
In 2025, Deep RiverRock launched a new brand campaign – ‘That’s Better’ – taking a refreshingly honest approach, cutting through the noise of exaggerated wellness claims. Its message is simple: Deep RiverRock won’t make you better at anything – except hydrating.
Kylie Magee, marketing director at Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “Ireland is clearly embracing a new era of hydration. We know that consumers respond to authenticity, and in a market full of overpromises, we are a brand that offers straightforward, refreshing, and hydrating products.
“The That’s Better campaign, which launched last year, is a testament to the growing trend and success of the advanced hydration market. The campaign had a strong reach across Ireland and Northern Ireland, with consumers responding well and reaching for Deep RiverRock more and more. As hydration habits continue to evolve, Deep RiverRock will continue to lead with innovation, transparency and a commitment to keeping the nation honestly hydrated.”
* Nielsen IOI Water Value Sales latest 52 wks (w/e 28 Dec)
Ballygowan backs Irish sport for 2026
Ballygowan Hint of Fruit
2026 is set to be another busy year for the number one bottled water brand in the Republic of Ireland. Supporting Irish sport remains core to the brand ethos as Ballygowan will be keeping the Irish Men’s National Football team hydrated in their quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hydration will play an important role in Ireland’s upcoming qualifier with Czechia, and hopefully, we will be seeing a further home game later in the Aviva. The brand will also be highly visible throughout both the Men’s and Women’s 2026 Rugby Six Nations as the proud official water sponsor. Ballygowan retains its ambassadorships with Irish rugby players Béibhinn Parsons and Joe McCarthy, and both will feature prominently in a through-the-line campaign during the Six Nations period. This will include a host of exciting and disruptive activities, including special on-pack promotions, in-store activation and extensive social and digital touchpoints. There is a lot of excitement building ahead of the new GAA season across all codes, and Ballygowan is maintaining its longstanding support of several Men’s and Ladies county teams throughout the island of Ireland.
Flavoured water remains fundamental to the growth of the bottled water category, and Ballygowan Hint of Fruit is leading the charge in the Republic of Ireland as the number one flavoured water brand*. The Ballygowan Hint of Fruit range is continually innovating and now offers product offerings to suit every occasion, from flavoured still variants to the brand’s latest innovation in lightly sparkling flavoured water. The fact that Ballygowan Hint of Fruit is always sugar-free is a key driver in the ever-growing popularity of this range. Keep an eye out for the brand teaming up with run clubs, saunas and community events throughout 2026.
*Source: NIQ Ttl Scantrack, Flavoured Water, MAT TY Nov ‘25
Unlock incremental functional water sales with a new Rubicon taste experience
Rubicon Spring Vits range
Rubicon Spring, the number one Sparkling Flavoured Water*, is disrupting the functional water category in 2025 with brand new Rubicon Spring Vits, available now.
Rubicon Spring Vits comes in three delicious flavours: Black Cherry Pomegranate, Mango Passion and Strawberry Watermelon. Packed with essential vitamins to support energy and immunity and made with spring water, fruit juice and natural flavours, each format is just 15 calories.
Lisa McKenna, head of brand, Rubicon, said: “78% of shoppers are still choosing drinks for enjoyment, but aiming to drink more water. Taste remains the top driver but 69% are interested in added benefits such as energy and immunity.
“There is a perfect gap in the market for a trusted and established brand like Rubicon Spring to help retailers tap into this potential, with more than three times the brand awareness of the leading functional water brand*. The new Spring Vits range contains 100% of the recommended daily vitamin intake of a multivitamin blend, which is unlike any other brand on the market, as well as being full of tasty fruit flavours that Rubivon is known for.”
In consumer testing, 78% of shoppers said they would buy*, so retailers can maximise their sales by using its vibrant, attention-grabbing PoS to ensure shoppers can’t miss these on the shelf. Stock in the chiller next to other flavoured waters as this is where shoppers will look for them.
* Circana, Value sales, Flavoured Water, MAT to 21/12/24, Total Coverage
* Journey into the future of flavour, Mintel 2024
* Sample 200 Flavoured Water drinkers VYPR August 2024
* JVA Consumer Research, 13/02/2024
Hosons Brands launches new flavours
Lemonaid Orange
Something & Nothing Mango & Thai Basil
Hosons Brands, one of Ireland’s leading independent brand builders and the Irish partners of Something & Nothing premium sodas (London) and LemonAid+ / ChariTea – Organic & Fairtrade Soft Drinks and Loose Leaf Iced-Tea (Hamburg) announces the introduction of two new product flavours for 2026, with Something & Nothing – Mango & Thai Basil and LemonAid+ – Orange flavours added to their growing range of products. The new flavours will be available from March 2026.
Known for their curated portfolio of premium, adult-focused, better-for-you drinks, which also includes Roy Kombucha (Berlin), Hosons supply independent cafes, independent grocery stores, contract catering, health food stores and restaurants alongside select Centra and Spar outlets.
The launch of Something & Nothing’s Mango & Thai Basil follows the Pineapple & Pink Grapefruit and Ginger & Key Lime flavours, which were introduced last summer. The brand has rolled out yet another flavour ‘for the curious’ consumer, delivering on the subtropical vibes of a Southeast Asia getaway, allowing Irish consumers to ‘escape the everyday’.
Flavour profile is ripe, juicy, fragrant mango, but it’s the Thai basil that takes it somewhere else entirely. It’s aniseed-y, herbal aromatics bring a cool, unexpected twist that makes every sip more layered, more complex and totally unlike anything else you’ve ever had.
LemonAid+, synonymous with their strong commitment to sourcing only Fairtrade and Organic ingredients, has introduced their freshest new flavour from their iconic and globally recognisable soft drink lineup – LemonAid+ Orange.
Simple as it is, refreshing, sparkling water, real juice from organic sun-ripened oranges and lemons, a dash of Fairtrade cane sugar, and nothing else. No concentrates, no shortcuts – just freshly pressed organic fruit doing what it does best. Good for you, good for others, good for the planet. Sunshine in a bottle.
LemonAid+ and Something & Nothing products are available directly through Hosons Brands and can be bought through Hosons wholesale partners, including BWG, Odaios Foods, Independent Irish Health Foods, Conaty Catering and Elliott’s Cash & Carry.
E: info@hosonsbrands.com W: www.hosons.com
S.Pellegrino: The sparkling Italian icon on the world’s finest tables
S. Pellegrino
For over 125 years, S.Pellegrino has proudly brought the essence of Italian style to tables around the world. Born in the heart of the Italian Alps and historically appreciated for its thermal qualities, our sparkling natural mineral water, with its signature gentle bubbles and perfect mineral balance, is today chosen for its unique taste that transforms every occasion into something extraordinary. With roots in Italy and a presence in over 120 countries, S.Pellegrino represents the best of the Italian way of living: natural elegance, conviviality, and good taste. It’s more than just water; it’s a lifestyle, a symbol of refinement that elevates dining experiences everywhere.
It has become the jewel of sparkling waters, celebrated by chefs and sommeliers for its ideal pairing properties, making it the fine dining water of choice in the most prestigious restaurants.
Over the years, S.Pellegrino has delighted gastronomy lovers with partnerships and limited editions inspired by icons of fashion, art, and culture, including Vogue, Bulgari, Missoni, and Pavarotti. Today, S.Pellegrino is proud to announce a new lifestyle chapter: a long-term partnership with Ferrari, a legacy that brings together two champions of heritage, craftsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Speaking of excellence, in 2015, S.Pellegrino launched a global project dedicated to young chef talents: the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, which every 18 months discovers and celebrates the future protagonists of high-end gastronomy.
S.Pellegrino is also a proud historical partner of Food For Soul, the non-profit organization founded by Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore, aimed at preventing food waste. We amplify awareness about this topic with dedicated campaigns and storytelling on social media and on Fine Dining Lovers by S.Pellegrino – our content platform dedicated to food enthusiasts.
From the Alps to the world’s finest tables, we invite you to discover the origins of our sparkling natural mineral water and experience how its timeless elegance and caring attitude transform every moment into something extraordinary.
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