When people discover LaCroix for the first time, they usually have the same question: which flavor should I start with? It's a fair question. Seven varieties on a shelf, no sugar, no sweeteners — nothing familiar to guide you if you've only ever drunk sodas or juice.
The short answer is: there's no wrong choice. But there are definitely better starting points depending on what you're used to drinking. This guide breaks down all seven LaCroix flavors available in Cyprus, what they actually taste like (honestly — no marketing fluff), and who they're best suited for.
First: What Does LaCroix Actually Taste Like?
If you're expecting something sweet, you'll be surprised. LaCroix is not sweet. It's carbonated water flavored with natural fruit essence — meaning you get a hint of the fruit's aroma, not its sweetness. Think of it less like a Fanta and more like water that smells of lime.
This is exactly the point. LaCroix was designed to make drinking more water feel interesting — not to replicate a soda. Once your palate adjusts (usually within a few cans), most people find they prefer the cleaner finish. The absence of sweetness stops being a gap and starts feeling like a relief.
Now, to the flavors.
All 7 LaCroix Flavors in Cyprus — Reviewed
Lime is the flagship — and for good reason. It's the brightest, most recognizable flavor of the range. The natural lime essence gives a clean citrus hit on the nose with a crisp, refreshing finish. It's bold enough to feel satisfying but light enough to drink all day. If you're new to LaCroix, start here. Most people who try Lime first become regulars.
Passion Fruit is the one that gets people talking. It has a uniquely floral, tropical character — sweet-smelling without being sweet. It's complex for a sparkling water: there's a tartness underneath the aromatics that makes it feel sophisticated. Pairs exceptionally well with food, especially grilled meats and salads. One of the more distinct options in the range.
This is the most approachable flavor for people switching from sweet drinks. The strawberry and peach essences work together to create something warm and gently fruity. It's not overpowering — more like the idea of strawberry peach than the actual fruit. If you or someone you know struggles with plain sparkling water, Strawberry Peach is the bridge flavor. Great for children and anyone with a sweet tooth in transition.
Limoncello is different from Lime in a meaningful way. Where Lime is sharp and bright, Limoncello is warmer and more rounded — like sun-dried lemon rather than fresh-squeezed. The natural essence captures that Italian liqueur quality without any alcohol or sweetness. It's a more nuanced, adult flavor. Excellent with sparkling water mocktails or alongside Mediterranean food. The most "European" of the seven.
Tangerine has a sweeter, softer citrus profile than Lime or Limoncello — closer to mandarin than sharp lemon. It's the most universally liked citrus option in the range: bright enough to be interesting, gentle enough for people who find lime too intense. If you're a fan of mandarin or clementine flavors, Tangerine will feel immediately familiar. Excellent chilled on a hot afternoon.
Black Razzberry is the most intense flavor in the range — deep, dark berry with a slightly tart edge. The natural black raspberry essence is distinctive and polarizing: some people love it from the first sip, others need a few cans to come around. It's the most "unusual" of the seven, and that's a feature, not a bug. Excellent for sparkling water mocktails and for anyone who finds most sparkling waters too subtle. Not the recommended starting point for first-timers.
Pure is exactly what the name says: just carbonated water. No flavor, no essence — the original LaCroix. It's the cleanest, most neutral option and is perfect for anyone who wants sparkling water without any flavor at all. Ideal for pairing with food (where a flavor might compete), for hydration purists, and for anyone with dietary restrictions or sensitivities. Also the best LaCroix for making cocktails and mocktails where the flavor comes from other ingredients.
Quick Flavor Finder
Not sure where to start? Match your taste profile to your first can.
How to Build Your Variety Pack
LaCroix is sold in 8-can carton packs at Sklavenitis, but you can also pick up individual cans to explore. The most popular first-time approach is what we call the Citrus Starter Pack: one can each of Lime, Limoncello, and Tangerine. You get the full spectrum of citrus styles in a single tasting session, and one of the three will almost certainly become your anchor flavor.
From there, Passion Fruit and Strawberry Peach are the most popular second purchases — especially for people who want something a bit different from citrus. Black Razzberry tends to follow once people are comfortable with the LaCroix style and want something bolder.
A Few Things People Get Wrong
Temperature matters. LaCroix is significantly better very cold. If you try it at room temperature, you'll get more of the carbonation and less of the flavor. Always chill before your first sip.
It's not supposed to taste like the fruit. The essence gives aroma, not sweetness. You're not biting into a lime — you're drinking water that reminds you of one. Once you stop comparing it to juice, you start appreciating it on its own terms.
Give it three cans. LaCroix is one of those things that grows on you. If your first can doesn't land, try the same flavor twice more before switching. Most people's palates adjust within three cans, and what started as "odd" often becomes their favorite within a week.