Felicity Cloake 

Which coconut water tastes best?

It’s the UK’s fastest-growing soft drink, and lots of brands are getting in on the act. We put five to the test
  
  

Grace coconut water.
Grace coconut water. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

Grace coconut water juice drink with real coconut pieces

95p for 310ml

6/10

As the “juice drink” label suggests, this is only 85% coconut water, topped up with sugar and quivery pieces of young coconut that are an interesting addition (a smooth version is also available). It has a slightly thin sweetness, which makes it feel more like a coconut-flavoured soft drink than an actual coconut water.

Naked 100% coconut water

£2.50 for 500ml

7/10

Made partially from concentrate, the pack boasts “naturally 40% less sugars than other coconut waters”, and it does indeed have a very restrained sweetness, though the fact it contains the water of three-quarters less of a coconut than the same volume of Innocent’s version (see below) might explain the lower calorie count.

Innocent 100% coconut water £2.50 for 500ml

9/10

This has a very robust, nutty flavour, and is rich without being overly sweet. Refreshing to find a coconut water that actually tastes of coconut.

Chi 100% coconut water

£1.80 for 330ml

8/10

A rather savoury water with a toasted, almost sesame-like character. I bet this would be interesting in a cocktail.

Vita Coco 99% coconut water

£1.75 for 330ml

7/10

This unashamedly full-flavoured example packs some serious coconut punch – almost like drinking a non-alcoholic piña colada.

 

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