When it comes to staying hydrated, I try to do my best to drink plenty of water (coffee counts as water, right? Ha Ha). I’m not much of a energy drink person, and when it comes to juice, I’m not a fan. Most of them taste too syrupy and sweet for me. Not only that, being Diabetic I need to keep track of my sugar intake.
I do like drinks that have something “more” to them. What I mean by that is some kind of a health benefit, whether it’s the addition of vitamins and minerals my body needs, or even a bit of extra caffeine to get me through the day. Sadly even most sports drinks are too sweet for me.
Recently I received to review drinks from a new beverage line called LEVL. Yes, it’s spelled that way too.
LEVL isn’t your typical sports drink. It’s labeled as “functional hydration.” Functional hydration means that it goes beyond just satisfying your thirst. There are ingredients like adaptogens (mushrooms) and nootropics (improve cognitive function) that support specific needs like stress relief, mental focus, or muscle recovery.
Since I always look for products that serve a purpose and don’t taste like liquid candy, I knew I wanted to give this drink a try.
WHAT IS LEVL ALL ABOUT?
Before diving into the flavors, I wanted to explore what makes this brand unique. LEVL started with two friends who were fed up with the junk in traditional hydration drinks. They spent about two years reformulating their recipes before finally launching LEVL at the beginning of 2025.
LEVL centers on “mind and body balance.” Instead of packing in sugar and other useless ingredients, they use plant-based ingredients that aim to aid recovery.
The beverage is USDA Organic and includes items like Ashwagandha, an adaptogen that helps with stress and focus, and Goji Berry. For hydration, they skip the lab made ingredients and use ingredients like Aloe Vera, Nopal cactus, and Pink Himalayan Salt. I didn’t think salt would be a good thing to have in a beverage (who wants a salty drink?), but I do know that salt to some degree is good for your body. Believe it or not, your body does need salt to function properly.
In addition, LEVEL was created to help people to rehydrate faster and manage stress without causing a caffeine crash or a sugar high.
THE FLAVOR BREAKDOWN
Now let me move on to the flavors. Currently the brand has three flavors available; Acai & Berry, Pineapple & Coconut, and Lemon & Lime. .
Acai & Berry
This one was my favorite flavor out of the three. The flavor was surprisingly light. It had the rich berry taste that you’d expect from acai, but without being heavy.
Lemon & Lime
You can’t go wrong with this classic pairing. This flavor tastes crisp and clean. It’s not tart either. It sems perfectly balanced.
Pineapple & Coconut
I have to be honest, I was not a fan of this flavor, even though I do love pineapple and coconut. It sounds appealing, but something about this combination didn’t work for me. If you love coconut water, you might enjoy it because it resembles that taste, but for me, it was just so-so. My husband and son, who sometimes help me review products, liked it, so it really depends on your personal preference.
THE GOOD AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD
Like with any product, there are pros and cons to consider. And again, some times are more so your personal preference.
The Good:
- Not Overly Sweet: This is the biggest plus for me. With about 2g of natural sugar and no added sugar, these drinks are light and easy to sip.
- Low Calorie: Each bottle is around 15 to 25 calories, fitting easily into most diets.
- No Jitters: Since there’s no caffeine, I felt steady and hydrated without feeling wired.
- Clean Ingredients: I appreciate seeing the good for you ingredients, even the surprising Pink Himalayan Salt and Aloe. Did I mention that these drinks have no artificial colors too.
The Not-So-Good:
- Mild Flavor: If you prefer bold flavors you might find these a bit too subtle.
- Price: They are a bit more of a premium beverage, so they might not fit into your budget.
If you want the benefits of electrolytes and adaptogens without the sugar overload and high calories, LEVL is worth checking out. The Acai & Berry and Lemon & Lime flavors are both great options that I would buy again. It’s nice to find a drink that feels like it’s genuinely doing something good for your body and providing your body with more that it needs besides water.
If you want to try it for yourself, you can find LEVL in over 350 Target stores, mostly on the East Coast right now.
You can also purchase LEVL on the brand’s website, DrinkLEVL.com. They have a handy store locator that shows which local shops carry it. You can also read more about their ingredient sourcing and the science behind the adaptogens they use.
What do you think about LEVL? Do you think you want to try it for yourself?
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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