Glaceau Smartwater

Glaceau smartwater launched in 1996 as a premium bottled water option that used vapor distillation to remove impurities before adding back specific electrolytes. The brand quickly carved out a niche by focusing on purity and a clean, crisp taste rather than natural spring sources. Its signature cobalt blue bottles became instantly recognizable on store shelves across the United States.

Energy Brands, a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, acquired the original Glaceau Inc. in 2007 and integrated the product into its massive global distribution network. This partnership allowed smartwater to expand beyond American borders, reaching markets in the UK, Australia, China, and Argentina within a decade. By 2014, the company began producing British spring water versions for the European market to meet local preferences while maintaining the core distillation process for other regions.

The brand continued to innovate with packaging formats long after its initial success. In 2016, they introduced a sports cap for easier drinking during activity, followed by sparkling varieties in 2017. Recent efforts include rolling out 12-ounce aluminum cans in April 2024 and using labels made from recyclable materials to address environmental concerns. These moves helped the brand maintain sales near $830 million annually in 2017 while competing directly with names like Fiji and Evian. [edit]