Waterloo – All Day Rosé

I had to immediately check the ingredients because I thought Waterloo might be expanding to the booze market! Then I noticed it says: “Non-Alcoholic” prominently in a little gold coin in the middle of the can. It’s the usual, “water and natural flavors”—what a pleasure it is, with these sparkling waters, to keep checking those ingredients, and keep seeing that minimal text! I was particularly excited to try this one because I believe it’s Waterloo’s “Grape” water that’s one of my favorites—for which I think I said something like: “They’ve done it! They’ve created an inexpensive non-alcoholic wine.” I’m quoting from memory, but that’s the gist—because that water did remind me of wine. And now they’ve introduced some new flavors that are definitely in the “mocktail” realm! (This was last summer, and I’m only getting around to this now—I’m still pathetically behind with the reviews!) Anyway, could they be listening to me? (No.)

So… this one—interesting, because as you know, rosé wine has a unique character. Even if I was still drinking, I wouldn’t get within 100 hectometers of rosé—it’s essentially a wine abomination. I’m sure I’m wrong about that—but I’m talking about the cheap stuff from, like, the Seventies. I didn’t even drink it as a kid, and I drank some crap. But I do remember it like it was yesterday. So, this one might be a little lighter and even less grapey than their “Grape,” but it really does touch on the rosé character. It’s pretty fascinating! I’m quite excited about this water! It could easily be my new regular (that is, if I had a regular). Great name, too, All Day Rosé—that’s inspired!

Okay. It’s now a year later, and I’m drinking my last can. When I discovered they were phasing it out, last fall, I tried to buy as much as I could carry, which wasn’t enough. I realize it was intended to be a “seasonal” flavor—and they probably didn’t expect it to go over as well as it did. Or maybe it went over horribly, I don’t know. It’s not like my opinion counts for anything. Should I write to Waterloo and beg them to bring this one back? Maybe I should—will they listen to me? (No.)

Also, I was afraid I might have just been blowing this up in my memory, so it’s very useful to be sampling one a year later. And guess what? It’s even better than I remember it! I’m going to say, this is my all-time favorite sparkling water flavor. It is! Of course, it’s a little alarming, as well. How do they pull off that weird sensation that you normally only get from alcohol? It’s hard to describe—kind of makes you feel funny in the chest—takes your breath away, slightly. This water has that! It’s really an amazing feat for a non-alcoholic beverage. Of course, it might be a slippery slope. If I end up falling off the wagon and destroying my life, I suppose at least I won’t, at that point, give a damn if Waterloo brings All Day Rosé back—I’ll be drinking whiskey.

No. 111 – 7.15.25