Today vs. Traditional Energy Drinks
The best caffeinated sparkling water vs. the sugary can — an honest comparison
Why we built Today
Today started with a simple frustration: every energy drink on the shelf asked you to trade your health for a lift. Towering sugar counts, synthetic acids, and that unmistakable afternoon crash. We wanted the exact opposite — a crisp sparkling water that wakes you up with clean caffeine and leaves nothing behind. That founder's frustration became a bottle you can feel good about drinking every single day.
The side-by-side
| What matters | Today | Traditional energy drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | 0 g | 27–54 g per can |
| Calories | ~5 | 110–210 |
| Caffeine | 90 mg, clean | 80–160 mg + stimulant blends |
| Base | Sparkling water + electrolytes | Syrup, artificial dyes |
| The crash | None — steady lift | Sugar spike, then crash |
| Hydration | Actually hydrates | Dehydrating for most |
Zero sugar, no compromise
A single can of a leading energy drink can carry over 50 grams of sugar — more than a day's recommended limit in one sitting. Today uses a touch of stevia leaf extract and real fruit flavor, so you get a bright, refreshing taste with zero sugar and around five calories. No spike, no slump.
Clean caffeine that lasts
Today delivers 90 mg of caffeine per bottle — enough for a real lift, without the layered stimulant cocktails many energy drinks stack on top of sugar. Paired with an electrolyte blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, the energy arrives smooth and the hydration is real.
Sparkling water you'll actually crave
Most energy drinks are built on syrup. Today is built on carbonated spring water — light, crisp, and genuinely thirst-quenching. It's the best of both worlds: the everyday refreshment of sparkling water with the functional lift you'd normally have to buy in a sugary can.
Find your flavor
Ready to make the switch? Explore Today Lime and the rest of our caffeinated sparkling water lineup, or see the full range on our homepage. For the category breakdown, read caffeinated sparkling water vs. traditional energy drinks.