Hoist: Strawberry Lemonade (Original)

The Strawberry Lemonade variety of Hoist was our preferred flavor of the two varieties that we sampled. The product, which is sweetened with crystalline fructose and stevia, has good amount of sweetness and only 10 grams of sugar per 12 oz. bottle. The strawberry lemonade flavor tastes very much like a sports drink, which is the result of it having a slightly salty finish. It’s definitely a very drinkable flavor and it definitely quenches your thirst. Otherwise, it’s hard to really compare the efficacy of this product’s electrolyte content versus others, but the drink contains 300mg of sodium and 120mg of potassium on its nutrition facts panel. Visually, the 12 oz. bottle seems much better than the can that the product was previously in (it looked too much like an energy drink). Still, there’s something about this product that feels ambiguous, with the small size and “Hoist” name not feeling like it’s trying to be a sports drink (which is really the closest category to “rehydration” and likely where this brand fits). That said, we’re not convinced that the current branding and packaging is where it needs to be in order for this product to realize its full potential. Still, it’s a step forward and we’re glad to see that the company behind it is willing to change. Overall, an enjoyable product, but it feels like its niche is still a bit too limited.