This week’s reviews roundup features a pair of brands pushing the envelope — one in a evolving new category of ‘greens’ drinks (Huel) and another offering a fresh take on the classic soda (Hawaiian Soda Co.). To submit your beverage product to BevNET for review, click here. And to browse past reviews, check the archive here.
Huel, best known for its powder-based and RTD meal replacements, has expanded its lineup with the launch of Daily Greens. Packaged in sleek 12 oz cans, Daily Greens comes in three flavors: Apple, Cucumber & Mint, Blueberry, Lemon & Thyme, and Peach & Hibiscus. Each can has 25 calories, 1g sugar (no added sugar), and 7% juice, while boasting an extensive roster of functional ingredients, including 42 vitamins and minerals, superfoods, adaptogens, lion’s mane mushroom, 4g of fiber, electrolytes, and antioxidants.
Things that stand out:
- The flavor profiles are pleasant and approachable, with modest sweetness that avoids any off-putting aftertaste. Stevia Reb M is the sweetener of choice and it blends in well. There is, however, a noticeable functional flavor to the drink, which is mostly likely from the added vitamins. Still, they remain light and refreshing and they finish relatively clean.
- Packaging is bold and distinct from Huel’s core black and white identity, leaning into a strong green backdrop that cues health and functionality. We think it’s a really good choice that lets existing customers know it’s something different while also
Things to consider:
- The base flavor across the lineup tastes quite similar, making it harder for each SKU to stand apart.
- The lengthy on-pack communication, including a technical ingredient list and dense nutrition panel, may overwhelm or alienate some consumers. Simplifying the front-of-can messaging could make the product feel more approachable and less clinical.
Rating: 
Hawaiian Soda Co. Real Fruit Sodas
Hawaiian Soda Co. is a line of 12-ounce cans that highlight tropical-inspired flavors such as Mango Sunset, Strawberry Guava, and Lilikoi Orange. Made with 33% to 50% real juice and sweetened with stevia, these sodas contain between 50 and 90 calories and have zero grams of added sugar. The lineup leans more toward sparkling juice than traditional soda, but the positioning emphasizes clean ingredients and a Hawaiian-inspired flavor story.
Things that stand out:
- Strong use of real juice with higher-than-average content for a soda (33% to 50%). While there is added stevia, the juice seems to provide most of the drink’s sweetness – and flavoring.
- We like the tropical style flavors, which are well executed and enjoyable while also helping to set the lineup apart from other brands.
- Caffeine-free and “junk-free” positioning makes for a family-friendly option.
- Packaging is bright, colorful, and eye-catching, with clear fruit illustrations that work well on shelf. Branding leans into Hawaiian culture with names like Luau Punch and Lilikoi Orange, which reinforces the brand identity.
Things to consider:
- Perhaps the brand is in the middle of a packaging update, but our samples had a labeling inconsistency in that some cans were labeled “sparkling” while others were labeled “real fruit soda.” We prefer the former.
- Some of the flavors may feel niche or unfamiliar to mainstream shoppers who are more accustomed to standard soda flavors. From our perspective, having fewer SKUs could be a short term solution while the brand gets its footing.
Rating: 