Polar is an independent, family-owned soft drink company with a long history of producing fizzy drinks and bottled water for U.S. consumers. Dennis Crowley founded liquor company J.G. Bierbach Company in 1882, which later became Polar in 1916. The U.S. prohibition spurred the company to get out of the alcohol business and start selling carbonated beverages instead, according to an article in The Boston Globe. The brand is often recognized for its polar bear mascot, named Orson. Polar employs about 1,800 people and has plants in Massachusetts, New York, and Georgia. Though the brand has a devoted following in New England, it was late to expand nationally. However, with modern consumers demanding more and more seltzer, Polar has been able to expand its reach and its unique variety of flavors. It has grown to become one of the country’s largest independent soft-drink bottlers, so it’s absolutely worth looking into our Polar seltzer water reviews. If you’re looking for the best flavor options, check out our thorough Polar seltzer reviews below. We also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this brand, so make sure to have a look through those after checking out the Polar seltzer review.
Polar Seltzer is a Massachusetts-based sparkling seltzer brand by Polar Beverage. The family owned and operated company has been producing seltzer and sparkling products for more than 135 years using locally sourced water. The bubbles in Polar Seltzer are created by dissolving Co2 into water using high pressure and freezing cold temperatures in an oxygen-depleted environment. Then, oils and essences from fruit are used to add flavoring to the fizzy water.
Polar Seltzer beverages do not contain artificial sweeteners, sugars, sodium, salt, or carbs. It became available in stores nationwide in 2020.
Polar Seltzer water is a type of sparkling water that is produced by Polar Beverage. Polar Seltzer water first became popular during the prohibition era when many Americans turned to soft drinks in place of alcohol. Polar Beverage’s predecessor, J.G. Bierbach Company, was actually a liquor company before the prohibition halted alcohol production and sales in the U.S. Today, Polar Seltzer comes in a variety of fruity core flavors, as well as several limited edition seasonal varieties that keep fans guessing every year. In recent years, Polar Seltzer has expanded to become a national brand as sparkling beverages grow in popularity and people realize they can be good alternatives to sugary sodas.
Polar sparkling water is a brand of sparkling seltzer water products produced by a family owned and operated business that has been based in Worcester, Massachusetts for more than 135 years. Polar sparkling water beverages are made with carbonated water and natural fruit flavors. The bubbles in Polar sparkling water are created by dissolving Co2 into water using high pressure and cold temperatures. This process allows Polar Beverage to skip the added sodium and sweeteners to achieve a pleasant fizzy beverage.
Polar Seltzer core flavors include Cranberry Clementine, Pineapple Pomelo, Toasted Coconut, Cranberry Lime, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Pink Apple & Lemon, Ginger Lime Mule, Vanilla, Raspberry Lime, Orange Vanilla, Strawberry Watermelon, Blueberry Lemonade, Georgia Peach, Mandarin, Triple Berry, Original, Lemon, Lime, Black Cherry, and Pomegranate.
Polar also releases limited edition batches of flavors twice each year, once on May 1 and once on October 1.
According to Polar’s website the special flavors started as a ‘Thank you’ to the brand’s fans. “We began with playful recipes made in very small quantities to push our creativity. The idea was to surprise and delight diehard Polar Seltzer aficionados. The recipes are still inspired by seasonal ingredients, places we have traveled, or amazing things we’ve tasted,” the website states.
Polar will occasionally release other special flavors, like “I’d Rather Drink Alone” for Valentine’s Day and “Polar 100” for it’s 100th flavor.
Don’t forget to leverage Seltzer Nation for our honest and in-depth Polar seltzer reviews.
Arctic Summer Seltzer is a variety of hard seltzers made using Polar Seltzer. Arctic Summer Seltzer is part of the Arctic Chill brand of hard seltzers, which are made with natural fruit flavors and Polar seltzer. Each can has a 5% ABV and 100 calories, which is typical for most spiked seltzer beverages. It contains 0 grams of sugar.
Arctic Summer Seltzer flavors in its “The Daytripper Mix” include Fresh Lime, Strawberry Watermelon, Mandarin Orange, and Cranberry Lime. The flavors in its “The Weekender Mix” include Pineapple Pomelo, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Raspberry Lime, and Black Cherry.
There is also Ginger Lime, which is inspired by Moscow Mule cocktails.
Sparkling Polar is a calorie-free carbonated drink that contains sparkling water, bubbles, and natural flavors. It’s made by Polar Beverage, a family owned and operated company that’s been making carbonated drinks in Massachusetts since the late 1800s.
Sparkling polar comes in a variety of core flavors, as well as limited edition seasonal flavors that have set the brand apart in the New England region for generations. Polar expanded into stores nationwide in 2020.
“Consumer tastes have shifted from syrupy sodas to lighter, calorie-free carbonated drinks,” according to a 2016 article published in The Boston Globe. “Americans’ newfound obsession with seltzer has led to unprecedented growth for Polar, five generations after it was founded by the Crowley family.”
Polar Seltzer Jr. is a line of six kid friendly seltzer beverages produced by Polar. Polar Seltzer Jr. is sold in small, 8 oz. cans that feature fun designs and short stories about each unique flavor. Each can has all-natural ingredients and no calories. The flavors are available to purchase in stores all year.
Doctors say that sparkling water drink can be a good alternative to sugary sodas and other beverages. According to the State of Childhood Obesity, sugary drinks can account for the largest source of calories in a child’s diet and provide nearly half of their sugar intake. Sugary drinks can lead to excess weight gain, tooth decay, and other health problems.
Polar Seltzer is sold at Costco stores across the United States. You can purchase a 32-count variety pack of 12 oz. cans. The partnership with Costco was first announced in June 2020 and marked the first time the brand branched out to a nationwide wholesale club chain.
Polar Seltzer Jr. flavors include Unicorn Kisses, Pixie Lights, Mermaid Songs, Dragon Whispers, Minotaur Mayhem, and Yeti Mischief. The seltzers are sold in mini, 8 oz. cans and feature bright colors and fun designs. Polar Seltzer Jr. drinks do not contain calories or sweeteners. Seltzer Nation rates and reviews numerous Polar seltzer flavors.
Yes, there is a line of hard seltzers called Arctic Chill that is made using Polar seltzer water. The alcohol in Arctic Chill comes from sugar cane mash and also contains natural fruit flavors, according to the company’s website. Arctic Chill has a 5% ABV, which is typical for most spiked seltzers. It contains 100 calories and 0 grams of sugar.
Arctic Chill is gluten free, vegan, Kosher, and keto friendly. It is available to purchase in 25 states as well as the Dominican Republic.
“Arctic Chill is the hard seltzer for people who genuinely love seltzer,” Arctic Chill’s website states. “All Arctic Chill recipes feature Polar Seltzer as the key ingredient.”
Polar Orange Vanilla is a flavored carbonated water beverage that contains natural ingredients. It does not contain calories, sodium, or gluten. It is vegan and Kosher. Polar Orange Vanilla is sold in plastic bottles and aluminum cans. This highly rated flavor actually made it into our Top 10 sparkling waters of 2020.
Arctic Seltzer is actually called Arctic Chill, which is a brand of spiked seltzers made using seltzer by Polar Beverage. It contains 100 calories and has a 5% ABV. Arctic Chill is available to purchase in two variety packs of four flavors. There is also a Moscow Mule-inspired Ginger Lime flavor.
Unicorn Seltzer is one of the special flavors of the Polar Seltzer Jr. line. It is actually called Unicorn Kisses and is sold in mini, 8 oz. aluminum cans. Reviewers say the flavor tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher with a strawberry bubblegum aftertaste, according to an article by Bon Appetit.
Dragon Whispers is another special flavor that is part of the Polar Seltzer Jr. line. Dragon Whispers comes with a light, citrus taste. It’s sold in small, 8 oz. aluminum can featuring a fun, colorful design.
Polar typically announces a line of limited edition flavors for summer every year. Polar’s summer 2020 flavors were: Strawberry Margarita, Blackberry Mango Punch, Kiwi Pink Grapefruit, Raspberry Rose, and Perfectly Plum Summer. Polar usually releases two lines of seasonal, limited edition flavors every year.
Polar’s line of limited edition summer flavors are announced on May 1 each year. Polar executives say they find flavor inspirations from popular foods of the moment, new and exciting flavors, and from traveling to new places.
The flavors are only available for a few weeks, and Polar fans will often flock to stores to purchase the last packs of flavors they know won’t be around much longer.
Seltzer Nation has the largest collection of Polar seltzer reviews and ratings, so always start here when selecting your next tasty beverage.