We may not have personally tested every product. This review is based on official product information, product specifications and comparative research. It is not medical advice.
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Poppi Short List Variety Pack, 12 Cans
Three cans each of Raspberry Rose, Orange, Strawberry Lemon and Cherry Limeade, all with five grams of sugar and three grams of dietary fiber.
Poppi Orange, 12 fl oz
A caffeine-free orange soda with 30 calories, five grams of sugar, three grams of dietary fiber and five percent juice.
Poppi Strawberry Lemon, 12 fl oz
A caffeine-free strawberry-and-lemon soda with 30 calories, five grams of sugar, three grams of dietary fiber and six percent juice.
Poppi Classics Variety Pack, 12 Cans
Three cans each of Classic Cola, Doc Pop, Root Beer and Lemon Lime; Classic Cola and Doc Pop contain 40 mg natural caffeine.
What is Poppi?
Poppi is a modern soda brand that combines sparkling water, fruit ingredients, apple cider vinegar and prebiotic fibers with five grams of sugar or less per can. Most current flavors provide 30–35 calories and 3 g of dietary fiber.
The company began in Texas in 2015 when Allison Ellsworth experimented with fruit juice, sparkling water and apple cider vinegar in her kitchen. Allison and her husband, Stephen Ellsworth, originally sold the drink as Mother Beverage at a farmers’ market. They later appeared on Shark Tank, partnered with Rohan Oza and relaunched the product under the Poppi name in 2020.
Poppi joined the PepsiCo family in 2025. Its current catalog includes fruit sodas, cola-inspired flavors, cream sodas, limited editions, mini cans and multiple themed variety packs.
Our quick verdict
Poppi earns a 4.8/5 editorial rating. It succeeds primarily as a lower-sugar soda with bright flavors, attractive packaging and a recognizable carbonated-drink experience. It is considerably closer to conventional soda than plain sparkling water.
The Short List Variety Pack is the best first purchase because it allows customers to compare four fruit flavors. Orange is the strongest single flavor for classic-soda drinkers, Strawberry Lemon is the best tart fruit option, and the Classics Variety Pack is ideal for cola, root-beer and lemon-lime fans.
Poppi should not be purchased primarily as a gut-health treatment. Current labels list 3 g of dietary fiber—11% of the FDA Daily Value—per can. That is a useful contribution, but it does not replace a varied, fiber-rich diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
What is inside a current Poppi can?
The exact formula changes by flavor, but most current products contain:
- Sparkling water
- Cassava-root fiber
- Organic agave inulin
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Organic cane sugar
- Fruit juice or juice concentrate
- Natural flavors
- Stevia-leaf extract
- Citric, tartaric or another food acid depending on flavor
- Fruit or vegetable ingredients for color in selected flavors
Poppi describes cassava-root fiber and agave inulin as prebiotics. Prebiotics are substrates that can be used by selected microorganisms in the gut, but the effect depends on the fiber type, dose, overall diet and individual microbiome.
Current nutrition profile
Most current 12-ounce Poppi cans provide:
- 30–35 calories
- 9 g total carbohydrate
- 3 g dietary fiber
- 5 g total sugar
- 3–4 g added sugar
- 0–5 mg sodium
- 0 g fat
- 0 g protein
Three grams of fiber represents 11% of the current FDA Daily Value of 28 g. FDA guidance generally considers 20% Daily Value or more to be high, so Poppi is a source of fiber but not a high-fiber food under that general benchmark.
Best overall: Short List Variety Pack
The Short List is the most practical introduction to Poppi. The current 12-pack contains three cans each of:
- Raspberry Rose: juicy raspberry with a light floral finish.
- Orange: a bright, familiar orange-soda profile.
- Strawberry Lemon: sweet strawberry balanced by tart lemon.
- Cherry Limeade: cherry sweetness with a sharper lime finish.
All four flavors currently contain 5 g sugar and 3 g dietary fiber. Calories range from approximately 30 to 35 per can.
Current U.S. online prices vary by retailer and promotion. Recent 12-pack references have ranged from approximately $16.99 to $23.97. That equals roughly $1.42–$2.00 per can.
The pack is best for new customers because Poppi’s flavors differ more than the similar nutrition panels suggest. Raspberry Rose has a floral note, Cherry Limeade is sharper and Strawberry Lemon is more candy-like. Buying one full case of a single unfamiliar flavor carries more risk.
Best classic fruit soda: Orange
Orange is our best single-flavor recommendation because it captures the taste and aroma people expect from orange soda without becoming excessively syrupy.
The current Nutrition Facts panel lists:
- 30 calories
- 9 g total carbohydrate
- 3 g dietary fiber
- 5 g total sugar
- 3 g added sugar
- 0 mg sodium
Its ingredients currently include sparkling water, cassava-root fiber, apple-juice concentrate, organic cane sugar, organic apple cider vinegar, natural flavors, orange-juice concentrate, organic agave inulin, stevia and beta carotene for color. It contains 5% juice.
A current national-retailer reference is approximately $2.29 for one 12-ounce can or about $6.99 for a four-pack, with local pricing and promotions varying.
Orange is caffeine-free under the current formula. It is suitable for afternoon and evening use when caffeine is being avoided, although the carbonation and acidity may aggravate reflux or dental sensitivity in some people.
Best tart fruit flavor: Strawberry Lemon
Strawberry Lemon is one of Poppi’s most approachable fruit flavors. The strawberry creates a familiar sweet aroma, while lemon keeps the drink from tasting flat.
The current Nutrition Facts panel lists:
- 30 calories
- 9 g total carbohydrate
- 3 g dietary fiber
- 5 g total sugar
- 4 g added sugar
- 0 mg sodium
The current ingredient list includes sparkling water, cassava-root fiber, organic cane sugar, organic apple cider vinegar, natural flavors, lemon-juice concentrate, strawberry-juice concentrate, organic agave inulin, stevia and vegetable juice for color. The product contains 6% juice.
A current national-retailer reference is $2.29 per 12-ounce can or approximately $6.99 for a four-pack.
Strawberry Lemon is best served very cold. Customers sensitive to sweetener aftertaste may prefer a citrus-forward flavor such as Ginger Lime or Lemon Lime.
Best for traditional soda flavors: Classics Variety Pack
The Classics Variety Pack is designed for customers replacing familiar mainstream sodas rather than seeking fruit seltzer.
The current 12-pack contains three cans each of:
- Classic Cola
- Doc Pop
- Root Beer
- Lemon Lime
Each flavor contains 5 g sugar and 3 g fiber. Classic Cola and Doc Pop currently contain 40 mg natural caffeine per can. Root Beer and Lemon Lime are currently caffeine-free.
Current U.S. 12-pack pricing varies widely by retailer and promotion, with recent online references commonly around $16–$24.
The Classics pack is the better option for former cola or root-beer drinkers. The taste remains lighter and more stevia-forward than full-sugar soda, so it should not be expected to be an exact duplicate.
Featured-product comparison
ProductFormatKey distinctionBest for Short List12-can variety packFour top fruit flavorsBest first purchase OrangeSingle flavorClassic orange-soda profileTraditional fruit-soda drinkers Strawberry LemonSingle flavorSweet berry with tart citrusFruit-forward refreshment Classics12-can variety packCola, root beer, lemon lime and Doc PopReplacing familiar soda flavorsHow does Poppi compare with conventional soda?
Poppi’s clearest nutritional advantage is its lower sugar and calorie profile. Current cans contain 5 g sugar or less and no more than 35 calories.
The drink is not sugar-free. It combines cane sugar, fruit ingredients and stevia to create a fuller soda taste than many zero-calorie flavored waters.
Poppi also supplies 3 g fiber. Conventional soda generally does not provide dietary fiber, but Poppi should still be treated as a beverage rather than a substitute for fiber-rich meals.
How does Poppi compare with diet soda?
Poppi contains calories and sugar, while many diet sodas contain neither. The decision depends on priorities:
- Choose Poppi when a small amount of sugar, fruit ingredients and fiber is acceptable.
- Choose a diet soda when minimizing sugar and calories is the only priority.
- Choose plain or flavored sparkling water when avoiding sugar, caffeine and functional claims.
Poppi uses stevia rather than aspartame in its current products. People can dislike the taste of either sweetener, and one choice is not automatically appropriate for every person.
Is Poppi really good for gut health?
Poppi contains prebiotic fibers that may be fermented by selected gut bacteria. Dietary fiber is important for digestive and metabolic health, but benefits are influenced by the overall diet and the quantity and diversity of fiber consumed.
A current Poppi can contributes 3 g fiber. That is useful but represents only 11% of the FDA Daily Value. The remaining daily fiber still needs to come from foods and other beverages.
It is more accurate to describe Poppi as a lower-sugar soda containing prebiotic fiber than as a beverage guaranteed to transform gut health.
The Poppi gut-health settlement
Poppi faced consolidated U.S. litigation alleging that earlier “gut healthy” marketing representations were misleading. The plaintiffs argued that historical products contained too little fiber to support the promoted benefits and that consumers paid more because of those claims.
Poppi denied wrongdoing and maintained that its labeling was truthful. The parties agreed to an $8.9 million settlement rather than continue the litigation.
The federal court granted final approval in April 2026 and entered final judgment in June 2026. The settlement covered qualifying U.S. purchases made between January 23, 2020 and July 18, 2025.
The settlement does not establish that current Poppi is unsafe. It does support reading health-oriented beverage claims carefully and focusing on the actual Nutrition Facts panel. Current products reviewed here list 3 g fiber per can, while the litigation addressed historical marketing and products sold during the settlement period.
Apple cider vinegar: ingredient versus health dose
Every current Poppi flavor contains organic apple cider vinegar. In the finished soda, it mainly contributes acidity and a mild fermented edge.
Poppi does not publicly disclose a therapeutically standardized apple-cider-vinegar dose per can. Research on vinegar consumed in specific quantities cannot automatically be applied to a flavored soda containing an unspecified amount.
Customers should not expect one can to control blood sugar, promote weight loss or treat digestive symptoms. People taking diabetes medication or managing gastrointestinal conditions should discuss frequent vinegar-product use with a clinician.
Fiber tolerance and digestive side effects
Agave inulin and other fermentable fibers can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort or changes in bowel habits in some people. Tolerance often depends on the amount consumed and whether the person already eats a high-fiber diet.
Start with one can rather than several. People with irritable bowel syndrome or sensitivity to fermentable carbohydrates may react more strongly.
A digestive reaction does not necessarily mean the product is dangerous, but persistent pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or unexplained symptoms require medical evaluation.
Caffeine: check the flavor
Most fruit flavors—including Orange and Strawberry Lemon—are caffeine-free. Some cola-style products contain caffeine.
Classic Cola and Doc Pop currently list 40 mg natural caffeine per 12-ounce can. That is less than many cups of coffee, but several cans can still affect sleep or contribute to total daily caffeine intake.
Parents, pregnant customers and caffeine-sensitive users should inspect the exact label rather than assuming every Poppi can is caffeine-free.
Acidity and dental health
Poppi is acidic because it contains carbonation, apple cider vinegar, fruit ingredients and food acids. Acidic drinks can contribute to enamel erosion when consumed frequently or sipped over a long period.
Practical steps include:
- Drink the can with a meal rather than continuously throughout the day.
- Avoid swishing the soda around the mouth.
- Rinse with plain water afterward.
- Wait before brushing immediately after an acidic drink.
- Use a straw when advised by a dental professional.
Certifications and dietary preferences
Poppi currently states that all flavors are:
- Certified gluten-free through the Gluten-Free Certification Organization
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- OU Kosher
- Vegan, although not currently certified vegan
The products use several organic ingredients but are not certified organic as complete finished products.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Poppi’s FAQ recommends consulting a physician during pregnancy and breastfeeding because individual health circumstances differ.
The main considerations are caffeine in selected cola flavors, added sugar, acidity and tolerance to inulin or other fibers.
Poppi is a soda, not a children’s nutrition product. An occasional caffeine-free can contains much less sugar than many conventional sodas, but plain water and milk remain more appropriate everyday beverage choices for most children.
Taste and serving experience
Poppi is best served cold. It is shelf-stable at room temperature unless the package is specifically labeled as a refrigerated Poppi Cold product.
The carbonation is lively but generally lighter than some mainstream sodas. Fruit flavors taste brighter and more juice-forward, while cola and cream-soda varieties emphasize vanilla, spice and caramel-like natural flavors.
The apple cider vinegar is not strongly detectable in most flavors. Stevia is more noticeable in the finish, particularly when the drink warms.
Packaging and sustainability
Poppi states that its packaging is recyclable. Aluminum cans are widely accepted in U.S. recycling systems, although local rules and contamination practices still matter.
Buying a case creates cardboard and aluminum packaging, but it can replace plastic soda bottles when customers prefer cans. Recycling is most effective when cans are emptied and placed in the correct local stream.
Availability, shipping and returns
Poppi is widely available through Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Costco, Amazon, Walmart, Instacart and other retailers. Flavor and package availability vary by location.
The official website currently ships within the United States and does not offer international shipping. Standard contiguous-U.S. delivery is listed at approximately four to five business days, with faster paid options available.
The site does not publish a broad satisfaction guarantee or universal return policy for consumable products. Purchases routed through Target, Amazon, Walmart or another retailer follow that retailer’s return terms. Product-quality concerns can be submitted directly to Poppi through its contact page.
Subscription and recurring-order considerations
Poppi’s official site currently emphasizes location-based retailer carts rather than a universal direct-brand subscription program. Amazon and other retailers may offer their own recurring-delivery discounts.
Retailer subscriptions should be evaluated separately because price, cancellation and return terms belong to the retailer. A recurring case is worthwhile only after confirming that the household consistently consumes the selected flavors.
Value for money
Poppi is more expensive than mainstream soda and basic sparkling water. Current national retail references include approximately $2.29 for a single 12-ounce can, $6.99 for many four-packs and $16–$24 for selected online 12-packs.
The value is strongest when Poppi replaces a more sugary soda, café drink or mocktail. It is less compelling when compared with plain water or an inexpensive store-brand seltzer.
Case promotions and warehouse-club packs can lower the price substantially. Compare the per-can cost rather than only the case total.
What we like
- Five grams of sugar or less per can.
- Thirty-five calories or less.
- Three grams of dietary fiber on current labels.
- Large and varied flavor range.
- Strong fruit and classic-soda options.
- Widely available through major retailers.
What could be better
- Premium price compared with standard soda and seltzer.
- Stevia aftertaste is noticeable in some flavors.
- Contains added sugar and is not a zero-calorie drink.
- Prebiotic fiber may cause bloating or gas.
- Health claims require more caution than flavor claims.
- No clearly published universal satisfaction guarantee.
Who should consider Poppi?
- People reducing full-sugar soda.
- Customers who want a stronger flavor than sparkling water.
- Shoppers comfortable with stevia and a small amount of cane sugar.
- People interested in adding modest dietary fiber.
- Hosts who want colorful lower-sugar soda and mocktail options.
Who may want to look elsewhere?
- People expecting a clinically proven gut-health treatment.
- Customers sensitive to inulin or fermentable fiber.
- Anyone who dislikes stevia.
- People seeking a completely sugar-free drink.
- Caffeine-sensitive users who do not check cola-flavor labels.
- Budget shoppers satisfied with plain sparkling water.
Final verdict: Is Poppi worth buying?
Poppi is worth considering as a flavorful, lower-sugar alternative to conventional soda. Its strongest qualities are taste, packaging, variety and broad retail availability.
The Short List Variety Pack is the best first case. Choose Orange for a recognizable classic fruit soda, Strawberry Lemon for a sweeter tart flavor and the Classics Variety Pack for cola, root beer and lemon-lime options.
Buy Poppi because you enjoy the soda experience—not because one can is guaranteed to transform gut health. Treat the 3 g fiber as a useful but modest contribution to a much larger daily nutrition goal.
Pros and cons
What stands out
- Strong soda-like taste
- Much lower sugar than many conventional sodas
- Three grams of fiber
- Large flavor range
- Caffeine-free fruit options
- Broad nationwide availability
Trade-offs
- Premium price
- Contains added sugar
- Stevia aftertaste
- Fiber can cause digestive discomfort
- Health marketing requires caution
- No universal published satisfaction guarantee
Rating details
Product details
Learn More
- Poppi official website
- Poppi company story
- Why Poppi and official FAQ
- Short List official product page
- Orange official product page
- Strawberry Lemon official product page
- Classics official product page
- Poppi official contact page
- Poppi settlement website
- Federal court final approval order
- Federal court final judgment
- FDA Daily Value guidance
- NIDDK information about dietary fiber and gut microbes
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using supplements or making significant changes to diet, exercise or treatment.
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