“Like a warm embrace with your toes in the sand” reads the Kin Euphorics can describing the flavour profile of its Kin Bloom Bleaming Joy flavour.
The brand - the brainchild of CEO Jen Batchelor and newly minted beverage entrepreneur Bella Hadid - has already seen huge success over in the US and is now available to shop in the UK (and 49 other countries). For those revelling in their Dry January success and want to continue it on past the first month of the year, the drinks offer a welcome break from caffeine or traditional sugar-laden fizzy drinks, while remaining free from ABV.
Designed to get you to “ignite the light within”, Kin Euphorics packs its flavoured carbonated water with adatogens that are said to reduce stress, nootropics to positively impact brain function and botanicals that provide the taste. Mood and energy-boosting, the concocotions claim to encourage you to feel powerful, centred, energetic and at peace - a tall order for a can of no-alcohol bubbly.
Hadid and Batchelor say they’re on a mission to transform our typical booze-filled exploits to more conscious practices without removing the social element. So does the supermodel-approved beverage live up to the ES Best test?
We sampled the Kin Bloom, one of four canned flavours; energy-giving Kin Spritz, immunity-focused Actual Sunshine, balancing Lightwave and two bottles caffeinated High Rhode and reishi mushroom-infused Dream Light. The tie-dye green and pink packaging houses a mix of white grape juice, agave inulin, bourbon vanilla extract and actives like schisandra to imrpove clairty and vision, damiana for that warm heart feeling that spirits ignite and L-theanine for calming. The predominant taste is strawberry with a smoky twist and a herbaceous yet zesty rosemary citrus.
See what the ES Best team thought below.
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Ellie Davis - Shopping Editor
With the idea that “if it’s good enough for one of the most famous faces in the world, it’s good enough for me” on the mind, I dove head first into the Kin Euphorics experience.
I’ve been doing Dry January and have simply replaced my typical alcohol-based drinks with water rather than buying into the non-alcoholic craze in which I’m sceptical of - does anyone really want to taste vodka/gin/beer etc without the buzz? But then entered Kin Bloom.
On first taste, I was suprised to learn that it’s alcohol-free as it has such a tipple taste. The rosemary element is immediately apparent followed by notes of strawberry and grape. It’s totally different to other drinks on the market and goes down well. So taste-wise it gets a tick from me. As for the “clarity”, “center” and “heart fire” that the can suggests, I can’t attest to this. The low sugar content (4g in the 237ml) did made me feel energetic, but sadly my uptight nature didn’t benefit from inner peace.
It would make a great gin mixer (is this missing the point??).
Abha Shah - Deputy Shopping Editor
Another day, another celebrity side-hustle. This time it's from the entreprenurial flipboard of Bella Hadid, who has struck out into the heady world of beverages. Not booze, but a "functional beverage for modern rituals". Ahh finally - a change from the usual round of dysfunctional drinks we have while Mongolian throat-singing and the like.
There’s no doubt that this drink sits within the wellness sphere with Goop-inspired phrases like 'Awaken your heart' and a list of unpronouceable pseudeo-scientific ingredigents listed on the side of the box. Under the brand name Kin Eurphorics, Kin Bloom is 0 per cent ABV and contains no caffeine either. Doesn’t sound like much fun, does it? But the big question: what does it taste like?
The spiel will have you believe that its: "Inspired by your favourite all-day rose, only dreamier." Big claims, Bella. Sadly, what I endured was overly sweet, with hints of melon and that weird kick-back you often get with indigestion after drinking cheap bottom-shelf wine. I'll stick to good old fashioned water for my functional hydration, thanks.
Peter Bevan - Shopping Writer
As someone who’s not fully sold on the non-alcoholic mood-boosting drinks market, whether they’re CBD-infused or loaded with rhodiola rosea, I was particularly intrigued to try Bella Hadid’s new offering to see if it really made any difference.
Before cracking the can open, I have to admit, reading quotes like ‘chill well for joyful intimacy’ and ‘like a warm embrace with your toes in the sand’, my sceptical shackles were already raised.
Taking my first sip, I was pleasantly surprised that, compared to some of its competitors on the market, it’s packed with much more flavour, with a taste that’s similar to kombucha. Afterwards, though, the taste will hang around on your palate for a lengthy amount of time - until you manage to wash it down with something much less Goop-y.
After finishing the can, I felt just the same as when I started, with no opening of my chakras, no igniting of my heart, and certainly no feeling of my toes in the sand. First and foremost, I felt like I wanted a tall glass of water to combat the everlasting flavour on my taste buds.
Supposedly it’s meant to be similar to your favourite all day rosé, but I’d be much happier with a glass of Whispering Angel any day of the week.
Saskia Kemsley, SEO Shopping Writer
At first glance, the Kin can is certainly a treat to look at. Luckily for me (and much unlike my lovely colleagues), I found it to be just as tasty on the inside. Though I’m not sure where the idea that this drink could be a substitute for rosé came from, I wholeheartedly agree with the wider notion that Kin would make a fantastic non-alcoholic substitute on a warm summer’s day. I sipped my Kin straight from the can, but I can imagine drinking it over lots of ice with a sprig of rosemary to bring out those herbal notes.
As a certified Kombucha lover, I found Kin to contain very similar notes to your classic home-made fermented blend. Tangy, with oscillating hints of sweetness and bitterness depending on where it hits your palette.
The only problem I had with the drink is that it leaves a rather strange aftertaste. Shockingly, the only way to really wash it down is, well, with more Kin. Well played, Bella. Well played. I’m sure it’d be a different story when sipped alongside a hearty summer’s day lunch, rather than at my keyboard at 11:00AM.
