All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in August 2024

Just like that, it's September, but we made sure not to let the last full month of the summer go to waste in 2024. We ended it with a bang with lots of fun, sunshine and, of course, great food.

In August, tons of our favorite brands, old and new, sent us their latest and greatest new products to taste test so we could share our favorites with you, the reader, and they did not disappoint. From poppable sweet and salty snacks to hydrating drinks, satisfying meals, cool desserts and great supplements to get our minds and bodies back in tune ahead of the fall season, we had way more hits than misses. Below, discover everything we loved best in August of 2024.

AriZona

We're lifelong fans of AriZona and their classic iced tea big cans, but since stores tend to stock just the classic Green Tea and Arnold Palmer, we never knew just how much we were missing. That changed this month when the folks at AriZona let us in on even more of their offerings, from their refreshing Santa Fé Sparkling Water (flavored with real fruit juice) to the convenient drink mixes of the AriZona teas we know and love, plus even more tasty tea flavors in big cans. We're now obsessed with their Black and White Tea, Peach Tea, Raspberry Tea and more—and in disbelief that, even today, they're all just 99 cents each. Plus, you can get 10% with code SWEETYHIGH10 here.

(via AriZona)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of AriZona Iced Tea Big Cans

 

Dose

Out of all of the wellness shot brands we've tried in the past, Dose's offerings have been some of the tastiest while also making us feel incredible. The brand offers different supplements for Liver, Cholesterol, Skin, Soreness and Immunity, all of which feature herbal ingredients such as turmeric, dandelion, milk thistle, ginger, pomegranate, aloe vera, alma juice, sea buckthorn, cinnamon, ashwagandha and more for improved wellness. They're also surprisingly yummy, with our favorite being the creamy, tart and slightly fruity Dose for Your Liver, starring turmeric.

(via Dose)

 

Lil Bucks

Thanks to Lil Bucks, even folks with gluten intolerance can enjoy the classic flavors of granola with the brand's Clusterbucks. They're made with buckwheat seed granola clusters, so they include zero gluten and low sugar while packing the flavorful, bold crunch we all crave in a gut-healthy formula. They also come in addictive flavors including Birthday Cake, Snickerdoodle and Chocolate Sea Salt, making them even more snackable.

(via Lil Bucks)

 

Good Culture

As people who have never liked cottage cheese, we have to say we were surprised by Good Culture. The brand puts an emphasis on clean, filler-free offerings with high protein and live, active cultures, and the difference is clear in every bite. We got the chance to try their Simply Pineapple Cottage Cheese, with just three grams of sugar and a whopping 15 grams of protein, and were delighted from the creamy, slightly salty curds to the bites of sweet and fragrant pineapple. There's a reason it's such a classic combo, and now we can understand why cottage cheese has fully taken over TikTok.

(via Good Culture)

 

Stemilt

With some of our staff living in the Pacific Northwest, we've come to truly appreciate the quality and flavor of apples from Washington orchards. We've just found a new favorite in the form of Stemilt.  Their Lil Snappers come in convenient kids sizes for snacking and lunchboxes, without sacrificing ripeness or flavor, with both the tangy Honeycrisp and juicy Pink Lady apples being instant faves.

(via Stemilt)

 

Once Upon a Coconut

We've never been fans of coconut water, but that's changed since we've been introduced to Once Upon A Coconut. Their coconut waters have zero added sweeteners and unnecessary junk, with naturally vegan formulas that are packed with electrolytes to make them extra hydrating. But the best part is that they actually taste good. We were shocked at how the Pure Coconut Water flavor had just the right of sweetness and a hint of saltiness, without the woody flavor in many other brands. They gets even better with the addition of other fruit juices, such as Blueberry, Watermelon and Pineapple. They even have a sparkling flavor with caffeine and vitamin C for energy. However, our favorite has to be the Coconut Water + Chocolate, which seriously tastes like chocolate milk, with a light coconut cream twist.

(via Once Upon a Coconut)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Once Upon a Coconut Flavor

 

GoodPop

GoodPop is a brand that does cleaned-up versions of classic indulgent drinks and desserts. In the past, we feel in love with their sodas, and this month, we discovered just how irresistible their frozen treats are. Their Hydrating Juice Pops are even more refreshing thanks to the addition of electrolytes while while their 100% fruit juice Cherry n' Lemonade Pops have perfectly balanced tartness and sweetness and their Orange n' Cream Pops reinvent the creamsicle with real OJ and coconut cream. Our favorites, however, have to be the oat milk Neapolitan Pops, with vanilla and strawberry "ice cream" dipped in chocolate and the Klondike-like oat milk Fudge n' Vanilla Squares.

(via GoodPop)

 

Recess

Recess is a brand beloved for its adaptogen-infused, mood-balancing beverages, and the lineup just got even better with Zero-Proof craft mocktails. These tasty sparkling drinks are great for the whole family in complex Classic "Cosmo," Island "Spritz," Lime "Margarita" and Grapefruit "Paloma" flavors, with added L-theanine and lemon balm for calmness and guayasa for balance.

(via Recess)

 

Clearly Canadian

Beverage brand Clearly Canadian was a beloved '90s staple, but after disappearing under a previous owner and being brought back thanks to a fan-led crowd-funding campaign, it's now returned in a big way. After sipping some of their iconic flavors, we can see why fans were to eager to revive them. Previously available only in bottles, their flavored Original and Zero Sugar sparkling waters now available in cans, adding delicious, fruity natural flavors to water sourced from Canadian springs. Our favorite is the Orchard Peach flavor, but Mountain Blackberry and Wild Cherry are extra crisp and refreshing.

(via Clearly Canadian)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Miss Vickie's Chip Flavor

 

Vân Vân

Vân Vân is a newer brand that's all about bringing the authentic flavors of Vietnam to kitchens everywhere, and their Bundle of Flavors includes the most essential Vietnamese herbs for cooking like a pro. It includes ready-to-use minced and sliced garlic, purple shallot, ginger, lemongrass and chili peppers to elevate classic Vietnamese recipes, as well as your own.

(via Vân Vân)

 

SkinnyDipped

Until now, SkinnyDipped was best known for its sweet treats including dipped nuts, cups and bites, but we're bigger fans than ever now that they're dipped a toe in the salty snack game. Their new Salty + Sweet line combines lightly salted nuts with sweet, lightly yogurt-coated nuts for a perfect fusion of flavors. They come in Vanilla Crunch Almonds, Maple Crunch Almonds and Cinnamon Crunch Cashews, and the only downside is that they're so snackable you'll want to eat the entire bag in one sitting.

(via SkinnyDipped)

 

Del Monte

We've been eating Del Monte canned fruits and vegetables all our lives, but they continue to innovate, with their Fruit Refreshers even winning a 2024 Product of the Year award. These portable 7 oz. snack cups add real fruit slices to refreshing fruit water for a slurpable, sippable flavor experience, with some varieties including chia seeds for a more pudding-like consistency.

(via Del Monte)

 

kencko

Guilty of having an iced coffee instead of breakfast? With kencko's new Iced Lattes, your morning coffee just got way better for you. The brand is best known for its plant-based blenderless smoothies, and now that there's coffee on the lineup, you can get a full cup of fruit, 1.5 shots of espresso and four grams of gut-friendly fiber in every latte. Just added 10 oz. of your favorite milk to their special bottle, add the powder and shake to enjoy their Mocha, Cinnamon of Banana Caramel Iced Coffee in seconds flat.

(via kencko)

 

Remix

Mocktails are so in, and Remix offers their own twist on classic flavors using real juice and added electrolytes for even more great taste and hydration. Each one has just three grams of sugar and 20 calories of fewer, coming in gingery Mischievous Mule, tangy Tres Citrus Margarita, tart and fruity Muddled Berry Mojito and beautifully bitter Perfect Paloma flavors.

(via Remix)

 

Wildwonder

Wildwonder's gut-healthy prebiotic and probiotic drinks have always tasted great, but we think their newest release, made in collaboration with Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Nymphia Wind, is their most delicious yet. It's called Banana Queen, inspired by the Taiwanese drag star's heritage and banana-themed aesthetic, with a fruity and vibrant taste that's reminiscent of banana cream pie with the addition of tangy lime. It's also infused with it's made with brewed marigold, Jerusalem artichoke, chicory and probiotics to soothe the belly and the gut, making every sip even better.

(via Wildwonder)

 

Urban Dessert Lab

We've never once considered using substituting ice cream cones for breakfast cereal, but Urban Dessert Lab has it convinced it's actually the ultimate food for starting the day off right. Their Deconstructed Waffle Cone Cereal consists of flavored ice cream cone pieces, and it's equally delicious in a bowl with milk or sprinkled on top of a sundae. They come in Original, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Coffee, Strawberry and Matcha flavors, coming in three-in-one boxes so customers can pick three flavors to snack to their hearts' content.

(via Urban Dessert Lab)

 

HI-CHEW

Japanese candy brand HI-CHEW is our go-to when we're craving more juicy, fruity flavor in every bite, and they haven't yet released a candy we haven't loved. This month, we were introduced to their Bites and Gummies. The Bites are smaller, rounded pieces in Mango, Green Apple and Strawberry flavors with the same familiar chew and concentrated flavor, while the Gummies are available in both Original and Sour Mixes, with a softer, bouncier texture and the classic flavors we know and love.

(via HI-CHEW)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of the Most Popular Buldak Noodle Flavors

 

Proper

Ever since we first introduced simple syrups into our coffee-making routines, our mornings have gotten a whole lot yummier, and Proper takes extra care in making theirs extra delicious. Their syrups blend cane sugar and organic agave with great-tasting flavors to enhance whatever you're drinking without any extra work.

(via Proper)

 

PATH Water

We always prefer water in recyclable aluminum bottles over plastic ones, so PATH Water was one of our favorite brands ever before the introduction of their new flavored sparkling waters. They come in crisp and refreshing Lemon Lime, Grapefruit Mango and Raspberry Orange flavors that are extra fun to sip, and the best part is that even once they're finished, we can wash and reuse the bottles again and again until it's time to recycle them.

(via PATH Water)

 

Jus-Rol

Jus-Rol is beloved for its pre-rolled puff pastries, crescents and pizza and pie doughs, but if you prefer fully ready-to-eat goodies, like us, we recommend starting with their delicious Poffitz Pancake Bites. They heat up to perfection in just six minutes in the air fryer, resulting in perfectly fluffy, bite-sized pancake pieces made with classic ingredients, and they're equally delicious in Original, Vanilla and Chocolate flavors.

(via Jus-Rol)

 

Macarooz

There are few foodie splurges we love more than macarons, and Macarooz (available online and in retailers including Costco, Albertson's and Safeway) has quickly become one of our favorite brands for soft, slightly chewy macarons every time. Their gourmet macarons come in classic flavors such as birthday cake, strawberry cheesecake, red velvet, sea salt caramel and more, so you can count on every one inf the box to be delicious, and their Mac Pops are made from upcycled macarons dipped in chocolate and sprinkles so that nothing goes to waste.

(via Macarooz)

 

Primis

There's nothing quite like Greek olive oil, and Primis's wonderfully balanced Extra Virgin Olive Oil is harvested early from Koroneiki olives in Messenia, Greece. This isn't your typically neutral olive oil, with rich bitter and punchy flavor notes that evoke fruitiness, grassiness and even hints of floral. It tastes super fresh and you need only a drizzle to elevate roasted meats or veggies, or add rich flavor to your favorite dip for bread.

(via Primis)

 

Numi

There truly is an herbal tea for every occasion and time of day, and Numi knows this well. Their line of damiana teas highlight this incredible but little-known herb that's been beloved for centuries for its ability to support relaxation, positivity and vitality. These organic teas are caffeine-free and antioxidant-rich, coming in a butterfly pea Damiana Relax Tea, the hibiscus and lion's mane Damiana Focus Tea and lemongrassy Damiana Uplift Tea, all of which offer support for your mind and body with their refreshing flavors. We also love how vibrant they are in blue, red and yellow.

(via Numi)

 

Betty Buzz

If you're in need a refreshing thirst quencher, Blake Lively's brand of sparkling sodas, Betty Buzz, is great for drinking on its own or as the perfect mocktail base. They come in delicious flavors including Meyer Lemon, Lime and Ginger Beer, and their stylish glass bottles can be upcycled into fashionable and functional containers like poppy pin holders, reed diffusers or even flower vases, as seen in the recent Betty Blooms partnership.

(via Betty Buzz)

 

Also read about: Everything You Need to Know About the Blake Lively Betty Blooms NYC Takeover

 

Applegate

With Applegate, you can rely on easy weeknight meals, without worrying about what's on the label. The brand carries a variety of juicy, tender options, from burgers to hotdogs, deli meats, cheese and chicken nuggets. Just pop them in the oven, microwave or air fryer for a delicious bite. The brand is on a mission to "change the meat we eat," with clean, natural and organic ingredients in mind, and their nuggets have quickly become go-to favorites.

(via Applegate)

 

Primal Kitchen

Take your next meal to another level with a burst of saucy flavor thanks to Primal Kitchen. Whether you're looking for a twang of lime on your next Tex-Mex bowl or taco, an anchovy-paste-free Caesar for your salad or wrap or a tangy by sweet topping for your burgers and chicken tenders, Primal Kitchen has you covered. The brand prides itself on crafting foods with real ingredients and has a collection of dairy-free, Non GMO Project Verified, soy- and gluten-free options to fit your needs.

(via Primal Kitchen)

 

Bawi

Agua fresca is a traditional Mexican beverage made by mixing adding fruit and lime juice to water, and Bawi may be our favorite new brand bringing the classic drink to the masses. Their lightly carbonated agua fresca is available in Limón (lime), Maracuyá (passionfruit) and Piña (pineapple) flavors, featuring vibrant flavors while dialing back the sugar content found in traditional agua frescas. These feature just eight grams of sugar per can with sacrificing taste.

(Photo credit: Chris Praetzl)

 

Werther's Original

We thought we'd always associate Werther's Original of the classic hard caramels offered up at grandma's, but after getting to know the brand better with some of their new offerings, it's clear that's a lot more to the 120-plus-year-old company. They just introduced a new and limited time flavor, Caramel Apple Hard Candy, infusing the classic treat with apple for something tangy and fun, and their Harvest Caramel line includes Caramel Apple Soft Pull, Caramel Apple Creamy Filled, Pumpkin Spice Soft Pull, Maple Crème, and Cinnamon Crème candies, all of which are chewy and light while embodying the flavors of all.

(via Werther's Original)

 

Also read about: If You Love Pumpkin Spice, These Great Food and Drink Brands Have You Covered for Fall 2024

 

Synear

If you're like us and consider soup dumplings to be a top-tier food, you have to try Synear dumplings. Their frozen dumplings offer restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, allow you to cook up perfectly plump dumplings with crisp, pan-seared bottoms in less than 15 minutes. The meat is juicy, the soup is perfectly seasoned and the dough is tender, making every bite as delicious as the last. We've tried both their Pork and Chicken Soup Dumplings, and we're completely infatuated.

(via Synear)

 

Dorsey Green

We've never met a hot sauce quite like Dorsey Green Sauce. This unique sauce was dreamed up by entrepreneurship class students at Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High School in Crenshaw, California, combining curry with fresh herbs, fruit and spices to create a ridiculously flavorful sauce with a heat that builds as you eat. It's great for kicking up everything from grilled meats to tacos, potatoes, hot dogs and hamburgers, or for dipping your favorite appetizers, and we can't get enough of it.

(via Dorsey Green)

 

Reese's

We promise we're not exaggerating when we say Reese's new Chocolate Lava Big Cup is the tastiest confection we've ever tried from the brand. Inspired by a chocolate lava cake, it adds a layer of gooey, rich and thick chocolate to the bottom of each cup to elevate every bite. It's the perfect complement to the classic flavors we know and love, with an even better texture.

(via Reese's)

 

Bachan's

After falling in love with Bachan's delicious Japanese BBQ Sauces, we jumped at the opportunity to try their new Japanese Dipping Sauces, which offer a bold new flavor profile we want to dip everything in. They come in both Original and Sweet & Spicy flavors, offering a savory flavor that combines soy sauce with stone-ground sesame, white miso and crushed sesame seeds for umami goodness in every bite, with or without a kick of heat. It's great for everything from meat to veggies and potstickers, and we think it even tastes great with chicken nuggets.

(via Bachan's)

 

Minor Figures

Minor Figures is best known for their delicious barista-quality oat milks, but they've just released the ultimate complement in the form of their new Barista Chai Concentrate. It's lightly sweetened and made from a 100% organic loose leaf black tea blend infused with warm, rich cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, pepper, star anise, nutmeg, cloves and cayenne, so every cup tastes like the spirit of fall. Just add one part chai concentrate to four parts Minor Figures oat milk for perfect results every time, hot or cold.

(via Minor Figures)

 

EQUII

EQUII is a protein-focused foodie tech startup that's all about reimagining the nutrition of flour by utilizing yeast, and they just added to their lineup of breads and baking mixes with protein-rich takes on Mac & Cheese and Rigatoni. The Mac & Cheese has 19 grams of protein and six grams of fiber in every tender and cheesy serving, while you can add all of your favorite sauces and toppings to their tasty Rigatoni, with 28 grams of protein and six grams of fiber per serving. Both cook up in about the same time as traditional pastas, offering more with every bite while tasting just as good.

(via EQUII)

 

Bloom Nutrition

Bloom Nutrition has made a name for itself with the best-selling Greens & Superfoods Powder, and it's easier to get their benefits than ever with the brand's new Bloom Sparkling Energy Drinks. These zero-sugar, naturally caffeinated drinks are infused with great ingredients including lychee extract, apple cider vinegar, L-theanine, B vitamins and green coffee bean extract to boost both the body and mind. Plus, the Raspberry Lemon, Cherry Lime, Peach Mango and Strawberry Watermelon flavors are all delicious, with only 10 calories in each can.

 

(via Bloom Nutrition)

 

Also read about: Tandy's Delicious Gummy Supplements Are Designed to Get You Through Every Part of Your Day

 

Tandy

We wish we could take all of our daily supplements in gummy form, which is why we can't get enough of Tandy. The brand features great gummies for everything from relaxation and stress to focus, energy and digestion, and since one serving is a full bag, you never have to limit yourself to a gummy or two at a time, like with other supplements. The gummies are soft and full of rich, fruity flavor, with just 90 calories and nine grams of sugar per bag. We've found that whether we're eating Tandy gummies infused with American ginseng for focus, L-theanine for relaxation or green tea extract caffeine for energy, they work fast and it's always a pleasure to enjoy the full serving.

(via Tandy)

 

Harken Sweets

If you're craving a candy bar that's sweet, tasty and also nutritious, check out Harken Sweets. The brand's 100% plant-based candy bars are also infused with great ingredients including like dates, sunchokes and pea protein, plus prebiotic tapioca syrup and powder, so they have zero added sugar and plenty of fiber, with less than 150 calories per bar. Between The Nutty One, The Gooey One and The Crunchy One, they're all delicious, but the pretzel-packed The Crunchy One has to be our fave.

(via Harken Sweets)

 

VMI Sports

If you're a fitness enthusiastic who watches what you put in your body, VMI Sports needs to be on your radar. They'll all about great-tasting supplements made with performance in mind, and they've worked wonders in our own routines. Before we start, we love their KXR Sport Pre-Workout, coming in candy-flavored powder blend that mix into drinks to set you up for success with a boost of energy, minus the jitters. Post-workout, we love their Vanilla Cake Batter-flavored Protolyte Whey Isolate Protein Powder, adding 25 grams of protein in every low-carb, low-sugar serving. Their Vanilla Peanut Butter-flavored Plant-Based Protein Powder also packs 20 grams of 100% plant-based protein for mixing into smoothies, milkshakes and baked goods for maximum versatility. The brand also offers Aminogex Ultra Hydration, which is extra tasty in the nostalgic Blue Shark flavor, for a pick-me-up including betaine for muscle growth and strength.

(via VMI Sports)

 

Mānuka Health

Mānuka Health is both a beauty and wellness brand, so it should come as no surprise that their real Manuka honey, sustainably harvested in New Zealand, also does double-duty. With one spoonful of this sweet, slightly herbaceous honey three times a day, it can support your well-being thank to the honey's hundreds of natural benefits. Of course, it can also be used as an ingredient in a hydrating and nourishing face mask.

(via Mānuka Health)

 

Deux

As if we needed another reason to love Deux and their vegan, gluten-free and nutrient-enhanced desserts, they just re-released their limited-edition Salted Peanut Butter Cup cookie dough. This collab with Rachael's Good Eats is a fan-favorite for good reason, combining the richness of a peanut butter cookie with peanut bits, chocolate chunks and a touch of salt to bring out the goodness in every sweet bite. We love that you can eat it straight out of the jar, but believe us when we say they're even better baked.

(via Deux)

 

Myna

We first fell in love with Myna Snacks thanks to their decadent gluten-free, vitamin D-infused Midnight Mini Cookies. We weren't sure what to expect from their new Pizza Crackers, but we were instantly hooked. These crackers are made with almond flour and real cheese, packed with protein and vitamins D and E, offering great pizza flavor thanks to tomato powder, pizza seasoning, an Italian herb blend, garlic and onion powders and rosemary. The crackers also have a unique bite that's wonderfully pizza-like, making them way more satisfying than the average cracker.

(via Myna)

 

Sunsip

Aug. 27 was National Peach Day, and Sunsip by Health-Ade celebrated in style by adding a new Peach flavor to their prebiotic soda line. This fizzy and sweet soda is infused with vitamins B6, B12 and C, plus zinc and selenium, as well as gut-healthy prebiotics, but the best part has to be its vibrant and sunny peach flavor, courtesy of real peach puree.

(via Sunsip)

 

If you missed last month's roundup, click HERE to discover our top foodie picks of July 2024.