All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in July 2024

We can't be the only ones whose diets change completely with the bustling, carefree months of summer, and this sweltering season, we needed a little extra help keeping our bodies moving.

In July, the key focus was hydrating drinks and nourishing snacks, with an emphasis on nutrient-dense treats, plus fiery hot flavors to match the summer sizzle. All of our favorite foodie brands got in touch with us over the last month, eager to share their best new goodies with the world, and we tasted them all to pass along our faves. Keep scrolling to discover what we loved best in July 2024.

Ellenos

As lovers of the autumn season, we're craving fall flavors even as the summer begins, which is why we're so excited about the return of Ellenos' limited-edition Pumpkin Pie flavor this year. It combines the brand's classic, perfectly balanced, Greek yogurt with rich pumpkin pie filling at the bottom of the cup, plus spiced pie crust crumble, for the full pie experience in every spoonful. We love mixing up the entire cup before digging in, and even if you're not usually a yogurt person or lover of pumpkin-spiced everything, we think this flavor might change your mind.

(via Ellenos)

 

BEAM

Clean supplement brand BEAM Be Amazing is all about effective products that also taste incredible, which is why their collaboration with Dole Whip makes such perfect sense. Their new Dole Whip Strawberry Vegan Protein power is packed with 20 grams of protein per serving. It also features prebiotic fiber and is made with zero sugar to help give you an energy boost. Meanwhile, their Dole Whip Pineapple Pre-Workout Powder is a great addition to your any routine, giving users energy and stamina to help support their workouts. It's also naturally flavored and colored, as well as completely vegan.

(via BEAM)

 

Tam's Sweets

You may know Tam Truong as a former contestant on the Food Network's Chocolate Showdown, and her innovative confections are now available to the world in the form of Tam's Sweets. They specialize in "soft brittle," with nut and chocolate brittles that taste like the classics without wreaking havoc on your teeth. The brand features Soft Peanut Brittle, Chocolate Hazelnut Brittle, Brown Sugar Sea Salt Soft Cashew Brittle and more, all made from scratch and featuring real nut butter, creating a satisfying sweet-and-salty bite every time.

(via Tam's Sweets)

 

Cadence

We've tried plenty of sports drinks in our time, but none of them have been quite like Cadence's hydration beverages. They're bringing the salt water trend to the masses, combining mineral salts and electrolytes—including sodium chloride, magnesium lactate and potassium chloride—for better performance during activities, support to muscle recovery and even enhanced cognitive function. We also can't get enough of the taste, which lies somewhere between a carbonated sports drink and a salted lemon-lime soda, with absolutely zero sugar.

(via Cadence)

 

TRUFF

As unapologetic truffle lovers, we're always eager to see what awesome new sauce TRUFF will drop next, and their new TRUFF Buffalo Sauce is yet another winner. It takes the classic wing sauce, fusing a vinegary kick with the spice of cayenne, and adds black truffle for a well-rounded umami flavor. It's a great addition to chicken, as well as other meats and even veggies, with "Truffalo" being tasty on pretty much everything you could pull off the grill this summer season.

(via TRUFF)

 

Oatly

When it comes to oat-milk based everything, we can depend on Oatly to provide tasty, plant-based alternatives to classic dairy-based treats. Most recently, we got to try their creamers and frozen desserts. It didn't take long for us to be hooked on the creamers thanks to their sweet, creamy plant-based formulas that instantly make coffee that much yummier. We've tried both the Vanilla and Sweet & Creamy flavors, which are ideal for emulating that classic mug of joe. Of course, their Oatly frozen dessert was even dreamier, with a texture and flavor like traditional ice cream, minus the cream, and coming in decadent flavors such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Mint Chip, Banana Split and Coffee.

(via Oatly)

 

Also read about: The Spiciest Snacks for Anyone Who Wants to Turn Up the Heat Levels

 

Throne SPORT COFFEE

If you've been hunting for a canned coffee that does more, we urge you to check out Throne SPORT COFFEE. The Patrick Mahomes-backed brand is all about canned iced Arabica coffees featuring functional B vitamins, electrolytes and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) to fuel the body and mind even further than your standard coffee. They're naturally flavored and lightly sweetened in Mocha Java, Salted Caramel, French Vanilla and Black flavors, with zero artificial ingredients or extra junk, making them a great boost for both athletes and anyone else who needs a pick-me-up in their day-to-day life.

(via Throne SPORT COFFEE)

 

Bobabam

Bobabam initially had us hooked with their easy-to-prep milk tea bobas, and they just got even better by including more bubble tea shop favorites thanks to their new Refreshers line. These vibrantly fruity options feature clear, beautifully chewy tapioca boba pearls in Lychee Guava, Green Apple, Juicy Grape and Peach Mango flavors. Just microwave the contents of the packet for 45 seconds and add to a glass of ice before adding the water, sparkling water or tea of your choice for a bold yet refreshing drink where you control the strength of the flavor.

(via Bobabam)

 

Jackson's Chips

If you're like us and can't get enough of the sweet, earthy flavor and awesome crunch of sweet potato chips, prepare to fall in love with Jackson's Chips. Their better-for-you 100% plant-based chips are made with non-GMO ingredients and cooked in only the most nutrient-dense avocado and coconut oils for great flavor and crunch, without any compromises. They're super satisfying, and though the classic potato kettle chips are delicious, we're even bigger fans of their chips made with heirloom sweet potatoes, coming in awesome flavors—with our new favorite being the cheesy, spicy Habanero Nacho.

(via Jackson's Chips)

 

Graza

We're longtime fans of Graza and their high-quality extra virgin olive oil, so when we heard they were getting into the chip game, we jumped at the opportunity to try them. It goes without saying that they're delicious. The EVOO potato chips are made with Galician potatoes and salted using flaky salt from the Añana salt flats for perfect three-ingredient kettle chips that are crunchy, simple and endlessly satisfying.

(via Graza)

 

Modballs

Protein bars definitely aren't everyone's cup of tea, with many having dense textures and cardboard-like flavors, despite having loads of sugar. Modballs are something entirely different, creating a poppable snack that tastes great because it's healthier. They come in two flavors—Almond Coconut Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chocolate—with each tasty sphere packed with more than 75 fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts and chocolate for 100 calories, clean carbs, healthy fats and three grams of protein. They taste like a decadent mix of nuts, fruits and chocolate, with a crunchy texture that makes them easy to snack on.

(via Modballs)

 

Cheeky

If you're like us and prefer iced coffees and teas to the hot classics, simple syrup is an essential, and it doesn't get sweeter or simpler than Cheeky's Simple Syrup. It's the real deal, made only with equal parts cane sugar and water, to add a shot of sweetness to all of your favorite beverages without extra artificial flavors or the grainy texture of table sugar. Once you fall in love with the classic, you can also check out their other delicious syrups, including Agave Syrup, Honey Syrup, Honey Ginger Syrup, Mint Syrup and so much more.

(via Cheeky)

 

Also read about: 6 Mango-Flavored Drinks and Snacks to Enjoy on National Mango Day

 

Harlo

It's been one of the hottest summers on record, making hydration more important than ever, but that's just one of the reasons we've fallen fully in love with Harlo and their 3-in-1 Performance Drink Mix. This mix simply does more, with every serving containing 1310 mg of hydrating electrolytes, 10 grams of skin-, nail- and joint-boosting collagen and three grams of creatine, which has been an absolute game changer. We tried the Raspberry Salt flavor, and in addition to having a great, slightly tangy berry flavor—with a dose of electrolyte saltiness—it's made us feel incredible. When they say Harlo provides a caffeine-free energy boost, plus sharpened cognitive function, they're not kidding around.

(via Harlo)

 

Melinda's Hot Sauce

There's something about the heat of summer that can also make us crave spicy foods. If you're in the same boat, Melinda's Hot Sauce and their Liquid Spice Rack, featuring 10 mini bottles of their best assorted hot sauces, was made for you. Their sauces range in heat level, from a little hot to mouth-on-fire spicy. Our assorted kit included three Mexican-style hot sauces, a refreshing bottle of sriracha and six sauces that are perfect for wings, and there wasn't a loser in the bunch.

(via Melinda's Hot Sauce)

 

Kloo

Did you know there are licensed coffee professionals called Q Graders, serving as certified experts in the craft of coffee? We didn't until we were introduced to Q Grader-produced coffee concentrate brand, Kloo. Each bottle is expertly roasted and brewed in small batches before being aged to create an unmatched coffee flavor. Kloo offers 12-times concentrated flavors, with single origin flavors from Colombia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Guatemala. We've tried both the sweeter, slightly nutty Colombian and floral and almost fruity Ethopian coffees, and if even our untrained tongues could tell the difference, coffee snobs are going to really appreciate these varieties.

(via Kloo)

 

Ghetto Gastro

Black-owned culinary collective Ghetto Gastro is trying to help us all remember just how powerful breakfast can be, and their mission is obvious in their delicious offerings. Their pancake and waffle mixes in Original, Sweet Potato and Strawberry flavors are fluffy yet hearty with coconut sugar sweetness, while their unique dark maple syrups in Spicy Maple and Maple Cider feature unusual flavors that'll make your pancakes sing. Still, we're most obsessed with their better-for-you toaster pastries, which taste better than your classic grocery store varieties, even with less sugar. Between Sweet Potato, Chocolate Raspberry, Strawberry, Maple Apple Cinnamon and Peanut Butter + Jelly, they're all winners.

(via Ghetto Gastro)

 

Nixie

As devoted fans of Nixie's sparkling waters, we were thrilled to find out they'd be launching Organic Zero Sugar Sodas, and the three new flavors lived up to all of our expectations. The stevia-sweetened Root Beer, Classic Cola and Ginger Ale are the first-ever zero-sugar certified organic sodas on the market, reinventing iconic soda staples with real ingredients. While the Classic Cola is our favorite, all three taste great, with a flavor somewhere between the full-sugar classics and diet sodas.

(via Nixie)

 

Caroline's Cakes

Wherever you live in the U.S., you can get South Carolina bakery Caroline's Cakes ordered by mail, and these baked treats truly are worth the wait. While they're best known for their Southern seven-layer cakes, we've fallen in love with their mini cake bites, which are a bit like cake pops in a bite-sized format. We recommend their Assorted Cake Bite Box, with Caramel, Sinfully Chocolate, Lemon and Strawberry bites coated in white or dark chocolate for sharing a bit of decadent indulgence, without the commitment of an entire cake.

(via Caroline's Cakes)

 

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

 

Mott's

Nothing makes us feel like kids again like sipping on apple juice and snacking on apple sauce, and Mott's has managed to bring both activities back into our lives with great new takes on both. Their Mott's Active juice drinks add naturally sourced electrolytes to make them extra hydrating, and in Blastin' Berry and Watermelon Burst flavors, they're also delicious. Meanwhile, their tasty no-sugar apple sauces are even easier to enjoy, both at home and on the go, from slurpable pouches.

(via Mott's)

 

BLUwater

We don't naturally associated bright blue drinks with "natural," but FUL Foods' BLUwater is something truly innovative. These sparkling drinks include phycocyanin, extracted from spirulina, adding vitamins and minerals as well as immunity-boosting and detoxifying properties to their drinks while imbuing them with a beautiful, vibrant shade of aqua. They also taste great in Pink Grapefruit, White Peach and Raspberry Yuzu flavors, with absolutely zero fishiness or saltiness, like you might expect from other algae ingredients.

(via FUL Foods)

 

brekki

As folks who are just too forgetful to consistently prepare our own overnight oats, we've fallen in love with brekki and their ready-to-eat oats. The brand combines ancient grains with almonds, oats, chia seeds and organic coconut nectar for hearty yet sweet and deliciously flavored cups of oats, and they just added two new flavors to the lineup that are sure to be fan favorites. The Chocolate Coconut flavor adds a delicate tropical twist to the classic chocolate, while the Lemon flavor is bright and refreshing with an irresistible lemon curd flavor.

(via brekki)

 

Bumpin Blends

Prepping your own smoothies can be a hassle, which is where Bumpin Blends comes in. Their dairy-free Smoothie Cubes are made with ease in mind, combining good-for-you ingredients (minus any artificial junk and extra sugars), so all you have to do is blend with your water or your favorite milk for a fresh, nutrient-packed smoothie in an instant. We're big fans of their official Barbie Strawberry Dream blend, combining strawberry, coconut and raspberry flavors for a refreshing fruity taste and added collagen for a boost of vitamins C and E and glowy skin.

(via Bumpin Blends)

 

True Gourmet

If there's one underrated condiment that belongs in every fridge, it's a great hot mustard, and True's Gourmet Hot Mustard just became our new favorite in that category. It's tart, sweet and spicy all at once, like a honey mustard with a hint of real mustard heat, and while it's great for cooking on chicken, pork, fish and more, we also adore it as an elevated condiment on things like hot dogs, burgers and deli sandwiches.

(via True Gourmet)

 

Aiya

As much as we love matcha, we'd always adored roasted Japanese green tea—or hojicha—even more, and Aiya Matcha just made it effortless to enjoy a cup of it anytime, anywhere with their Sweetened Roasted Matcha To Go. Just mix a packet of the powder into water or milk, hot or cold,for an instant cup of sweet, earthy and almost chocolately roasted matcha, perfectly sweetened with cane sugar.

(via Aiya)

 

Wildly Organic

We've tried so many kinds of dried tropical fruit, and we'll be the first to say that not all brands are created equal. Wildly Organic, however, has given us everything we want out of both Dried Pineapple Slices and Dried Mango Slices. Instead of tough, underripe and sour, like many other brands, these fruit slices are soft, with the perfect chew and all of the vibrant sweetness you'd expect from being picked at their peak. You can also get 10% off with the coupon code sweetyhigh10 on their website.

(via Wildly Organic)

 

Blue Bottle

If you've never been a fan of instant coffee, we beg you to try Blue Bottle's craft instant options for a smoother sip and none of the burnt bitter flavor that usually accompanies instant cups. They just released their newest flavor, a New Orleans-style NOLA blend, combining specialty coffee and the nutty, caramelized flavor of chicory for the easiest New Orleans-style iced coffee you've ever tasted. We love it with plenty of milk and syrup, but if you love black coffee, you'll also find that the chicory cuts down on the bitterness of the coffee.

(via Blue Bottle)

 

Kubo Tea

Kubo Tea is a brand known specifically for its high-energy teas, with more caffeine than your average cup of coffee, and their Lion's Mane Chai does even more, as it's balanced with the power of lion's mane mushrooms. This mighty mushroom is said to do everything from fighting fatigue and regulating blood pressure to protecting brain health, and it's tucked away in this tasty blend of cinnamon, clove and spice for classic chai flavor, but way more punch than your average cup of tea.

 

(via Kubo Tea)

 

House of Kajaana

We love Indian food, so we jumped at the opportunity to try out House of Kajaana and their plant-based frozen meals, using whole food ingredients and authentic Indian flavors. All of their meals are made without any dairy, gluten, nuts or soy and ready in five minutes or less for an effortless, wholesome meal anytime. We tried their Roasted Butternut Saag With Tomato Basmati Rice and Coconut Malabar Curry With Spinach and Pumpkin Seed Basmati Rice, both of which were rich in flavor and wonderfully spiced while allowing the taste of the great ingredients to shine through.

(via House of Kajaana)

 

Missed last month's roundup? Click HERE to discover all of our favorite new foods and drinks discovered in June 2024.