All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in October 2024

With Halloween behind us and November kicked off today, we're reminded precisely why these chilly fall months are our favorite time of the year. We're all about the cold, celebrating friends and family and, of course, trying our tasty new foods.

October was an unforgettable month for taste testing a little bit of everything, with both longtime favorite brands and brand new ones sending us their latest and greatest releases so we could share our favorites with our readers. From all things spicy to flavorful new drinks, on-the-go snacks and even some early holiday offerings, they didn't let us down. Curious? Keep scrolling to discover all of the tasty foods and drinks we loved best in October 2024.

Tillamook Country Smoker

We love the bold flavors of chili peppers, lime and sea salt in Tajín's iconic Clásico seasoning, and now, they're the star of the newest beef jerky flavor from Tillamook Country Smoker. With their new Tajín flavor, the clean beef jerky brand offers a bold citrus flavor, combined with just the right amount of heat, for a bite that's tender, bold and flavorful.

(via Tillamook Country Smoker)

 

think!

We can't be the only ones who rarely finish full-sized protein bars in one sitting, which is why we're massive fans of the new think! MINIS Protein Snack Bars in perfectly portioned 100-calorie snack sizes. Even better, the flavors are out of this world, from classics like Chunky Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Almond Brownie and Cupcake Batter to their irresistible lineup inspired by Girl Scout Cookies. They come in Girl Scout Adventurefuls, Girl Scout S'mores and Girl Scout Chocolate Peanut Butter flavors, all of which are just as scrumptious as they sound while packing six grams of protein and three grams of fiber into less than an ounce of protein bar.

(via think!)

 

Aura Bora

Every month, we look forward to seeing what new flavor sparkling water brand Aura Bora has up their sleeves, and their latest release, in collaboration with NYC's Magnolia Bakery, was absolutely perfect for October. Inspired by the bakery's Apple Crisp pudding, Aura Bora's new Apple Cinnamon flavor is a unique take on sparkling water, featuring real apple juice and cinnamon bark extract for a sweet and spicy pie-like twist.

(via Aura Bora)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Sparkling Water in Aura Bora's Sampler Variety Pack

 

Skout Organic

Last month, we became fans of Skout Organic for their healthy Kids Snack Bars in seasonal Pumpkin Spice and Snickerdoodle flavors, and after trying their Soft-Baked Cookies, we're even more in love. Coming in Gingerbread Spice, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter flavors, these cookies are chewy, extra soft and packed with all of the great flavor you'd expect, without any extra junk. They're made only with ingredients you can pronounce, with organic date syrup, coconut oil and coconut sugar at the top of the list for a better-for-you cookie (that doesn't taste better for you).

(via Skout Organic)

 

Sovány

As avid sparkling water drinkers, we're always excited to try out new brands, and Sovány is something special with their drinks made with real organic fruit. Their latest drop is Sovány Green Apple, which feels perfect for the harvest season with its crisp and lightly tart green apple flavor (thanks to being 12% real apple juice) and just 20 calories per tasty can.

(via Sovány)

 

Dole

We can always count on Dole for delicious fruit that satisfies our sweet tooth, and they've outdone themselves with their new Good Crunch lineup. Coming in Original Pineapple Bites, Pineapple Bites With Chili and Banana Bites, these dried fruit bites are packed with flavor with an incredible crunch that won't break your teeth. They're crispy yet light and airy, making them the ideal snack when you want something sweet that's also good for you. Plus, the Pineapple Bites With Chili are perfect for those who love a bit of sweet heat.

(via Dole)

 

Also read about: Everything You Need to Know About the New Freezer-Aisle Dole Whips This National Dole Whip Day

 

S'NOODS

We've never had the pleasure of eating kugel, a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish sweet baked potato casserole, but after trying S'NOODS latest flavor, transforming the holiday favorite dessert into a noodle chip, we're dying to taste it ourselves. These uniquely wavy and slightly puffy chips taste a bit like a churro, but better, combining the flavors of cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla and custard into a sweet (yet still slightly salty) dessert chip we can't stop snacking on.

(via S'NOODS)

 

Little Saints

We're big fans of functional drinks with grown-up flavors, and Little Saints' non-alcoholic beverages just made them one of our new favorite brands. They're infused with great adaptogens like reishi and lion's mane for benefits including relieving stress and increasing focus, plus terpenes for citrusy flavor as well as sharpening the mind. Their mocktails come in flavors including Negroni Spritz, Spicy Margarita, Paloma, Espresso Martini, Ginger Mule and Mojito, with the perfect amount of bitterness, plus zero sugar and just five calories per serving.

(via Little Saints)

 

Sweet Loren's

We could go on and on about all of the things that make Sweet Loren's pre-cut cookie dough special, from being top-14 allergen-friendly, vegan, gluten-free and nut free, but honestly, the best thing about the brand is the way their cookies taste. Just in time for the holidays, they're re-released their limited-time holiday flavors, Chocolate Mint and Gingerbread, and they're already getting us in the festive spirit. The Chocolate Mint cookies feature rich, chocolatey cookies with mint and white chocolate chips for the perfect pop of sweet coolness, while the Gingerbread is perfectly spiced to warm you from the inside out.

(via Sweet Loren's)

 

Columbus Craft Meats

When we're craving charcuterie, Columbus Craft Meats is our go-to brand for quality and accessibility, and they've outdone themselves with their new Tour of Italy Charcuterie Tasting Board. It has a little of everything you'd need to make a diverse and satisfying board, from perfectly seasoned prosciutto and Calabrese to bold Asiago cheese and crispy Italian taralli crackers, plus dried apricots and tangerine and chili olives for perfect balance and something new in every bite.

(via Columbus Craft Meats)

 

Koia

Koia, our favorite plant-based protein shake brand, is helping us get into the holiday spirit early with the release of their new Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake. Featuring 95 mg of caffeine from real cold brew, as well as 18 grams of protein from a blend of brown rice, pea and chickpea protein, it's the perfect start to our mornings. Plus, with its combination of the flavors of coffee, chocolate and peppermint, it takes a holiday classic flavor and makes it do more.

(via Koia)

 

Gleem

If you've been on the hunt for a new drink that'll boost your energy, without the junk found in most grocery store brands, it's time to check out the new functional energy drink brand, Gleem. With Gleem, it's not just about the energy, combining 125 mg of natural caffeine from green tea with 80% of your daily vitamin C intake for immunity, L-theanine for focus, B vitamins for boosted energy and Panax ginseng for mood, supporting your overall well-being. We also love that it's fully sugar-free, coming in bold Asian-inspired flavors including Dragon Fruit Mango, Lychee, Strawberry Yuzu and White Peach, with the White Peach being our absolute fave.

(via Gleem)

 

GoodPop

GoodPop is a brand dedicated to offering cleaner, better-for-you versions of traditional treats from sodas to frozen desserts, and the lineup just got even better with new ice cream bars. Available in Strawberry Shortcake and Cookies 'n Cream flavors, they're inspired by ice cream truck classics for the same great flavors, minus unnecessary additives. Both are made from grass-fed organic dairy, coated in a delicious white chocolatey shell, and whether you're enjoying the organic berries in the Strawberry Shortcake bar or the free-trade cocoa in the Cookies 'n Cream, you can't go wrong.

(via GoodPop)

 

Walker's Shortbread

We've been nibbling on Walker's Shortbread around the holidays for as long as we can remember, and they're making Christmas 2024 even more special with some great new product drops. First, their Shortbread Festive Shapes take their classic buttery recipe and cut them into the cute shapes of bells, stars, trees and Santa himself. Next, their Gingerbread Mince Pies are a great take on a holiday classic, with gingerbread shortbread crust around a blend of spiced fruits and orange peel for both sweetness and spice in every bite.

(via Walker's Shortbread)

 

Fancypants

No brand does pre-baked cookies quite like Fancypants, whose miniature cookies are made with great ingredients starting with real butter and eggs. Their new Ginger Snaps may be our favorite Fancypants cookies yet, with a crisp bite revealing the flavors of real cinnamon, ginger and clove, with embedded bits of crystallized ginger for even more heat and zip.

(via Fancypants)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of All the Best Crumbl Cookie Flavors

 

SOWN

In recent years, SOWN has become a beloved brand known for its delicious plant-based coffee creamers, and now, they're expanding the lineup with new Oat Cold Foaming Cream. Despite being fully dairy-free, it's smooth, milky and extra velvety, with a touch of luscious vanilla flavor. Just pour some foam in the bottom of your glass, whip for 30 seconds and pour over your favorite cold brew or iced coffee for a sweet and creamy barista-quality cup in no time flat.

 

(via SOWN)

 

Also read about: Celebrate National Coffee Day With These 11 Great Products Just for Coffee Lovers

 

Sports Research

Just because the weather's getting colder and we're spending more time indoors doesn't make hydration any less important, and one of our favorite new ways to stay quenched is with Sports Research's Hydrate Electrolyes. Every fruity, sugar-free sachet contains 400 mg of sodium and 200 mg of potassium, plus essential vitamins, trace minerals and coconut fruit water powder to make every single sip count. We've tried both the Raspberry Lemonade and Cherry Pomegranate flavors, which offer awesome flavor combos that'll make you want to hydrate.

(via Sports Research)

 

Jackson's

We recently fell in love with Jackson's for their thin, crisp and perfectly flavored sweet potato chips cooked in premium avocado oil, and it turns out they're even better in a non-savory option. Their new Cinnamon Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Chips perfectly complement the natural sweetness of sweet potato, dusting them with autumnal cinnamon and brown sugar for something that's equally suited to snack time or dessert.

(via Jackson's)

 

Pepperidge Farm

We've never met a Pepperidge Farm cookie that didn't tickle our taste buds, and ahead of the holidays, they've just debuted yet another winner. Their new Thin & Crispy Peppermint Cocoa cookies have a satisfying crunch while capturing the essence of the classic Christmas combo of chocolate and mint. Pepperidge Farm gets the balance just right, creating a cookie that makes it feel like the holidays have arrived early.

(via Pepperidge Farm)

 

Little Sesame

There's a good reason Little Sesame has quickly become one of the most beloved hummus brands on the market, and now, with their Kids Hummus Cups, it's easier than ever to enjoy them on the go. They're organic and non-GMO, made with 100% regeneratively farmed Montana chickpeas, but most importantly, they taste delicious thanks to wholesome ingredients including organic tahini, fresh lemon juice, EVOO and garlic.

(via Little Sesame)

 

Pax

For delicious instant mocktails with a homemade feel, we can't get enough of Pax—especially their variety pack coming with a dozen mixes in four great flavors. Just add four ounces of club soda to a cool glass, mix in your chosen Pax packet, add ice, stir and garnish for a flavorful mocktail anytime.

(via Pax)

 

Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Primal Kitchen's Most Popular Sauces

 

Tenayo Foods

With Asian-inspired sauces taking over the foodie world, we love that Tenayo Foods is offering something completely different with their Mexican-inspired barbecue sauces, adding a bold touch of flavor to all of our favorite types of cuisine. The sauces are all ready to eat, from the sweet and savory Poblano BBQ Sauce to the aromatic Mole Negro and vibrant and spicy Mole Rojo, but our favorite has to be the tangy Spicy Al Pastor Sauce, combining the brightness of pineapple with spicy peppers and achiote.

(via Tenayo Foods)

 

Racha Organics

Our go-to sriracha brand has been a little inconsistent in recent years, to say the least, so we're always hunting for alternative brands, and we've found a new favorite in Racha Organics. They make an authentic Thai sriracha using organic chili peppers, pineapple vinegar, cane sugar and garlic, creating a multi-layered flavor with all of the fiery heat you expect from a great sriracha. We also love that they're available in Mild, Medium and Hot varieties for food lovers who can handle different levels of spice.

(via Racha Organics)

 

De Soi

De Soi is a bold brand of non-alcoholic apéritifs, infused with with natural adaptogens to make you feel great, and their St. Moritz Mule comes just in time for the cozy season. It's packed with rich flavors of pomegranate, cranberry and ginger for a spicy kick. It also includes adaptogenic ingredients including lion's mane, reishi, and L-theanine for calm and relaxation, perfect for sipping during the hectic holiday rush.

(via De Soi)

 

Missed last month's roundup? Click HERE to check out all of the best food and drinks we discovered in September of 2024.