All the Best Foods and Drinks We Tried in September 2023
We're not quite sure where 2023 has gone, but with the swift passage of time, at least we can count on one thing—there will always be tasty new treats and drinks to try and delight our tastebuds.
September was no different, and a bunch of our standing favorite companies and newly discovered brands gave us the chance to try delicious foods of all varieties so we could bring you the best of the best. Just keep scrolling to learn about our editors' top foodie picks of September 2023.
Banza
Eating a well-rounded and protein-packed breakfast isn't always easy, but it just got a lot simpler thanks to Banza and their brand-new Protein Waffles. These chickpea-based waffles are available in Homestyle, Blueberry and Chocolate Chip varieties, toasting up in no time flat with a crispy yet fluffy texture and delivering 2.5 times more protein and three times more fiber than a standard waffle, with 35% fewer net carbs. Whether you like drizzling them with syrup, Nutella, butter or simply like to eat them on their own, they're easy and satisfying, both for your tastebuds and your belly.
(via Banza)
Pocket's Chocolates
We can never resist a dipped almond, and Pocket's Chocolates offers both tasty and unique takes on the classic with their oat milk chocolate-coated nuts. They come in Vietnamese Coffee, Matcha, Black Sesame and Mango Yuzu flavors, with each one beautifully complementing the almonds—though the sweet, tart and bright Mango Yuzu has to be our favorite. The brand also offers Pocket Lattes, blending chocolate, real coffee and oat milk into on-the-go, caffeinated bars you can enjoy anytime.
(via Pocket's Chocolates)
Also read about: The 5 Celebrity-Owned Food Brands You Should Know
RSRV Collective
Lately, we've been slightly obsessed with bold and complexly flavored all-ages "cocktails," and RSRV Collective is the latest brand to land on our radars in a big way. These "Kenshō Cocktails" (with kenshō meaning "seeing your own true nature") taste grown-up and balanced and are made with only the finest ingredients, with 60 or fewer calories in every 12 oz. can. We especially love the bright, juniper-tinged Botanica flavor and the vibrant, gingery Rosata variety.
(via RSRV Collective)
Plant Press
If you're tired of energy drinks that are packed with junk and make you crash in the middle of the day, it's time to try out Plant Press and their plant-based options. Every can has 100 mg of organic caffeine from green coffee beans, equivalent to a cup of coffee, for all of the boost but none of the jitters. It contains zero artificial sugars and is full of vitamins, as well as electrolytes, to keep you hydrated and energized with the good stuff. They're also delicious in Grapefruit Ginger, Passionfruit Peach and Watermelon flavors that are refreshing, not too sweet and don't taste like vitamins, like other energy drinks.
(via Plant Press)
Balkan Bites
Before Balkan Bites, we were unfamiliar with burek—a delicious flaky and savory stuffed phyllo pie beloved throughout the Balkans—but the brand has us positively hooked. Their frozen burek heats to perfection within just 20 minutes in the air fryer, resulting in an authentic Albanian delight with absolutely no hassle. Each pastry is crispy, flaky dough rolled into a pinwheel with perfectly seasoned filling within, and between the Beef and Onion, Spinach and Cheese and Cheese Medley flavors, you really can't go wrong.
(via Balkan Bites)
Joyride Sweets
We're constantly on the lookout for new sweet (and sour) treats that can satisfy our taste buds without the sugar or crashes, which is why we're newly obsessed with Joyride Sweets. Their plant-based candy offerings come in both low-sugar and zero-sugar with low carbs and plenty of gut-healthy fiber, so we never have to think twice before indulging. They offer reimagined classics of craveable candies, including Peachy Mango Rings, Sour Gummy Worms, Sour Fruit Gummies, Red Licorice Twists, Fruity Gummy Bears and Berry Gummy Gummies, and unlike some other sugar-free candies, they're also made with natural, good-for-you ingredients you actually want to be eating.
(via Joyride Sweets)
Also read about: Every Delicious Candy You Can Find in Sugarfina's New Wedding Collection
Island Way Sorbet
There's a very good reason Island Way Sorbet is a viral TikTok treat—they really do taste as good as they look. These famous, fruity sorbets are served in real fruit shells, making them kind to the environment while also being an Instagrammable, chilly treat that's ideal for any occasion. Even now that summer has ended, their fresh, fruity flavors and creamy texture always hit the spot without the need for any added preservatives or artificial flavors.
(via Island Way Sorbet)
Aura Bora
If you're a longtime fan of Aura Bora, like us, and can't get enough of their herbal sparkling waters, you're in for a treat, because the brand just had a very big month. They kicked it off with a juicy Peach Honeysuckle flavor, combining a fresh burst of peachy goodness with the delicate sweetness of honeysuckle, before introducing the Aura Bora x Graza Olive Oil Martini, a non-alcoholic cocktail combining botanicals with citrus and just a touch of olive oil for something exquisitely complex. Lastly, they kicked off October with a Honey Pumpkin variety, just in time for spooky month, with a mellow, vanilla-like sweetness. We've been indulging in all three new flavors and it's impossible to pick a fave.
(via Aura Bora)
BioLift
Here at Sweety High, we're slightly infatuated with natural nootropics and their ability to boost our focus, motivation and clarity, which is why we can't get enough of BioLift. These tasty, slightly carbonated drinks were developed by scientists with guarana, gingko biloba, elderberry and carob to enhance mental performance and work with your body's natural circadian rhythm to get you moving to your full potential, with a minimal amount of caffeine. You'll love the fizzy, tea-like fruity flavors and the fact that you'll feel the effects in just minutes.
(via BioLift)
Ice Breakers
As longtime fans of Ice Breakers mints, we're always down to try new flavors, and their latest—Ice Breakers Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Seltzer—is both unexpected and delicious. These tasty, tangy "mints" are fewer than five calories each with a fizzy texture that's effervescent on the tongue as you enjoy fruity hints of sweet raspberry and tangy lemon. Both the flavor and sensation are irresistible, and they're just the thing for when you want a bold candy flavor in a sugar-free form.
(via Ice Breakers)
Maja
Maja is a fabulous gluten-free, plant-based brand known for its allergen-free baking mixes, and even if you don't have any dietary restrictions, you'll love what they have to offer. Their baking mixes are packed with nutrients and simple ingredients, making them a healthy, delicious alternative to typical store-bought brands. Maja also has scrumptious, high-protein overnight oats that are the perfect start to anyone's day. Just prepare them the night before and leave with a fulfilling and quick breakfast.
(via Maja)
Also read about: Gluten-Free Cookie Brands You Have to Know in 2023
Hiyo
Looking for an adaptogenic canned cocktail that'll make you feel like you're floating on air? Look no further than hiyo and their deliciously fruity sparkling tonic. They come in great flavors—Peach Mango, Watermelon Lime and Blackberry Lemon—making them perfectly sippable while also being packed with adaptogens for improved focus, energy and mental clarity, as well as reduced stress. The blend of ashwagandha, lion's mane, L-theanine, cordyceps, ginger and turmeric works like a charm to get us feeling great—especially when we're feeling the pressures of the outside world.
(via Hiyo)
Daysie x Chamberlain Coffee
We've always loved Daysie and their high-quality simple syrups made with organic cane sugar and wildflower honey, and when we heard they were collaborating with Emma Chamberlain's Chamberlain Coffee, we knew we were in for a treat. The result is a Cake Batter flavored simple syrup with a buttery, vanilla-tinged taste that elevates every cup of coffee to taste like fresh cake.
(via Chamberlain Coffee)
BUBS Naturals
BUBS Naturals is a unique brand made with athletes, professionals and the military in mind, featuring collagen and MCT oil products to help customers power their bodies and lives in order to live the best lives possible. They offer a little bit of everything from collagen and MCT oil powders to hydration mixes, ACV gummies and even coffees, and we haven't yet met a product we didn't like in terms of taste and efficiency. The brand is also special because it was founded in tribute to a friend of the founder, nicknamed Glen "Bub" Doherty, who was killed in the Benghazi attack in Libya in 2012. In his memory, 10% of all profits are donated to charities, including the Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation.
(via BUBS Naturals)
SOMOS
SOMOS are the purveyors of high-quality, pre-made Mexican food, and while their thick, crispy chips and flavorful salsas are all-time favorites, their new Burrito Bowl Kits may be their best product yet. Now available at Target, these kits combine rice, beans, veggie sides and flavorful Salsa Macha to make a ridiculously easy, delicious and nutrient-dense veggie burrito bowl. Just microwave, assemble, top and enjoy an effortless, restaurant-style meal in minutes.
(via Bubs Naturals)
Rave Apples
It's not every day that we're introduced to a new variety of apple, but Rave apples have instantly become one of our all-time favorites. These Honeycrisp crosses are fall's first available apple, arriving three weeks before other varieties, and are ridiculously juicy with a tart, not-too-sweet flavor that keeps us coming back for more. Whether you prefer to snack on fresh apple slices or bake tasty apple fall desserts, these awesome apples do it all.
(via Rave Apples)
Also read about: What's THE Perfect Apple? We Tried 10 and Ranked Them Worst to Best
Eastern Standard Provisions
It's officially October, and our all-ages Oktoberfest festivities start with the yummiest soft pretzels around. Just for the occasion, Eastern Standard Provisions is offering a delicious Oktoberfest Party Pack for kicking off your at-home celebrations, including a collection of Wheelhouse Signature Soft Pretzels and One-Timer Soft Pretzel Bites, plus Classic Pretzel Salt and Maui Onion Mustard. These pretzels have the perfect texture—definitely an improvement over the ones you can get from a mall kiosk—and the Maui Onion Mustard is savory, sweet and sour all at once to punch up every bite.
(via Eastern Standard Provisions)
Chiwis
When we're looking for something crunchy to snack on but aren't in the mood for anything salty, fruit chips are our snack of choice—Chiwis, in particular. These 100% natural fruit chips pack all of the great flavors of your favorite fruits without skimping on the fiber, vitamins and minerals found in fresh fruit—and at a higher concentration per bite. The crispiness is so satisfying, with just the right amount of sweetness and natural tart fruit flavor to keep us munching to the bottom of the bag.
(via Chiwis)
Skippy
There's a good reason Skippy is an iconic and beloved peanut butter brand, but just because they're a household staple doesn't mean they don't innovate. Their newest product is Skippy P.B. Bites in official Girl Scout Cookie-inspired flavors, and we cannot put them down. These bite-sized pieces consist of crunchy cookie centers enrobed in creamy, smooth peanut butter to recreate the tastiest Girl Scout Cookies. They come in Coconut Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Adventurefuls flavors with the sea salt and brownie-dusted Adventurefuls being our faves.
(via Skippy)
Also read about: A Definitive Ranking of Every Girl Scout Cookie Flavor
Tend
On the hunt for a better way to get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs? Let us introduce you to Tend and their vitamin supplement bars. They're technically designed as prenatal vitamin, but all women can benefit from these nutrient-dense whole food bars. Their new Strawberry Patch bar tastes like fresh strawberry jam and nutty cashews while packing more than eight servings of organic fruits and veggies, vitamins B12 and D3, calcium, iodine, protein, calcium, magnesium, choline and so much more. These bars are small but mighty and also a great, filling pick-me-up for when you're on the go.
(via Tend)
OLIPOP
Apple is one of the top trending flavors this fall, and we couldn't be happier that Olipop jumped on the occasion and brought back what might be their most delicious flavor of all time. Crisp Apple has returned, with a sweet and almost tart apple cider flavor, but without the sugary tummy aches real apple cider gives us. There are also just five grams of sugar per can, plus probiotics and fiber, so our taste buds and our bodies can agree we're sipping on something good.
(via OLIPOP)
Hero
Looking to cut extra carbs out of your diet without sacrificing bread? Hero Bread is here to save the day. The brand is all about making classically carb-rich products but with low net carbs and high protein and fiber in their place (and they actually taste really, really good). We've tried both their bread and their tortillas which stand up the the classics in terms of taste and texture, and while we haven't yet gotten the chance to nibble on their buttery croissants, they sound like a dream
(via Hero)
Magic Spoon
We can always count on Magic Spoon to fill us up in the mornings with their flavorful, low-carb and protein-rich takes on our favorite sugary cereals, and we'll now being eating even more Magic Spoon thanks to their new Magic Spoon Treats. They're inspired by classic crispy rice treats, but with only one gram of sugar and 11 grams of protein in each sweet and crunchy bar. We've been snacking on both the Marshmallow and Chocolately Peanut Butter flavors (and are almost out of both).
(via Magic Spoon)
MOSH
With their brain-healthy, adaptogen-powered formulas, MOSH is unlike any other protein bar brand we've encountered, and their new plant-based bars make them even more spectacular. Their Plant-Powered Trio consists of bars in Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, Banana Bread and Peanut Butter Chocolate flavors, cutting out animal ingredients without leaving out flavor or benefits for the mind. A portion of the proceeds also goes to the Women's Alzheimer's Movement, so these bars are about brain health in more ways than one.
(via MOSH)
United Sodas of America
We don't know if there's any soft drink brand as Instagrammable as United Sodas of America, and lucky for all of us, their drinks are extra delicious, too. The lineup consists of a dozen tasty and unusual, fruit-forward soda flavors—Cherry Pop, Strawberry Basil, Extra Peach, Orange Nectarine, Young Mango, Lemon Verbena, Pear Elderflower, Gingery Ale, Sour Blueberry, Toasted Coconut, White Grape and Blackberry Jam—with each one having its own uniquely colored can. Each one is sweetened naturally with a combination of organic cane sugar, stevia and erythritol, and with just 30 calories per can, it's always worth the indulgence.
(via United Sodas of America)
Also read about: United Sodas of America Has a Dozen Unique Pop Flavors at Just 30 Calories Per Can
Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar
What happens when an artificial intelligence co-creates a new cola flavor with human tastemakers? You get a delicious soda in the form of Coca-Cola Creations' Y3000 Zero Sugar. We can't quite explain it, but there is something quite modern about the taste, with the classic Coke flavor elevated by a hint of fruitiness and vanilla. Interestingly enough, we also found that this zero-sugar soda tasted more like a regular Coke than a Diet Coke—and we definitely wouldn't mind more AI-assisted flavors in the future.
(via Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar)
Missed our favorites last month? Click HERE to read all about the best foods and drinks we tried in August of 2023.