H2rOse

Combining the American infatuation with flavored waters and two of the world’s most alluring natural flavors, rose and saffron, the Illurian Group recently introduced H2rOse to the American market. Though billed as a flavored water and marketed as the answer to a chronic lack of hydration in the United States, it’s actually more of a fruit juice. In fact, it is fruit juice, with rose water and saffron added.

Available in a variety of fruit juice flavors (mango, peach, wild berry and apple), the brand attempts to seduce the market with grand tales of romantic cultures and celebrities of the past who enjoyed rose or saffron, noting Shakespeare’s mention of Cleopatra loving rose water in Antony & Cleopatra, and Egyptian mystic healers using saffron to heal gastrointestinal problems. The royal halls of Ancient Greece, Rome and Persia are cited in H2rOse’s grandiose telling of the new drink’s “history,” and claims of enhanced skin, improved mood and improved digestion litter the product’s “benefits” page online. In truth, these are the potential benefits of drinking water and have little, if anything, to do with rose water or saffron infusion.

H2rOse claims to be available in the United States and it technically is, if you count one store in New York City and one in Los Angeles; Otherwise, you’ll need to order it online, presuming it may be added to more stores in the future. Don’t purchase H2rOse for its dubious health claims, or even to increase your water intake as it’s actually a juice (with sugar), but do purchase it if you love the flavor of rose and are a fan of interesting new juices.