Sparkling Ice
Sparkling Ice is the #1 U.S. flavored sparkling water brand ($971M+ sales, 18% category share), selling zero-sugar beverages with vitamins and natural colors through major retailers, convenience stores, Amazon, and authorized distributors under parent Talking Rain Beverage Company.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersPreston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sparkling Ice does
Sparkling Ice is the flagship beverage brand of Talking Rain Beverage Company, a privately held, family-owned firm founded in 1987 and headquartered in Preston, Washington. The company manufactures and markets zero-sugar flavored sparkling water enriched with vitamins (B6, B12, E) and antioxidants, sweetened with sucralose and colored using natural fruit and vegetable juice extracts. Its core product line spans 17+ classic flavors in iconic 17 oz bottles, with 32+ SKUs overall when extended to caffeinated (70mg), energy (160mg with L-Theanine), and licensed co-branded variants with Mars (STARBURST, LIFE SAVERS) and Cuties. A proprietary natural color technology enables industry-first green and blue sparkling beverages rendered entirely from natural sources in clear PET bottles, supported by an in-house flavor laboratory.
Sparkling Ice sells exclusively through wholesale channels — major mass retailers (Target, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Smiths, Ralphs, Food Lion, Giant, Stop & Shop), convenience stores (Casey's, where Cherry Cola was exclusively previewed), Amazon for e-commerce 12-packs, and a network of authorized distributors with locally serviced direct-to-retail routes. Retail price points are $1.19–$1.29 for classic 17 oz bottles, $1.89 for 16 oz Caffeine cans, with variety packs priced around $12 for 12-packs on Amazon. The company does not sell direct to consumer.
The brand leads the U.S. flavored sparkling water category with 18% market share and disclosed 2025 brand sales of $971M+, though it carries a 4% year-over-year decline. Marketing is multi-channel: celebrity partnerships (Annie Murphy as Chief Flavor Officer for the 'Anything But Subtle' campaign, Flavor Flav for LIFE SAVERS), sports sponsorships (multi-year Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC deals), influencer and social activations, and a Flavorful Giving community program. The portfolio is being actively extended into adjacent categories through wholly-owned subsidiary Popwell (cold-crafted prebiotic soda). Leadership is led by CEO Ken Sylvia, with CGO Rich DePencier and CPCO Veronica Blankenship; the R&D function is described as a women-driven team managing flavor science rather than software or AI systems.
Sparkling Ice firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sparkling Ice
- Legal name
- Talking Rain Beverage Company
- Website
- https://sparklingice.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sparkling Ice is the #1 U.S. flavored sparkling water brand ($971M+ sales, 18% category share), selling zero-sugar beverages with vitamins and natural colors through major retailers, convenience stores, Amazon, and authorized distributors under parent Talking Rain Beverage Company.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sparkling Ice industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flavored Sparkling Water
- NAICS
- Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111), Soft Drink and Ice Manufacturing (31211)
- SIC
- Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bottled Water (Still, Sparkling, Enhanced) (CRADAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production (AFAFACAE), Flavored/Enhanced Bottled Water Production (Essenced, Vitamin, Electrolyte) (AFAFACAF), Energy Drinks & Energy Shots (CRADAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Sparkling Ice is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Preston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sparkling Ice business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consumer Packaged Goods Wholesale: Traditional CPG revenue model selling through major retail chains (Target, Walmart, Kroger, etc.), convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms. Products sold as single bottles, multi-packs, and variety packs. Retail price $1.19-$1.29 for classic Sparkling Ice, $1.89 for Caffeine line.
- E-commerce (Amazon): Direct consumer sales through Amazon storefront. Energy products available as 12-packs. Company leverages e-commerce for products not available in-store in certain markets.
- Licensing/Collaboration Products: Revenue generated through licensed product collaborations with major candy brands (STARBURST, LIFE SAVERS) under Mars licensing agreements. These limited-edition products drive incremental sales and new customer acquisition.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Classic Sparkling Ice retail pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sparkling Ice Caffeine retail pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sparkling Ice Energy retail pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Life Savers flavor 12-pack pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | E-commerce pricing through Amazon |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Sparkling Ice product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sparkling Ice is a family of zero-sugar flavored sparkling water beverages combining sparkling water with real fruit flavors, vitamins (B6, B12, E), antioxidants, and sucralose-based sweetening. The portfolio includes a 17+ flavor Classic line, a 70mg Caffeine line, a 160mg Energy line with L-Theanine, and licensed collaboration products with STARBURST, LIFE SAVERS, and Cuties brands. Products are enriched with functional ingredients and use colors sourced from natural fruit and vegetable juices.
Product overview
Sparkling Ice is a family of sparkling water beverages owned by Talking Rain Beverage Company, featuring a core Sparkling Ice sparkling water product with 17+ flavors, supplemented by specialized product lines: Sparkling Ice Caffeine (70mg caffeinated sparkling water in 10 flavors), Sparkling Ice Energy (160mg caffeine energy drinks in 3 flavors), and collaboration products with major brands including STARBURST, Cuties, and LIFE SAVERS. All products feature zero sugar, vitamins, antioxidants, and colors from natural sources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sparkling Ice Classic: Zero sugar sparkling water with vitamins and antioxidants, available in multiple fruity flavors
- Sparkling Ice Caffeine
- Sparkling Ice Energy
- Sparkling Ice STARBURST
- Sparkling Ice LIFE SAVERS
- Sparkling Ice Cuties
- Popwell
Products and services
- Sparkling Ice Classic Zero-sugar flavored sparkling water combining sparkling water, real fruit flavors, vitamins B6/B12/E, and antioxidants. Available in 17+ flavors in the iconic 17 oz tall skinny bottle for general consumers seeking better-for-you beverages.
- Sparkling Ice Caffeine Caffeinated sparkling water with 70mg caffeine from natural sources (green tea extract and coffee beans), zero sugar, zero calories, vitamins, and antioxidants. Available in 16 oz cans in 10 flavors including the Soda Shoppe collection.
- Sparkling Ice Energy Energy drink containing 160mg natural caffeine, electrolytes, and L-Theanine for focus, with vitamins B12, B3, and E. Available in 12 oz cans in three flavors (Berry Blast, Maximum Mango, Power Punch) and as 12-packs on Amazon.
- Sparkling Ice STARBURST Licensed collaboration with Mars STARBURST transforming classic STARBURST candy flavors (Cherry, Fruit Punch, Lemon, Orange, Strawberry, Watermelon) into zero-sugar sparkling water. RED PACK variety added Fruit Punch and Watermelon flavors plus Kiwi Strawberry and Black Cherry in 2025.
- Sparkling Ice LIFE SAVERS Licensed collaboration with Mars LIFE SAVERS featuring candy-inspired flavors including Wild Cherry, Strawberry, Pineapple, Green Apple, White Grape, and Blue Raspberry. Zero sugar with vitamins and antioxidants. Achieved industry milestone for natural green and blue colors in clear bottles.
- Sparkling Ice Cuties
Quantifiable outcome
- 18% market share in flavored sparkling water category
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sparkling Ice
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sparkling Ice technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Sparkling Ice partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mars (LIFE SAVERS)coreLicensing partnership transforming LIFE SAVERS candy flavors into sparkling water. Launched Wild Cherry, Strawberry, Pineapple, Green Apple, White Grape, and Blue Raspberry flavors. Red White and Blue variety pack released for summer 2026. Achieved industry milestone for natural green and blue colors.
- Seattle Reign FCminorWomen's professional soccer team. Partnership includes sweepstakes for game tickets in Washington state. Fan engagement initiative in partnership with Seattle Sounders FC ecosystem.
- American Cancer SocietycorePartnership supporting cancer research and patient services. Talking Rain contributed over $100,000 in donations and in-kind contributions in 2024. CEO Ken Sylvia participates in CEOs Against Cancer initiative. Rain Makers participate in quarterly RM SIP virtual discussions.
- The Jed Foundation (JED)corePartnership to strengthen student-athletes' mental wellness on college campuses. JED creates training workshops for college coaches and athletic directors to identify signs of mental distress. Program called 'Championing Mental Health: Winning Strategies for Supporting Student-Athletes' launches early 2025.
- Seattle Sounders FCcoreMulti-year partnership making Sparkling Ice the official sparkling refreshment of Seattle Sounders FC. Includes branded fan activation zones at Lumen Field, halftime fan contests, social media photo series, and 'Ice in the Veins' replay moment feature.
- Girls on the RuncoreNational corporate partnership supporting girls' mental and physical health. Sparkling Ice provides beverages at 5K celebrations and fall events, donating over 100,000 bottles at recent events. Rain Makers volunteer as coaches and community supporters. Partnership enhances girls' self-esteem and healthy life choices.
- Big City MountaineersminorPartnership through Flavorful Giving program supporting youth outdoor experiences. Sparkling Ice fully funds flagship weeklong backcountry expeditions for youth agencies in five major metro markets: Seattle, Portland, Denver, San Francisco, and Minneapolis. Supports youth from disinvested communities in transformative nature experiences.
- Mars (STARBURST)coreLicensing partnership transforming STARBURST original fruit chew candy flavors into zero-sugar sparkling water. Launched Cherry, Fruit Punch, Lemon, Orange, Strawberry, and Watermelon flavors. RED PACK introduced in 2025 with new Fruit Punch and Watermelon flavors plus core Kiwi Strawberry and Black Cherry.
- Puget Sound Honor FlightminorVeterans organization transporting WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War Veterans to Washington D.C. memorials at no cost. Partnership honors veterans and supports organization mission through Flavorful Giving campaign.
- Scholastic Book FairsminorPartnership to bring book fair experiences to students. Sparkling Ice sponsored book fairs at Dorie Miller Elementary in San Antonio and five other schools in Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, benefiting approximately 2,112 students. Each student selected two free books for home libraries.
- Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationminorChildhood cancer research non-profit. Sparkling Ice donated $25,000 to support Alex's Original Lemonade Stand event celebrating childhood cancer heroes. Partnership raises awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.
- K9s For WarriorscorePartnership with nation's largest provider of trained service dogs for military heroes suffering from PTSD. Sparkling Ice sponsors veteran and dog pairings, including sponsorship of Luna and Nuno matching. Addresses veteran mental health through service dog program that rescues shelter dogs and pairs them with veterans.
- Good SportsminorNon-profit dedicated to making sports and physical activity accessible to all children. Sparkling Ice donated over 1,000 pieces of sporting equipment to Bailey Gatzert Elementary in Seattle including soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, jump ropes, and more.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sparkling Ice competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LaCroix: LaCroix (National Beverage Corp.) is the most direct competitor to Sparkling Ice, offering zero-sugar flavored sparkling water with similar positioning, retail distribution, and flavor variety across US grocery channels.
- Polar Seltzer: Polar Seltzer is a family-owned US sparkling water brand with broad flavor variety, zero-sugar positioning, and similar retail grocery distribution model, making it a closely comparable independent peer.
- Vita Coco: Vita Coco is a publicly traded flavored and functional water brand (coconut water, sparkling) with strong brand equity and retail distribution similar to Sparkling Ice, comparable as a publicly-listed pure-play in the flavored/functional water space.
Broad incumbents
- Bubly: Bubly is PepsiCo's flagship zero-sugar flavored sparkling water brand, competing head-to-head with Sparkling Ice on shelf, flavor innovation, and marketing across major US retailers.
- AHA Sparkling Water: AHA is Coca-Cola's flavored sparkling water brand with added minerals, directly competing with Sparkling Ice in the zero-sugar flavored sparkling category and leveraging Coca-Cola's distribution scale.
- Bai: Bai is a Dr Pepper Snapple/Keurig Dr Pepper flavored water and antioxidant beverage brand, offering zero-sugar infused waters with vitamins, directly comparable to Sparkling Ice's better-for-you positioning.
- Perrier: Perrier is a global Nestlé-owned sparkling water brand, a broader incumbent with established retail distribution and brand equity in the premium sparkling water category that overlaps with Sparkling Ice's positioning.
Emerging players
- Olipop: Olipop is a fast-growing prebiotic soda brand with zero-sugar positioning, overlapping with Sparkling Ice on better-for-you functional beverage demand and similar retail grocery distribution channels.
- Liquid Death: Liquid Death is a fast-growing flavored sparkling and still water brand with strong Gen Z positioning and creative marketing, comparable to Sparkling Ice in flavored sparkling water retail placement and youth-oriented marketing.
- Celsius: Celsius is a publicly traded functional energy drink comparable to Sparkling Ice Energy, sharing the energy/functional beverage channel placement and zero-sugar positioning with added caffeine and vitamins.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sparkling Ice social profiles
Digital presenceSparkling Ice compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sparkling Ice financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sparkling Ice leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Sparkling Ice subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Sparkling Ice funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sparkling Ice M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sparkling Ice
What does Sparkling Ice do?
Sparkling Ice is a family of zero-sugar flavored sparkling water beverages combining sparkling water with real fruit flavors, vitamins (B6, B12, E), antioxidants, and sucralose-based sweetening. The portfolio includes a 17+ flavor Classic line, a 70mg Caffeine line, a 160mg Energy line with L-Theanine, and licensed collaboration products with STARBURST, LIFE SAVERS, and Cuties brands. Products are enriched with functional ingredients and use colors sourced from natural fruit and vegetable juices.
Is Sparkling Ice a public or private company?
Sparkling Ice is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Sparkling Ice founded?
Sparkling Ice was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sparkling Ice based?
Sparkling Ice is headquartered in Preston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sparkling Ice make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Packaged Goods Wholesale is the primary driver. The others are E-commerce (Amazon) and licensing/Collaboration Products.
Who are Sparkling Ice's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LaCroix, Polar Seltzer and Vita Coco. Broad incumbents are Bubly, AHA Sparkling Water, Bai and Perrier. Emerging players are Olipop, Liquid Death and Celsius.
Does Sparkling Ice have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sparkling Ice.
What industry is Sparkling Ice in?
Sparkling Ice's product category is Flavored Sparkling Water. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAC, Bottled Water (Still, Sparkling, Enhanced), with a secondary code of AFAFACAE, Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production. Its NAICS code is 312111 and its SIC code is 2086.