Introduction
Electrolyte drinks used to belong in the gym bag. Bright blue sports drinks, salty sachets and fizzy tablets were made for marathon runners and footballers, not for someone sitting through a 9am lecture or a long afternoon at a desk.
nonni wants to change that. It describes itself as the UK’s first premium sparkling everyday electrolyte drink, made for “busy brains and everyday life” rather than purely for workouts. It comes in a slim 330ml can, with a lower salt balance than traditional sports drinks, added magnesium and B vitamins, and only a little sugar.
There are two flavours: Sicilian Lemony Lemon with Garden Mint and Green Lime, and Pomelo Grapefruit with Green Lime and Pink Himalayan Salt. In this review we look at what is in each can, how the two compare, who nonni suits and whether it is worth the money.
This review is based on nonni’s published product information, ingredients and nutrition labelling.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Students, desk workers and anyone who wants a lighter, more grown up alternative to energy drinks and sugary fizzy drinks
Short summary: nonni takes the electrolyte drink out of the gym and into everyday life. Both flavours are low in sugar and calories, caffeine free, vegan, and free from artificial sweeteners, with magnesium and B vitamins in every can. The Lemon is the zingy, minty choice, while the Grapefruit adds potassium and a touch more salt. At around £2.50 a can it is a premium buy, but it is a genuinely interesting alternative to the usual supermarket fizz.
Main pros
- Low sugar (2.4g per 100ml) and low calorie
- Caffeine free with no artificial sweeteners
- Magnesium plus vitamins B3, B6, B12 and biotin in every can
- Lower salt than traditional sports drinks, so it suits everyday sipping
- Vegan, vegetarian and made in the UK
Main cons
- Pricier than standard soft drinks
- Only two flavours so far
- Mainly sold online from nonni’s own shop
- Not designed to replace a proper sports drink during long, intense exercise
Quick buying recommendation: If you like citrus and mint, start with the Lemon. If you prefer something a little more savoury and sophisticated, go for the Grapefruit. Better still, try a pack of each.
Where to buy: Buy Sicilian Lemony Lemon direct from nonni | Buy Pomelo Grapefruit direct from nonni
Product Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | nonni Sparkling Electrolyte Drink |
| Brand | nonni |
| Product Type | Sparkling everyday electrolyte drink |
| Flavours | Sicilian Lemony Lemon with Garden Mint and Green Lime; Pomelo Grapefruit with Green Lime and Pink Himalayan Salt |
| Can Size | 330ml |
| Price | £9.99 for a 4 pack (around £2.50 a can) |
| Key Nutrients | Magnesium, niacin (B3), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin; potassium in the Grapefruit |
| Sugar | 2.4g per 100ml, from organic agave syrup |
| Dietary | Vegan, vegetarian, caffeine free, no artificial sweeteners |
| Best For | Study sessions, desk days, after the gym and the morning after a night out |
Design & Build Quality
The cans
nonni comes in slim 330ml cans with a playful retro design. The Lemon can is a bright citrus yellow with a green band, while the Grapefruit can is a soft blush pink with a red band. Both carry the bold nonni logo and a little illustrated glass of the drink, so they look as good on a desk or in a fridge as they do in a photo.
Packaging
Each flavour comes in a 4 pack box that matches the can colours. The boxes are neat, recyclable card and make nonni easy to give as a small gift or to stack in a shared fridge.
First impressions
This is clearly a lifestyle drink rather than a sports product. There is no neon branding or performance jargon on the front, just clean design and simple messaging: premium electrolytes for smarter sips.
Features & Performance
Why everyday electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium that help the body manage fluid balance. Traditional sports drinks pack in a lot of salt to replace what is lost through heavy sweating. nonni argues that most of us simply do not need that much day to day, and that overly salty drinks are off putting for regular sipping. Its answer is a lower salt balance of minerals that is easier to drink every day.
Vitamins and minerals in every can
Both flavours contain magnesium (92.7mg, around 25% of the NRV), niacin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 (each around 50% of the NRV) and biotin (around 25% of the NRV). nonni highlights that magnesium and vitamin B6 contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. The Grapefruit flavour also lists 495mg of potassium per can.
Sugar, calories and sweetness
Each can is lightly sweetened with organic agave syrup, with 2.4g of sugar per 100ml. That works out at roughly 8g per can, far less than a standard can of cola. There are no artificial sweeteners, which will appeal to anyone who dislikes the aftertaste of diet drinks.
Caffeine free energy
nonni contains no caffeine, so it will not give you the jitters or a crash later. That makes it an easy swap for an afternoon energy drink, and a sensible choice for evening study sessions when you still want to sleep.
Comparing the Two Flavours
| Feature | Sicilian Lemony Lemon | Pomelo Grapefruit |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour profile | Sicilian lemon and tangy lime with a cool garden mint finish | Juicy grapefruit and green lime with a pinch of pink Himalayan salt |
| Character | Bright, zesty and refreshing | Slightly bittersweet and more grown up |
| Energy per 100ml | 12 kcal | 14 kcal |
| Sugar per 100ml | 2.4g | 2.4g |
| Salt per 100ml | 0.03g | 0.05g |
| Potassium | Not listed | 495mg per can |
| Contains juice | No, flavoured with lemon and lime extracts | Yes, grapefruit juice |
| Best for | Anyone who loves citrus and mint, and a pick me up at the desk | Grapefruit fans and anyone who wants a mocktail feel |
Sicilian Lemony Lemon with Garden Mint and Green Lime
The Lemon flavour combines Sicilian lemon and lime extracts with natural garden mint flavouring. On paper it is the brighter and more refreshing of the two, a little like a sparkling, low sugar take on a lemon and mint cooler. It is also the lighter option, with 12 kcal per 100ml and the lowest salt content.
It is likely to appeal to anyone who enjoys sparkling lemonade or mojito style mocktails but wants something less sweet.
Where to buy: Buy Sicilian Lemony Lemon direct from nonni (4 x 330ml, £9.99)
Pomelo Grapefruit with Green Lime and Pink Himalayan Salt
The Grapefruit flavour uses real grapefruit juice with lime and black pepper extracts and a touch of pink Himalayan salt. Salt and grapefruit is a classic pairing that softens bitterness and brings out sweetness, so this should feel more like a sophisticated soft drink or a non alcoholic Paloma.
It is also the flavour with the fuller mineral line up, adding 495mg of potassium per can alongside the magnesium and B vitamins.
Where to buy: Buy Pomelo Grapefruit direct from nonni (4 x 330ml, £9.99)
nonni for Students and University Life
nonni makes a lot of sense for students. Early lectures, late night studying, sport, socials and moving into new accommodation can all push hydration down the priority list. nonni is designed to slot into that routine:
- Study sessions: a caffeine free alternative to energy drinks that will not keep you awake all night
- After the gym or sport: light electrolytes and minerals without a salty sports drink taste
- The morning after a night out: a fizzy, low sugar drink that feels kinder than a full sugar can of cola
- Shared fridges: eye catching cans that are easy to spot as yours
The main drawback for students is price. At around £2.50 a can, nonni is more of a treat or an occasional swap than an everyday staple for most student budgets.
Pros & Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low sugar and low calorie | Around £2.50 a can |
| Caffeine free | Only two flavours |
| No artificial sweeteners | Mainly available online |
| Magnesium and B vitamins in every can | Not a full replacement for sports drinks in endurance exercise |
| Lower salt, easy everyday drinking | Lemon flavour has no added potassium |
| Vegan, vegetarian and made in the UK | Contains some sugar, so not zero calorie |
Who Should Buy This?
nonni is ideal for students, home and office workers, and anyone trying to cut back on energy drinks, sugary fizzy drinks or alcohol. It suits people who find plain water boring but do not want the salty, medicinal taste of traditional electrolyte products.
It is less suited to endurance athletes who need high levels of sodium and carbohydrate during long training sessions, or to anyone on a tight budget looking for a daily drink.
As a gift, a mixed pack of both flavours makes a thoughtful stocking filler or Secret Santa present for the student, the health conscious friend or the colleague who lives on energy drinks.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Traditional sports drinks
Higher in salt and often in sugar. Better for heavy exercise, but less pleasant for everyday sipping.
Electrolyte sachets and tablets
Cheaper per serving and great for travel, but they need mixing and can taste salty or medicinal.
Energy drinks
Offer a caffeine kick, but often with high sugar or artificial sweeteners. nonni is the calmer, caffeine free option.
Sparkling flavoured waters
Similar price and refreshment, but usually without the added minerals and vitamins.
Is It Worth The Money?
At £9.99 for four cans, nonni sits in the premium soft drink bracket, alongside craft sodas and functional drinks. You are paying for the added minerals and vitamins, a lower sugar recipe without artificial sweeteners, and a well designed product from a small UK brand. For an everyday thirst quencher it is a luxury, but as a swap for energy drinks or sugary fizzy drinks it offers good value.
Final Verdict
nonni brings electrolytes out of the gym and into everyday life, and does it with style. Both flavours are low in sugar, caffeine free and packed with magnesium and B vitamins, wrapped up in some of the best looking cans on the market.
Choose Sicilian Lemony Lemon for a bright, minty refresher, or Pomelo Grapefruit for something more grown up with added potassium. Either way, nonni is a refreshing alternative for students, desk workers and anyone looking to sip smarter.
Where to buy: Buy Sicilian Lemony Lemon direct from nonni | Buy Pomelo Grapefruit direct from nonni
FAQs
What is nonni?
nonni is a premium sparkling electrolyte drink made in the UK and designed for everyday hydration rather than just sport.
Does nonni contain caffeine?
No. nonni is caffeine free.
How much sugar is in nonni?
Both flavours contain 2.4g of sugar per 100ml, from organic agave syrup, which is roughly 8g per 330ml can.
Does nonni contain artificial sweeteners?
No. It is sweetened with organic agave syrup.
Is nonni vegan?
Yes. nonni says both flavours are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
What vitamins and minerals are in nonni?
Each can contains magnesium, niacin (B3), vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and biotin. The Pomelo Grapefruit flavour also contains potassium.
Where can I buy nonni?
nonni is available online from drinknonni.com, with UK wide delivery.
