Rhode Island’s Functional Drink Scene Is Getting More Interesting

The beverage aisle has gotten noticeably more ambitious. A drink isn’t always just a drink anymore. It might promise electrolytes after a workout, probiotics for gut health, adaptogens for stress, or vitamins for the stretch between breakfast and lunch.

That shift has turned functional beverages from a niche wellness category into a much bigger part of the everyday market. Consumers are looking for convenient ways to support hydration, energy, digestion, and focus without adding another supplement to the morning routine. Industry forecasts expect the category to keep growing as brands experiment with ingredients tied to gut health, recovery, and stress support.

Functional drinks cover plenty of territory, from fortified waters and prebiotic sodas to kombucha, electrolyte blends, and produce-packed juices. Rhode Island makers are approaching the trend in their own way, with options that feel less like a science project and more like something people might actually keep stocked. Here are three local bottles and cans worth knowing. Explore current flavors and ordering details at SuperSeltzer.com, LulunaHealth.com, and FullyRooted.com. 

Super Seltzer, Barrington

Super Seltzer started with a familiar fridge problem: plain sparkling water felt a little too plain, while sports drinks came with more sugar and extras than founders Vinu and Ann Malik wanted for everyday use. Their middle ground combines sparkling water with electrolytes, vitamins, a touch of organic agave, and about 15 calories, with no caffeine, stevia, or artificial sweeteners. 

Luluna Kombucha, Providence

Luluna keeps its kombucha small-batch and close to the source. Co-founders Lucille Kreger and Connor Maroney brew with organic tea, New England spring water, and fresh fruit and herbs added during fermentation instead of syrups. The kombucha stays unpasteurized, preserving its live probiotics, and typically contains three to five grams of sugar per bottle. 

Fully Rooted, Pawtucket

Fully Rooted treats juice like produce with better portability. Each 16-ounce cold-pressed bottle contains more than three pounds of fruits and vegetables, with nothing added or taken away, while the company’s kombucha line leans more botanical with mushrooms, herbs, and adaptogens in blends like Ginger Reishi, Lemon Lion’s Mane, and Lavender Rose Hip.