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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Beverages

La Croix

LaCroix is an American brand of sparkling water, originally developed in La Crosse, Wisconsin, by G.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

LaCroix is an American brand of flavoured sparkling water with zero calories and no sweeteners. First launched in the early 1980s, it has become a staple in the North American beverage market.

What it is

LaCroix is a sparkling water product sold in a variety of fruit and fruit-blend flavours. It is marketed as having zero calories, zero sweeteners, and zero sodium, making it a popular choice among consumers seeking a healthier alternative to sugary drinks.

History and ownership

The brand originated in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1980 or 1981, introduced by G. Heileman Brewing Company. Its name is linked to the city and the nearby St. Croix River. National Beverage Corporation later acquired the brand and now oversees its production and distribution across the United States and Canada.

Product features

LaCroix is known for its colourful packaging and wide flavour lineup. Unlike many flavoured beverages, it contains no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or sodium. That profile helped it become a leading brand in the U.S. sparkling water market, and it is also sold in Canada.

In short

  • American sparkling water brand with zero calories, sweeteners, and sodium.
  • Originated in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the early 1980s.
  • First produced by G. Heileman Brewing, now owned by National Beverage.
  • Available in multiple fruit flavours and sold in Canada.
Canadian angle

LaCroix is sold in Canada and is part of the broader North American sparkling water market, which has grown alongside Canadian consumer demand for flavoured carbonated beverages.

Quick questions

What is LaCroix?
LaCroix is an American brand of flavoured sparkling water marketed as zero-calorie, unsweetened, and sodium-free.
Who owns LaCroix?
LaCroix is owned and distributed by National Beverage Corporation.
When was LaCroix introduced?
The brand was first launched in 1980 or 1981.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Croix_Sparkling_Water
    Supports: Brand identity, origin, type, manufacturer, introduced date
  2. National Beverage Corp.https://www.nationalbeverage.com/
    Supports: Corporate ownership and product positioning
  3. LaCroixhttps://www.lacroixwater.com/corporate
    Supports: Brand is part of the National Beverage family
  4. Bon Appétithttps://www.bonappetit.com/story/the-secret-history-of-the-lacroix-label
    Supports: Early history and acquisition context
  5. VinePairhttps://www.vinepair.com/articles/lacroix-brewery-controversy/
    Supports: Origin story, naming context, early history
  6. Harvard Business Schoolhttps://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=56442
    Supports: Launch as sparkling water brand and repositioning after acquisition