Aldi Drinks That Should Be In Your Fridge Right Now
Aldi believers know that the budget grocery retailer has some truly hidden gems. And, that's on top of the countless other novelty items ranging from breakfast and snacks to desserts and dinner kits that have been released. With so many items to buy and try, sometimes you might need some guidance as to what's worth giving a shot and what to avoid, even down to different categories.
To begin with, you should stick to some drinks over others from Aldi. The store-brand soft drinks, for example, will probably let you down if you love a lot of carbonation. But, there are tons of other beverages that should be in your refrigerator right now, too. The booze aisle is certainly not one to skip, although there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks from Aldi that deserve a place in your cart as well. So give these a try and decide what should be a regular part of your grocery trip.
Pick up a bottle of wine
If you shop at Aldi at all or keep track of some of the latest finds, then you know the store is pretty well known for having surprisingly good wines. In fact, Decanter actually named more than 20 wines that are worth picking up from the budget grocery store. It is, however, worth noting that some of the wines are Aldi online exclusives and only stick around while supplies last. So it's worth browsing online, too, and saving yourself a trip to the store.
Among the best wines earning at least 90 points out of a possible 100 from Decanter were Veuve Monsigny Brut Champagne and Veuve Monsigny Brut Grande Réserve Champagne. Others include Albanta Albariño Rías Baixas, Hirtl Kirchberg Grüners Veltliner, Roversi Barbaresco, and La Sogara Amarone della Valpolicella. Unfortunately, if you are a fan of Aldi's highly recognizable Winking Owl wines, they didn't make the cut for Decanter. Not to mention, there are seasonal wines that hit Aldi's shelves that are worth trying too.
Browse the beer
Beer is another big category for shopping at Aldi. The grocery store actually offers 12 beers, and Thrillist had a certified cicerone rank them all so you can just buy and enjoy. While the worst beer on the list was described as something you might give "to a neighbor who [you] didn't like," it's probably okay to assume you can't go terribly wrong with any of Aldi's beers. At least not to the point of completely tossing them.
The Wernesgrüner, an Aldi-exclusive pilsner, was the first-choice pick for beers available this year. At 4.9 percent alcohol and $5.99, it's a really affordable, balanced, and light-bodied beer that pairs well with a lot. The second-best pick was a five percent alcohol Belgian white ale, Kinroo Blue for $6.49. "It's very true to type," he says. "There's a nice, bright citrus essence from the orange peel and coriander. It's light-bodied with well-integrated spice notes and extremely versatile with cuisine," said Eric Sadovnick, the certified cicerone. The third pick among Aldi's best beers was an IPA, Third Street Brewhouse Hop Lift at 6.2 percent alcohol, and $6.99 for a four-pack. It pairs well with Thai food and had all of the flavors that make a good IPA while delivering a mild bite that a session beer would have too.
Stock up on juice
There are tons of great name-brand and store-brand juice options at Aldi to satisfy everyone's taste from kids to adults. Nature's Nectar pouches are great for snack time and come in an easy to pack and transport pouch that kids can easily hold. Plus, a 10-pack was just $1.99 in 2019, according to Insider. Plus, these pouches are an apt substitute for Capri Sun since both only have 10 percent fruit juice, according to Aldi Reviewer, who also declared them "pretty good."
If you prefer Welch's 100 percent fruit juice, you could also pick up a 24-pack for $13.29 last year at Aldi. They're a bit larger, have more durable packaging, and a lid so you don't have to worry about spills too. Those looking for juice options to keep in your fridge for breakfast or even to add to smoothies, Nature's Nectar has some other deliciously fruity options in half-gallon sizes. For example, the guava mango is popular and is packed with vitamin C. It's only about $1.59 per carton too, so it won't break the bank.
Pick your favorite form of bubbly
While Aldi has been known to sell soda that isn't as fizzy as some may like, the store's seltzer options are actually quite good. According to Business Insider, the budget grocery store also sold La Croix for just $3.79 for a 12-pack in 2019, which is a great price. But, the store-brand seltzer comes in a variety of popular flavors and has plenty of bubbles too. In fact, Sometimes Foodie even called the Belle Vie line of seltzer "bold," "just bubbles," and "a definite win." That's pretty good feedback for a store-brand seltzer.
If you prefer larger bottles to individual servings, the liter bottles of flavored sparkling water at Aldi are a steal too. The bottles come in several flavors like lemon-lime and only cost roughly 65 cents each. That means you can easily stock up to have some on hand for mixing drinks or adding a touch of fizz to your juice.
Stay hydrated with sports drinks
Finally, there are tons of great sports drinks and recovery drinks that have good electrolytes in them available at Aldi. From coconut water to classic Gatorade, customers can find a lot of good value when it comes to replenishing electrolytes after a long workout. The first buy to look for are eight-packs of 20-ounce Gatorade bottles that retail at Aldi. The drink comes in several flavors like red Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime, Orange, and Glacier Freeze. However, one of the best deals on sports drinks might be Propel. Last year, a 12-pack of 17-ounce bottles cost just $4.99. It's a favorite for a reason, and if you're lucky, Aldi carries the classic flavor you love best.
Coconut water is another great drink for rehydrating, and Aldi sells individual 16.9-ounce bottles for about $1.29 each. Good Housekeeping actually found it to be one of the best coconut waters available and described it as "delicious," "mild," and "pleasantly sweet."