Water above water

The the nicest lunches are those that arise spontaneously. Wine on the table, soups and club sandwiches being shared, and a bunch of kids having a great time with themselves. Water was ordered. With a bubble. When the waitress arrived with a bottle of red Sourcy, I let out a disappointed “Oh, Sourcy…”

The whole table looked at me, which called for an explanation. “I just don’t think Sourcy is that nice water.” That made me a mega snob in the eyes of my dining companions. When I asked the waitress if they had Pepsi on the menu, she confirmed that. Sourcy and Pepsi go hand in hand, after all. And my table understood that. Well, dear people, just as there is a difference between cola brands, there is also a difference between champagnes (more on that in a lecture at another time), but certainly also between the different waters. Let me introduce you to my favorites.

Evian

For daytime, the tastiest water. I also find the bottle beautiful, and they always have nice collaborations with designers who create bottles that you really want to keep. It is a soft water that doesn’t taste metallic.

Badoit

I started drinking because I read a book by Mart Smeets; ‘A Long Escape’. He travels with the Tour de France, gets accompanied by an old love, and they spend the days drinking wine, but especially Badoit, in the French countryside. It is a lovely water for lunch because it has a light bubble and tastes a little salty.

Perrier

Of course Perrier. Because the bottles are so beautiful and it is so incredibly French. Order it on the Thalys and you are immediately in Paris. But really immediately.

Voss

Karl Lagerfeld's favorite water. A bit overpriced, but it comes in a beautiful bottle and goes down nicely. For €5.99 you still don’t get a liter, but who’s counting…

Ferrarelle

This water has such a nice light bubble that you don’t feel full from it. Leggeremente frizzante as the Italians say. Costs nothing, looks a million dollars. Who is going to import this in the Netherlands? I will be your best customer.

Spa Marie-Henriëtte

I find Spa red, sorry Spa friends, synonymous with ‘boring’. “Just give me Spa red.” Doesn’t that sound like “I really don’t feel like this party,” or not? But Marie-Henriëtte on the other hand is a water to my liking. A little lime, a bit of mint, and you’re done.

Cheers!