We tested Cadence, the much-hyped electrolyte drink in a can

What do British luxury streetwear and sports drinks have in common?

Well, typically not much, but for George Heaton, it’s the next frontier to conquer. Heaton is the founder of UK-based Represent, a rapidly growing apparel line, and now Cadence, a sparkling electrolyte beverage that was released earlier this summer.

I got my hands on a few cases when they first came out — keep reading to hear about my experience.

Sweating the details: Why Cadence bets on salt

Heaton also teamed up with Daring Foods founder Ross MacKay to create Cadence and when they launched in July, they had a 10,000 person waitlist. Their thesis? Hydration is the best way to optimize your brain and body and that salt is the solution.

They believe that currently, we’re not getting enough salt and that traditional hydration drinks only go half the distance—they’re filled with artificial sweeteners, inadequate electrolytes, and stimulants that give you a false sense of performance and mental clarity.

So, Cadence is aiming to fix this through premium ingredients coming together in a science- and research-backed manner.

I live in Texas where the summers are brutal and I do a lot of activities both indoors and outdoors. Pickleball, running, basketball… the list goes on. What this typically means, especially if I’m outside, is that I sweat a ton.

It’s not unusual for me to go through 50 to 100 ounces of water if I’m outside for an hour. For whatever reason, my body just exerts a ton of liquid. Which means that I constantly need to be hydrated throughout the day.

Ingredient breakdown

Cadence is trying to take a different approach to electrolyte powders and energy drinks. Rather than just addressing one concern (like dehydration), each can is designed to help with physical performance, mental performance, and recovery.

Cadence’s ingredients list on the back if its can.

Here are the ingredients in each 250ml can:

• Carbonated spring water
• Salt (500mg)
• Magnesium lactate (295mg)
• Potassium chloride (190mg)
• Lemon Sicily wash flavoring
• Lime Persian type extract
• Citric acid
• Stevia

The sodium (salt) and potassium are electrolytes that increase hydration, thus aiding long workout sessions. The magnesium helps with normal brain function, specifically memory and attention. And again, the magnesium paired with the electrolytes is meant to help reduce cramping and soreness.

It’s an all-in-one solution to your whole day, boosting your exercise, work, and sleep.

A tingly hint of citrus

Cadence was kind enough to send us a few cases of the new beverage. The only flavor currently available is citrus.

The first thing I’d advise is you need to get them in the fridge ASAP. Not from a safety standpoint, but from a taste perspective. Once the cans got delivered to my door and I saw how beautiful they were, I wanted to drink them immediately, but Cadence is so much better when cold rather than room temperature.

Cadence’s taste is crisply refreshing.

If you’re used to drinking sparkling water, Cadence is slightly less carbonated than a brand like La Croix. I personally prefer a lot of bubbles typically, but for something that you’ll take down before a workout, it makes sense that it’s not as carbonated so you’re not burping every few minutes.

The taste is crisply refreshing—it’s fairly salty, similar to LMNT, but the citrus balances it out. I’d compare it to classic Lemon Lime Gatorade if it had more sodium and a less sugary flavor.

High-end hydration

If you’re anything like me, you probably down beverages throughout the day. Seltzers, electrolyte powders, and more. I take them down quickly and efficiently. Especially when they taste delicious or it’s after a workout.

This presents a bit of a problem when it comes to Cadence. Here’s the breakdown for a 24-pack:

• $68 plus shipping for a one-time purchase ($2.83 per can)
• $61.20 plus shipping with a subscription ($2.55 per can)

Comparing it to something like Liquid I.V. that’s in the $1-2 range per serving definitely makes Cadence a larger investment, but on the flipside, you don’t need to deal with preparation, shaking, and extra bottles. Plus, you don’t need to be drinking electrolytes all day.

Easy-drinking appeal

As mentioned, the standard electrolyte or hydration products are typically sold in the form of powders. While less expensive, it can be annoying to measure out the water and shake them in a blender bottle.

Cadence provides ultimate convenience. I simply stuck the whole case in my fridge and grabbed one throughout the day or before a workout.

They’re a lot slimmer and more compact than a regular 12-ounce can or tall energy drink (it appears to be the same form as a Red Bull), so they fit in your fridge well and you can take them down pretty quickly.

Does Cadence deliver?

Solely speaking on the product alone, Cadence is incredible. I drank plenty of them throughout the week and while I didn’t have any extensive testing or lab results to look at, I trust the ingredients and the formulation. They use quality, researched ingredients that are proven to help with the intended use cases of Cadence such as cramping, recovery, and hydration.

It tastes delicious and is super refreshing, especially after a tough workout in the Texas heat. They’re also easy to consume — no mixing, shaking, or stirring, just pop open the can.

At almost $3 per can, this is by no means the cheapest way to boost hydration. But, if you want the easiest, most straightforward way to stay hydrated, and you’re willing to invest in it, then Cadence may be perfect for you to stock up on.