Romano's Orange Cream

   Romano’s and I have an odd relationship.I started off with high hopes when I tried their Raspberry Soda, then I was intrigued (but didn’t love) their Sour Apple, and finally, I didn’t like Blackberry Soda at all.

   Upon opening the bottle, I get quite the nice fragrance. Honestly, it smells more of cream than it does of orange.... I don’t know if this is a good sign or not, though. First, the good news...it’s better than the Blackberry Soda. It’s a subtle soda flavor, however. It doesn’t punch you in the mouth like the Sour Apple, so it’s much more drinkable if some sodas are rough on your throat. By no means is it smooth, but it has less bite than a Coke for instance. The coloring is what you’d expect an orange soda to be...orange; it matches the bottle art nicely.

   My qualm with this soda is the lack of orange flavoring. While the cream can be smelled and tasted easily, it masks the orange. If you like cream more than orange, then buy a drink I just made up called Creamy Orange... not Orange Cream. I want to taste the tangy citrus as well as the smooth cream. Those two flavors are what make drinks like this so great. I’ve had another brand of orange cream soda; it’s delicious and balanced, so I know it can be done. I’m not going to tell you that it’s a bad drink...it’s not. I just want to taste something a little more interesting when I see the words “Orange Cream” on a bottle. Sitting in front of me is an Orange Cream Soda by Romano’s. I can only hope they don’t continue down the same path.

~A

(Note:  This beverage was provided to us by Romano's)

Romano's Blackberry Soda

   Blackberries intrigue me. They taste great on their own, make delicious cobbler, and yet you rarely see a blackberry soda. Fortunately Romano's Italian Soda has produced a blackberry flavor of its own. I'm looking forward to it as well as I enjoy blackberries, coupled with the fact that their Sour Apple Soda was a taste explosion all its own. I'm hoping that it's tart... as blackberries are, just a little sweet... as blackberries are, and not full of seeds... which blackberries are not. (Blackberries are not, not, full of seeds...thus making them full of seeds.  I think that last sentence works.)

   Let's get on with it. The initial aroma is pleasant, but not as strong as I'd like it to be... dah well, who else besides a Jerk smells their soda before consumption. The initial swig of drink is quite nice, you can tell that your mouth is about to enjoy a great blackberry flavor. Following up said swig is a bit of a disappointment to me though. I expected tart, I wanted tart, and I’m missing tart. Instead what I get is a sickly sweet taste that I've never experienced with an actual blackberry. There is not a drop of tartness to be found... even the sweetness that goes along with it is still too much for a blackberry. I'm sorry, but this just won't do.

~A

(Note:  This beverage was provided to us by Romano's)

Hot Lips Strawberry Soda

   Hot Lips is a soda brand from the Pacific Northwest... it’s not available down here in Houston.In fact the ingredients listed on my Strawberry Soda are as follows:

Carbonated Water, Strawberries grown in the Pacific Northwest, cane sugar, and organic lemon juice.

   That’s an impressive list of ingredients in my book.There is no ‘natural strawberry flavor’ listed, they just list Strawberries grown in the Pacific Northwest.In fact the bottle says that this soda contains strawberry pulp, another plus.Wait a second; this drink has vitamins in it!40% of the Vitamin C you need in a day!If there is one way to get your score higher with this Jerk it’s to have me drink my vitamins in a soda (as long as it tastes good of course. I’m looking at you nasty tasting 7up Plus).The bottle art is simplistic, it reminds me of a children’s book about fruit.This is what a strawberry looks like kids, on a simple white background.Of course the Hot Lips logo is a lipstick kiss, but that’s pretty predictable in my opinion.We were able to procure this soda directly from the nice folks at Hot Lips... but don’t think that’s going to improve the score at all just because we were sent samples.Actually a lot of our sodas have been samples from companies, we just haven’t told you until now.

   Onto the tasting.Upon opening this you get a strong natural fruit sensation in the smell.Like one of those really awesome strawberry lemonades that has real strawberries in it... minus the lemonade smell of course.I’m now officially excited to try this, bottoms up.The first thing running through my head is that it doesn’t taste much like a soda.There is very little carbonation, but that could be due to the fact that the CO2 doesn’t stick very well to the ingredients listed above.I would also like a little more sweetness in this.It’s not tart like a strawberry, but it’s not all that sweet as well.It’s almost like I can taste too much of the organic lemon juice in it.This has a pretty good taste, but I just don’t feel like I’m drinking a soda.It feels more like strawberry juice, with a hint of lemon.My last run in with a drink like this was Fizzy Lizzy, but I’m happy to say that Hot Lips surpasses Ms. Lizzy in the flavor department.It’s a moderately refreshing drink, but nothing that I’d grab for on one of our 103 degree summer days.This is more of a solitary drink... something that you’d want to drink by itself so that you could enjoy the natural, but quiet, strawberry flavoring.All in all it’s a good soda, I’m sure there are non soda fans out there that would love this, but I just kinda like it.

~A

Twist likes strawberries

(Note:  This beverage was provided to us by Hot Lips)

Romano's Sour Apple

   As you know my opinion on green apple flavored things isn’t a pleasant one.Fortunately Jones Soda Green Apple Soda helped me overcome that hatred, so I’ve decided to try other Green Apple flavored beverages.I hold in my hand a Romano’s Sour Apple beverage.I’m assuming (yes I know what assuming does) that Sour Apple, is just another way of saying Green Apple... since the green apple’s are the one’s that are sour.The color also tells me that this is a green apple based drink, so hopefully that phrase on assuming doesn’t come true.

   Here we go.First off I’d like to comment on how much I like the neon green color of this beverage.The smell coming out of this bottle is very much like Jolly Rancher Green Apple.I’m looking forward to this taste now, knowing that green apple flavor is abounds.Time to drink.WOW... this is some powerful stuff.Sadly, because of my previous assumption, ‘u’ and ‘me’ have both been made into asses.This is the sourest beverage I’ve ever had.It’s not “Warhead” sour, but it’s very sour when compared to other beverages.This is completely different then the Jones Soda, the amount of fizz is way higher in the Romano’s.Once it hits the back of my throat it burns... almost too much.I know in one of my recent reviews complained about not enough carbonation, and bite... but this one needs to tone it down a bit.Let me make sure you understand me.This beverage has a good taste, but the amount of sour, and fizz take away from it.As odd as it might sound though, I’m looking forward to more Romano’s beverages because of this experience.Now I know that Romano’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to flavoring, and mouth feel.So even though this might not get the best rating, know that I’m not normally a fan of green apple flavored things (as previously stated), and that I think those who truly like Sour Apple candy will love this beverage.

~A

It was so different I forgot to snap a pic before I started drinking.

(Note:  This beverage was provided to us by Romano's)

Romano's Raspberry Soda

   I like raspberry flavored things.That is to say, I like red raspberry flavored things.When the whole blue raspberry thing happened, I was initially exited, then let down at how much I disliked blue raspberry.This beverage comes from our friends at Romano’s Italian Soda, as you can see from the bottle it’s their raspberry flavored beverage.Now I’ve only seen one place in Houston that sells it, and that would be specialty store Harry and David.Before we get to far ahead of ourselves, let’s learn together what an “Italian Soda” is, by reading the label.

    It’s a refreshing drink that you can order in any café in Italy.Rich, flavorful syrups are mixed with sparkling water and poured into a tall glass of ice, add a splash of cream for a delicious cremosa.  

   The secret to Romano’s Italian Soda was brought to America in our Grandfather Romano’s suitcase over a hundred years ago.This perfect blend of sweet syrups and sparkling water, it’s what separates Romano’s Italian Soda from any other bottled soda on the market today.   

   It’s the definition of “La Dolce Vita” (the sweet life)   

   Our mission is to continue the tradition of these distinctive Italian style drinks so everyone can enjoy them.Salute!

   So there we go, there’s our history lesson.Now I don’t have to type that again for the remaining Romano reviews, although I like the idea of how it got over here to America.I picture an older gentleman of Italian decent looking out across Ellis Island.He catches his footing as the boat rocks back, and forth; his legs weak from the travel.The sea spray hits his face, but he can’t wipe it away, because in his arms he clutches one of his only possessions, a homemade Italian soda... Romano’s Italian Soda.Enough babbling, let’s try this.

I open the bottle, and take a whiff (as I normally do).There is no over powering aroma here.Time to drink.This drink makes me happy.It’s very fizzy, but not overly so.When I initially tasted the raspberry flavoring I was afraid it was going to be flavored like a strong flavored sparkling water.Fortunately for me, the raspberry flavoring goes beyond that.It’s a light drink, moderately crisp, but still packs enough of a punch in the flavor department that you won’t be left saddened by what could have been.Another plus is that it’s sweetened with pure cane sugar.I couldn’t picture Grandfather Romano brining high fructose corn syrup over, and I’m glad the creators of this drink couldn’t picture that either.The labeling on this container isn’t all that flashy, in fact it’s kind of classy looking, almost like something you’d see in a bar in the early 90’s.This seems like it would pair well with food, or you could enjoy it by itself.I would add more raspberry flavoring if I wanted to improve upon this product,I might spice up the label art a bit too.Overall a good product, if you can find it.

~A

(Note:  This beverage was provided to us by Romano's)

Jones Soda - Green Apple

   Any time I tell someone that I review sodas, a very common question that follows is "Have you tried Jones Soda?" The answer is always "No I have not". I've never even tried Jones Soda before this website. I was given some as a Christmas gift a while back, but it was the Christmas meal flavors like 'Brussels sprouts', and 'turkey and gravy'... so I wasn't all that enthused to try it. I don't really know why I've avoided Jones Soda; I guess I just viewed it as too trendy. We try to stay away from the mainstream here on this site, unless it's given to us for free to try. I compare Jones Soda to Apple Computers, it's hip to like them, and their software... ignoring that other companies (Microsoft, and Linux for example) are equally great. Just like Apple though, Jones Soda is popular for a reason, and I care to find out what makes it so good.

   Right off the bat I enjoy the fact that a bug is on my label... it has no reason to be there, it's just there. Upon further investigation I see where on their website you can send in your photos, and if they like them they'll place them on a label... pretty cool. While I'm very pleased with the label, the screw top bottle cap keeps catching my eye. I prefer your standard bottle cap when it comes to topping a glass bottle, much like every other bottle drink we've reviewed... The cap on this Jones Soda is like a metal version of one that you might find on a 20 oz Coke. While it looks like a mini-top hat on Twist's head, sad to say, but this takes away from the product for me. Call me picky if you like, but we are The Soda JERKS. The green coloring of the beverage is also nice to look at, but I digress. Alright, now that I've been distracted by all the pretty colors I guess I should start the review.

Right off the bat this seems to have a medicinal smell to it, I like Dimetapp, so maybe this has promise. Aaaaand now I know why they're popular, this is delicious. I'm not even that big of a fan of green apple flavored things, but the flavor is fantastic. It almost tastes like liquid Jolly Ranchers, but not overly sweet. Since it is green apple flavored there is a hint of sour to it as well. It's not pucker up sour, but very much like the sour you would enjoy after biting into an actual green apple. The flavor does linger a bit longer than I'd like it to in my mouth, it could be worse though as the lingering flavor is nice. The flavor of Jones Soda Green Apple is a strong one, with just the right amount of carbonation. It might be a little too sweet for rapid fire consumption, but it's just fine when you're searching for something unique to drink.

~A

Twist the Iguana likes his new mini-top hat

Safeway Grape Soda

   This may be my last generic grape soda for a while... as much as I love them I’m kind of tired of reviewing them so often.Who knows, maybe I’ll move onto orange.Anywho, today’s entry is Safeway Grape Soda (purchased at Kroger).This is another free drink from a co-worker, which I love getting.If I knew all the drinks I’d get for free by just reviewing them, I might have reviewed electronics instead.

   The can art is simplistic, which is always a plus with me.I’m not really fond of the fact that the Safeway name is clearly visible on the can, I’d much rather them title it something besides “grape” and remove the store label.The ingredients are chemicals, which is why I’m not going to even bother listing them.Something I did learn though is that it takes Red Dye 40, and Blue Dye 1 to make this particular shade of purple.Here goes the test.

   First off there is way too much burn for me in this drink.I can feel it on the roof of my mouth, my tongue, and even under my tongue.I’m all for a little kick with my drinks, but this is too much.When an “All Natural” drink has some burn, I usually savor it... unlike a “chemical” drink where I just associate the burn with chemicals.Grape sodas should have some sort of smooth taste to them; this one has way too much tingle.Past the actual feel of the drink, it’s your generic grape soda.It’s a little weaker on the grape flavor, but that may be because your mouth is more concentrated on the previously mentioned feel.Safeway Grape Soda isn’t a bad grape soda, I’ve just had several better.If given the opportunity, just get Grapette.

~A

Oogave Grapefruit Soda

   Mike's review on Oogave Key Lime was so good that I decided to take the full plunge into Oogave, and get a flavor I normally wouldn't... grapefruit. Grapefruit soda's don't really appeal to me, so take that into consideration during this review. I don't think that Mike particularly likes them either, so I just went ahead and decided to review it.

   I will say that Oogave gets points instantly from me for having a different bottle cap for each beverage. I know that seems stupid and small, but I like it when people change up their bottle caps for different flavors, even if (in this case) it's just the color. My other favorite thing about this bottle is the tiny Esteban's Seal of Approval on the bottom right of the main logo. I'd love to have a shirt with that on it for some reason. That'd be on one side of the shirt, with the Oogave logo on the other... instant gold.

   Upon opening the bottle I take a whiff, and notice some solid citrus scent, almost orange, but not quite. I guess that's sort of what a grapefruit is most like though... sort of an orange. Wow... I can honestly tell you the flavor surprised me a lot. My feeling toward most grapefruit sodas is marred by the fact that they are usually sour/bitter much like a normal grapefruit. This soda has zero bitterness in it, making it good for even someone that would hate grapefruit.   Some might say "doesn't that mean if I love grapefruit, I'd hate the soda?"  Not necessarily, you'd have your grapefruit, the flavor would just be more subtle.  I would like for it to have a little more flavor though, as I have to search for it on occasion. There is little to no bite to this at all, as it's very smooth. It's also not overly carbonated, so those of you who don't like a lot of carbonation would enjoy this beverage. The more I drink, the more recognizable the grapefruit flavor becomes, which means I probably should have up-ended the bottle before enjoying. Still though, it's not an over powering flavor. Overall a good job by the people at Oogave.

~A

Oogave Grapefruit, and Twist the Bottle Cap Iguana

Grapette

   I've gotta say, when I first laid eyes upon Grapette I didn't think it was a store brand soda.  After further investigating, I realized that it was Wal-Marts version of grape soda.  I looked around for the Sam's Choice grape soda, but I couldn't find it, so I assumed that Wal-Mart had put all of their eggs in the Grapette basket... I was only partially right as the Grapette website reveals.

 In the late 80s, Grapette International's chairman, Brooks Rice, met Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart. Without wasting words, Walton told him, "I want Grapette in my stores." Rice explained that although he couldn't provide the use of the brand names in the United States, he could offer the flavors that once made the famous brands. Rice also personally pledged that some day, he would fulfill Walton's request to have Grapette and Orangette in his stores.

Soon, Wal-Mart was using some of the authentic Grapette Company flavor profiles in its Sam's Choice line of signature sodas. These flavors fit perfectly within the Sam's Choice brand, offering innovative, quality products at a better value than the leading national brands. But it always felt like something was missing — specifically, the famous Grapette and Orangette brand names.

In early 2000, Grapette International was able to purchase the U.S. rights to the Grapette and Orangette trademarks, finally reuniting the flavors with their brand names. Now the third generation of founder Paul May's family has given Wal-Mart what Sam Walton requested almost twenty years earlier.

In 2005, Sam's Choice Grapette and Sam's Choice Orangette became available exclusively in Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The drinks' quality is reinforced by their nationally-recognized brands at an exceptional value to the consumer. We invite you to enjoy Sam's Choice Grapette and Orangette today — Thirsty or Not!

   So as you see, Grapette has been a part of Wal-Mart for a while... it was just recently that we have the official Grapette name, and flavor.  One thing from the Q and A portion of the website that bothered me.

Q: Is Sam's Choice Grapette the authentic Grapette?

A: Yes. Grapette International, Inc. is part of the original Grapette Company formed in Camden, Arkansas in 1939, with use of all the original formulas.

Using these formulas, Sam's Choice Grapette and Orangette have the same great flavor profiles of the sodas you remember.

   Looking at the ingredients on the side of the can I see words like, High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Potassium Benzoate.  Without looking I can safely assume that High Fructose Corn Syrup was not part of the original sweetening.  So that lie bothers me.

   Well now, with all of the history out of the way, here goes the test.  At first look I really enjoy the can art it's displaying.  It's retro, and thirst provoking.  I say that because, when I read "Enjoy Grapette Grape Soda" I really want to drink it.  Maybe I'm easily swayed, but oh well, it's time to drink either way. 

   Wow... I can say that I'm impressed.  It's got a good grape taste, and a slight kick to it.  It doesn't leave too much of an after taste either.  In fact after the initial bite it slowly fades away to be quite smooth.  The cost of Grapette is quite cheap, and it should be readily available at your local Wal-Mart.  Other than the lie (or what I am assuming is a lie) that they use the original formula, this is easily a top 3 grape soda.  My favorite of all time is still Mighty Grape, but that's mostly because of it's association with my childhood.  I haven't had Mighty Grape in over 15 years, but I hope to find it.  Any who, I digress... Grapette is my favorite store brand soda to date, and I highly recommend it.  I really wish that other stores would try and go the route of Wal-Mart when it comes to their sodas (I know they don't have the money Wal-Mart does, but they could still try a little harder.)  Since Grapette was such a success I will also review Orangette, and their Keg Style Root Beer in the near future.

~A 

MTN Dew Live Wire

   We always like it around here at the Soda Jerk labs when someone gives us a drink to try for free. This week's installment is somewhat mainstream. From the Mountain Dew line, I have been given Live Wire. This will be the first 20 oz. plastic bottle I've reviewed, so I guess there is some history here. The packaging used is your basic Mountain Dew style; although, I do notice that it isn't "MTN DEW" but "Mountain Dew," so apparently they don't care as much about relabeling their other flavors. By the way, under the words "Live Wire" is the statement, "DEW sparked with orange." I don't know how you wouldn't guess this, given the bright orange color of the drink. I can't, off the top of my head, think of another flavor of drink when the color is orange.

    Anywho, here goes the test. It's a pretty sharp initial taste, with a slight burn. That is quickly dissolved by a candy-esque flavor that finishes off the experience. It's like a sweeter Sunkist Orange soda taste, which to me is the superior drink. There is hardly any, if any, original mountain dew flavor to be had. It's not a great drink, but it's not a horrible drink... in my opinion it's pretty average. I guess this should be a given, seeing that it's a branch of a mainstream drink line. While Code Red and Original Mountain Dew would be my top choices in this drink line, if someone offered me this, I wouldn't refuse them.

~A

Hill Country Fare - Black Cherry Soda

Back to the store brand sodas again... and this time we dabble with HEB brand Black Cherry Soda.  Same can art as all of their other soda's.  The person that designs these cans must have no incentive to be creative at all.  So far all of the HEB brand sodas have been remarkably average, so let's just get on with this shall we?

The smell is very light, and it takes quite a whiff to even detect the smell of black cherry.  Drinking now.... Ok, this is smooth... smooth to a fault... not smooth, watery.  There is no kick to this soda at all.  Even swishing it around doesn't create any extra carbonation.  It's not that it feels flat, it's that it feels like it has no carbonation at all, until you burp.  The black cherry flavor is also pretty weak, no where near the quality of an IBC brand or greater.  To me it feels like HEB wanted to make a black cherry soda, but then realized it might cost a little more than other sodas to make, so they skimped on the flavor.  Don't let me lead you to believe that this tastes badly, it tastes ok.  If you don't like a lot of carbonation or flavor in your soda, and you're a fan of chemicals... then this is the soda for you.

~A

Hill Country Fare - Pineapple Soda

Sticking with the class of store brand sodas we move on from HEB brand grape to HEB brand pineapple soda.  The packaging is much of that like the grape, with the difference being a color scheme change. 

Upon first taste of this soda it gives you a crisp pineapple taste, with a little too much carbonation burn following it.  Although it doesn't taste as syrupy as pineapple juice, it does coat your mouth in a pineapple blanket after each sip.  Of course there isn't any real fruit juice in each can, since it's produced by a store. (it would be nice to see a store brand soda do such a thing though)

Overall it delivers exactly what you'd think a store brand pineapple flavored soda would.  It's a bit too sweet for me to consider making it a regular drink of mine.  If I'm thirsty and happen to have anything else in my fridge, I can see myself drinking the other most of the time. 

On an amusing note, the following is printed on the side of the can:

WE HOPE YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THIS PRODUCT.  IF NOT, WE WILL CHEERFULLY REFUND YOUR MONEY.

Maybe it's just me, but I find humour in picturing someone returning this single can of pineapple soda.  The 1950's style store clerk behind the counter smiles at them, then gets 40 cents, and hands it to the customer... never breaking gaze.

~A

Hill Country Fare - Grape Soda

It seems that we start a lot of these stating that we haven't written in a while... so I'm gonna avoid that. I love grape soda, and I'm always open to trying new ones. I have a theory about them as well. I think that the cheaper the grape soda, the better it tastes. Couple that with the fact that we're trying to do beverages with a lower cost this year, and you have a review I'm happy to do. Hill Country Fare - Grape Soda is the store brand grape soda from HEB. It comes in 6 packs with those rings you should cut up to keep the dolphins and birds alive.

The can art is very generic, as it should be. The words "Artificially Flavored" are in a font that is equally as large as the word "Soda." They do not care that you know how un-natural that their soda is... and I appreciate that. This soda tastes like grape Dimetapp with some carbonation. It's got a fizzy mouth feel to it. My throat burns a little bit due to the carbonation, but it's not annoying by any means. The after-taste of grape soda lingers in your mouth a while after you've finished as well. I could sum up this review in one sentence. "This tastes like most any generic grape soda." I didn't do that just so you would know how much I enjoyed generic grape soda to begin with.

~A

Fizzy Lizzy - Yakima Valley Grape

Ok... in my ongoing search for an awesome grape soda, I think I may have found a strong contender. Fizzy Lizzy. First off, you gotta love the name. The packaging of Fizzy Lizzy is great. With such great quotes as "Fruit & Fizz With Body" or "No Gunk, No Junk, Pure Crisp Filtered" and my personal favorite "Gently SHAKE my hips, Before placing to your lips." This drink is flirting with me and I like it! The back of the bottle reads as such "51% fruit juice + 49% fizzy water. No added sugars" The ingredients are Triple Filtered Water, Concord grape juice concentrate, white grape juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, natural flavor, and vitamin C. I'm gonna take this moment to tell you how happy it makes me when a beverage is good for you. This includes 100% of the vitamin C you need in a day. It also has 29 grams of sugar, all from fruit juice. As I said before, I've hyped this up in my mind to potentially being the greatest grape soda ever. Let's you, and me, find out together.

It smells like grape juice, which I guess would be pretty obvious after reading the back of the bottle. Well I can't very well call it grape soda anymore because of the amount of juice. In a sentence it tastes like fizzy grape juice... which is exactly what it is. It seems to have a bit of a fermented taste as well, but nothing over powering. I like the crisp grape flavor that it leaves in my mouth. I like grape juice, but this doesn't leave that mucus feel that straight grape juice would. While the bottle pleased me greatly, the beverage is just above average. I can't criticize them though, they delivered exactly what they said they would. Fizzy water + Fruit Juice = Fizzy Lizzy.

~A

Cricket Pomegranate Raspberry Enhanced with Green Tea

Mike enjoyed the Cricket Cola he had so much, and spoke of the Cricket brand so highly, I decided it was time for me to try it as well. I went with Cricket Pomegranate Raspberry Enhanced with Green Tea. The bottle design is great, I really enjoy the style Cricket uses in their products. The label also claims to be "All Natural", and I'm sure you know by now that usually equates to higher ratings in our book. The ingredients are as follows: Sparkling Filtered Water, Invert Cane Sugar, Brewed Green Tea Concentrate, Citric Acid, Natural Pomegranate Raspberry Flavor, and Fruit and Vegetable Juice for color.

That is a very impressive list of ingredients, it may not go to the ends of the earth like Virgil's Root beer, but it doesn't need to. Also on the bottle they make sure you see that there is an equivalent to two cups of Green Tea in each bottle. I personally have no hatred, nor fondness of green tea. It works in some situations, like we are about to see. In others it's a bit odd, like in Steaz Green Tea Root beer.

The mouth feel of this is very light, slightly bubbly, and just enough flavor. You can taste both the Pomegranate and Raspberry very easily. It tastes healthy, and I don't mean that in a V8 kind of way. It's so light, and has just the right mixture of fruit flavoring that it couldn't be bad for you. The green tea flavoring makes an appearance at the end of you drink, a bit strong for me, but still needed. Never does your mouth feel syrupy, which is nice. If I had to make any improvements on it, I'd probably move it a notch or two in a stronger flavor direction. The only problem with that is you begin testing the balance of flavor, and light mouth feel.

~A

Goya Coconut Soda

Time to take a trip to Mexico, and try out an unusual Goya flavored drink. Stepping up to be reviewed is Coconut Soda... let's give it a try.

The first thing I can tell you is that the flavor is very, very light. If you thought you'd be over powered with coconut, you'd be way off base. I actually have to pause for a moment to make sure I even tasted anything. I'm on my fourth gulp and it's only in the aftertaste that I'm even beginning to taste this. It does taste like coconut, but I think even those that hated coconut would be fine with this beverage. The ingredients do not impress me either: Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Artificial Flavors, and Citric Acid. Are those not the most boring flavors ever? I can say that it is kind of refreshing, but I'd still like some flavor with my refreshment.

The bottom of this beverage begins to taste a little sickly sweet. I'm not sure if the very light flavor has slowly built up in my mouth, or if it's just the bottom of the bottle. Every time I burp I keep expecting some sort of remnant of what I just drank, but no such luck. I would normally write more, but this has no taste, and I can't keep saying that even though I have.

~A

Topo-Sabores Orange

We have an orange soda for today's review, Topo-Sabores Orange. I've never had a soda from Topo-Sabores, but I do enjoy Jarritos, and it seems to be very similar in style. To be honest with you I bought this because of the Lion on the bottle. My expectations for this are average at best, as it's hard to set yourself apart in the Orange Soda market. Here we go.

I enjoy using a bottle opener to open my bottles, for some reason it just feels kind of 'Old Timey' to me. The smooth bottle top also works better when you're drinking from the bottle. Hey, I was right, this is your average orange soda. It does have a bit of a bite to it, which I enjoy in my orange soda's. I'm going to finish it before finishing this review though, I've learned that many orange soda's get better as you drink them. While I've finished this beverage, it's still no more than a solid orange soda. It's not that sweet, and the carbonation is just right. I am still left waiting for an orange soda to blow me away. Love the lion though.

~A

Boylan's Grape Soda

I love grape soda, and I'm anxiously waiting for one to blow me away with its awesomeness. I picked Boylan's Grape Soda because it's sweetened with pure cane sugar, and I like the old school simplistically designed bottle. I'm even looking forward to it even more because apparently the Boylan's Brand has been registered since 1891... if it can withstand the test of time it must be good right? Here goes.

This is your average grape soda. I could stop right here, but since I like to put a few words with my review, I'll do my best to do so. It's a grape soda, but not one with a lot of bite to it. It's smoother than other grape soda's, but not to the point where you'd set it above the rest of them. I'm disappointed in my choice now, but I probably hyped it up to much in my head to be honest with you. I love grape soda, so of course this tastes good to me, but I'm not going to recommend it over any other grape soda's out there.

~A

IZZE - Sparkling Blackberry

Today's drink review installment is not so much a soda, as a sparkling water. I'm counting it though, as it is a carbonated, flavored, non-alcoholic, beverage. As the title says, I'm reviewing IZZE Sparkling Blackberry. Before we I start this I must say that I really enjoy their logo, I would happily wear it on clothing.

According to the label this is 70% pure fruit juice, which is a nice change from the normal 10-20% that other drinks might have in it. I'm especially thirsty right now, so hopefully this helps quench as well. I haven't liked flavored sparkling water in the past, but I must say this is a pleasant surprise. The blackberry flavoring is strong, but not so strong it over powers your tastebuds. It leaves your tongue fizzing for a few seconds after you've drank it, and the flavor of blackberry definitely stays with you. The label also states that each bottle is equal to two servings of fruit based on the USDA's 2005 Dietary Guidelines.... but to eat whole fruits as well.

I'm very happy with the honesty, and simplicity of this company. It's a carbonated fruit juice drink... and it does that job very well. The after taste stayed with me longer than I'd like, but it's not something that would keep me from buying it. In fact I look forward to trying other flavors in the brand.

~A

Materva - Yerba Mate Soda

Alright, now hopefully this next beverage is a little better than Malta Hatuey. It kind of has to be since vomiting in my own mouth is better than Malta Hatuey... it's called Materva. Actually, it's called Materva Yerba Mate Soda. I don't know what Yerba Mate Soda is, but hopefully it's good.

Thank you, whoever makes this! The most simple way I can put it is this, it's a sweet apple soda. I haven't tried many apple soda's in my lifetime, but this one is tops thus far. In fact this is one of the smoothest apple soda's I've ever had as well. Wait a second, hold that thought. After reading the packaging, there is no apple flavoring in this. The only extract that is in Materva is "Extract of Mate". This has piqued me into doing some research. One moment please.

Ah! A Yerba Mate is a species of holly native to subtropical South America. Apparently the extract of mate is quite a positive thing, with what some believe to be health benefits. Well, either way it still tastes like a sweet apple soda to me, but if it's holly, let it be holly. I would definitely drink this again, the packaging is a little bland, but I really don't mind. I now understand what the cup and twig are on the front, thanks to my good old fashioned research.

~A