I don’t know what lychee tastes like. The more worldly fellow in front of me compares it to passionfruit… kind of. Fortunately for me I have a bottle of Ramune Lychee with me today so I can at least expand that horizon. I’ve already been told that this has a good carbonation by the aforementioned fellow, so it at least has that going for it.
Read MoreI was asked years ago what “retired” sodas I would bring back if given the opportunity. My answer was Surge, Crystal Pepsi, and Sprite Tropical Re-mix. Apparently my answer was then run through a series of computers and control groups which found it to be profitable because all of these sodas from my past exist again.
Read MoreBack again with another Diabolo review. You all remember Diabolo, right? It’s the French Soda with cane sugar, erythritol, stevia extract, and vitamins. If you don’t recall Diabolo check out our review of (Name of other Diabolo review) here!
Read MoreAnother British soda is at my hand today, Tizer. All I know about Tizer is that it has a “Fruit Stripe Gum” look to its can design, is “The Great British Pop”, and only cost 49p. It sweetened with sugar aaaaaand that’s about it. Oh, it also calls itself a “Sparkling Mixed Flavour Soft Drink with Sugar and Sweeteners”. Just gets your mouth watering, doesn’t it?
Read MoreI have a couple questions about Excel Lemonade, but I’ll answer yours first. “Why are you reviewing a non-carbonated beverage, Aaron?” Well thank you for asking. I’m reviewing this non-carbonated beverage because the fine folks at Excel included it in their care package to me. I may not like every soda I try, but that’s just part of the job. Being rude and not trying what I’m sent is not part of the job… although one did get thrown away by someone else and I’m trying to find a replacement, but that’s a story for another time.
Read MoreI thought I was done with the assortment of sodas that Excel sent me, but plunging my hand in the ol’ cardboard got me one more… Million Dollar Grape. That’s a lot of money associated with a grape soda or any beverage for that matter, so I’m hoping they can back it up. It is sweetened with “Pure Cane Sugar” so that’s worth at least a couple of dollars, right? I’m not sure it’s made it to a million just yet, perhaps the taste will make up the difference.
Read MoreI don’t normally review mainstream sodas, but I felt it important to follow the saga that is Sierra Mist. When Sierra Mist came out it was Pepsi’s version of a clear citrus soda not called Slice. Sierra Mist was alright in my mind, better than Sprite, worse than 7Up, but still an acceptable choice.
Read MoreI delayed on writing this review for Excel Orange Pineapple because… well because I thought I’d already reviewed it. After filling myself up with self doubt over several weeks I finally told my pride to take a hike and I checked. Well clearly I hadn’t reviewed it or I wouldn’t be writing this right now.
Read MoreI am not feeling this review today… which means I probably shouldn’t do it. The creative juices aren’t flowing, I don’t really want a soda right now, and even these sentences are just to fill up space. Yet, there’s some part of me that is hoping that once I open this bottle of O-Zell Cherry Jubilee my mood will improve and I’ll be singing its praises as my creativity is renewed.
Read MoreI like pears; I like green tea; I like honey. If all those statements are true, which they are, then I should like Sipp Summer Pear. Those three ingredients are all accounted for in this bottle to my right. The other ingredients listed are carbonated water, organic agave nectar, citric acid, and natural flavor. While I’ve never been good about this vague “Natural Flavor” ingredient, when surrounded by stars like that I care a lot less.
Read MoreThanks to the Excel Bottling Company I’m able to try another soda that’s new to my palate. While I’ve tried Lucky Club Cola I haven’t had the opportunity to try Lucky Cherry Cola. Lucky Cherry Cola is a pure cane sugar soda that has “True Fruit & Spice” listed as an ingredient. I don’t know what that means, but it sure seems impressive.
Read MoreI’d never heard of O-Zell sodas until a few weeks ago. They advertise to be “All Natural” and have cartoon characters that would look more comfortable in the 1930’s on the label. Today’s offering is O-Zell Pineapple Whip, whose bottle holds a strong Hawaiian flair. Heck it’s even made with Hawaiian Cane Sugar.
Read MoreI really wish they spelled out “Mountain” on MTN Dew bottles and cans. It’s such a confusing mess. I mean you still call it Mountain Dew, but it’s just ridiculous in my mind… I don’t really have an argument and I get why they do it so I’ll hush.
Read MoreA while back I was given a bottle of Ski soda. Ski is a citrus soda not unlike Mtn Dew or Sundrop, but favors the lime flavor a bit more than those two. Cherry Ski, which is our selection today, is listed as being cherry flavored citrus soda as opposed to just cherry.
Read MoreIt’s always a little risky to pick up a drink that doesn’t display the flavor on the bottle. I’m taking a little bit of a risk today trying The Original Green River. It’s a green soda with a serene label of the sun setting/rising over a green river. The bottle also informs me that Green River has been “Caffeine free Since 1919”.
Read MoreI thought I’d had every Dublin beverage, but research shows that I never properly reviewed their black cherry offering. I couldn’t call myself a proper Texan if I hadn’t tried every Dublin soda now, could I?
Read MoreOh, the dollar store. How kind of you to sell me four cans of Shasta Orange for $1. This could be acid, but I only paid 25 cents for it… so who cares?! The bright orange can tells me that Shasta Orange also has Vitamin C in it. I’d pay 25 cents for some Vitamin C in my life, who wouldn’t? People with scurvy that’s who.
Read MoreNothing says January like a juicy slice of watermelon. Ok, so maybe that’s only true in New Zealand where they’re in the midst of Summer. I’m not even sure if watermelon is a big thing down there… I’ll have to check later. Honestly I just needed an intro.
Read MoreConsumption of soda in 3...2...1...
It has been a long time since we’ve reviewed an IZZE product. That’s a shame too as they make some really good soda. I probably stopped reviewing them because Hipster Soda Drinker Aaron thought they were too mainstream since he saw them everywhere. Hipster Soda Drinker Aaron was kind of an idiot. Today though he goes away. Today he becomes Soda Drinker Aaron once again when he opens this bottle of IZZE Sparkling Pomegranate.
Speaking of IZZE Sparkling Pomegranate, it has no refined sugars, no caffeine, no preservatives and is 70% pure fruit juice with a splash of sparkling water. Ingredient wise we have an absolute winner on our hands here. Taste has yet to be determined.
This smells more of grape juice than pomegranate, but since the ingredients include grape juice it’s somewhat understandable. There is a pomegranate scent, but it seems to be happy enough playing second fiddle in this case.
This is wine for children. I’m sure IZZE doesn’t want to sell it that way, but it’s the first thought that came to my mind. The real deal grape juice lends itself easily to the wine comparison, but we all know that wine is so much more than grape juice. The pomegranate adds the dryness you’d expect in a wine, but being soda it’s obviously sweeter. Since the only sugars used are the ones from the fruits themselves it’s a fantastic balance.
Now here is where I come clean and say I’m not a wine drinker. I’ve had maybe 10 glasses in my life, and 5 of those were red. IZZE Sparkling Pomegranate takes my tastebuds on a similar journey that the wine did. A burst of flavor on the front end (although I like the IZZE version better) and a somewhat dry finish. It makes me feel fancy, but not overly so, with each sip I take.
Overall I’m thrilled with IZZE Sparkling Pomegranate. The mouthfeel is nice with just enough fizz to remind you that you’re drinking a soda. There is an aftertaste, but it mirrors the present taste accurately. I really want some cheese and crackers now to enjoy with my bottle of IZZE.
Hipster Soda Drinker Aaron kept me from reviewing this earlier in life and I dislike him for it, although maybe I wasn’t ready yet. Perhaps Hipster Soda Drinker Aaron kept me from reviewing this with an unrefined tongue. This is my favorite of the IZZE flavors and I immediately want more of it. Pair that (WINE JOKE) with a stellar ingredient list and you’ve got a top soda.
~A
This was purchased at a Kroger Grocery Store
A “Twist’s Choice” Recipient
He clearly hasn't tasted it yet.
Take notice creators of fruit flavored soda. If you don’t have a picture of the fruit your soda is flavored after on your label you’re making me sad. I LOVE seeing this exact thing, especially if it’s a simplified picture of the fruit. It just reassures me that I know what the flavor of the soda I’m about to consume will be.
In today's case that is Pineapple by Topo Sabores. They have placed a tiny pineapple near the neck of the bottle. Right about where a medallion would go if sodas wore chains. Topo Sabores is from Mexico and uses cane sugar to sweeten. They don’t feel the need to plaster “Pure Cane Sugar” or “100% Cane Sugar” or “100% Natural Pure Raw Cane Sugar” on their bottle. Sweetening with cane sugar is the norm in Mexico, as it should be.
That’s unfortunate. The scent is a mixture of pineapple and vomit. While I haven’t tasted this soda yet I KNOW it will not taste like it smells. It won't taste like vomit, right? Right? This is going to taste like a sugary pineapple soda and we’ll all move on with our lives and forget my initial take on the scent.
I’m pleased to say that Topo Sabores Pineapple does not taste like a mixture of pineapple and vomit. That has to be the saddest declaration I’ve made in a while. Taste wise there is considerably more cardboard flavoring than I anticipated which is welcome in this case given aroma.
Let’s get through the good points now before I just start hating on this soda. While I don’t really like it there’s no reason for me to harp on what is certainly someone’s favorite soda. The mouth feel is good and prickly and there is a fun amount of fizz. I’m happy to say that the bubbles last the entirety of each sip.
I was incorrect in assuming that this would be sugary sweet as there is an appropriate amount of sweetness within each sip. There is little to no syrupy mouth feel either. So it seems like I’ve figured out that the only issue I have with this soda is the flavor.
Sadly flavor carries quite the weight when it comes to reviewing sodas. In the case of Topo Sabores Pineapple I’m just not able to recommend it. From the initial smell to the cardboard taste that has yet to go away even though I’m almost done with the bottle, I can’t suggest it.
If you’re a pineapple fan give it a shot, but even then eh. Just promise me that when you see the bottle on the shelf you’ll think of my face… that way when you taste the soda it’ll be an improvement from your previous state of mind.
~A
This soda was purchased at Kroger Grocery Stor
