Tepachito Craft Pineapple Cider
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Calpico Soda
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I don’t know what Calpico is. A man I work with asked “Do you know what Calpico is?” and that’s how I had to answer. Then he handed me a can with lots of words on it, some in English and some in Japanese. The ones in English read, Calpico Soda, Delightfully Satisfying, and Original Flavor.
Read MoreCoco Rico
/I check out the refreshing Coco Rico
Apple Sidra
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I enjoy apple soda, so when a co-worker brought me a can of Apple Sidra I knew I was likely in for a treat. The design of the can is beautifully simple. As you can see it’s a picture of an apple on a bright yellow background with the words “Apple Sidra” bisecting the fruit itself.
Apple Sidra is a soda that originates in Taiwan, making this a doubly special treat for me. I wish I had more access to the Asian sodas of the world as they bring so much unfamiliarity to my “buds”.
Read MoreCoca-Cola Peach
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Who’s got two thumbs and is excited about today’s beverage? This guy! I’m pointing to myself with both of my thumbs to complete the joke. This would work a whole lot better if you were watching me.
Read MoreLa Gloria Sicilian Lemon
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I’m fortunate to be surrounded by kind people. One of those said kind people, Blue Rumer as she’ll be referred to, went to Spain. Blue Rumer went to Spain and brought me back a soda, a sparkling lemonade to be exact called la Gloria Sicilian Lemon. Anytime I consume a beverage from another country it’s like a miniature vacation for my face. Here is where I thank Blue Rumer for the tiny bottle of sparkling lemonade, the miniature face vacation, and get on with the review at hand.
Read MoreRamune Lychee
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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 MoreTizer
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Another 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 MoreIdris Fiery Ginger Beer
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My soda is taunting me. “Try me if you dare!!” So emphatic that they had to use two exclamation points. They even incorporate a devil’s tail into the font. Idris Fiery Ginger Beer is what’s threatening me today. It’s sweetened with sugar and has real deal ginger root extract in it as well. This also may have one of the most amusing ingredients I’ve ever seen…”Flavouring”.
Read MoreChamp's Cola
/We’ve got an odd situation today. I have a can in front of me that’s identical (except the name) to Quinabeer. It’s red and has “Champion George Prince” on it flexing. Seriously how many other cans of soda would look like this?
So much flexing.
My concern is that Champs Cola (btw I’m reviewing Champs Cola today) is just a rebranded Quinabeer. If that’s the case then I’m going to be a little sad. If that’s NOT the case then I’m going to be perplexed as to why an exact labeling doppleganger (minus the name) was created.
It smells like a bubble gum cream soda so I’m starting to think this is the exact same beverage. That’s ok, I’ll still review it. That way if someone (you) searches for Champ’s Cola they have an entry to find.
Who knows, perhaps I’ll forget what I thought about it before and rate it differently. I seriously hope that I don’t, but I’m not going to read my Quinabeer review until after I’m done.
Ok, so it’s a bubble gum cream with a hint of orange soda to boot. It’s this orange kicker that makes me not dismiss it immediately as a bubble gum monstrosity. I’m not big on the bubble gum if you haven’t concocted that thought yet.
Even though the orange is pleasing to my pallet the bubble gum is just too overpowering for me to really get into this soda. That’s unfortunate for Champ’s Cola as I think expounding on the citrus flavor could really make this go a long way. That’s kind of a cocky thought, but I’m a “Jerk” so it should be expected.
All in all, Champ’s Cola aka Quinabeer aka Champ’s Cola, has the makings of being excellent, but the ratios just aren’t quite there.
~A
This was given to me by Rasslin’ Jakit
Jupina
/I like this picture more than I should
Just when you think you have nothing to review someone goes to the Grand Cayman Islands and grabs you a soda. Three sodas to be exact… well two sodas from Grand Cayman and one from Mexico. The one in question today is Jupina, with a tilde over the “n” although I’m not really sure how to do that.
The labeling of Jupina involves a picture of a pineapple upon a pineapple background. There’s a lot of pineapple involved here so let’s go ahead and assume that’s the flavor. The ingredients show that this can has 50 grams of sugar in it. That my friends is a bunch o’ sugar. Other ingredients listed are standard artificially flavored soda fare. Let’s crack the can and give it a go.
It smells a little bit like an orange pineapple mix, but I’m still thinking this is primarily a pineapple soda. Trust me when I say I’d prefer it be orange/pineapple. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t trust me on that, or why I even needed to say “trust me”.
That is not the color of a pineapple soda. That is the color of a cream soda. I’m now officially worried.
I’m no longer worried. This is a pineapple cream soda and I’m 100% cool with that. Pineapple cream isn’t something I’m used to, but the combo works out nicely. In the case of Jupina though the cream outweighs the pineapple.
This heavy cream taste keeps the pineapple’s bite at bay. Not that a pineapple is a very violent fruit, but it’s not as tame as Jupina makes it seem. Reaching the end of the sip you’re tapped by the grenade like fruit. Honestly I’d compare it to someone accidentally shoulder checking you in a crowded venue. It’s a little unexpected, but as long as you’re not a complete jerk you’ll quickly forget about it.
I can honestly say that Jupina has exceeded my expectations as a soda. Perhaps if I could read the Spanish language I’d know it was pineapple cream, but I feel I enjoyed it more being a surprise.
If I could change any aspect of it I’d add a bit more pineapple taste to give the end a little more violence. The smooth cream start and bumpy end would be a nice ride for a soda to give.
This soda was given to my by Rasslin’ Jakit
