ESSN Energy - Pomegranate Lime Flower

   Today’s drink comes once again from B. Neal.  He’s given us a wide variety of drinks, from the very good… to the very horrible.  Let’s hope this drink, ESSN Energy – Pomegranate Lime flower, is the prior.

   The 2nd largest word on the can is “Organic” so they seem to think pretty highly of the fact that this is indeed an Organic energy drink without “those chemicals, funky tasting preservatives and not-so-pleasant jitters.”  We’ve had an all natural energy drink before by Reed’s, and it was surprisingly good.  Here’s hoping once again.  Let’s open it up.

   I’m immediately scared because it smells like lime (good), flowers (good, good), and airplane glue (what?!).  Against my better judgment, it’s time to drink.

   Ok, while it may be totally organic, it tastes like it’s made of chemicals.  Airplane glue perhaps?  The side of the can mentions how well the “crisp berry taste blends perfectly with the lime flower.”   I’ll tell you right now that if it truly is blended perfectly, then they never should have been blended in the first place.  This is one of the most vile energy drinks I’ve ever had the opportunity to taste.  It wouldn’t be so bad if the side of the can didn’t brag about how much better this tastes than chemical filled drinks.  It tastes to me how acetone smells, and I refuse to drink any more of this.  Now I’ve had this in my fridge for a while, so I’m going to check the “drink by” date on the bottom of the can to make sure I didn’t judge this in haste.  Ok, it does say “Best by April 2010” so by their standards I’m in the clear.  The only positives I have for this is that the can is a nice color, and it’s not as bad as Malta Hatuey (but garners the same score)…so, hooray?

~A

Twist is the better drink in this picture

Old Town Root beer Company – Sarsparilla

   Today’s installment, also found on Popcast Episode 11, is Old Town Root Beer Company – Sarsparilla.  It’s spelled “sarsparilla” on the bottle even though Word wants me to spell it sarsaparilla.  First off this has to be one of the most generic bottle labels I’ve ever seen.  Oh look it’s font with a root beer mug.  What’s this?  The bottle cap is a solid gold color... how fancy can you get?  Oh look their website is @msn.com.  Seriously, this is one of the most boring bottles I’ve seen in a long time.  It’s like when you create a team on a video game, and you end up with a two colored clip art image of an exploding basketball/football/baseball/soccer ball/hockey puck/lacrosse ball?/Frisbee/bowling ball/badminton bird/tennis ball/curling stone/rugby ball/fishing rod.  Let’s just open this up with hopes that the aroma can woo me.

   Wow, surprisingly good aroma this drink has.  This sarsparilla has a noticeable sweet vanilla scent when you first open it.  I’d say it’s inviting, but I was going to visit regardless of the smell.  Time to drink.

   I know sarsparilla isn’t the same thing as root beer, but it’s hard for me to convince myself it’s really something else.  Thankfully this has a flavor that differs a bit from root beer… a cream soda/root beer hybrid if that makes sense.  Drinking it creates such a smooth sensation, which I would have to attribute to the vanilla, that I actually enjoy the mouth feel of this drink equal to the flavoring.  I normally like to have longer reviews, but this drink is pretty simplistic.  It won’t wow you in any way, but it’s a very enjoyable beverage.  If you see some, pick it up, it’s that simple.

~A

Twist decided it was time to don his trademark hat again.  Very dapper!

Dry Soda: Juniper Berry

   Juniper Berry… what is it?  The first sentence on the Juniper Berry Wikipedia page states that…

Ajuniper berryis the femaleseed coneproduced by the various species ofjunipers.

Well that's fine and dandy like sour candy, but it doesn't tell me what it'll taste like.  Let me start over.  I'm drinking another concoction of Dry Soda; in fact their Juniper Berry flavored soda.  The last Dry Soda I had was lavender flavored, and it confused me.  I know to expect a very lightly flavored drink with some bitterness to follow.  Let's find out if this Juniper Berry Soda is as predictable as I think it will be.

This drink smells like a flower in a garden.  I can’t even imagine the taste, so that means I probably can’t predict the flavor.  Time to upend, and serve.

   Upon first drink you’re initially hit with a seltzer water flavor, which is a bit off putting.   The side of the bottle does say that it has a “pine essence”.  While I don’t know what that means in the world of flavor, it could be what I tasted.  Afterwards, and you do have to wait a bit, you’re greeted with the most subtle berry flavoring you’ve ever experienced.  It’s just enough to take away the bitterness of the previous flavor.  They have cane sugar listed as an ingredient, but this has little to no sweetness.  I will say that it’s a very crisp drink, and I’m noticing with each sip the berry flavor starts to outweigh the initial seltzer.  I have a one big gulp left, and I really think it’s time to ramp it up a bit and CHUG SOME JUNIPER BERRY!  Wow, the floral aroma really hits you while chugging.   It’s an odd sensation to drink a flower, but this is probably the closest I’ll ever get.  Random Fact:  According to the Dry Soda website this pairs well with Quail.  So you know… the next time you’re enjoying some quail… pull out your Juniper Berry flavored Dry Soda.  When I drink Dry Soda I almost feel like my palette isn’t complex enough to fully comprehend it, and then I see them suggest quail as a pairing… and I sigh.  Dry Soda Juniper Berry, and Dry Soda as a whole it seems, is not for someone who thinks they love soda.  Juniper Berry, much like lavender, is so complex it’s intimidating.  I know I was all over the place with this review, but it’s so unique that my verdict will mirror Lavender… and probably every other Dry Soda I try from here on out.

~A

Twist insisted this picture be grainy... something about a skin flaw.

Coco Fizz

  We’ve been looking for a chocolate soda to try, but alas they are all diet.  Thankfully the folks at the Durango Soda Company make Coco Fizz, a non diet chocolate soda.  This beverage also has the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory label on it, so I assume they had a hand in making it too. 

  The label is disappointing in a lot of ways, for one it’s pretty boring.  I don’t think “chocolate” when I see an off white label with brown bubbles.  Secondly there is no actual cocoa in this beverage.  They do have cane sugar, but past that and the triple filtered carbonated water it’s just chemicals.  Maybe it’s hard to actually incorporate cocoa into a carbonated beverage, I don’t know.  I just find it a bit weird that it’s a chocolate soda, with the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory label on it… but there’s no chocolate listed as being in it.  Enough of this, let's upend and open.

  When you first open the bottle the chocolate aroma comes pouring out.  It makes you want to drink the beverage right away.  While I’m not happy that it’s a chemical filled beverage, the smell makes up for a lot of what I said earlier… if it can deliver on taste as well.  We don’t hate chemical beverages if they taste great… just look at Stewart’s Key Lime.  Check your watch, cause it’s time to drink.

  The first thing I think of when I drink Coco Fizz is that it tastes like carbonated Yoohoo.  You are greeted with a good chocolate flavor, but it’s not overpowering.  You aren’t refreshed by any means, but I don’t think you’re supposed to be.  This to me would qualify as a “treat”, or a “dessert soda”.  There is a slight cola undertone, but not nearly enough that you would even put this in the cola category.  When I tried this for the Popcast I thought that Coco Fizz had a very consistent flavor, chocolaty from start to finish.  Now that I’m drinking my review bottle it seems more watery at times; I don’t know if that’s my memory being faulty, or if it’s hard to make a consistently flavored chocolate soda.  The change in flavor does lower my opinion of Coco Fizz a bit though… the drink, not the folks who make it.  The aftertaste is sweet, and very pleasant.  You mouth will remember that you had a chocolate flavored item, and you will be happy that your mouth can do that.  Overall it’s an interesting beverage, a treat as I stated before.  It’s not something that you must have, but it’s something that you’d probably like to try… and maybe share with your friends.

~A

Fun Fact:  Twist is a recovering Choc-o-holic.  We're teasing him by making him pose for this picture.

(Note:  This beverage was provided to us by ZuberFizz)

Pig Iron Cola

   Today’s installment is Pig Iron Cola, another soda given to me by Dustin H.  Had you listed to Episode 6 of the Popcast, you'd already know this.  I really don’t know what to think about this beverage.   I can tell you that it’s produced under the authority of Pig Iron BBQ.  I can tell you that their website is www.PigIronBBQ.net.  I can also tell you that their logo is certainly unique.  Now that you have all the knowledge I do, it’s probably best we look a little closer.

   Looking at the ingredients I’m pleased to find that they use cane sugar to sweeten it.  While that’s pretty much the only ingredient that sets it apart from “standard” colas, I’m still happy to see it.  The coloring of the soda itself is a dark brown, with faint red highlights when held up to a light.  The bottle cap adorning the top is your standard black top.  I prefer designs on bottle caps; it makes them stand out more.  Some people collect them, and if yours is a standard color what sets you apart?  Pig Iron Cola could easily do this, if it fits into budget of course.  Maybe one of the stars that circle their pig mascot would work something simple.   Now that I’ve broken down the bottle, it’s time to drink.

   Before I go on I must say that this has a very strong cola scent, one of the most powerful I’ve ever inhaled.  My expectations have gone up considerably.  I would almost recommend this cola on smell alone, but let’s taste it just in case. 

   This is certainly a cola, and a good one at that.  Just so you know what to base its flavor on, I would say that it most resembles RC Cola.  While it does taste like RC, it’s most certainly a stronger version of it.  This is potentially one of the strongest colas I’ve ever tasted.  Personally I think it has a strong amount of carbonation, Mike does not agree.  The cola flavor sticks in your mouth too, but you won’t have a problem with that as it’s quite pleasant.  If you’re like me some sodas affect the way your teeth feel.  In this case my teeth grind together a bit more easily after drinking Pig Iron Cola, not something I’m fond of but it’s a small complaint.  This is still a solid cola in my opinion, very strong, very brash, but the cane sugar still delivers a crisp feel to it.  I would score this higher, but other than being strong it doesn’t stand out to me in any other way.  If they changed the bottle design some, maybe added more natural ingredients, then I could see buying a case.  I realize that this is probably the second thought of someone running a BBQ, but our grading scale eases up for no one.  Still, I know nothing about Pig Iron BBQ, but I would assume that if their cola is this good, their BBQ must be great!  If you happen to stop into Pig Iron BBQ, I might just have the drink to compliment your meal.

~A

Twist likes BBQ too... crickets mostly

Zuberfizz: Key Lime Cream Soda

   I’m getting married soon, sorry ladies, and this past Christmas my best man bought me 8 random sodas, a keg of Virgil’s Root Beer, and a large metal bucket to ice said sodas in.  Couple that with the fact that I’ve known him for 12 or 13 years, and you now know why he’s my best man.   One of the sodas he gave me is Zuberfizz:  Key Lime Cream Soda.  Now having tried another Key Lime soda in the past, I can already tell you I’m excited.  What makes this an even more exciting moment is the fact that Zuberfizz uses sugar instead of HFCS in their sweetening process. 

Twist prefers Dum Dums to Saf-T-Pops

   I’m incredibly thirsty right now, which doesn’t happen very often when I’m about to review a soda.  The label isn’t helping the situation either.  “Classic Draft Soda” is written in a basic black font on the top of the label.  I’m sure they didn’t think anyone was going to care about that part of the label, but it’s making my mouth water.  Something about the phrase “Classic Draft Soda” just sounds so amazingly good to me.  The rest of the label is done in a classic 1940’s western style, which I think would look cool on a shirt.  The bottle cap is even awesome, the classic look they went with here is really winning me over.  Enough chatter, let’s open this up.

   Ever go to the bank, drive up or walk-in… it doesn’t matter.  If you have a totally awesome bank, or doctor, there will usually be a point where you can get a sucker.  They are usually multicolored, and in a bowl of some sort.  Me personally, I always go for the lime green suckers because I’m a sucker for lime. (Har, Har, Har)  This smells just like a lime green bank sucker, that’s all I’m going to say because I want to drink it now.

   It has a great Key Lime taste, a little tart, refreshing… I will already recommend you try this if you find it.  The cream soda aspect of it is certainly there in the mouth feel of this Zuberfizz concoction.  It’s a very creamy aftertaste with little carbonation.  You would think there would be more carbonation since the bottle proclaims “Feel the Fizz” but alas there is not.  It’s not too sweet, it’s just right in most aspects of flavor.  The aftertaste is that of green bank suckers, so the smell is dead on when compared to the flavor.  It leaves a little bit of a film on the back of my throat, that’s the down side to this drink.  If I could perfect this soda, I would make the finish a bit cleaner than it is already. 

A “Twist’s Choice” Recipient

Sjampie

   I asked a friend of mine who lives in the Netherlands to suggest a drink for me to review.  His response was the Dutch beverage Sjampie.  Fortunately he’s the kind of guy that will pick me up an extra bottle, and then take the effort to get it to me.  Thanks K!  Enough chatter, time to review me some Sjampie.

   Before I go any further I feel obligated to give you the correct pronunciation of Sjampie.  It’s pronounced  Shahmp-ee.  That’s not exactly how I would say it, mostly because Sh-jamp-ee is so much more fun to say.  Moving along.  The bottle art is quite plain; it has a few yellow/green bubbles adoring the top and bottom of the beverage, but nothing all that elaborate.  The name of the beverage, Sjampie, sits on the neck of the bottle, while Corvo (which I can only assume the manufacturer) rests on the base.  In-between the two brands read the words “Limonadegazeuse Sjampie”.  This, from my best guess, is the flavor I’m about to consume.  While I associate Limon with lemon/lime, the color of the soda is brown… which leaves me a bit perplexed. 

   Silly me, I tried to twist off a foreign cap forgetting they usually need a bottle opener, time to get my flip-flops. (My mom purchased me some flip-flops with a bottle opener on the bottom… she’s the best)  Wow… upon opening it I get the smell of egg-nog cola, with maybe with a just a hint of chocolate.  I know there is no possible way for that to be the flavor, but needless to say my curiosity keeps going up the longer I hold this bottle in my possession.  Let’s Drink.

   It has the essence of a cola, the bite, the color… but it also seems to have a citrus flavor hiding within.  This is remarkably hard to attach a flavor to it.  It’s almost like a lemon cola with something else going on inside of it.  There is very light carbonation, but that seems to work with Sjampie.  In fact the smell, taste, and light carbonation of Sjampie make it seem like a drink that would normally house alcohol.  The flavor is not overpowering, in fact it’s quite mellow; almost like a flat, slightly watered down RC cola with a handful of lemons dropped inside of it.  I will say that it leaves a film on my teeth, much like drinking a warm Coke would.  Ok… the word “Limonadegazeuse” on the side of the bottle is mocking me… therefore I must look up what it means.  **Time Passes** Oddly enough as one word I couldn’t find a translation, but when I separate them into “Limon” and “Gazeuse” I get Lemonade – Soda Water.  This is a very rough Dutch translation of course, but I’m happy that I was able to at least guess the flavor. 

Twist is 1/128th Dutch

Sangria Señorial

   If you’ve listened to the Popcast you already know what I’m going to say about Sangria Señorial.  If you haven’t, then get ready for a written review that will drive you to drinking… soda that is.  Ok, so here’s the skinny.  A fan of the show, Dan Dubs, gave us a bottle of Sangria Señorial to review.  Neither of us have ever had normal Sangria so we weren’t sure what to expect, so take my review with a grain of salt in this case.

   Looking at the bottle it seems like a classy beverage.  Sure, it could be a lot classier looking if it was placed in a glass bottle, but who am I to complain… oh yeah!  I have to immediately assume that this will have at least a grape taste to it based on the fancy logo, coupled with the fact that Sangria is basically “wine punch”.  Time to drink.

   Upon opening the bottle I can’t really smell anything.  Unfortunately I have to share this with Mike, so I must pour it in a glass.  Wow, apparently letting it breath opens up a whole new side to this beverage.  I now get the distinct smell of acetone wafting off the top of it.  If I could stop after smelling it I would, but as you know we do this for the big bucks, so here we go.  Alright, it’s not half bad for a beverage.  It has a very robust flavor, much like a "grown up" grape juice/soda.  It has a full body, and the odor dissipates the more you drink it.  I’m sure the odor doesn’t go away, but it’s like your taste buds are telling your nose that it’s ok to consume it.  There is a hint of tartness in it, and just enough sweet to battle it back.  Holding it up to the light it has a color much like a merlot.  This is certainly something, which if poured in the right glass, would look like a fantastic beverage to be drinking.  I can’t say that the flavor is addicting, but it’s unique, and certainly grows on you. 

 ~A

Twist had the day off... rough life being an iguana.

Romano's Creamy Strawberry

   My up and down relationship with the drinks from our friends at Romano’s Italian Soda is well documented on this site.  Today’s installment is one I’ve honestly been putting off, Romano’s Italian Soda Creamy Strawberry.  I was just recently was turned onto strawberry soda.  I can’t say that I love it, but it’s a solid flavor… I’m sure the rest of the world is glad I approve of it.  My only qualm with strawberry soda is the fact that it’s usually a bit too sweet for my complete liking.  Since Romano’s punched me in the face with their Sour Apple (in a good way) I thought their strawberry soda would be so sweet I’d be turned to sugar.

   Looking at the color of Romano’s Creamy Strawberry I feel a bit better about my decision to try it.  The only way I can describe it is pink bordering on red.  I like the color of this soda a lot actually; it has a fresh look to it.  I don’t know why, but I just feel that when I drink this I’ll be transported to a garden in spring time.   It’s time to delve down a little further.

   I must say that I’m quite intoxicated by the strawberry smell coming out of the mouth of this bottle.   It’s such a rich odor, there is no doubt that you’re about to enjoy the taste of strawberries.  I was neutral about trying this soda before, now I’m actually craving my first taste.  Let’s drink.

Creamy strawberry soda, the label says it all.  This is without a doubt the best Romano’s soda I’ve tried to date.  Think of drinking your basic strawberry soda, now instead of that bite you get at the end of it… you know the one that kind of hurts your throat a bit?  Instead of that bite you get a smooth cream all the way through the drink.  The lack of bite doesn’t take away from the flavor either.  Romano’s Italian Soda has a solid strawberry essence through, and through.  It’s a sweet drink, and while I got onto them for not making Blackberry tarter, I’m ok with this one being as sweet as it is since it’s labeled as a “creamy” beverage.  The aftertaste is just as delicious as the drink itself.  It doesn’t stick in your mouth; it’s moderately light and pretty refreshing.  While I don’t think I’ve had enough strawberry sodas to consider myself a connoisseur of them, this is the best strawberry soda I’ve ever had. 

~A

Twist was actually the inspiration for the song "Strawberry Fields Forever"

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

Hot Lips Black Raspberry Soda

   Today’s installment is for Hot Lips Black Raspberry Soda.  We’ve reviewed a couple of Hot Lips sodas before.  One was the delightful Pear Soda, and the other was the less delightful Strawberry.  I say less delightful because the lemon juice was overpowering in the flavor of the Strawberry soda. 

   Since I really enjoy the ingredient list on the side of Hot Lips brand soda I will list it here.

Carbonated Water, Black Raspberries grown in Willamette Valley, OR, Can Sugar, Organic Lemon Juice

   As I push my nose closer to the opening of the bottle I notice that the beverage has a light, but healthy raspberry smell.  I really enjoy raspberries, as previously stated, so I now look forward to what I’m about to experience.

   Upon initial taste I notice very little carbonation, and have to remind myself that the bottle lists this beverage as “lightly carbonated”.  There is a slight raspberry tartness to it, as well as a noticeable sweetness.  Thankfully the sweetness is not overpowering, allowing the natural flavor of the berry to be tasted.  Fortunately for this beverage, the lemon juice listed on the ingredients does not overpower, unlike its strawberry counterpart.  I just got a black raspberry seed lodged in my tooth.  Normally I wouldn’t like this sensation, but in this case you know the Hot Lips Company is serious when they write that their sodas are made of natural ingredients.  While I wouldn’t reach for this beverage to be refreshed, it does a fairly good job of quenching a thirst.  (Sound like Déjà vu?) I would have to suggest that it be enjoyed by itself, as I personally don’t think its natural flavor would play well with others.  Much like the strawberry, this beverage is for a select audience, but if I saw it listed at a restaurant I would order it off the menu just to impress those that I’m with.  For those who think soda is bad for you… pick up any Hot Lips soda to be proven wrong.

Twist thinks he has "hot lips"... just play along

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

Jarritos Tamarindo

  The other day a reader came up to us, handed us a bottle of Jarritos Tamarindo, and said “This will be the worst drink you’ve ever reviewed.”  I was immediately skeptical.  “What does it taste like?” I responded.  “I have no idea.” He replied.  Thus I no longer believed that it would be the worst drink we tried to date.  I mean we reviewed liquefied Tofurky & Gravy not two weeks prior.  So I asked around to see what people thought of the Tamarindo flavor.  Since it’s a popular drink in Mexico I asked those with a higher level of experience with Mexican cuisine.  The reaction was very mixed, from “tastes like grape soda” to “I hate it.”  The survey just goes to show you that you should just try it yourself, which of course we did on the Popcast: Episode 2.  (Now available on iTunes, and the Zune Marketplace)  Here for your perusal, is the written review of Jarritos Tamarindo. 

  The bottle has your standard Jarritos clay pots adorning the label, and the beverage inside is a cider brown.  Upon opening the Jarritos Tamarindo I get a whiff of lemon tea.  How great would it be if this was a carbonated sweet lemon tea?  Let’s drink, shall we?

  Immediately it tastes like carbonated lemon tea, seems that I’m a soothsayer.  There are few other words I can use to describe it, as this hits it right on the nose.  Swishing it around just accentuates the tea flavor a little bit over the lemon.  The drink starts out with the mouth feel of an average soda, and then kicks it up a bit with the sharpness that follows.  I’d attribute this to the tang of the lemon, but the intensity comes from all sides.  The flavor stays with you a little while after you finish your current drink as well.  Luckily the aftertaste is a very close replication of the initial taste, so no problem there.  Overall this is a good drink.  I’m not sure I’d buy it all the time in the store, but it’s a solid drink.  If you like sweet lemon tea, then Jarritos Tamarind should be right up your alley.

Twist consumed a bit before the picture was taken... crazy iguana.

Tru Blood: Blood Orange

   Let me preface this article by telling you that I have no knowledge of the True Blood television series.  The previous sentence is a bit of a lie since people at work tell me I’d love it, but I still haven’t seen second one of the show.  Since we’re going through a Vampire/Zombie phase right now in pop-culture (TheSodaJerks are guessing that Cowboys or Robots are coming up next) I decided to try out Tru Blood: Blood Orange for my Halloween review.  Before I officially begin, let me thank my co-worker “The Man Known as R” for giving me a bottle of Tru Blood: Blood Orange beverage from his own supply.  I know these things aren’t cheap, and I’m most grateful.  Here we go.

   I’m impressed with the bottle art; it’s very simple with an Asian flare, but classy.  It’s slightly amusing that the label says “O Positive” on it.  I had to look up what the Chinese symbols that adorn the neck read, and another review that they say “True Blood” as well.  The liquid looks to be the very color of blood, but sadly I can see that the bottle is masking the true color of the beverage.  That actually bothers me more than it should; when I pour this in a glass I want it to stay the exact color of the bottle. 

   Upon opening it, I smell a very strong scent of orange.  I’m much more excited to try it now as it seems the flavor will be strong with this one.  With my first taste of this blood orange beverage I had to check the label and make sure it’s not a diet soda.   It does have only 99 calories, so I’m not sure if that qualifies, but it definitely has a diet taste to it.  I find it odd that I taste that because it’s sweetened with cane sugar, which I thought would bring a richer sweetness.  Looking past the diet flavor, it does have a tangy light orange flavor when it first hits your mouth.  Fortunately, after drinking a sip you can lick your lips and still taste how sharp the flavor was… it’s kind of nice.  The sweetness is very subtle to me, again though you taste most of it in the aftertaste.   This seems like a beverage many will mix with alcohol, but I have to grade it as it stands alone.  I wanted a rich, sweet, blood orange soda,  and while not a bad drink this tastes like a diet orange soda that leaves a nice taste on your lips.  I guess that’s why Vampires never wipe their mouths with their sleeves after feeding.    

~A

Twist went as a Diplodocus for Halloween

Virgil's Orange Cream Soda

  TheSodaJerks love of Virgil's brand soda is well documented on this site.  Virgil's Real Cola is the highest rated soda on the site, and Virgil's Root Beer is what gave us the idea to start the site.  Anytime I go into a grocery store I look for a label with "god giving soda to kids" as my counterpart would say.  I'm sure that's not what the label is, but it's more fun to pretend. 

  I must apologize to Virgil's for taking so long on this review.  Back when Virgil's Orange Cream Soda was first released it was sadly not in our area, it still isn't from what I see.  Virgil's sent us a package of it for review, and we initially were going to give it the treatment of a king.  That is to say we were going to do a pod cast about it.  Well life happened, and schedules never matched up, and I moved...needless to say the pod cast never happened.  Now that I'm settled I felt it was time to review Virgil's Orange Cream Soda.  This review will be a bit different as I've tasted this before.  In fact I've had several of them, it was only through the strongest of will that I was able to keep 1 or 2 for review purposes.  I can say that throughout all the bottles my opinion stays the same.  So here I go, opening a bottle, enjoying the orange-cream aroma, and taking a sip.

   The initial taste is a nice orange flavor, as it should be.  The finish of this soda is a smooth cream, again as it shoud be.  The transition between the two flavors is a bit awkward though.  It's like your taste buds can't decide if they should stick with the citrus orange, or move on to the smooth cream.  When my fiancée tried it she said it tasted like it was missing one thing that kept it from being awesome.  I believe it's that transition of flavors that caused her to birth that remark.  My father, and stepmother gave it a two word review "ummmmmmh YUK".  The only reason I mention both of those is that I want this to be an awesome drink.  This should be rocking my world right now, and while it's above average, my world is not rocked.  I feel that I unfairly hold Virgil's to a higher standard than most sodas.  Their product always has great ingredients, with a good flavor all around, and ample carbonation.  Virgil's Orange Cream Soda is excellent, but you can taste that something is missing, and that's where I must detract.

Better resolution + Marilyn Monroe + Virgil's Orange CreamSoda = Happy Twist

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

Romano's Vanilla Bean

  Ok Romano’s let’s not mess this up.You and I have been all over the board on previous sodas; let’s get some consistency going on here.What I have in front of me is Romano’s Vanilla Bean soda... which I am going to assume is a fancy way of saying Cream Soda.The only reason I doubt myself in this assumption is the picture of an ice cream cone on the front of the bottle.Yes I realized that cream soda is usually vanilla, much like the cone on the front, but for arguments sake I’m just gonna ignore that.

  With the first whiff I’m very excited to try it, as it smells like a delicious cream soda.I can’t drink it yet... I must first remember that with previous Romano’s beverages the smell is always delectable.Ok... I’ve readied myself.Time for drinkin’.Very nice.This is Romano’s strongest drink to date, and since I’m one away from finishing the line of drinks, that’s saying something.I never thought I’d say this, but it’s a very powerful cream soda.Most cream soda’s are quite smooth, which this one is, but they don’t affect your nose.After tasting this cream soda you get the sensation of vanilla throughout your nostrils.It works like Vicks Vapo-Rub, but less intense, and vanilla... which is a plus.On the negative side, it might be hard to drink more than a bottle of this in a given time period.It’s pretty sweet as far as sodas go; so if you don’t think that sweetness will bother you, then jump on in.To put it simply it tastes like intensified cream soda.If you enjoy a healthy dose of cream soda, you’ll love Romano’s Vanilla Bean.

~A

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

Fress Kolita

   It’s been a while since we’ve had something with an international flavor.Today we bring to you Fress Kolita... a Venezuelan cola.This was given to us by a co-worker, so I don’t exactly know what I’m getting into.I do know that the can is very fun looking, and has the phrase “Explosion de Sabor” around the top of it.Since I took German in high school I can only guess the first two words of this phrase:“Explosion of...”Let me see if I can decipher anymore after visiting their website.

   Ok, that’s an insanely fun website song.Go listen to this website right now, it’ll cheer you up... then come back and read the review.  By the way... it means Explosion of Flavor.

   Their chemical list isn’t too bad, little bit of carbonated water, citric acid, some artificial colors, and flavors, and sweetened with sugar.It does have the preservative Sodium Benzoate in it... which I’m learning to dislike more, and more as I talk to some of the soda manufacturers.Let’s just get to drinkin’.After cracking open the can, I can smell something very similar to Big Red.Now, I’m not the biggest fan of Big Red (except for its name), so I’m a bit wary of what’s to come.

   This tastes alright; I can tell you that much right off the bat.While it does have a bit of a Big Red taste, it’s smoother than America’s #1 Red Soda (their words not mine).Fress Kolita also holds the flavor of a red cream soda.It’s a little bit like cotton candy in a can, as you notice the sugar right away.The carbonation doesn’t really knock you back either, but it seems to cover a large surface area of your tongue.While this is a tasty beverage, it’s nothing to write home about... what a boring letter that would be.Wait... that’s pretty much what this website is founded on.Ignore that last sentence.

Twist is unavailable at the moment... but he can still look on from within the digital world.

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)

Oogave Esteban's Cola

   I’m very excited to try this next soda, Esteban’s Cola by Oogave.Before I begin, here’s a little history on the naming of Esteban’s Cola straight from the maker himself.

“We did the sodas in our restaurant for about four months before someone came up and said "you need a name." Funny, it never occurred to us to name it. And we decided to name the rootbeer after me with a Spanish flare because of how difficult the rootbeer was to achieve. The citrus flavors.......pretty much made themselves, but when you get into savory flavors like rootbeer and cola, you are taking on a whole world of possibilities. Incidentally, the only reason the cola has my name is because "Cola" is so short a word it looked strange on the packaging.”

   There, don’t you feel smarter?By the way Oogave soda is also USDA Organic, and Kosher... I think that’s pretty much everything that we may have previously missed on the label.Bonus information, the caffeine used in Esteban’s Cola is from green tea leaves... ok less typing, more drinking.

   Here goes.First off it has a good cola smell. I know that probably sounds weird, but smell is a big part of your taste.Now I sound like a 2nd grade Science teacher.The first thing I notice is how smooth this cola is.There’s not a lot of carbonation, so it’s not really fizzy.I can’t really compare it to another well known cola, which is good on their part.Since you’re forcing my hand to compare it to something I’ve had before, it would have to be Health Cola.Stop wincing at the name Health Cola btw, if you read that review you’ll know it scored well.While Health Cola was also low on the carbonation scale, it tasted a bit flat.This does not.Just because something doesn’t have carbonation doesn’t make it “taste flat”.This cola tastes very fresh actually, and every time I drink it I taste the slightest bit of cherry.Now there are no cherries to be seen in this beverage, I’m just saying what I’m taste.

   Not that you really wanted to know this, but Esteban’s Cola produces very clean burps.No “wow that root beer tasted better the first time” moments to be had.While I haven’t had all of the Oogave products yet, this is my favorite to date.If I had to improve it in some magical way, I would add a little more carbonation.I like my drinks a little fizzier... fizzyer....fizzier?Anywho, if you see Esteban’s Cola just buy it.

~A

Doesn't Twist look dapper in his black hat off to the side?

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