United States - 4098 Reviews
Ooba Sparkling Hibiscus Hibiscus
This beverage comes in an eye appealing little bottle. I had seen it at the grocery store for a while, but didn't actually pick one up until today. I had expected it to be very lightly flavored water, but in reality it was actually very flavorful. I don't believe I have ever had anything with hibiscus in it before, and I really don't know how to describe the flavor. It was sweet and tangy, nothing like what I would expect a flower to taste like. I'll definitely be picking this up again, and I'll be on the lookout for other hibiscus flavored things.
- Rating
- Company
- Ooba — Website — @drinkOOBA
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Cane Sugar
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/7/10, 3:58 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Ito En Mate Sencha Shot Yerba Mate Green Tea
This is supposed to be an energy shot. The energy it supplies comes solely from the yerba mate and green tea, which are pretty much the only ingredients in the drink. If you are a fan of strong unsweetened tea and are looking for a little kick of energy, this is the drink for you.
- Rating
- Categories
- Iced Tea, Shot and Energy Drink
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Unsweetened
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/7/10, 3:55 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Switch Fruit Punch
Switch is quickly becoming one of my favorite beverages. If only I could get it somewhere closer to my house. 100% lightly sparkling juice. I think the fruit punch may be my favorite flavor. When I first had it, I thought it was a little weird, but by the time I got done with the can, I wanted another. It reminds me of Juicy Juice fruit punch, if it was carbonated.
- Rating
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Naturally Sweetened
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/7/10, 3:53 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Switch Black Cherry
I stumbled upon this drink when stopping for provisions to go camping. Since then I've been searching high and low for it. Recently my search paid off, as I found it at a grocery store about a half hour away from my house. Switch really knows what they are doing. It's straight up juice mixed with sparkling water. Nothing else is added. If you're a fan of black cherry, I highly recommend this. It tastes like someone mashed up a bunch of cherries and then carbonated the juice that was forced from them. I'm not a huge black cherry fan myself, but it is still tasty.
- Rating
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Naturally Sweetened
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/7/10, 3:35 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Inko's White Tea Energy
After a day of hiking I stopped at a store to get a beverage. I normally wouldn't grab an energy drink under such circumstances, but the fact that it was in the natural section, and it said "Jitter Free" convinced me to take a chance. I was very pleased with my purchase. This beverage had none of the normal chemical flavors that you would normally find in energy drinks. It really just tasted like sweetened white tea with a slight ginger taste to it. I felt like I was just drinking a normal iced tea. I actually forgot it was an energy drink until my lady friend asked if it did anything as an energy drink. I did find myself feeling more alert, but not like a spazz like I normally would after an energy drink.
- Rating
- Categories
- Energy Drink and Iced Tea
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Crystalline Fructose
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/6/10, 10:41 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Goya Tamarind Nectar
I am a fan of most of the Goya Nectar drinks. I usually get them in the larger bottles, but this flavor I've only ever seen in a can. I learned today that although the bottles use natural sweeteners, the ones in the cans all seem to be sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup. In my opinion that's already deducted points. The taste of the nectar reminded me of a mix of apple and grape juice, with a strange earthy undertone. It really did nothing for me.
- Rating
- Categories
- Juice
- Company
- Goya — Website — @goyaproducts
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/6/10, 10:33 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Jones Naturals Limes with Orange
I've never been a huge fan of the Jones company. I do appreciate that they were early to the game in using cane sugar, but their sodas so sugary that they left a film on my teeth. This is my first tasting of one of their juices, and I have to say that I enjoy it much more than their sodas I've had in the past. It tastes like a thicker, but not syrupy, orange juice with a hint of lime. It may only be 10% juice, but it doesn't make you feel like crap like most other "juices" do.
- Rating
- Categories
- Juice
- Company
- Jones — Website — @jonessodaco
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Inverted Cane Sugar
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/6/10, 10:33 PM
- Share
- Direct Link
Hotlips Boysenberry
Boysenberry soda? Really? I was pretty shocked when I saw this, but also excited to try it. It's a local Portland soda made by the people who run the Hotlips Pizza chain. It has a strong berry smell, but luckily the taste isn't as strong. I was afraid this was going to taste like carbonated juice, but it definitely was not the case. The boysenberry is represented perfectly: not too sweet, not too watery.
The only major complaint I have is the price. At $2.50 a bottle, it's one of the most expensive specialty sodas I've seen in a while. I could see myself picking this up once in a while as a treat, but my wallet would never forgive me if it became a regular drink of mine. I am excited to try the other flavors Hotlips sells, especially the blackberry and pear flavors.
Edit: I wrote this review when i was half way through the bottle. I just finished it and was surprised by little chunks of boysenberry near the bottom. This might make some people happy, but when you're not expecting it, it's a little off-putting.
The only major complaint I have is the price. At $2.50 a bottle, it's one of the most expensive specialty sodas I've seen in a while. I could see myself picking this up once in a while as a treat, but my wallet would never forgive me if it became a regular drink of mine. I am excited to try the other flavors Hotlips sells, especially the blackberry and pear flavors.
Edit: I wrote this review when i was half way through the bottle. I just finished it and was surprised by little chunks of boysenberry near the bottom. This might make some people happy, but when you're not expecting it, it's a little off-putting.
- Rating
- Company
- Hotlips — Website — @HOTLIPSsoda
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Pure Cane Sugar
- Author
- Derek Neuland on 9/6/10, 10:33 PM
- Share
- Direct Link
Columbia Gorge Lemonade
Warning: do not take a big sip of this the first time you try it. You will be in for a big surprise as the strong taste of lemon juice stings your tongue and singes your insides all the way down until it settles into your stomach. If you have ever drunk pure lemon juice, you know the feeling I'm talking about.
That being said, Columbia Gorge knows how to make good lemonade. If you like yours extra tart, then this one is for you. It's sweetened with agave syrup, which I've never seen before but I welcome the change. It really lets the lemon in the lemonade shine through when it's not loaded with sugar.
That being said, Columbia Gorge knows how to make good lemonade. If you like yours extra tart, then this one is for you. It's sweetened with agave syrup, which I've never seen before but I welcome the change. It really lets the lemon in the lemonade shine through when it's not loaded with sugar.
- Rating
- Categories
- Lemonade
- Company
- Columbia Gorge — Website
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Agave Syrup
- Author
- Derek Neuland on 9/6/10, 10:33 PM
- Share
- Direct Link
Natural Brew Vanilla Creme Soda
I have yet to meet a cream soda I have not liked. Luckily, Natural Brew's Vanilla Creme Soda does not break my streak. As the name states, it has a strong vanilla flavor that sits on the tongue very nicely. One really nice thing about Natural Brew is they use evaporated cane juice as a sweetener. Cane juice is processed much less than sugar, therefore it retains a lot more of the naturally occurring nutrients in the sugar cane.
Natural Brew is manufactured and distributed by Smucker's Quality Beverages (yes, the same Smucker's that makes jam). I'm holding out for a peanut butter and jelly soda.
Natural Brew is manufactured and distributed by Smucker's Quality Beverages (yes, the same Smucker's that makes jam). I'm holding out for a peanut butter and jelly soda.
- Rating
- Categories
- Soda Pop
- Company
- Natural Brew — Website — @NaturalBrew
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Evaporated Cane Juice
- Author
- Derek Neuland on 9/6/10, 10:33 PM
- Share
- Direct Link
Blue Sky Natural Soda Cola
On first sip, Blue Sky Cola is a lot lighter than most cola. It also lacks the sharp bitter taste that Coke and Pepsi have, which might please people who don't normally like cola for that reason. This may be due to the fact that Blue Sky uses real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, or possibly the lack of caffeine (which is uncommon among colas).
Blue Sky is owned by Hansen Natural Corporation (who also make Hansen Natural sodas). These two brands seem to be the most prominent canned natural sodas so it's interesting to see that the same company owns both.
Overall, this is one of the best colas I've had recently. The smooth taste and lack of high fructose corn syrup really puts it ahead of the rest. Though the lack of caffeine throws me off as I usually associated coffee and colas with caffeine.
Blue Sky is owned by Hansen Natural Corporation (who also make Hansen Natural sodas). These two brands seem to be the most prominent canned natural sodas so it's interesting to see that the same company owns both.
Overall, this is one of the best colas I've had recently. The smooth taste and lack of high fructose corn syrup really puts it ahead of the rest. Though the lack of caffeine throws me off as I usually associated coffee and colas with caffeine.
- Rating
- Categories
- Soda Pop
- Company
- Blue Sky — Website — @blueskysoda
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Real Sugar
- Author
- Derek Neuland on 9/6/10, 10:33 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Ayala Herbal Water Cloves, Cardamom, and Cinnamon
It's...alright. I mentioned before about how I don't really like drinks that taste like water with other flavor aftertaste. I mean, I am a fan of light drinks but it's a little tricky with flavored water. Berry Bot is a little too light for me taste. I think that with a titch more zing, this drink would rule. I was excited for the clove and cinnamon but I only got a little cinnamon and even less clove.
- Rating
- Categories
- Water
- Company
- Ayala — Website — @HerbalWater
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- No Sugar Added
- Author
- Mike Literman on 9/5/10, 8:30 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Ayala Herbal Water Cinnamon and Orange Peel
I was very impressed by this. I was a bit leery as some flavored water tastes like water after you ate something. This tastes like a nice cold tea made from natural bagged or loose tea. It's got a nice subtle bite from the cinnamon and a hint of orange. It was only $1.50, which means that it's easy to buy and not feel bad about it.
- Rating
- Categories
- Water
- Company
- Ayala — Website — @HerbalWater
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- No Sugar Added
- Author
- Mike Literman on 9/5/10, 7:36 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Function Urban Detox Citrus Prickly Pear
The function drinks had been on sale at my local supermarket for a while before I picked one up. I found the marketing a bit ridiculous. The description on the bottle tries to make it seem hip to city folk, before it comes out and says it's a hangover cure. I finally gave in, and I was pleasantly surprised. It reminds me of Vitamin Water, but way better. It tastes like achieving a full flavor was more important to the company, than the vitamin intake. The citrus flavor definitely overpowers the prickly pear, but I for one am okay with that.
- Rating
- Categories
- Sports/Dietary Supplement
- Company
- Function — Website — @FunctionDrinks
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Cane Sugar
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/5/10, 3:09 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
R.W. Knudsen Spritzer Ginger Ale
I've really been getting into spritzers lately. It's such a nice light alternative to your average pop. When I was in the local co-op earlier this caught my eye, as I've also been really into ginger as well. I was really hoping for a stronger presence of ginger from this drink, but it was pretty mellow. It did have a slight hint of the burn, but it wasn't very strong. If you want a mellower ginger ale this is the way to go, if you're looking for something stronger, I would stick to ginger brew.
- Rating
- Company
- R.W. Knudsen — Website — @RWKnudsen
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- No Sugar Added
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/5/10, 2:57 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Ito En Teas' Tea Mango Oolong
This is a straight forward iced tea. It tastes like someone brewed some oolong tea, very lightly sweetened it, and let it chill in the fridge. It's a nice refreshing drink for those times when you don't want something overly sweet. My only complaint is that it is obviously mildly flavored with something, but I'm hard pressed to describe it as tasting like mango.
- Rating
- Categories
- Iced Tea
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Cane Sugar
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/4/10, 5:13 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Arizona Black & White Iced Tea
Delicious. This is my favorite (so far) of Arizona's iced teas. Could be the lack of high fructose corn syrup, but I think that I genuinely like the taste more than my previous favorite of many, many years, the Green Tea with Honey. Now this is getting increasingly hard to find which makes my sad but I just found that they have another company in the works that does all cane sugar teas.
- Rating
- Categories
- Iced Tea
- Company
- Arizona — Website — @DrinkAriZona
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Evaporated Cane Juice
- Author
- Mike Literman on 9/3/10, 8:14 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link
Sweet Leaf Citrus Green Tea
Sweet Leaf is by far my favorite iced tea on the market. I used to only be able to find it down south, but it has recently been making its way into stores up near us. The citrus green tea is one of the best flavors this company has. Not too sweet, with just the right amount of lemon/lime/orange. For those of you old enough to remember, it strangely reminds me of Ecto Cooler drink that Hi-C used to make. If you are a fan of flavored teas, I can do nothing but sing the praises of Sweet Leaf.
- Rating
- Categories
- Iced Tea
- Company
- Sweet Leaf — Website — @SweetLeafTea
- Country
- United States
- Sweetener
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Author
- Jason Draper on 9/3/10, 7:48 PM
- Buy It Amazon.com
- Share
- Direct Link