Fioravanti Original

If there is one trend that I have come across through my years behind the desk at Thirsty Dudes it's that the denizens of countries south of the United States love both overly sweet and also spicy sodas. Apparently it's all kola champagne, manzana and ginger beer down there. The first of those I can't stomach; it feels like me teeth are rotting with every sip. The second I like alright. The last I absolutely love. Bad good great, in that order.

From the color of this I really expected it to be the dreaded uber-sweet kola champagne. Millions of people on this planet absolutely love that soda, and I simply do not get it. Overly sugared liquid bubblegum is simply not for me. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this did not taste like the spit of someone who is chewing an entire pack of Big League Chew. Instead, it has a nice fruity berry flavor. The internet tells me that it's supposed to be strawberry, but it doesn't taste like a strawberry pop I've ever had before. You know it doesn't taste like those little candies whose wrappers resemble the fruit. It really just has a general berry taste that leans a bit towards strawberries.

A great thing about this is that it came in a reusable bottle. You know like pop used to come in, before everything became so disposable, even though it's supposed to be recycled. For those not in the know, you used to return bottles to the store and instead of them being melted down for reuse they were simply cleaned and refilled. This is how the pop of my childhood was served, and I'm not going to lie, I miss it.

I admit I am enjoying this far more than I expected to. I had anticipated taking a sip or two and then pawning it off on a stranger on the street, but so far I've made it halfway through, and I think I may keep going. You know, like a champ.