Tag: Soda

REVIEW: Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles

Vin 5 Comments

Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles Pouch

What are Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles?

It’s Sour Patch minus the Kids, and this time they’re soda flavored.

How are they?

Sometimes I eat a new snack and genuinely enjoy it, but it still ends up bumming me out for reasons beyond its control. I’ll get to that later, but first? These are really good.

I can go in-depth about Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles’ flavor, but it just kinda boils down to “Sour Coca-Cola.” They’re exactly as advertised.

Everyone knows Sour Patch Kids start sour and become sweet, and these are no different. The initial sour sensation is very similar to that of a lemon or lime SPK, but it mellows into a moderate level of sweetness that I’d compare to watered-down cola.

Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles Glass Wht

Both colored bubbles have the same flavor, which I thought would pop (no pun) a bit more, if I’m being honest. That’s not really a complaint, though.

It’s akin to when you pour Coke over ice and take that first foamy sip as the bubbles settle around the cubes. Am I making sense? I find that to be the best and least cola flavor heavy sip. There’s obviously no effervescence here, but the taste gives off that sensation.

I couldn’t help but wonder how successful a “Sour Cola” would be after eating these. Maybe Pepsi could give that a trial run. I think it would be good, especially for a cocktail mixer.

Anything else you need to know?

So, I mentioned earlier how bummed these made me, and I’m probably dating myself here, but they reminded me of a candy that hasn’t existed in close to two decades – Betty Crocker Sodalicious Fruit Snacks.

If you know, you know.

I won’t dwell on that too much, and I encourage you to Google ’em because, man, they were an elite childhood snack, and these were semi-close to what I remember Sodalicious tasting like.

I also think Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles are better than Haribo Happy Cola gummies.

Conclusion:

Sour Patch Kids Cola Bubbles Glass Bag

These are legit, and I’d argue the little bubble form is a more satisfying bite than the usual flat kid shape.

I think these could and really should become standard movie theater candy. You can sub ’em in for the massive Coke and family-sized bag of Sour Patch Kids you usually get and just focus on your garbage can full of popcorn.

Purchased Price: $1.25
Size: 3.61 oz
Purchased at: Dollar Tree
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (24 pieces) 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 25 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of total carbohydrates, 23 grams of total sugars, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade

Marvo 5 Comments

Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade Can

What is Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade?

Over the past several years, Canada Dry has made our summers a bit less ginger ale-y and a bit more ginger ade-y with new citrusy flavors. So far, the brand has combined its tummy-soothing moneymaker with lemonade, orangeade, and limeade. Since there are no more single-word untrademarkable beverages that end with -ade, this year, raspberry lemonade gets to do a beverage do-si-do with the popular soft drink.

How is it?

Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade Glass

It smells completely unremarkable. However, its flavor makes up for its lack of an alluring aroma. Though, if you’re a huge fan of lemonade, this one might be a little disappointing because it’s hard to detect it. The raspberry flavoring, which brings Lipton Brisk Raspberry Iced Tea to mind, is definitely noticeable, but it muddles everything, making the citrus flavor almost non-existent. There is a slight sourness, but that could be mistaken as the lemonade or berry flavoring. Basically, if you told me this was raspberry ginger ale, I wouldn’t doubt you. I know there has been a raspberry-flavored Canada Dry, but I haven’t tried it, so I can’t compare.

With that said, it’s a pleasant and refreshing beverage, but it didn’t blow my mind as much as Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale and Lemonade did when I first tried it. Maybe after three other vADEriations, the novelty of these citrusy ales has worn off.

Look, I’ll happily drink all twelve cans I purchased. Actually, it’s eleven due to a shipping issue that involved the twelfth can leaking while in the hands of the USPS.

Anything else you need to know?

Like all other Canada Dry Ginger Ale mixed with a citrus beverage that ends with an -ade, there’s a minuscule amount of juice and no caffeine.

Conclusion:

Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale and Raspberry Lemonade is a nice addition to the summer beverage line, but it’s not as good as the lemonade and orangeade versions (I haven’t tried the limeade one). But now I’m curious to know what -ade comes next.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 12 oz cans/12 pack
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 140 calories, 0 grams of fat, 50 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 36 grams of sugar (including 36 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Coca-Cola Limited Edition Byte

Marvo 9 Comments

Limited Edition Coca Cola Byte Can

Limited Edition Coca-Cola Creations Zero Sugar Byte, which I will refer to as Coca-Cola Byte for the rest of this review because my fingers threaten to go on strike if forced to type the full name over and over again, can only be purchased online from Coca-Cola’s online store for $14.77 plus shipping. For that amount, you get two cans of the cola, a pixel-shaped box, a sticker, access to an AR game, and maybe the regret of spending $14.77 plus shipping on a soda that kind of bites.

Limited Edition Coca Cola Byte Box

Coca-Cola describes Byte as “pixel-flavored,” but with many sips, I wondered if this is what raspberry-flavored cardboard tastes like. It’s a flavor that makes my face scrunch up slightly. Granted, it’s the initial sip that does that, and if I take more right after, they have a mediocre berry-ish flavor that doesn’t cause my face to appear as if it’s collapsing upon itself.

But if I give my taste buds a chance to reset themselves and take another sip, that weird berry taste comes back. Of course, I could solve the issue by chugging all 12 ounces, but for the amount I paid for just two cans, I’d like to be able to enjoy them for longer than a few seconds.

Limited Edition Coca Cola Byte Glass

I expected Coca-Cola Byte to be at least decent because of how it smells and how much I liked the first Coca-Cola Creations variety, Starlight. Not even being a Zero Sugar version deterred me from thinking otherwise because, with Starlight, I ended up liking the Zero Sugar version more than the full sugar one.

Also, according to the comments for my review of it, I might be the only person on the planet who likes the regular Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, so I’m familiar with and okay with the artificial sweeteners. But I feel that it’s the aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and Sucralose that make things taste weird because Coca-Cola has proven it can make a decent raspberry-flavored cola sweetened with sugar.

Coca-Cola Byte is as imperfect as a pixelated photo, and its flavor is odd enough that I’m not sure if I’ll even open the second can. Maybe I’ll sell it on eBay to get some of my $14.77 plus shipping back. Heck, I’ll also throw in the sticker, box, and my regret.

Purchased Price: $14.77 plus shipping
Size: 12 oz cans
Purchased at: Coca-Cola’s online store
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 55 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, and 34 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Mtn Dew Purple Thunder

Marvo 10 Comments

Mtn Dew Purple Thunder

What is Mtn Dew Purple Thunder?

It’s a Circle K exclusive Mountain Dew flavor that combines the classic carbonated and caffeinated citrus soda with blackberry and plum flavors. It’s available in 20-ounce bottles and at Circle K’s Polar Pop fountains.

How is it?

It tastes like another Mountain Dew flavor that I enjoyed, which is odd because the press release about Purple Thunder says that it has “a one-of-a-kind blackberry and plum fusion.” I can’t recall which other flavor this tastes like because all the high fructose corn syrup I’ve consumed from trying every Mtn Dew variety might’ve made my memories hazy. But it’s probably one of the other berry-flavored Dew flavors I’ve tried. I guess you could say Purple Thunder is a DEWrivative.

It’s really the berry that has my taste buds experiencing flavor deja vu. I don’t notice any plum flavor unless the flavor scientists at Mountain Dew eat the same flavorless plums I sometimes end up getting because I have no idea how to pick good ones at the grocery store.

Anything else you need to know?

Its purple color makes me yearn for Mtn Dew Pitch Black. Now that I’ve typed that sentence, I want it even more. Give me a second. I’ve got to create an eBay saved search for unopened Pitch Black cans that are very-beyond-the-best-by-date. Come on, Mountain Dew! Bring back Pitch Black for Halloween this year! Heck, it can even be a reboot. Reboots are in now. Dew it!

Also, a zero-sugar version is not available. Sorry. Wait. Why am I apologizing? It’s not as if I influence what gets made and what doesn’t. Besides wanting Pitch Black back, I’d like Maui Burst to be released from Dollar General’s exclusivity. But just because I typed that doesn’t mean it will happen.

Conclusion:

Mtn Dew Purple Thunder Label

Even though it tastes familiar, Mtn Dew Purple Thunder is a fine release. It’s not even close to being in my top 10 favorite Dew flavors. But it is definitely in my top 10 favorite purple-colored Dew flavors, which I think there are less than ten, so there’s a chance it’s ranked higher than ten.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product sample (along with a bunch of swag I’ll never use) from Mountain Dew and Circle K. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 20 oz bottle
Purchased at: Received from Mtn Dew and Circle K
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 bottle) 270 calories, 0 grams of fat, 85 milligrams of sodium, 73 grams of carbohydrates, 73 grams of sugar (73 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Simple 7UP

Alex 34 Comments

Simple 7Up Box

What is Simple 7UP?

7UP has employed the KISS principle (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”) and brought us all a pared down version of its lemon-lime soft drink. Simple 7UP is as uncomplicated as possible with only six real ingredients: filtered carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, lemon extract, lime extract, and stevia leaf extract.

How is it?

Simple 7Up Top

I was optimistic about this soda as I smelled it in the can since it had a much more distinct lemon and lime scent than I’m used to from 7UP. When I took a sip, it initially excited me with its exceptionally light and crisp flavor, reminding me of a sparkling citrus juice beverage. Unlike regular 7UP, which encases blended lemon-lime flavor in a rounded syrupiness, Simple 7UP had noticeably separate flavors of lemon and lime that were lightly sweetened and incredibly fresh in the carbonated water. And despite using extracts instead of juice, the taste of each managed to shine without being too strong.

Simple 7Up Glass

But then the stevia had to go and complicate things. The sip that started off so strong quickly turned bitter yet off-puttingly sweet, then had the audacity to finish on that terrible note. And so it went for each sip until I’d had enough about half of a can in.

The highs were so high and the lows were so low, I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this soda.

Anything else you need to know?

It seems like 7UP isn’t sure how they feel about it either, since there’s barely any mention of the beverage from the brand online; it’s conspicuously absent from the product section of its website. I found one article saying Simple 7UP was being test-marketed about a year ago, but couldn’t find any information about this rollout.

Additionally, I was surprised to learn the original 7UP also only contains six ingredients. So, keep in mind the simplicity here lies in the “real”ness of the ingredients themselves, not their quantity.

Conclusion:

Simple 7Up Can

Simply said, I’m torn. I loved how five of the six ingredients worked together, but the inclusion of stevia caused each sip to end on a flavor repellent enough for me to decide to not purchase again. Anyone who’s ever seen how much sugar is in a lemonade recipe can understand the hesitation to make sugar the only sweetener in a citrus soda, but it’s hard to not imagine how spectacular Simple 7UP could have tasted if they had kept it even simpler.

Purchased Price: $6.49
Size: 12 pack (12 oz cans)
Purchased at: Ralphs
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 40 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of total carbohydrates, 28 grams of total sugars, and 0 grams of protein.