Friday, May 28, 2010

Hajoori's Kashmira


I picked this up at an Indian grocer in Greenville, and I think it's safe to say that this is one of the worst beverages that I have ever consumed. It tastes like tamarind-date chutney in a beverage bottle. A really fancy beverage bottle, for sure, but that does not make the drink any better. For those of you who have never had tamarind-date chutney, it is delicious, but it is incredibly savory and full of Indian spices. It makes for an excellent topping to samosas or other such delicious Indian foods, but it does NOT MAKE FOR A GOOD CARBONATED BEVERAGE. This is really bad. I felt nauseous after two drinks, which is something that almost never happens to me. I really tried, but I couldn't take it. It's just too heavy, and is way too close to drinking a sauce.

Verdict: Don't

Friday, May 21, 2010

R. W. Knudsen Mandarin Lime Spritzer


I picked this beverage up at a local organic food store, and I have to say, I don't really know how I feel about it. The taste of the beverage is not bad, and is very natural, which I typically like. But, for some reason, I'm not a huge fan of this one. It's almost too real, in a sense. As the can says, it is indeed all natural, and there is no sugar added, so the lime is a bit bitter. Also, the drink tries to be carbonated, but does not do a very good job, as it seemed like there were only two or three bubbles in every sip (okay, maybe more than two or three, but not very many). The drink is not bad, but it's not necessarily good, either. I finished it, but I feel like it was only because it was there and drinkable. I have a hard time saying "go out and buy this one," especially since it's a little expensive.

Verdict: Lackluster. Not recommended.


Friday, May 14, 2010

Metromint: Lemonmint Water


I've been drinking Metromint for a while now (several years), and am just now getting around to writing a review of one of their flavors, but let me say this: Metromint is one of my favorite beverages. I honestly feel that the only thing higher on the list is Perrier. 

Anyway, about the beverage. Metromint is a simple drink, as it is just water and mint. The ingredients for the lemonmint variety, for example, are: purified water, lemon essence, and mint. Simple as that. Now, I am a huge fan of using natural ingredients in beverages (I think that they almost universally taste better that way), so this is a big positive for me. 

Lemonmint is probably my favorite of the Metromint varieties, as I love both lemon and spearmint, and they have mixed the two perfectly. Neither flavor overtakes the other, and they mingle together in a harmony that can only be described as superb. The beverage is outstandingly refreshing (such is usually the case with water), and is best served at the lowest possible temperature that you can manage while still retaining its liquid form.

Metromint can typically be found in most health/organic food stores. All of the flavors are excellent, but if you can only try one, I recommend the lemonmint as a good starting point.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Tai Sun White Gourd Juice


This stuff is incredible. I picked it up at the Asian grocery store that I frequent, and was really dreading consuming a beverage with "gourd" in the title, but I was outrageously surprised. This drink is so good. It tastes a lot like a pre-bottled Starbucks frappachino, but it's not as thick. Also, while it is somehow a little bit sweeter than a frappachino, it is a natural sweet, as the ingredients consist of: white gourd juice, water, and sugar. Literally, there is nothing else in it. Asia has the right idea about the artificiality of their foodstuffs. But definitely check this stuff out. It is fantastic.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Friday, May 7, 2010

Loire River Assam Milk Tea


I have had quite a few milk teas in my days, and I have to say, this one was pretty mediocre. It was good, but it's not quite as tasty as some of the others that I have had. It was good, and had a strong tea taste that was not too corrupted by the cream like in some of the other drinks, but it was thinner and less viscous, and somehow that just ended up being a little odd. I feel that these things tend to be better when they're a little bit more on the creamy side. Overall, it's not bad, though. If you can get over the strange consistency, the taste is pretty good. It's sweet, but not too sweet, and the taste of the tea is not overpowered by the additives.

Verdict: There are better competing products, but recommended nonetheless 

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon


So this is my first wine as a fully legal adult, and I have to say, it was a pretty good start. Obviously it's not anything super fancy, but it's a pretty good red. It's a fairly dry, flavorful wine, without a whole lot of aftertaste, which I prefer. I'm not a huge fan of reds that dry your mouth out and leave you feeling parched. They have their time and place, but it's not here. This wine managed to be dry without being too dry, and had a nice, spicy-based flavor that had an ever so subtle bite to it. I thought it was good, especially for my first foray into into the wide world of wine.

Verdict: Moderately Recommended