Rhino's Relaxation Drink

From the looks of things, it seems that relaxation beverages have quickly become one of the "next big things" in the beverage industry. New relaxation beverages and shots are being released almost constantly: to the point where it has become impossible for me to keep up with all of the different products and companies that have been popping up lately. I have reviewed quite a few relaxation beverages for Drinkable Review in the past, and although I tend to enjoy them (even if I don't necessarily always reap the benefits that they claim to offer), I do occasionally stumble across one that sort of misses the point. Unfortunately, Rhino's Relaxation Drink is one of the less than stellar examples.

But first, I'd like to start with what Rhino's Relaxation does right. From a marketing perspective, Rhino's product stands out incredibly well on a shelf. Unlike the world of consumer electronics, white is still an eye-catching color in the beverage industry, as it is relatively rare that you will see a primarily white can/label/bottle sitting among all of the other busy and colorful graphics of a shelf full of competing products, all vying desperately for what is likely already your only half-committed attention. Because of this, when I do see a white can, I almost instinctively reach out to take a closer look. Rhino's seems to understand the power of having a "clean" label in a world of well-established and familiar logos, as their graphic is printed in a color that mimics the soft, natural grey of the aluminum behind it. The front of the can only includes the necessary information—no space is wasted on meaningless slogans, graphics, or disclaimers—and makes excellent use of empty space to keep the eye focused on the important details.

But what makes Rhino's Relaxation unique among interesting cans is the actual physical feel of the label. Rather than sticking with the smooth, metallic feel of a typical beverage can, Rhino's has opted to apply a sort of rough matte finish to their cans, giving them a tactile sensation not unlike that of Bristol paper or eggshell-finish wall paint. I was not expecting this when I picked it up in the store (although I did wonder for a moment why the can was not reflecting light in quite the same way as the others on the shelf), and the novelty of it caught me so off guard that I immediately placed the can into my shopping basket. Rhino's has produced a drink that quite literally feels unique—something that has become increasingly difficult to do in the rapidly expanding independent beverage market. 

Unfortunately, this is where most of my enjoyment of the beverage stopped. The relaxation offering from Rhino's product line comes in one flavor so far: blueberry/blackberry. I was, at first, very excited to give this one a try, as I am generally a fan of both blueberry and blackberry, but my excitement waned somewhat upon opening the can. Immediately after popping the tab open, my nose was greeted with a very strong, pungent smell that, for a moment, bordered on foul. The smell dissipated and mellowed out after a moment, but the first impression was made, and it was not a promising one.

Although I have learned that smells can often be deceiving, the actual flavor of Rhino's Relaxation was not entirely appealing, either. The blueberry and blackberry flavors were both noticeable in the drink, but the flavor as a whole was overshadowed by an acidic "energy drink" overtone (likely from the inclusion of too much citric acid) that muddled the flavors with a caustic sourness. The ingredients list also features black carrot juice, and while the carrot flavor is noticeable if you focus your senses carefully, it mostly just gets lost in the acidic flavor of the rest of the drink. All things considered, the flavor does not speak of "relaxation" to me like many of the other relaxation beverages that I have tried and liked. Rather, it tastes like one would expect a "high-octane" energy drink to taste: aggressive, with a faint hint of trying too hard. While I don't necessarily mind aggressively flavored beverages, the sour acidity of Rhino's Relaxation became too much for me to tolerate towards the end of the drink, and I eventually found myself pouring out the last couple of ounces. 

As I have said before in my reviews, I usually don't experience the alterations in consciousness that many do when drinking these sorts of drinks, so I feel that it would be unfair for me to spend time criticizing the drink's ineffectiveness when I knew from the start that it was not likely to affect me. With this in mind, I will keep my discussion of the functionality simple. The drink's "relaxation cocktail" contains a mixture of valerian root extract, L-theanine, lemon balm extract, and chamomile extract. If you are like me and are not easily swayed by anything less than pharmaceutical-grade supplements, then this drink is not likely to do much to help you relax. However, if you have previously had positive experiences with any of the ingredients listed above, then Rhino's Relaxation will probably do the trick.

Overall, I'm afraid that I can't recommend Rhino's Relaxation. Although I really liked the design of the can, I just couldn't get used to the flavor long enough to enjoy the drink. If you are a fan of some of the more mainstream energy drinks and you don't mind highly acidic overtones in your drinks, then you may find a lot to like in Rhino's Relaxation. Otherwise, it would probably be best to just steer clear.

Verdict: Not recommended

Purchased: Bi-Lo [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 8.3 fl. oz. [250mL]

Price paid: $2.49

Uvé Gourmet Weight Loss Beverage

It is not often that I review anything having to do with weight loss. In fact, I think that today marks the first time that I have reviewed any drink that has weight loss as its primary function, so I am glad to say that I will be starting off with a good one. Uvé (pronounced oo-vāy) is a gourmet weight loss beverage that capitalizes on a relatively new weight loss supplement by the scientific name of irvingia gabonensis.

More commonly referred in its commercially available dietary supplement form of Welltrim®iG (or IGOB131®), irvingia gabonensis is an all-natural weight loss supplement that is derived from the fruit of an African tree of the same name. The fruit is a specific type of mango native to certain regions in Africa, and it has been shown in small, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to result in greater weight loss in human test subjects. I, of course, say "greater" to imply that irvingia gabonensis has not been shown to cause weight loss, as no nutritional supplement truly causes healthy weight loss without additional physical and dietary contribution from the user. When consuming 150mg of irvingia gabonensis twice daily, test subjects demonstrated an increased rate of weight loss over those who were given the control placebo. Although the tests performed so far have been small, and larger tests must be performed before the effects can be considered fully conclusive, the results shown in the limited tests have been promising so far.

Uve gourmet weight loss beverage contains one of the two daily servings of Weltrim®iG (150mg per 12 fl. oz. bottle) needed to fully "activate" the benefits. But this is only one of the ingredients in Uve's weight loss concoction. In addition to each serving of Welltrim®iG, Lifestyle Brands has also thrown into the mix a healthy dose of Capros® Indian gooseberry extract (a patented superfruit antioxidant supplement), ChromeMate® (a supplement that controls blood-sugar levels and helps metabolize fats and carbohydrates), and L-Carnitine (aids in the breakdown of fatty lipids to generate energy) to further aid in the weight loss process. Lifestyle Brands recommends that you drink one bottle of Uvé twice daily for optimum results. Since weight loss takes time and I was only sent three bottles of Uvé, I cannot speak directly to the drink's efficacy, but I can say that I have a hard time imagining this not helping someone with an already proactive attitutude towards weight loss and exercise.

That of which I can speak, however, is the taste. Uvé has done a pretty good job of following through on the "gourmet" side of "gourmet weight loss." Each of the three flavors of Uvé that I was sent was tasty and flavorful in its own right, although in very different ways. The black cherry lemonade was light and crisp like an icy popsicle. The apple pomegranate was an interesting flavor combination that encouraged me to finish the entire bottle rather quickly, despite being just a bit on the syrupy side. And finally, the vaguely titled "superfruit" flavor was fruity and refreshing without being overladen with the typical tart flavor of most common superfruits. Uvé contains only all-natural flavors and sweeteners (a mixture of crystalline fructose and stevia), which keeps the drink low-calorie and non-threatening to your diet. Each of the three flavors made me feel like this is a dietary aid that you will actually enjoy drinking on a regular basis, which is more than can be said for a lot of nutritional supplements.

As I have said, I can not attest directly to Uvé's weight loss functionality, which I suppose is a bit of a shame given the drink's focus on its functionality. Regardless, I do feel comfortable in recommending it to those who are looking for an enjoyable weight loss beverage. It manages to carry a large quantity of [mostly] proven weight loss aids while still tasting great, and if you are in the market for a new and encouraging way to get your daily diet supplements, Uvé is undoubtedly worth a closer look.

Verdict: Recommended

Samples sent courtesy of Lifestyle Brands International

To learn more about Uvé, visit the website at www.uvegourmet.com

Or follow Uvé on Facebook or Twitter

Steaz Sparkling Green Tea Root Beer

Steaz is a company with which I have had a bit of a "speckled" history. Their products are always interesting in theory, but I've found that they tend to be pretty hit-or-miss in actuality. I have really enjoyed some of Steaz's products, but at the same time I have also found many of their products to be sort of...blah. Unfortunately, the sparkling green tea root beer falls pretty heavily into the latter category.

When I found this in the store, I wasn't really sure what to think. For a time, I didn't really even want to buy it, as I thought that the combination of root beer and green tea sounded a little bit too strange (not to mention the fact that I had already picked up several other drinks and was rapidly approaching the limit of my budget). But, in the end, my curiosity got the best of me and I decided that I had to know for sure whether it was indeed too strange a combination or not. Surprisingly, the flavors were not what I ended up not liking about the drink. In fact, the two flavors work very well together. The very earthy sarsaparilla taste of Steaz's natural root beer blended very well with the subtle flavor of the carbonated green tea, and although the two tastes are very different, the combination of the two gave the drink a very pleasant flavor profile.

What ruined the drink for me, however, was its syrupy sweetness. Steaz uses natural cane sugar to sweeten their drinks, I'm not entirely sure how the drink ended up with such a thick, heavy consistency. There may be something native to Steaz's root beer making process that causes this thickness, but the resulting effect is a strong, almost caramel-like sweetness that often overwhelms the flavor of the drink and always lingers heavily in the aftertaste. The taste is almost like that of a stevia-sweetened beverage without the strange, unpleasantly airy feeling in the aftertaste, and although I do like the flavor, the drink just ends up being too sweet too enjoy. 

But it's still a very interest concept, and for many it may still be worth a try just for that.

Verdict: Not recommended

Purchased: TJ Maxx [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price paid: $2.50 [4-pack, clearance sale]

Paradise Mango Pepsi Next

I have been meaning to review Pepsi Next for quite some time now. I actually tried Pepsi Next not long after it came out a few months ago, and I wish that I had reviewed it on the spot. But, like so many other things in my life right now, I just never quite got around to it. However, there is some good in my putting it off, as now I essentially get to present two drinks at once.

Today's review, as you can tell by the picture, is of one of Pepsi's new flavors of Pepsi Next. When Pepsi first introduced the Next brand, I did not realize that they were planning on releasing flavored versions, so finding these on the shelf was a bit of a surprise. What surprised me even more, however, was finding a mango flavored Pepsi Next on the shelf. As a beverage flavor, mango has been rising sharply in popularity over the past several years, and although I personally find it to be a rather "hit or miss" flavor, I have grown accustomed to seeing it all over the place. However, this was the first time that I have seen mango in a cola, and I was genuinely taken aback to find it sitting next to a more pedestrian (or at least more expected) cherry vanilla version of the same drink. Initially, I had my reservations about the pairing, as mango and cola are both fairly strong and very different flavors, and I was not sure how the two would meld. But my hesitations were later proven quite unnecessary, as Paradise Mango Pepsi Next is a fantastic beverage.

Before I start talking about the mango flavoring, I should address Pepsi Next as a whole. For those unfamiliar with the product, Pepsi Next is Pepsi's new (well, somewhat new) "mid-calorie" cola offering. The drink uses a mixture of high fructose corn syrup and a combination of several artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose) to offer a cola that contains half the calories and sugar content of a standard Pepsi without sacrificing much of the taste. Typically, these sorts of claims are often hard to believe, as it is all too common that these drinks just end up tasting like a diet beverage anyway, regardless of how hard the marketing tries to portray it as tasting "just like the original." But Pepsi Next is impressively "normal" tasting for a drink of its kind. The balance of sweeteners is very carefully proportioned, and while it does still taste different from regular-calorie Pepsi, it does not taste overbearingly diet, either. The aftertaste of the aspartame still tends to linger a little bit in the back of the throat, but I'm not sure that anything can really be done about that at this point. That's just how aspartame is. If you can get past the slight aftertaste, Pepsi Next is a fantastic alternative for those who are, like me, trying to limit their calorie and sugar intake. 

On top of all that, Pepsi's inclusion of mango flavoring makes Pepsi Next an even more appealing choice. The complexities of the cola's flavor compliment the exotic fruitiness of the mango quite well, and although I had my doubts about the combination at the beginning, I am now almost surprised that I have never come across the mixture before. The two flavors work so well together that it just seems like this would have become a more popular blend by now. 

All that being said, the drink is not perfect. The lingering aftertaste is likely to be a major turnoff to those who are opposed to the flavor of artificial sweeteners. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the aftertaste, myself, but the fact that I can enjoy a soda so much at only half the calories and sugar of a regular Pepsi helps me overlook it fairly easily. But all things considered, this is a really great beverage, and you should definitely try it out.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Purchased: Bi-Lo [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price: $2.99 [pack of 12]

bcalm Wellness Drink

In further accordance with my recurring trend of frequently reviewing relaxation beverages, I have recently been sent a case of one of the market's newer entries: bcalm Wellness Drink. Presenting itself with an innocent and enticing flair as "part tea, part massage, part long walk on the beach," bcalm is an all-natural stress-reduction beverage that focuses on calmness and mental clarity rather than on the "okay, go to sleep" sort of relaxation that many other beverages of the type tend to promote. And it is a wonderful new addition to the market segment, especially considering the fact that it is the premier beverage of a brand new, highly independent company. 

Good Life Beverages was founded by a Harvard University student just last year in 2011. Tired of the chaotic hustle of his life in New York City, he decided to pack up and head to South America in the hope of finding the opportunity to restore rest, balance, and peace to his life. During his stay, he was met with a much slower lifestyle that was very different from the big city pace of his home, and upon returning to the United States, he was inspired to create a beverage that could help others recreate a small portion of his experience in South America without having to leave their chair, much less the country. And thus, after over a year of research, experimentation, and ambition, the first of hopefully many drinks from Good Life Beverages was created.  

True to its self-labeling as a "wellness drink," bcalm consists only of all-natural ingredients. Even the coloring relies on natural methods, as bcalm uses vegetable juice and beta carotene to give the fluid its stark, orange hue. In addition, the proprietary focus/relaxation cocktail used in bcalm is made up of the following: Hydrolyzed casein (from milk), anise seed extract, chamomile flower extract, wild green oat extract, gingko biloba leaf extract, and a generous helping of vitamins B3, B6, B12, and B5. bcalm is also sweetened with natural cane sugar, and contains only natural flavors.

The flavor of bcalm is actually a bit hard to place. It doesn't really taste like anything that I've had before, so I'm not entirely sure what to compare it to. The closest comparison that I can come up with is a carbonated, sweetened green tea. There is a lot more going on than just the "green tea" (the ingredients list does not indicate that there is actually any green tea in the beverage) flavor, but that is the first thing that comes to mind when I try to categorize it, as it has a similar aroma that lingers unapologetically in the back of the throat. It does have a bit of a citrus-like bite to it, and I can taste a little bit of the chamomile in the drink, but beyond that, bcalm has a flavor that is relatively unique. While it comes somewhat close to the taste of several other similarly themed drinks that I have had in the past - a natural side effect of containing several ingredients common to these sorts of functional beverages - it still just doesn't quite match up with anything else. But this, I think, is a positive point for bcalm. True to its concept, the flavor encourages you to get a little bit lost in the drink, either by analyzing and scrutinizing in an (unsuccessful) attempt to decipher the taste as I have, or by simply enjoying its uniqueness for what it is. Everything in the drink has a very natural taste, and no element of the flavor is overbearing or unwelcome. 

As far as bcalm's efficacy is concerned, I am not quite sure that I am the most qualified person to be making an objective judgement. I have discussed my long-standing immunity to the effects of consciousness-altering beverages on the site in the past, and bcalm is, unfortunately, no exception. However, as I write this, I do find it pertinent to share that when I sat down to finish up this review, I was relatively stressed about getting the post up in time. Now that I have finished the "review copy" of bcalm that I opened before I began writing, I am not quite as worried as I was a short time ago. I am tempted here to offer this as evidence that the drink really works, but the whole truth is that this is the fourth bcalm that I have had so far, and it is the first of which my often aggravatingly level mental state has taken any sort of notice. Based on the data so far, I must conclude that for me the effects are likely only to present themselves some of the time. But I will continue to enjoy bcalm, regardless, and I look forward to discovering if this is one of the rare beverages that is capable of having a significant effect on my mood at all. As of the time of this writing, my hopes are high.

Verdict: Recommended

Samples sent courtesy of Good Life Beverages.

For more information about bcalm, visit the website.

Or follow bcalm on Facebook or Twitter  

Postscript: For a more objective viewpoint from a reviewer who did have a more concrete experience with bcalm's functionality, watch this video from fellow beverage blogger and connoisseur Jason Coleman over at BevNerd.

Tepache Frumex

It seems as though it has been some time now since I have had a truly "new" beverage. I have been going through a bit of a dry spell, as the town in which I am currently living does not have a wide beverage selection, and I have exhausted most of it at this point. However, during a recent visit with some friends of mine, I was given a bottle of Tepache Frumex to take home and try. Having never had any sort of Tepache before, I was pretty excited about the opportunity to try something truly new again.

And luckily, the drink did not disappoint. For those who are unfamiliar with Tepache (as I was before receiving the drink), it is a Mexican spiced cider made out of pineapple and sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon, among other spices. Tepache is sometimes made with alcohol (usually a bit of beer), but the Tepache Frumex that I was given is a non-alcoholic version of the Mexican favorite. 

The drink itself is actually a little bit hard to describe. If you've never had a spiced cider before, it is not really a flavor that can be inferred simply by talking about it. It definitely has the taste of a spiced cider, and the distinct sweetness of the brown sugar is present, but not overbearing. Brown sugar has a tendency to suddenly ruin everything the second that one grain too many is added, so I was relieved to find that the brewers at Frumex seem to understand its strange power and have proportioned it accordingly. The cinnamon (and other spices) is noticeable, as well, and all of the different tastes combine very well together into a mildly exotic, tropical flavor. I say "mildly" exotic because while it is a Central American specialty, none of the ingredients are particularly unfamiliar to the North American diet. Additionally, the drink is a little bit on the heavy side (perhaps due to the large-scale production and pre-bottling of Tepache Frumex in particular), which makes it feel a bit more like a home-style comfort beverage rather than a fascinating drinking experience that you would stumble across during your travels to a new and exotic locale. 

But these are not meant at all to be negative qualities. I actually really like the "coziness" of Tepache Frumex, and I think that it gives the beverage a very specific character. The drink feels intentioned and purposeful, and although some might find it relatively regular or unspectacular when compared to some of the more rare and exorbitant experiences to be had when sampling beverages from other cultures, I think that Tepache Frumex is a prime opportunity to sample the routine. The true underpinnings of any culture are to be found not in the complexities of its advertised spectacle, but in the mundane behavior of everyday society. 

Tepache Frumex just feels authentic that way. But, to be fair, my palette is yet untrained with regard to the beverage. I am sure that anyone accustomed to a "true," homemade Tepache would take umbrage with my enjoyment of the distributed version, but I found it to be quite good, regardless. 

Just keep an eye out for it, and decide for yourself one day.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Not sure

Size: 12 fl. oz.

Price: Didn't ask (after all, that would have been rude)

Dry Vanilla Bean Soda

I reviewed Dry Soda Company's lemongrass soda several months ago, and I was unfortunately not a huge fan of the flavor. However, I recently stumbled across a sale of Dry Soda four-packs at my local Earth Fare, and I decided to give the vanilla bean soda a try. Well...when, I say "decided to try," what I really mean is "tricked into trying," because I had actually decided to give the lavender soda a try. However, as it later turned out, someone had replaced three of the lavender bottles with vanilla bean in what I assume was an effort to build his or her own secret variety pack. I did not realize until I reached for what I thought was the second lavender soda that I had been duped, so today I have the vanilla bean soda to review instead.

Although the inconsiderate behavior of the previous customer was certainly aggravating when I realized what had happened, I'm actually sort of glad that I was given the chance to try the vanilla bean soda. I actually like it a good bit, and I don't know that I would have tried it of my own accord. Like the aforementioned lemongrass variety, the flavor of the vanilla bean soda is more "essential" than typical vanilla flavoring in that it has a much more aromatic and "extract-ish" taste. The flavor of the vanilla is very ambient, and acts primarily on the back of the throat rather than provoking a strong response from the sweet taste buds. Most other drinks that I have had that contain vanilla as a primary flavoring usually trend towards the latter, so it's a nice change of pace to find a vanilla drink that is not overbearingly sweet.   

In general, I tend to harbor hesitation about purchasing vanilla flavored beverages, as they tend to be too sweet and heavy for my tastes, but Dry Soda Company's vanilla bean soda is very light and refreshing. It is very lightly sweetened, so those expecting something more along the lines of a cream soda may be a bit disappointed, but I found the drink to be very pleasant. The low sugar and calorie count also add a lot of appeal, making this drink a fairly easy recommendation, overall.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Earth Fare [Columbia, SC]

Size: 12 fl oz [355mL]

Price: $4.99 [4-pack, discounted]

Seagram's Escapes

I usually tend to dislike these sorts of beverages, and as a result I typically try to avoid purchasing them. However, during a recent trip to the grocery store, I found a lonely bargain bin full of Seagram's Escapes, and seeing as how they were only a dollar a piece, I decided to seize the opportunity to remind myself of the special sort of disappointment that only a 6.4 proof bottle of generic malt beverage can offer.

Although the picture above shows only the—prepare yourself—"Jamaican Me Happy" flavor, I have tried several of the flavors in which Seagram's Escapes are currently available. I will say up front that despite the Jamaican Me Happy's rather unfortunate name, it is definitely my favorite of the flavors that I have tried. However, rather than addressing each flavor in particular, I feel that this time would be better spent discussing the qualities of this sort of beverage in general, as they all tend to have the same features and shortcomings. 

For those unfamiliar with the "genre," malt beverages are brewed (and often fermented) beverages that use malted (sprouted) barley grain as the primary brew ingredient. Traditional beer is the largest example of this sort of drink, but there has been a rising insurrection of these sorts of "flavored beers" appearing on the market over they past few years. I use the term in quotations because Seagram's Escapes and it's competing products are not to be confused with traditional beer that may include flavorings that are added post-brew. Rather, these drinks tend to be vague approximations of the sort of fruity cocktail that one might expect to order at some ramshackle cabana during a particularly hot day at the beach. They lack the savory depth of flavor offered by many ales and lagers, opting instead to pack each sip with so much fruity sweetness that it is hard to taste anything much beyond the bite of the sugar on your tongue.

Now, this is not necessarily to say that they are bad just because they are not really beer. Comparing them to their more painstakingly prepared and carefully engineering counterparts may be a bit unfair, as that is not the image that these drinks try to portray. While many beer breweries strive for complexity, sophistication, and craftsmanship in their presentation, most of the companies that produce these sorts of light and fruity malt beverages aim to offer easy and accessible alcoholic beverages for people who may not like the intensity of stronger beers and spirits. Seagram's is especially specific in their goal for their Escapes line: images of ocean fronts and other equally tranquil locales rest conspicuously behind depictions of freshly sliced fruits, inviting the drinker to enter a world of refreshment and alcoholic relaxation. 

While it may be unfair to hold these more casual "dranks" to the same standards as other alcoholic beverages, my issues with the drinks in question actually stem from inherent problems with the beverages themselves, not the existence of superior or differing products. The first major problem that I find with products like Seagram's Escapes is the excessive sweetness. To me, the sweetness is entirely overbearing, and is more indicative of a sugary soft drink than a brewed malt beverage. The real turnoff, however, comes from the tiny, nagging hint of alcohol in the background. Seagram's Escapes are a particularly strong example of this. Clocking in at a mere 3.2% alcohol by volume, the drink feels confused and busy rather than light and refreshing. What little alcohol that there is in the drink competes with the other flavors in a rather uninteresting and non-cohesive way, and instead of offering a "lighter alcohol experience," it really just serves as a constant reminder that what you are drinking really just does not make sense as an alcoholic beverage. Every time that I drink one of these things, I feel like the companies that make them are just frantically trying to cover up the unappealing taste of generic malt beverage with soda-like qualities, and I often find myself staring at the bottle and wondering why they don't just make them as non-alcoholic soft drinks in the first place. That way, those who really do not like the taste of alcohol could at least use them as chasers.

If you are okay with the taste of generic, fruity beverages and you just want something low-impact to drink at a party, then Seagram's Escapes will likely do in a pinch. Otherwise, they really just aren't worth the calories.

Verdict: Not recommended

Purchased: Bi-Lo [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 11.2 fl oz [330mL]

Price: $1.00 per bottle [discounted]

Neuro Sonic

I have been searching for Neuro for quite some time now, and after I had just about given up on finding it in this part of the country, a nearby gas station suddenly started stocking a few of the flavors. From what I can tell so far, Neuro offers an exceptionally wide variety of very different and interesting products. Rather than sticking to one general theme like most soft drink companies (such as soda, energy drinks, relaxation beverages, etc.), Neuro has decided to just do all of them. Touting the label of "nutritional supplements" rather than "soft drinks," each of Neuro's products has a very different taste and function, and the variety between each offering is truly impressive. Because of this variety, my next few reviews will all be of Neuro products, but I shall start my sampling with Neuro Sonic. 

Neuro Sonic is Neuro's "energy drink." Each bottle contains a proprietary blend of energy-boosting supplements, along with 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin B12, and a surprisingly high 200% daily value of vitamin B6, among others. I have breifly discussed my strange immunity to these sorts of energy enhancers in previous posts, and the same remains true for Neuro Sonic. Although I did not really feel any noticeable boost in energy, I do just feel sort of good after drinking one, which is likely due to the large concentrations of vitamin B. In addition to the energy mixture, Neuro Sonic also includes several other nutritional supplements such as Phosphatidylserine and L-theanine that are said to help support memory and general cognition.

All of this is great, and it is actually very impressive that Neuro has managed to pack so many different supplements into one bottle, but these things are only important if the taste of the beverage actually makes you want to drink it. This is where things start to get a little shaky for Neuro Sonic, as I don't think that the flavor of the drink is likely to have universal appeal. Because there are so many vitamins and supplements in Neuro Sonic, the taste is quite complex and difficult to pin down, but the easiest comparison is that it tastes like chewing up an old-school Flinstones vitamin. While I really like this taste, I know that a lot of people don't, and it makes this a difficult drink to recommend without first "warning" people of the taste. 

So...here is your warning: 

It tastes like a Flinstones vitamin. 

But you should drink it.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Citgo service station [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 14.5 fl. oz. [430mL]

Price: $2.50

Spindrift Sparkling Blackberry

I recently reviewed Spindrift's grapefruit soda, and I liked it a good bit. I really like the natural, "fresh fruit" approach that Spindrift takes with their sodas, and I decided to give the blackberry variety a try, as well. Blackberries are fairly close to grapefruit on my list of favorite fruits, and I was excited to sample Spindrift's take on the fruit. 

Much like the grapefruit variety, the blackberry tastes very, very natural. But this is to be expected, as the drink is made with little more than whole, crushed blackberries and a bit of fresh lemon juice. This means that every element of the blackberry is present in the taste, even down to the slight bitterness of the core of the berry. As I have already said, I really like this approach to beverage production. Many companies (particularly in North America) seem primarily concerned with including only the sweet and "favorable" elements of each particular flavor in their beverages, and although many of these are still very good, there is often something sort of incomplete about the flavor, somehow. The bitter core of the blackberry is an important, unavoidable element of the flavor of eating a fresh berry, and I was absolutely delighted to find it included in the taste of Spindrift's Sparkling Blackberry soda. 

Also like the grapefruit, the taste and sweetness are very faint, like that of an Italian soda. This may be a bit of a turnoff to those who are accustomed to more Western-influenced sodas that are very heavy in both regards, but I find the lightness of Spindrift's drinks to be very refreshing and tasty. Overall, it's just a wonderful beverage from a wonderful company, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Spindrift's flavors in the future.


Verdict: Recommended


Purchased: Earth Fare [Columbia, SC]
Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]
Price: $1.99

Lemmy Sparkling Lemonade

I have been sitting here for quite some time now trying to think of interesting things to say about Lemmy, and I have been met with a surprising amount of difficulty. Lemmy is an old-fashioned sparkling lemonade beverage that has, according to the bottle, been around since 1939. And...well...that's about it. There's really not much to say about it, other than the fact that it has one of the most horrifying product mascots that I've ever seen on a beverage label. I mean, maybe this sort of thing was effective back in the 1940's, and I understand the whole "retro" appeal, but the dated depiction of Lemmy's ravenous, sentient lemon is really just sort of creepy.

Good ol' fashioned nightmare fuel

As far as the taste goes, Lemmy really isn't bad. But it really isn't good, either. The taste is easy and light, and the level of sweetness is actually surprisingly mild for an "old fashioned" soda. But despite seeming to have many of the qualities that normally make a soft drink appealing, there is just something about Lemmy that falls flat. In fact, it is almost completely forgettable. There is nothing in particular that makes Lemmy stand out, and the flavor is so light that it seems almost a little bit unambitious. The lemon flavor is there, but only in pure taste; there are no other elements of natural lemon juice (sourness, acidity, tart sweetness, etc.) that I have come to enjoy in these sorts of beverages. Perhaps my lack of interest in Lemmy is due in part to the fact that I have been drinking so many strong, flavorful citrus drinks as of late, but I think that the bigger issue here is really that Lemmy is just too mild for my tastes.

Like I've already said, there is nothing wrong with Lemmy. It's not bad, and the very light flavor may appeal to those who want the taste of lemon without some of the bolder qualities. But there's no real reason to buy it over anything else. To me, the flavor was not strong enough to justify the sugar and calories. I would rather wait for something more flavorful and just drink water in the meantime. But despite all of this, I would still say that it's definitely worth a try. You may like it a lot better than I did. 

Just...try not to stare at the label for too long. It will consume you.

Verdict: Worth a try

Purchased: World Market [Greenville, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price: $1.99

Sanpellegrino Limonata

A few weeks ago, I gave Sanpellegrino's Pompelmo a very high recommendation. However, I was actually first introduced to Sanpellegrino's line of citrus beverages when I found a Limonata in a convenience store a couple of years ago, and I think that it's time that it shares in the glory of its delicious grapefruit relative.

I think at this point that it's safe for me to say that everything that Sanpellegrino makes is pretty much perfect.   If you like citrus at all, then any of their Italian sodas are almost guaranteed to please. That being said, the Limonata is definitely the most harsh of the flavors that I have tried so far (more on the other two flavors in a later review). But this harshness is actually a good thing, in my opinion. Sanpellegrino's Limonata is very tart and sour, and generally is just more closely related to the taste of actual lemon than most other things that I've had. This tartness may be a turn off to some, as it essentially just tastes like diluted, sparkling lemon juice, rather than the typically sweet and sour taste of most other lemonade drinks. The drink does have a bit of added sugar, but it tastes very sparse, and most of the sweetness is carried through by the fruit itself. I really like the brazen, natural flavor of Sanpellegrino Limonata, and if you like the taste of lemon and aren't afraid of a slightly more brutal and raw take on traditional lemonade, then this is definitely one to try out.

Verdict: Highly Recommended

Purchased: Total Wine and More [Greenville, SC]

Size: 11.15 fl. oz. [330mL]

Price: $4.99 [6-pack]

Spindrift: Sparkling Grapefruit

Although I have only had one of their sodas so far, I think that I am already confident in saying that Spindrift makes excellent beverages. True to their claims of having "a fresh take on soda," each of Spindrift's sodas contains nothing but all natural ingredients. The juices are all comprised of freshly squeezed fruits and crushed berries (no concentrates), and the coloring comes naturally from the fruit used in each drink. The only actual additive is a little bit of cane sugar, but other than that, everything is basically straight from the fruit. This approach results in a very refreshing formula that is reminiscent of something like a light, Italian soda. 

Spindrift's grapefruit flavor is very tasty. The flavor is light and actually somewhat dilute, without being too faint to be considered a soft drink. But this mild dilution actually works very well for Spindrift Grapefruit, as it cuts out a lot of the acidity of the citrus that can sometimes make these sorts of beverages difficult to drink in larger quantities. The balance between the sparkling water and the other ingredients has obviously been very carefully engineered, and it maintains the flavor and bitterness of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice without being overbearing or tart. The amount of added sugar was obviously also very carefully portioned, as it's actually fairly hard to tell that the drink has been sweetened beyond the natural capacity of the grapefruit. 

Everything in Spindrift's Sparkling Grapefruit just tastes like it belongs there. Striking this perfect balance may not seem like the most complicated task in the world, especially given the short list of ingredients. But maintaining simplicity can often be a deceptively complex and difficult process, as there is nothing to distract from mistakes, and any small error or imbalance is immediately apparent. Spindrift is a company that clearly understands this pitfall, and it is evident in the taste that a lot of care and attention was given to the development of their sodas. At this point, I can only speak from limited experience, but I really like the grapefruit, and I can't wait to try more of Spindrift's products.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Earth Fare [Columbia, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price: Somewhere around $2.00 [I'm afraid that I've lost the receipt]

Rieme Traditional Sparkling Limonade

There has always been something fascinating to me about colorless beverages. I'm certainly not opposed to coloring (imagine how boring a grocery store aisle full of completely clear drinks would be), but there is just something strange and other-worldly about a colorless liquid with the flavor of something that is otherwise very colorful. It is especially strange when it comes in a glass bottle; perhaps simply because it is so rare in our modern market of plastic and food coloring. But regardless of the reason, I knew upon first sight of Rieme's Limonade that I would be leaving the store with one.

Rieme is a line of all-natural, French sodas and lemonades. The traditional limonade is a very simple, carbonated lemonade that has a light and pleasantly sweet taste. The lemon flavor is very natural, and is more of an aromatic taste that settles on the back of the throat, rather than on the tongue like a more typical lemon taste. As a result of this, the flavor is not terribly sour, but it still registers in the mind as very "lemony," despite the lack of bite. The level of sweetness is also just right, as it is noticeably sweet without being heavy or thick. In fact, Rieme's Limonade might be one of the most refreshing lemonades that I have had in quite some time. It's crisp, natural, and very easy to drink, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Rieme's other flavors in the future.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Whole Foods Market [Greenville, SC]
Size: 11.18 fl. oz. [330mL]
Price: $1.99

Bruce Cost Unfiltered Ginger Ale

Those of you who have been paying fairly careful attention to this blog for the past couple of years may have witnessed my gradual change in attitude towards strong ginger ales. When I first started the site, I really did not like "hard" ginger ales very much, but over time I have actually come to prefer them. So when I found Bruce Cost's unfiltered ginger ale in World Market, I was very excited to try it.

Although I have had a lot of natural and organic ginger ales (and even a few very powerful unsweetened ginger drinks) in the past, I have never had one with quite as much sedimentary material as Bruce Cost's take on the drink. But this makes a lot of sense, as I think that this is also the first unfiltered ginger ale that I have ever had. I've had plenty of ginger ales that contain ginger solids, but this one has about half an inch of finely ground ginger in the bottom of the bottle. I assumed that because of this, Bruce Cost's Ginger Ale would be extra gingery, but I was somewhat disappointed to find out that it really isn't.

This ginger ale was actually surprisingly sweet for something that contains the destroyed remnants of what appears to have once been a fairly sizable chunk of ginger root. Rather than the olfactory-shattering intensity of truly fresh ginger that I was expecting, I was met instead with a gentle, wafting flavor and a somewhat syrupy sweetness and consistency. This is not to say that it's bad; it's just not the drink that I was anticipating. As far as sweet ginger ales go, this one is pretty good. The sweetness is definitely noticeable, but still non-intrusive enough to be pleasant and easy to drink. It also has the general flavor of fresh ginger, but absolutely none of the bite, so if you like ginger but have a hard time drinking the harsher natural offerings, this may be the ginger ale for you. I much prefer ginger ales with a lot of bite, so I don't know that I would buy this one again, but I definitely think that it's worth a shot.

Verdict: Worth a try

Purchased: World Market [Greenville, SC]

Size: 12 fl oz [355mL]

Price: $1.99

Lehar Evervess

When I picked this drink up during a recent trip to a favorite Indian grocery store of mine, I wasn't really intending on reviewing it. The ingredients are comprised of only carbonated water and salt, making this seem like nothing more than a simple club soda. However, after giving it a try a few days ago, I think that even thought it is just carbonated water, it is still worth mentioning.

I actually really like plain carbonated water, so I don't mean to sound like it isn't worth talking about. In fact, to this day, I still consider Source Perrier to be my all-time favorite beverage. It's just something that I can always drink. I have never not been in the mood for a Perrier. However, although I do drink a lot of soda water, I generally don't talk about them here because there's usually just not enough to say that would differentiate potential reviews from each other. But I was surprised to find out that that's not the case with Lehar Evervess. There is nothing particularly shocking about Lehar; as I said before, it's just unflavored, carbonated water. But what really sets it apart is just how carbonated it is. This is probably one of the fizziest drinks that I have ever had in my life, which I actually found to be pretty exciting. I really like high carbonation, and it's kind of rare that you find something that has this much bite. At times, it almost felt like there were more bubbles in the bottle than there was liquid, and I found the sensation to be exceptionally refreshing. 

I hate to say it, but I think that Perrier may have a severe competitor in Lehar Evervess. Or at least, it would, if only Lehar Evervess was more readily available. If you can track one of these down, I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Purchased: Spices of India [Columbia, SC]

Size: 10.6 fl oz [300mL]

Price: $0.99

Sanpellegrino Pompelmo

As I'm sure many of you have realized by now, I absolutely love grapefruit. It is without a doubt one of my most favorite fruits, and I enjoy just about any drink or recipe that utilizes grapefruit in some way. That being said, I think that I may have found the greatest grapefruit product ever. Until just a few days ago, I was not even aware that Sanpellegrino made a grapefruit beverage. I have seen both the lemon and orange varieties in several different stores now, but for some reason I had assumed that that was where the flavors stopped. I was obviously incorrect, however, and finding the Pompelmo was a very exciting surprise.

Although Sanpellegrino's Pompelmo technically only contains 16% grapefruit juice from concentrate, the flavor is incontestably natural. I don't think that I have ever had a citrus beverage that manages to simultaneously be sweet and completely retain the original taste of the fruit. Despite the drink not being 100% grapefruit juice, it still tastes remarkably like a serving of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. Rather than the sugar acting to cut the bitterness of the grapefruit, it seems to act in unison, causing the drink to be both bitter and sweet. Most of the grapefruit drinks that I have had in the past seem to feel the need to dampen the bitter taste of the grapefruit. While I do still like many of these drinks, the aromatic bitterness of grapefruit is one of the main reasons why I enjoy it so much, and it is nice to see a company that does not feel the need to hide it behind sweeteners and other flavors. 

This drink is just absolutely superb. Everything about it is just right, even down to the level of carbonation in the water. If you like grapefruit, or are a fan of natural, Italian-style sodas, then this is definitely one to pick up.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Purchased: Total Wine and More [Greenville, SC]

Size: 11.15 fl oz [330mL]

Price: $4.99 [6-pack] 

7Up Retro

As far as mainstream lemon-lime sodas are concerned, I have always been somewhat partial to 7Up. There is just something about it that I have always really liked that I've never been able to completely identify. So I was pretty excited when I heard back in early 2011 that Dr Pepper/Seven Up was joining the bandwagon and releasing a limited edition run of 7Up with natural sugar. My excitement was somewhat short-lived, however, as I was never actually able to find the stuff in my area until I came across some surplus cases at a local Big Lots a few weeks ago.  From what I understand, 7Up Retro is not currently being produced at the time of this writing, but may be released again in the future, depending on how well the limited edition (i.e. market test) run performed. 

I have one criticism about 7Up Retro that I feel needs to be addressed right up front. It's difficult to express effectively with words, so I'll just include another picture of the other side of the can.

Just a tip: if you are trying to promote a retro feel for your beverage, it is probably best to avoid slapping a giant logo for a very modern reality show on the side of the can. I know that the drink was introduced on the 2011 season of Celebrity Apprentice and all, but it really just sort of ruins the motif.

Anyway, on to the taste. Overall, 7Up Retro really isn't all that different from it's high fructose corn syrup counterpart. The taste is relatively similar, although it does have a slightly drier sweetness to it, much like most drinks sweetened with natural sugar. It still has that same tasty flavor and level of carbonation as regular 7Up, but ultimately the differences really aren't worth the effort that it would take to track down one of these now. If Dr. Pepper/Seven Up ever decides to do another run of 7Up Retro, it's definitely worth a try, but for now just save yourself some time and stick with what's readily available.

Verdict: Worth a try

Purchased: Big Lots [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price: $2.80 [6 pack, discounted]

Sambazon Lo-Cal Acai Energy Drink

My history with acai-based beverages has been a bit shaky, at best. There have been plenty of acai drinks that I have liked, and an almost equal number of those that I haven't, so I picked up Sambazon's energy drink with a sort of reserved hesitancy. But, in the end, I was glad that I gave it a try, as this one definitely falls into the "have liked" list.

Just as a preliminary note, Sambazon does offer a regular calorie version of their all-natural Amazon Energy concoction. I don't normally go for the low-calorie versions of drinks, as they almost always harness the less tasty power of artificial sweeteners or some form of Stevia. The latter is the case with Sambazon's "lo-cal" energy drink, as some of the evaporated sugar cane juice has been replaced with a Stevia extract alternative. Given my consistently poor history with Stevia, I was fairly worried about trying the low calorie version first, but it was the only option available to me at the time, so I decided to go with it anyway.

And I have to admit, it's really not that bad. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the Stevia actually sort of works with this drink. There are only a few drinks about which I have been able to say that, and Sambazon seems to be one of the companies that really understands that a little bit of Stevia goes a long way. The taste of the acai is also very strong and natural, which I actually found to be very tasty and pleasant on the palette. The acai berry can be a bit strong, as it has a fairly pronounced tartness, and by itself (or when overused in a beverage) it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, Sambazon is really on the ball when it comes to acai (as you would expect from a company that specializes in the fruit), and the mix of ingredients in Amazon Energy creates a very unique and pleasant flavor that is diverse enough to cut the tartness of the acai without detracting from the natural taste of the berry. The acai berry's unique taste is still very present in this drink, but the other ingredients make it more recommendable as a "beverage for everybody" than something like a straight acai juice that is more pure to the source. 

Overall, I think that this is a great drink, especially for those who like the taste of acai. It is strong enough to appeal to fans of the berry, while still being mild enough to appeal to those who may have not yet developed a taste for the fruit. And it's USDA certified organic, to boot. Definitely check this one out.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Big Lots [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz.

Price: $0.60 [Discounted; comparative price of $6.98 for a 4-pack]

Left Hand Stranger Pale Ale

I've had several of Left Hand Brewery's beers at this point, and I have to say that they are all pretty good (especially the milk stout). I have seen Stranger several times in stores in the past, but it was not until recently that I was able to find an individual bottle. It's actually been a while since I've had a pale ale, so this was a nice change of pace from some of the lagers that I've been drinking lately. 

Left Hand's Stranger pale ale is pretty good. It has a strong, dry taste and a bitterness that is almost more like an IPA than a more traditional pale ale, although without the note of citrus in the finish. I generally tend to like beers with a heavy bitterness in the taste, so this is great for me, but the bitterness would definitely be strong enough to put off those who prefer more malty ales.  Stranger also has a harsh but flavorful finish, and the aroma lingers fairly strongly in the aftertaste. Again, this is great for those who like strong pale ales, but is probably not a good fit for those who don't.

Overall, I think that Stranger is a very solid pale ale. I would definitely recommend it, but not without first warning the recommendee of its strength. It's certainly not a beer that I would drink regularly, but I can definitely see myself craving this one again in the future. Also, the art on the label is some of the best that I have ever seen. The sides of the label are significantly cut off in the picture about, so if you ever pass by one of these in a store, definitely take the time to stop and give it a look.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Whole Foods Market [Greenville, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355mL]

Price: $1.99