Black Medicine Iced Coffee

Pre-bottled coffee drinks were—until Black Medicine—a bit of a tricky subject for me. My experience with commercial coffee beverages has always been aggravatingly "samey." Pretty much every bottled coffee drink that I've had suffers from the same underlying "bottled coffee" taste that makes it a bit hard to get excited about new coffee beverages when I see them on store shelves. Luckily, I now have a notable exception to the standard—a drink that I am more than happy to say has reformed my pre-conceived notions about the potential of the bottled coffee market segment.  

Black Medicine is a fantastic new bottled iced coffee from a small but growing Californian brewing company of the same name. It breaks the iced coffee stereotypes in a lot of different ways, the most immediately noticeable of which being the packaging. Black Medicine is presented as a very mature, "grown up" coffee. There's nothing artificially catchy or "hipster-friendly" about the drink: no slogans or puns or trite comments about how crazy your buzz is going to be after you drink it. The marketing is not over-engineered to appeal to the coffee crowd, nor is it caught up in expressing the individuality of the beverage. It is a simply a high-quality coffee presented as such—a welcome change in a world of often over-marketed, hype-driven beverages.

The bottle itself feels great in the hand, too. The design resembles that of a standard beer bottle—all the way down to the brown-hued glass, narrow neck, and unthreaded metal cap. The sophisticated look of the bottle is great from a visual perspective, but its "beer-like" appearance may cause some hesitation in certain social and business environments. I walked into my campus library with one of these in my hand a few days ago, and it elicited some pretty suspicious glances from several of the security guards. Although it did cause me a moment's worry, this design is actually a pretty smart move. It definitely gets eyes focused on the bottle. But you may just want to be prepared to answer a few astonished questions if you plan on showing up to your next board meeting with a bottle of Black Medicine in tow.

As far as taste is concerned, Black Medicine is by far the finest bottled coffee that I've had in quite some time. I would not really consider myself a seasoned coffee expert, as I've only really been drinking the stuff for the past year or two, but I have tasted enough bottled coffee drinks in the past to know that Black Medicine exists on a different tier of quality than most of its cream and sugar-laden competitors. It is a different product altogether—a product that represents a commitment to quality and an appreciation of nuance rather than just another attempt to appeal to the less demanding preferences of the average morning commuter.

Black Medicine is hot-brewed from a combination of three carefully-selected and distinct coffee beans. As a result, the flavor of the coffee is complex and interesting while remaining pleasant and well-balanced. The primary flavor of the coffee has a "toasted" quality that reminds me of a barley-centric stout or porter. The flavor is described on the Black Medicine website as being "fruit-forward," and it's definitely true. The taste on your tongue has noticeable traces of fruitiness that balance well with the more aromatic roasted flavors, making Black Medicine a delicious experience no matter how you prefer to drink your coffee. As the name suggests, it does come unsweetened. This is fine with me, as I already prefer my coffee black, but I think that many who try the drink will find Black Medicine flavorful enough on its own to not require the sweetening that our collective societal palate has come to expect. The team at Black Medicine has managed to achieve a flavor profile that is diverse and complicated enough to intrigue long-time coffee enthusiasts while remaining gentle and approachable enough to also appeal to the less frequent coffee drinker—a difficult task that deserves considerable recognition.

Those looking for a pick-me-up won't be disappointed with Black Medicine, either. Because of the unique (and proprietary) way that Black Medicine is brewed, the makers are able to extract more caffeine from the beans. Each serving of Black Medicine contains up to 50% more caffeine than a similar size serving of regular coffee, making it a great choice for those times when you just need to get some things done. Additionally, Black Medicine features an added portion of Vitamin C (15% of the daily recommended value) that helps sweeten an already appealing pot for the health-conscious energy seeker who wants to avoid the dubious contents of most of the other offerings from the conventional energy drink market.   

My only complaint about Black Medicine is that, at least for me, it is a lot of coffee in one serving. I have a strange sensitivity to coffee that triggers abdominal cramping and indigestion if I drink too much at one time. Black Medicine's 12 oz. serving size is about 4 oz. above my tolerance, making it hard—or at least unwise—for me to enjoy the entire beverage in one go. Normally, this would not even be an issue worth mentioning, as there are plenty of drinks that I prefer to finish in multiple servings. However, Black Medicine's standard metal bottle cap means that the drink is not easily resealable once it has been opened. This is not a huge concern, and I don't know that I would want the cap any other way (it's a big part of the look of the drink), but I do know that I am not alone in my preference to drink smaller portions of coffee, so the "one-shot" nature of the bottle is just something to keep in mind if you don't intend to finish the drink in a single sitting. It may be a good idea to bring a reusable bottle or other sealable container along with you so that you can preserve the flavor for as long as possible between servings.

Black Medicine is great however you choose to drink it, whether it be straight from the bottle, poured over ice, mixed with cream and sugar, or even heated up in the microwave. I've tried it every way but hot, and it worked well with every serving style. I really like this one a lot, and I am always happy to have my initial reservations about a drink (or type of drink) proven wrong. Black Medicine is a gleaming example of bottled coffee done right, and I recommend wholeheartedly that you track one down and give it a try.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Samples sent courtesy of Black Medicine.

For more information about Black Medicine and their upcoming news and products, as well as information about how to purchase Black Medicine, visit their official website.

Or follow Black Medicine on Facebook and Twitter.     

Victoria's Kitchen Licorice/Mint Almond Water

As many of you know by now, I absolutely love Victoria's Kitchen almond water. Although I was hesitant to try it at first, I fell in love with their original sweet almond water immediately after the first bottle, and then enjoyed the coconut flavor just as much. It would make sense, then, that I was very excited when Victoria's Kitchen offered to send me a sample pack of their newest flavor: licorice/mint.

Having finally learned from my unfounded hesitancy to try the last two flavors, I went into this one without the slightest hint of doubt, and I was not disappointed. I have been very impressed with Victoria's Kitchen so far, and this new flavor is no exception. This is not something that I say very often—even to myself—but I can honestly say that this is one of the best drinks that I have had in quite some time.

Much like with the Almond Water Coconut, the formula of the Almond Water Licorice/Mint is not drastically different from the normal taste of the unflavored almond water. Rather, the flavors are layered into the existing body of the almond water, being sure never to overtake the aromatic flavor of the almonds in the drink. This is fairly impressive, given that licorice and mint are also very aromatic flavors that have a natural tendency to overpower whatever ingredients with which they are paired. It is clear that a lot of time and attention went into getting the flavors just right while still staying true to the original vision of their all-natural almond water taste. The mint and licorice are both very present on the olfactory at first, lingering just long enough to give you the impression of the flavor before mostly dissipating into the tastefully balanced sweetness of the almond water. This may seem odd to some—the idea of a vanishing flavor—but I find that I really enjoy the effect. It offers a variety of independent but cooperative flavor experiences that allows each taste to be picked out and clearly identified, while still contributing to one complete and satisfying whole. Each return to the bottle actively encourages the drinker to keep taking "one more sip" to fully recognize everything that is going on in the beverage. Then, before you are really aware of how much you have consumed, your almond water is gone.

I really like this drink. If my interests were consistent and determinant enough to actually maintain a steady "top beverages" list, I have no doubt that this one would rank very, very high. The drink is made complex with simple ingredients, is interesting while still maintaining an "anytime drink" appeal, and is thoroughly refreshing (in the literal sense) without sacrificing flavor. And, as if there weren't enough positives, each bottle is naturally only 100 calories. While I have had combinations of licorice and mint in foods and candies in the past, this is the first time that I have ever experienced the pairing in a beverage, and after the stellar example set by Victoria's Kitchen, I hope that we start to see more companies experimenting with the flavors in the future. Everything from Victoria's Kitchen is sure to satisfy, but if you are stuck on which of their products to try first, this is definitely the best so far.

In other words, this one has my highest of recommendations. I can't wait to see what's next from Victoria's Kitchen.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Samples sent courtesy of Victoria's Kitchen, LLC.
For more information about Victoria's Kitchen, visit them online at:
www.victoriaskitchenrecipes.com
Or follow Victoria's Kitchen on Facebook or Twitter

Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA

Having a beverage review site on which one reviews all sorts of beverages can be, at times, surprisingly limiting in terms of approaching highly "technical" beverages. While I have allowed myself the freedom to review whatever sort of beverages I choose, my lack of any sort of formal system or grading rubric sometimes comes back to bite me when it comes time to review drinks as complex as Bear Republic's Racer 5 IPA. The industry-specific terminology required to "adequately" describe the experience of drinking a Racer 5 would be a harsh departure from my typical writing style—a departure that I'm not sure would fit within the confines of my rather amateur reviewing persona. So, for now, I will do what justice I can to this incredible beverage with my only mildly relevant opinions. 

Bear Republic's Racer 5 IPA is a superb beer. As I'm sure that I have alluded to before, India Pale Ale is currently my favorite type of beer, so I jump at the opportunity to try as many as I can. I first had Racer 5 about a year and a half ago at a bar in Columbia, SC, and I immediately fell in love with it. I quickly realized, however, that Racer 5 is apparently a bit hard to find in this particular area of the states, and I did not see it again until I stumbled across it at a beer and wine store in Asheville (North Carolina) several weeks ago. I am very glad that I did, too, because I had sort of forgotten during the interim just how good Racer 5 actually is.

The flavor of Racer 5 is actually sort of hard to explain. It is very complex, and the flavors shift over the course of each sip in such a way that pinning down one particular, descriptive flavor element is difficult. Because Racer 5 is an IPA, the hops are very present. However, they are such in a more mild way than other sorts of similar beers. IPAs are typically much more bitter than other kinds of beer, but Racer 5 manages to be bitter without actually "being bitter." It's a difficult concept to explain, now that I have actually sat down to do so. The bitterness is just more ambient than it usually is in other India pale ales; it's certainly there, but the hops aren't as strong on the tongue. If you like the flavor of a good IPA, but are regularly put off by the often extreme bitterness that lingers in the aftertaste, Racer 5 will suit you quite nicely.

The thing that interests me most about Racer 5 is that, while it is a bitter IPA, it is much more malty than other beers of its type. The malts come through very strongly both in the body of the beer and in the aftertaste, but they evolve as they do so. The beer starts off with a hint of sweetness on the tongue, but as the flavors progress the sweetness dissipates and moves in to a very "grainy" malt taste. The malt combines with the natural flavors of the grains used in the brew, resulting in a very interesting and constantly shifting flavor that will surprise you with something new and intriguing all the way down to the bottom of the glass. 

Overall, this is just an excellent beer. I have found that some of the best (or at least, most interesting) drinks that I have had have been the ones that result in a "you just have to try this one for yourself" verdict, and this one is definitely one of those beverages. Bear Republic's Racer 5 is great, and you should really try it sometime.

Verdict: Highly Recommended

Purchased: Weinhaus [Asheville, NC]

Size: 22 fl. oz. [650mL]

Price: $4.99

Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water Coconut

When Victoria's Kitchen first contacted me about sending me some samples of their new Coconut Almond Water, I must admit that I was a bit...concerned. I very much enjoy their plain almond water, but my recent beverage history is riddled with bad experiences with coconut waters, and the last thing that I wanted to do was share another negative post about a new coconut something - particularly one from a company as competent as Victoria's Kitchen. This, as I found out immediately upon opening the bottle and taking my first sip, was a silly concern - one that almost makes me feel a bit presumptuous in retrospect. While I am ashamed to admit that I have now officially doubted Victoria's Kitchen two times in a row, I am also excited to be able to report that my preconceived notions about a beverage have never been more wrong.

In my original review of Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water, I actually touched upon my initial hesitation toward the drink due to its conceptual resemblance to coconut water. It's sort of funny, then, that the first foray into expanding the Victoria's Kitchen product line would contain coconut, but I'm very glad that it does. Victoria's Kitchen's Coconut Almond Water does not actually contain any of the all-overwhelming coconut water that I was afraid of, but rather uses a delicious and natural coconut flavoring on top of their already very solid almond water foundation. All of the original traits of the almond water are still there, but this time with the addition of a new tropical taste.

Coconut is one of those flavors that is fairly difficult to actually get right. While I enjoy the taste of coconut a good bit, I have definitely had plenty of beverages touting coconut as a main ingredient that were either overwhelmed by the flavor, tasted artificial or were just not very good representations of the various subtleties of coconut's relatively complex taste. Coconut is a complicated taste to match with other things, and then even harder to proportion after a pairing has been reached, but Victoria's Kitchen has gotten it just right. There is just enough taste of the coconut in the beverage to be noticeable without overpowering the almond water base, and the light sweetness of the drink really helps to bring the two flavors together. On top of the drink being very well-balanced, the coconut flavoring is also very natural and tastes like the actual meat of a coconut fruit, rather than the candied, unchewable confectionery flakes with which the term "coconut" has unfortunately become so synonymous. All in all, this is a very tasty twist on an already very tasty beverage.

While I never would have guessed that almond and coconut would have gone well together, Victoria's Kitchen has demonstrated very clearly that they do. The coconut brings an extra element to the almond water that gives the beverage a slightly more interesting level of appeal (the combination of flavors may actually be an easier sell to less adventurous, non-almond-loving friends), while at the same time enhancing the taste of the original drink and punching up the uniquely impossible to describe taste (I've resorted to calling it "roasted," but even that isn't quite right) of fresh almonds. If you like almonds or coconut or things that taste fantastic, you will love Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water Coconut.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Samples sent courtesy of Victoria's Kitchen, LLC.
For more information about Victoria's Kitchen, visit them online at:
www.victoriaskitchenrecipes.com
Or follow Victoria's Kitchen on Facebook or Twitter

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

Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water

This is a drink that - although I am ashamed to admit it - I was ready to dislike when I bought it. When I found it on the shelf at World Market, my immediate reaction was to remember my overwhelmingly negative experience so far with coconut water, and foolishly assume for no particular reason that almond water would be similar. I subsequently tried to ignore the drink at first, while at the same time knowing that my always pervasive curiosity would not allow me to leave the store without one. As expected, I did end up purchasing a Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water, and I could not be more happy to say that my hesitation was completely unwarranted.

Thankfully, almond water bears no resemblance at all to the salty strangeness of coconut water. Rather, it is quite the opposite. Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water is made from a minimal amount of all natural ingredients: water, pure cane sugar, natural almond flavor, citric acid, and - according to the label - a lot of love. This simpleness is reflected in the drink's taste, as the very natural almond flavor assumes the forefront of the taste with the same gentle mildness that is so common of most almond-based things. The taste is mild and easy and is sweetened just enough to give the drink a very inviting, "always appropriate" appeal. Even those who are not necessarily fans of almond would do well to give this one a try, as the flavor is so pleasant and unoffensive that I have a difficult time imagining anyone actually disliking this drink.

I wish that there was more to say about Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water, but as a testament to the drink's simplicity, there really isn't. It is just very good. It's light, extremely refreshing, and gets its point across without being overbearing, both in flavor and marketing. There are no unproven health benefits touted on the bottle, and Victoria's Kitchen does not act like the drink will change your life in some dramatic manner like many all-natural beverage companies tend to do. The drink is simply allowed to be what it is: a deliciously unique almond beverage that you really should try at your earliest convenience.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Purchased: World Market [Greenville, SC]

Size: 16 fl. oz. [473mL]

Price Paid: $2.49

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]

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]

Beefeater 24

Beefeater 24 is excellent gin. I am already a pretty avid fan of Beefeater as it is (I would say that it is my favorite gin of what I have had so far), so my thoughts on their more premium artisan cut might be a bit biased. But sometimes that is okay, especially when the product is just undeniably good, anyway.

The first thing that I noticed about Beefeater 24 was its unexpected smoothness. While Beefeater's regular London Dry Gin is already fairly smooth, it still has a fairly strong kick. Beefeater 24, however, is not quite as strong. At first, it seems like it will be, as the alcohol tends to sting the lips and the front of the mouth. But the bite is very quick, and the sting dissipates almost immediately without moving on to the back of the palette. All of the bite remains in the front of the mouth, allowing the aroma to settle unprohibited in the back of the throat. And this is a good thing, because the taste is very pleasant. The flavor is mild yet intricate, and Beefeater's mix of botanicals blends very well with the juniper-rich spirit. 

The mildness of Beefeater 24 stems from the slow distillation process after which the blend was named. The 12 botanicals used in Beefeater 24 are steeped together with the spirit for a full 24 hours before distillation, which gives the gin a uniquely smooth and homogeneous flavor. Although this process is used for all Beefeater gin, what really sets Beefeater 24 apart is the inclusion of three extra botanical ingredients that are not found in the standard product: Japanese sencha tea, aromatic Chinese green tea, and grapefruit peel. While Beefeater 24 is not wildly different from regular Beefeater, these three ingredients do give the premium cut a more unique and robust flavor profile.

Beefeater 24 is very, very good. The flavor is pleasant and interesting, and the more mild taste and less powerful sting is likely to make this one a much easier sell to those who do not normally drink gin. It is clear that the selection and proportioning of the added botanical ingredients was considered very carefully, as the  extra flavors are present and evident without standing out, and they contribute to the taste without taking anything away from the original formula. It feels like the three new ingredients belonged in the formula all along, and I definitely think that Beefeater 24 is worth the extra money.

And it certainly doesn't hurt that the bottle is absolutely gorgeous.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Purchased: Total Wine and More [Greenville, SC]

Size: 750mL

Price: $24.99

Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin

Bombay Sapphire is a very good gin. Although my overall experience with gin up to this point has been more limited than that of a true connoisseur (I have only had two years and a very limited budget with which to try this sort of stuff so far), but it is still not difficult to tell that Bombay Sapphire is a premium gin not only in comparison to the competition, but also in its own well-established right. I am, in general, a fan of strong, full-bodied liquors that have a lot of bite while still presenting a complex and flavorful aroma that melds well with the sting of the alcohol, and Bombay Sapphire's Vapour Infused London Dry Gin is a superb example.

The flavor of Bombay Sapphire is very complex, and it utilizes so many different botanicals (such as angelica, orris root, and cassia bark, just to name a few) that it is difficult to identify any one specific flavor, aside from the juniper. It is not uncommon for beverages that includes so many different ingredients to end up tasting busy or lost in their own variety, but this is not the case with Bombay Sapphire. All of the flavors meld together perfectly into one complicated but consistent "all-flavor" that tantalizes the palette with every sip. This is due largely to Bombay Sapphire's relatively unique vapor-infusion method. Rather than boiling the botanicals directly in the spirit (a more commonly used method), Bombay Sapphire suspends the botanical ingredients above the spirit in copper baskets. The heated vapors from the spirit base then rise and release the flavors of the botanicals into the gaseous spirit before it is condensed back into liquid form. This is said to give the gin a more unified and balanced flavor, and the taste certainly speaks to the validity of the process.

Overall, this is an excellent gin. It is tasty, dry, and highly-flavorful, all while maintaining just the right amount of bite. The bite of the alcohol is just strong enough to constantly remind you that you are drinking a distilled spirit without interfering with the taste in the slightest. Bombay Sapphire is just great, and has definitely worked its way toward the top of my list of favorite spirits.

Verdict: Highly Recommended

Purchased: Frugal's ABC [Greenwood, SC]

Size: various

Price: $24.99 [750mL]

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

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

Braswell's Select Blueberry Black Tea

Although I did not review any of the others, this is not the first Braswell's tea that I have had. As is likely with most people who pick one of these up, I was originally attracted to Braswell's drink because of the unconventional packaging. Each Braswell's Tea comes packaged in a fancy, reusable glass topped with a jar-style lid, which gives the drink a very "homemade" feel. The lid is designed to be removed and thrown away, so (for those who were wondering) the glass wouldn't really function as the jam jars that it is clearly intended to emulate, but the unconventional lid does allow for a natural threadless glass design. The labels on the front and back are also made to peel straight off and don't leave any annoying adhesive mess behind, making Braswell's container perfect for reuse. 

Braswell's Blueberry Black Tea is...well, it's very fruity. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the blueberry flavor is quite natural and refreshing, but I really couldn't taste very much of the tea in this drink. I was hoping for the flavors to be more balanced, but the taste of the blueberry completely overpowers whatever hint of tea may have once been in the beverage. Although this was a little bit disappointing, I have to say that I really did still enjoy the drink. From what I've experienced, blueberry tends to be a tricky flavor, and I have had a lot of blueberry-themed drinks that were either way too strong and sweet, or too diluted to really taste. But Braswell's has found a very happy medium, as the blueberry is prominent and sweet, but still light enough to be refreshing and very easy to drink. 

Although I did like Braswell's Blueberry Black Tea, I would be likely to recommend some of the other flavors first (I especially like the pomegranate blackberry tea) before I got around to this one. Overall, this is a great drink, but I was somewhat disappointed that the tea was not more noticeable. However, if you like blueberries, this is definitely one to try out.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Whole Foods Market [Greenville, SC]

Size: 11 fl oz [325mL]

Price: Somewhere around $2.99 [I have since lost the receipt]

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

Magnolia Vanilla Lemonade

I was rather surprised when I found this in the store while shopping for groceries a few days ago. I'm not entirely sure why surprise was my immediate reaction, but I suppose that combining vanilla and lemon had simply never occurred to me before. In fact, the longer I think about it, the more I realize how few beverages (or foods, for that matter) that I have had that actually combine the two. I'm sure that I've had some drinks that contain both lemon and vanilla, but never as the lone, primary ingredients. 

That being said, I wasn't really sure what to anticipate from Magnolia's somewhat peculiar concept. But what I can be sure of is how well the flavors ended up working together. I often find that the amount of vanilla or vanilla flavoring used in vanilla-centric beverages often tends to make a lot of them taste unnecessarily sweet, but Magnolia has struck an almost perfect concentration. The taste of the vanilla is present, but light, and acts to cut some of the acidity of the all-natural lemonade. The lemonade itself is very good, but it definitely has that natural lemon tartness that can start to feel sort of caustic in larger quantities. Although I really liked this drink, I had to drink it in several small servings. I absolutely love natural juices, and there are very few flavors that I enjoy more than fresh citrus, but I really just couldn't handle much more than five ounces of Magnolia's Vanilla Lemonade at a time before my mouth started to feel dry and I had to cap the rest for later. And that's not to say that this is necessarily a bad thing; I just thought that it was worth mentioning.

Overall, I thought that this was a surprisingly good drink. The lemonade, although fairly tart, is quite tasty, and I really liked the addition of the vanilla. Magnolia's Vanilla Lemonade is a simple, yet unique twist on the traditional lemonade approah, and if you like either of the two flavors, this is definitely one to check out.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Bi-Lo [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 16 fl oz [473mL]

Price: $1.79