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I've been doing research on these for a while. Or should I say, taste-testing. Buying, taste-testing, rebuying, and tasting in side-by-side comparisons, etc... You know how it goes (or maybe not, but if you've experienced one of my tastings, you know what I'm talking about). Okay, so there's been a huge surge in sparkling drinks and 'natural' pops in the last few years, starting all the way back with La Croix. And now, it's mostly Olipops and Poppi's I'm seeing everywhere. I thought I'd share my favorites with you. I haven't tried everything out there because there's still an ingredient standard I have...I also recognize that beverages like this are not something I drink all the time. Okay, here it goes:
La Croix - I like how bubbly they are, but it always tastes like the can itself to me.
Spindrift - I generally like their ingredient list, but the aluminum can taste still comes through way too much.
Olipop - I could talk about these for days! I've tried almost every flavor...
Vintage Cola: this is one of my favorites. It tastes like a lighter, less syrupy version of pop I used to drink growing up (well, until about seventh grade, that is).
Strawberry Vanilla: if I hadn't had the next flavor on the list, I think I'd like this one second best.
Cherry Vanilla: I like this one on it's own or mixed half and half with vintage cola!
Orange Squeeze: I was hoping to have this flavor take me back to middle school days, but it just didn't quite do it.
Classic Grape: My first can of this grape did take me back to middle school days. The law of diminishing returns applied to my experience with this flavor, though!
Tropical Punch: It definitely tasted how I expected it to taste, but that is not a flavor I really enjoy.
Ginger Lemon: flavor is fine, just tastes watered down to me and more like a sparkling water than a pop/soda alternative.
Lemon Lime: this tastes closer to a true soda alternative, but wasn't something I wanted more than a few sips of.
Doctor Goodwin: the flavor is good, but I'd like it more robust.
Cream Soda: this has never been a fave flavor of mine, but it did taste just like cream soda and my husband happily finished it!
Root Beer: this is good, I just wish it was stronger!!!
Cherry Cola: This SKU was only available on the dot com store, although I did make a request for my local store to bring it in. It's pretty good--and I'm glad, since I purchased a whole case (can't buy individual cans on the website). I think that if I had to make a choice, half cherry vanilla + vintage cola are a premium cherry cola mix for me.
Watermelon Lime: I didn't know what to expect with this, but wow! It is really strong on the watermelon, but tastes pure and real. I could only find this flavor online, but glad I picked up a case. It goes really well with tacos.
Ginger Ale: To my surprise, they came out with a new ginger flavor! This one is really good...and since my favorite ginger drink ever is not available in stores any more, this is my next favorite! I share about it more in this post. Use my affiliate code: SATIATEDBLONDE at Olipop checkout!
(Watermelon Lime + Cherry Cola)
De La Calle Tepache - Here's another I've tried many flavors of, but the fermented pineapple base is just not for me, unfortunately. My favorite was the spicy mango one, however, and my husband likes them a lot!
Poppi - I've tried almost every flavor of these. The thing is, there is a huge change on the palate in every variety. The first part of the taste is like, wow! Then, I think it's the stevia that just hits me too much and the flavor turns me off. These are more like sparkling waters than soda alternatives in the base, for me anyways. My husband likes them, and lots of other people, too...they're just not for me.
What's your favorite fizzy drink? Tell me in the comments and as always, #GetSatiated.
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