Jones Candy Cane Soda

Today is the day. More than a month after Christmas, I'm sitting here ready to celebrate with a Jones Candy Cane Soda, the last installment in the Jones Holiday Four Pack I was happy to receive. It is one last taste of the holidays and the most anticipated flavor of the bunch. The reason? Candy cane screams Christmas and on top of that, a peppermint soda? Is it possible? The bigger question, will it be good?

"We elves try to stick to the
 four main food groups. Candy,
candy canes, candy corn,
and syrup" - Buddy

The color of the soda is a faint pink and I've been itching to open this bottle. A recent stint of dentist appointments and an overall need to lose some holiday weight have prevented me from twisting off the top and consuming this beverage but like I said, today is the day. The label is one of the craziest of the bunch: a woman making a face while wearing an elf costume. Nice touch Jones.

The peppermint does not explode from the bottle, but it creeps and suddenly, it is gone and replaced with just a "cooling" fragrance. If you take it away for a second you can get it back, but it is gone again, and back to being just cool. Well, I guess this is what is to be expected from peppermint, and now, I'm a bit worried.

The first sip...well, it is not what I expected. The peppermint, or candy cane flavor, is not overpowering and the subtly is perfect for what a soda should be. Too much peppermint would make it taste like toothpaste, but the hint of peppermint that exists makes it good for a beverage. However, I'm not impressed. Part of me feared that the combination would not work and I feel like I was right. In soda, I want something sweet and this just doesn't deliver. I want to give Jones a perfect 10 for their creativity, even slap them a 10 for creating the flavors in this holiday four pack (I loved that sugar plum soda). For holiday 2012, the candy cane flavor does not get my recommendation, but on a positive note, I have a new holiday tradition: a Jones Holiday 4-Pack.

Overall Taste: 3.0 - It isn't a strong peppermint but peppermint doesn't really work for a soda.
Fizz Factor: 5.0 - It is smooth but not many bubbles.
Appearance: 4.5 - I like the label, the color is a slight red, more pink, but some sort of candy cane swirling label might make this soda more enticing.
Flavor: 2.5 - Just can't do it. Only for those who absolutely love candy canes and even then, go eat one instead.

From the company: 12oz has 180 calories, 44g of carbs, 44g of sugar, and 0g of protein.