Zeb's Country Store Raspberry Lime-Rickey and FOTB Melissa

Readers of the blog might remember the name Melissa from earlier posts. She was able to snag the very cool picture of Mike's (from Mike & Ike) wonderful graffiti art. Her contributions to this blog go far beyond photography. She is a constant supplier of candy information, keying me in on some of the latest news, as well as an extremely thoughtful individual, always one to surprise me with a special gift of a unique soda or candy. Sometimes that gift is a plethora of leftover Halloween candy. For this, and so much more, I thank Friend of the Blog Melissa.

This post will double as appreciation and a soda review. Thanks to Melissa, I have a bottle of Zeb's Country Store Raspberry Lime-Rickey that I'm about to enjoy while watching the Red Sox in the ALDS. Zeb's Country Store is a wonderful little place in North Conway, NH, that sells an incredible selection of sugary goodness. I can't say too much about the store itself because Zeb's deserves its own week dedicated to its candy selection and numerous flavors of branded sodas. For now, I will focus on the Raspberry Lime-Rickey.

Only one other rickey has been reviewed on this blog, with unfavorable results. My expectations were not low going into this review but I didn't expect what I got. Zeb's Raspberry Lime-Rickey is refreshing, fruity, and contains a noticeable carbonation that feels as if the bubbles themselves are the vehicle that delivers the raspberry bite. The soda is very smooth and the color, a cherry red, moves almost like a syrup. This is when you notice that this rickey is really sweet due to a whopping 44g of sugar! Not that this is a bad thing. The rickey is worth it. If this is the first taste testing of Zeb's array of flavors then I surely have a lot of delicious beverages in my future.

Overall Taste: 8.7 - A true surprise and sweet beyond its years. The smell rifles out of the bottle when you bring it to your face.
Fizz Factor: 6.5 - Another surprise as the bubbles are there from start to finish.
Appearance: 7.5 - OK so the label is not overly exciting but the clear bottle gives an open view of the dazzling red liquid inside.
Flavor: 8.0 - The raspberry is evident and the sweetness sticks to your mouth...which is all that sugar.

From the company: 12 oz has 180 calories, 0g of fat, 44g of carbs, 44g of sugar and 0g of protein.
From Jared: So worth it.

Arizona Cherry Lime Rickey

Last week while at my nearest convenience store a young man asked the local merchant to begin carrying Arizona Cherry Lime Rickey. My inquisitiveness about this new beverage was quickly answered as the young man pulled an enormous, colorful can from his pocket, informing the cashier he had purchased this down the street. I thought little of the exchange until I saw the can at a 7-Eleven, the only location these new drinks are available, while working yesterday.

"How dare you interrupt my lime rickey!"
- Mr. Burns

First, and most obvious, impression is the size of the can: 23.5 oz and 695 ml. For a carbonated beverage this is a little large for my one serving tastes. The can design is extremely unique, created by Kenny Vidinich, winner of a contest for the cherry lime rickey's big can design contest. The swirling greens and reds on the can sweeping across the Brooklyn Bridge really helped set this can apart while the bubbly cherries and halved limes found bouncing around hint at the unique flavor contained within.

The name speaks for itself. Exactly as prescribed, this is a cherry lime rickey with a strong lime aftertaste. Initially, I believed there would be a really bubbly first bite, but the drink is smooth. With it being cherry, and not raspberry, that little kick of bitter that raspberry sodas tend to give is absent. But the lime is definitely there, taking right over after the liquid hits your lips. At halfway through the soda, I'm still trying to peg the taste as it's something I've never experienced. At halfway through the soda, I'm also starting to fill and the drink is slowly getting warmer.

That is the major drawback of the big cans. Too big for a guy like me, who would prefer to open and consume two smaller containers than one large one. I think the soda stays fresher. But with Arizona Cherry Lime Rickey only being available in the big cans, I had to make do. I definitely recommend trying the beverage but it's availability is questionable, so get to your local 7-Eleven soon to pick one up and help celebrate Arizona's 20th Anniversary with their new flavor.

Overall Taste: 6.5 - Unique, but a little flat, with a much stronger lime than cherry

Fizz Factor: 5.0 - Not much fizz but a smoother drink than soda

Appearance: 8.5 - The can is huge, but the design in marvelous, and reminds me of graffiti

Flavor: 7.0 - A must try but it's doubtful to become a regular choice of mine

From the company: 8 oz has 70 calories, 0g of fat, 19g of carbs, 18g of sugar and 0g of protein. The big cans hold about 3 servings (23.5 oz)