Mountain Dew Launches Kickstart

This is news to me. A breakfast drink, in this case, a soda. Mountain Dew recently unveiled a new beverage named Kickstart, intended to be a morning drink. The beverage comes in bright orange cans and due to the oversized cans, has the appearance of an energy drink despite the company stating it does not consider Kickstart to be an energy drink. For more information on Mountain Dew Kickstart, please click the link to be taken to a story on Yahoo.

Of course I will have to try this but for right now, I'll stick with my 9AM can of Coke.

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.

Jason Mecier Does Channing Tatum in Mike & Ikes

While on BuzzFeed today, I saw a portrait of Channing Tatum done in Mike & Ikes (the individual who posted the picture commented "Get it, because Magic Mike." Click here to view the portrait.

The portrait was done by an artist, Jason Mecier, who has done other works in candy. They are truly amazing and the candy combinations used to create patterns and colors blows my mind. Check out his candy works gallery here, and if you do, make sure to stop by the Red Vines series. Incredible.

Mexican Pepsi: Hecho en Mexico

Being up early in my town affords a few perks, one of them being access to a delicious deli/market that is open until noon on Sundays. Stopping in there last week to grab some of the best chicken tenders ever, I peered into the cooler to spot glass bottles of Pepsi. Mexican Pepsi. There was no mistaking the thin bottles, wrapped in a more classic label on a field of white, containing my favorite soda of all time in its foreign version. My excitement was so high I almost paid for items that were not even mine at the checkout.

Fast forward to today. Those two bottles from last week are long gone, but this past Sunday I was able to grab a few more and feel like a review is in order, mainly for one reason: while the difference in tastes between Mexican Coca-Cola and U.S. Coca-Cola is slight, the difference between U.S. Pepsi and it's southern cousin is tangible. The first sip is dull and does not pop. It does not creep into the back of your eyes like a U.S. Pepsi does, nor does it run over the tongue and cool as it flows. The taste is almost completely different and is similar to traditional cane sugar, or botanical, sodas.

If only U.S. Pepsi looked this good...

In a pure head to head, U.S. Pepsi is far superior. It has more carbonation, a fuller flavor, and feels slightly thinner. The lack of carbonation in the Mexican Pepsi is killing me! I just swirled it around the bottle and nothing! Not a bubble. No fizz

I'm being harsh on the Mexican soda but it is warranted. This sample is making me see that maybe outside the U.S., people don't have access to the good Pepsi, the one with corn syrup and not cane sugar. I was raised on the taste of Pepsi and the Mexican flavor just doesn't cut it.

Jones Ginger Bread

I built a ginger bread house once, during the only Christmas I remember spending with extended family, my aunt and uncle and cousins in upstate New York. It is a fond memory, and I'm much more fond of the memory than the taste of ginger bread itself. I have little expectations for this soda.

"Ok, I'll tell you...Do you
know...the Muffin Man?"
 - Gingerbread Man

Twisting the top (oh yes, Jones are glass bottle twist tops), I get a whiff of cinnamon. I'm surprised...not slightly, but greatly surprised that my anticipation for drinking this beverage just skyrocketed. The ginger bread aroma smacks me in the face and my lips literally lunge to take that first sip and it is an amazing first sip. It is complete ginger bread and an instant reminder of holiday cookies. The soda is creamy and while the carbonation is mild, that lacking adds to the soda's appeal by giving an enhanced smoothness.

As I imbibe more I get a little concerned that the taste will lose its luster and the appeal will fade because that happens with many special flavor sodas. While the soda does, the drop off is not immense and I never bore with the taste. It is a filling soda and one that needs to be sipped, but it brings a solid taste all the way through. My initial reservations on this flavor have been overturned and in this third sampling from Jones Holiday 4-Pack I've found a taste to revisit each year. Here's to hoping Jones puts this back on the shelves for Christmas 2013!

Overall Taste: 6.3 - Surprising, and what you could call a must have for ginger bread fans.

Fizz Factor: 3.5 - No bubbles? No problem.

Appearance: 7.0 - Again for Jones, the color of the soda is something to marvel. Like the perfect purple for the plum, the transparent hint of yellow for the pear, the ginger bread is a natural brown, almost like a cream soda color but missing that honey/golden touch.

Flavor: 6.3 - Perfect ginger bread. Wouldn't have thought to make it a soda, but it works.

 

From the company: 12 oz has 190 calories, 0g of fat, 47g of carbs, 47g of sugar, and 0g of protein.

Jones Pear Tree

Second up in our review of Jones Holiday 4-Pack is Pear Tree. I figured to continue on the fruit theme and go with the Pear Tree. For some reason, Candy Cane is the most anticipated flavor for me, I am saving that for last, so the Pear Tree fits perfectly for today, January 1st, 2013.

                                              

With the success of the Sugar Plum, I have high expectations for this one. This time I won't forget to relate my feelings on the bottle. Again, this one has a picture label, a snowman (a female snowperson by looks of her bikini), which is perfect for the holiday season, but also fits into a winter theme. The soda itself reminds me of the plum, in the sense that the plum was a faint purple, the pear is an almost clear yellow, mimicking the natural pear interior.

The pear bites right after turning the screw top, but it's not a burst like the plum. The pear flavor is spot on but this soda lacks some of the carbonation to give the flavor a bit of an extra kick. That, for lack of a better term, flatness, fits a pear but makes for a flavor that is appealing only it's uniqueness, unless the drinker is a big fan of pear flavored anything. I am coming off very negative for this soda but the reality is that I enjoyed it. It was something different, and probably a flavor that no other distributor will duplicate. Pear Tree is a strong part of the Holiday 4-Pack and an interesting flavor, but not something that will find its way into my regular soda rotation.

"I want my 35 cents back. Charlie,
give him the pear." - Mac
"I can't. I just ate it." - Charlie

Overall Taste: 5.5 - Better than average, but pear might not be the best flavor for a carbonated beverage.

Fizz Factor: 4.0 - Almost non-existent, which fits a pear, but not a soda

Appearance: 7.0 - Great label, unique color

Flavor: 7.0 - Perfect for a pear soda, but I think pear itself might not be a coveted flavor for many enthusiasts

I am not disappointed in this flavor. Coming off the spectacular Sugar Plum, I had high expectations but I did not expect to be blown away by the pear soda. The Pear Tree is a great pear soda, but not something for everyday consumption.

From the company: 12 oz has 160 calories, 0g of fat, 39g of carbs, 39g of sugar, and 0g of protein.

Jones' Holiday 4-Pack

Candy Cane, Pear Tree, Ginger Bread and Sugar Plum

Friend of the blog Chuck Woolery (probably not the real one) sent me a Jones' Holiday 4-Pack containing 4 holiday flavors: Candy Cane, Pear Tree, Ginger Bread and Sugar Plum. Every single flavor is one I've never heard of and am excited to try. Jones is known for some of their unique flavors as well as for having interesting labels, some that people can customize themselves and order 12-packs with their uploaded artwork, pictures or photos on each bottle. Since beginning this blog my interest in soda has spiked and looking at Jones' website, I already see a few new ones I'd like to try, specifically Berry Lemonade and Blue Bubblegum.

The first soda of the holiday flavors I'm going for is the Sugar Plum. The two main reasons for trying this soda is one: I'm so thirsty for a soda right now, with me being snowed in for the past 24 hrs and not having access to any I just want one so bad. Two: of the flavors, Sugar Plum looks most inviting for a moment when I need a pure soda, not a unique (and possibly not tasty) flavor. Popping the screw top I'd knew I made the right choice. You are hit with tiny bubbles of plum sweetness, almost a perfect match for the real plum experience. It is a fruit soda at heart and while nailing the plum flavor, the soda delivers with moderate to above average carbonation, a sugary, sweet flavor, and a smoothness that makes it more like a regular fruit soda than a speciality flavor. I'm not saying "regular fruit soda" in a negative way, it is just that this flavor would fit in with grape, strawberry and orange. Even as the bottle empties, the last few sips have that plum burst and a tongue-biting goodness.


With this being a seasonal or maybe one-time flavor, I will have to try hard to get some other Jones choices in this blog. I'll also have to savor the other flavors as this plum...I just can't describe it. I'm not even a plum guy, it's not a top 10 fruit for me, but this soda is just amazing! And I finished it long before I even finished writing this post!



    "I was plum surprised"   



Overall Taste: 9.0 - Only those who hate plum should stay away from this soda, but for all others it is a MUST try.

Fizz Factor: 7.0 - Regardless of the measurement, on par with fruit sodas and perfect for the flavor. The level makes it extremely smooth and it floats down the throat.

Appearance: 9.5 - I hardly discussed this in the review because as soon as I took a sip I was just so excited. The soda has a light purple hint (just perfect) and the label, well, this one has a baby crying on Santa's lap...perfect for a holiday flavor, while being unique and funny.

Flavor: 9.5 - I wasn't skeptical of a plum soda but did not realize how delicious this flavor would be. It is something that I might pick up once every three months. It's a flavor that I'm still craving but not only that, might be sought after by me once the craving strikes in a week or so.

Bottom line: you must try this soda. Get your hands on some as soon as possible if you can, before the flavor is gone for the season. Go on Jones' website too. I almost want to order like 12 12-packs right now. And don't look at their retired flavors because if you are like me, you'll wish you had a crushed melon or cherry right now.

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