Mountain Dew Kickstart

      "Custom built bike doing 103, my heart, my heart,     
Kickstart  my heart!" - Motley Crue

I'm not one to drink coffee, or really eat anything for breakfast besides a sugary cereal, so my exposure to anything breakfast beverage related is limited. With Mt. Dew launching Kickstart, I may have possibly found a morning beverage of choice. But first, let me just be honest. I drink soda whenever, which includes for breakfast, or even before dawn.

Mt. Dew's Kickstart won't revolutionize my life but despite the company not really calling the beverage an energy drink (the labels read "energizing orange citrus" and "energizing fruit punch"), my guess is that the market that Kickstart targets is the same that drinks the large energy drink containers (of which Kickstart shares the same size - 16oz). What I reeeally like so far before even getting a taste is that each can only contains 80 calories, so if this stuff is delicious, IF Energizing Orange Citrus is reminiscent of Livewire (one can only hope), then maybe I will have to become a regular consumer. We'll take each flavor on its own and give a mini-review, since in reality, this isn't soda, it's a morning beverage.

Orange Citrus

                                                                       

Before I say anything I have to say it's good. There is no hint of whatever makes energy drinks taste like they do. The overwhelming flavor is the orange citrus and I'm reminded more of orange juice instead of soda. The label does say it contains 5% juice. It has a good bite and that alone gives me a little jolt of energy. With all the positive to say about the drink, I must divulge my negative thoughts. It feels a little filling; like 16 oz is going to be a struggle to put down. The beverage also "feels" sugary, meaning there is an aftertaste similar to soda compared to a juice.It is not overly sweet but has a solid flavor for orange and depending on how I feel in a little bit, we'll be able to see if this breakfast beverage upholds the claim of being energizing.

Fruit Punch

                                                                      

The red liquid pouring from the mouth of the can is unmistakable: this is fruit punch. Prior to having the fruit punch flavored Goya soda during La Semana de Gasoesas, I'd never really had a fruit punch flavored soda beverage. The odor is not strong and honestly, the flavor is not too strong. Fruit punch makes my lips/mouth smack, almost pucker but not in a sour way. Fruit Punch Kickstart has 50% of that which I guess can be preferable if one is drinking this in the morning. Like the Orange Citrus, it is sugary but not overly sweet.


The important thing about this beverage is the nutritional facts. As I mentioned before, there is only 80 calories per can, but the rest of the stats stack up like this: Orange - 80 calories, 0g of fat, 21g of carbs, 20g of sugar, 0g of protein, 100% DV Vitamin C, 80% DV Vitamin B6: Fruit Punch - 80 calories, 0g of fat, 20g of carbs, 19g of sugar, 0g of protein, 100% DV Vitamin C, 80% DV Vitamin B6).

Not bad for a carbonated beverage from the makers of Mt. Dew. Oh, and I didn't really do anything active following imbibing these beverages, and I drank them at night, so their ability to "kickstart" my day could not really be measured.

Jones' Supports Breast Cancer with Special Flavor

"Your credit card called. They wanted to make sure you're
the one buying all the cream soda in bulk." - Kenneth
to Liz (30 Rock)

Jones' released pink cream soda this past October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read more about it here. Personally, I'm ecstatic. When I did my cream soda review I did not have any Jones' Cream Soda, and since Cream Soda Week I have tried it and I like it. It's different, a little mild, but it has this bubble bite and a weird ability to feel colder than you'd think when it runs across the tongue. Think the way mint cools the mouth, HOWEVER, there is no mint flavor. Please don't let me confuse readers by saying mint because I do really enjoy Jones' robust range of flavors and it is fully creamy and smooth.

Getting back to these special editions, the reason this makes me so happy is that (if you didn't read the link above) is that a portion of the profits from soda sales will be donated to an organization determined to raise breast cancer awareness among young people. Kudos to Jones for doing this and showing that soda companies bring more to the community than delicious beverages.

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.