Fentimans Curiosity Cola

Made by: Fentimans Ltd

Origin: UK

Fentimans Cola is a dark chestnut brown colour, clear and carbonated with fine bubbles. In contrast to other Fentiman drinks, there was no visible sediment in this bottle.

The nose is fragrant with sweet confectionary: Cola bottles. There is plentiful vanilla and sweet spices (cinnamon, allspice), and baking aromas that suggest gingerbread, spice cake and empty icing bowls.

Adequately flavoured with sweet 'cola bottles' on the palate, with layers of vanilla and baking spices to follow. There is a syrupy sweetness in control (reminds me of a sodastream concentrate), before the acids take over, clean up and refresh. Soft finish, remaining sweet.

Packaging claims: Botanically brewed, fermented botanical drink with herbal extracts

Ingredients: Fermented ginger root extract, carbonated water, sugar, catuaba extract, guarana extract, caramel (E150), phosphoric acid (E338), cola flavour 9594 (flavouring), caffeine

Price: Should be about £1.00-£1.20 for a 275ml glass bottle, available from Waitrose, Booths, Health food stores, independent and specialist food stores nationwide

Fentimans Victorian Lemonade

Made by: Fentimans Ltd

Origin: UK

Fentimans was originally founded in 1905, when Thomas Fentiman, a West Yorkshire steel worker, traded a loan for a ginger beer recipe, to be held as collateral. The loan was not repaid, and Fentiman commenced production of the ginger beer and started selling it door to door. The company closed between the mid 1960s until 1988, when Eldon Robson (great-grandson of TF) restarted production on the original site.

Fentimans lemonade is a pale lemon yellow colour, cloudy and containing a fine sediment. There is a green tint to the colour when examined in the light.

The nose is aromatic and distinctly herbal, with plenty of juicy lemon intensity, given an unusual green and lime-like quality.

Grassy, sappy lemons follow suit on the palate, with nettle and basil giving leafy flavours. Tangy now, with fizzing sherbet and mouthwatering flavour. Good intensity too...

This is an original take on lemonade, with green herbal notes providing an unusual twist.

Packaging claims: Botanically brewed, not more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, fermented botanical drink with herbal extracts

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate (12.7%), glucose syrup, ginger, pear juice concentrate, cream of tartar, natural flavours: lemon, speedwell, juniper extracts

Price: Should be about £1.00-£1.20 for a 275ml glass bottle, available from Waitrose, Booths, Health food stores, independent and specialist food stores nationwide

Fever-Tree Mixers Part 2

Made by: Fevertree Ltd

Origin: UK

Following on from the initial review (see below), we present the second series of classic mixers from the Fever-Tree portfolio: Soda Water, Bitter Lemon and Ginger Ale...

Fever-Tree Soda Water

Fever-Tree Soda Water is a bright, clear liquid. It is highly carbonated, with noticeably small bubbles rising steadily from various points in the glass when the drink settles.

There is a very light, powdery scent to this, like a well diluted Alka Seltzer or the spray of a vintage Soda Syphon.

Lively mouthfeel, with the Soda Bicarb pinging around the palate. Biscuity, with a creamy bite, like water biscuits covered in a thin layer of salted butter. A light bitterness precedes the short finish. A cleansing and refreshing mixer.

Packaging claims: Made with pure spring water

Ingredients: Natural spring water, bicarbonate of soda

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 200ml glass bottle (£3.00 for a 4 x 200ml pack), widely available

Fever-Tree Bitter Lemon

A pale yellow colour, slightly cloudy and with a wide watery rim developing towards the edge of the glass. The lively carbonation soon settles, and the trademark small bubbles settle in and tick over steadily.

Concentrated lemon juice on the nose- Jif lemons. Warm, appetising and juicy. There are powdery notes too, recalling lemon sherbet. This is aquatic, breezy and altogether nostalgic.

A 'lemon grove' experience on the palate: Whole lemons, with pith, rind, oils, pips... Zesty and tangy, with good balance between the elements. Fresh and intense now with great clarity of flavour, leading to a bitter finale as the quinine comes through and adds length on the finish.

Packaging claims: No artificial sweeteners, flavourings, colours or preservatives

Ingredients: Spring water, cane sugar, Lemon juice 3.7%, citric acid, natural flavours containing natural quinine

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 200ml glass bottle (£3.00 for a 4 x 200ml pack), widely available

Fever-Tree Ginger Ale

This is a mid lemon yellow colour. The liquid is clear and bright, and the inital burst of carbonation soon settles down in the glass to reveal the familiar small bubbles now rising steadily.

Warm aromas of honey, lemon and discreet, freshly grated ginger. There is a lovely purity and depth on show here.

Light yet satisfying flavours, as some subtle gingers tickle the palate with a trace of pepper spice. This is fresh, biscuity and clean. The ginger here never escapes the leash, always held in check by some more determined caramel notes. Within the light structure one finds an excellent balance, and a clean finish that are the hallmarks of these mixers.

Packaging claims: No artificial sweeteners, flavourings, colours or preservatives

Ingredients: Spring water, cane sugar, citric acid, natural gingers, natural flavours, natural caramel

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 200ml glass bottle (£3.00 for a 4 x 200ml pack), widely available

Fever-Tree Mixers Part 1

Made by: Fevertree Ltd

Origin: UK








We were thinking of making a few long drinks to combat the muggy weather, which had us hunting the shelves for a mixer or two... This brought us to Fevertree, a company that since 2000 sought to create an Indian Tonic mixer from all-natural ingredients, including quinine (the bark extract of the Cinchona tree, colloquially known as the 'Fever Tree').

They launched their Tonic Water in 2005, and have since managed to redefine the mixer category by eschewing the use of artificial ingredients (using only natural sweeteners and flavourings, and avoiding preservatives), taking instead a qualitative approach to drink formulation and packaging. They have since grown their product range, and success in new markets followed and continues apace...

Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

Fever-Tree tonic water is a bright, clear liquid. It exhibits a lively carbonation, with noticeably small bubbles rising steadily when the drink settles in the glass.

An attractive, fresh, delicate aroma of lemon icing on the nose, with that familiar dusting of icing sugar...

On the palate, fresh lemon citrus, with some supple acids producing a gentle tang. There is excellent balance here between the elements, as a stimulating lemony bitterness develops and persists on the finish.

A quality mixer that speaks for itself, with a unique texture and flavour profile, that avoids the cloying, salty nature associated with artificial sweetener and preservative use.


Packaging claims: Contains natural quinine, no artificial sweeteners, flavourings or preservatives

Ingredients: Spring water, cane sugar, citric acid, natural flavours, natural quinine

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 200ml glass bottle (£3.00 for a 4 x 200ml pack), widely available


Fever-Tree Lemonade

Fever-Tree lemonade is a colourless, bright liquid. After the initial rush of carbonation, much smaller bubbles can be observed rising slowly through the liquid in the glass.

Fragrant, biscuity nose with sweet lemon. This is juicy, mouthwatering and with plenty of sun-warmed fruit.

A lemonade that is soft and round in the mouth, with warm, biscuity citrus flavours. Supple acids again producing a gentle tang on the short finish.


Packaging claims: Contains Sicilian lemons, no artificial sweeteners, flavourings or preservatives

Ingredients: Spring water, cane sugar, lemon juice 2.5%, citric acid, natural flavours

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 200ml glass bottle (£3.00 for a 4 x 200ml pack), widely available


Fever-Tree Ginger Beer

Fever-Tree ginger beer is a cloudy, pale yellow colour that takes on a green hue when examined in the light. There is a fine sediment of ginger particles in suspension.

Instantly aromatic on the nose, with fresh ginger in abundance, and then some. There is an extraordinary scent here, earthy and distinctly spicy- cumin? Intoxicating stuff...

Be sure you're sitting down for this one! An intense rush on the palate, with a controlled explosion of deep, freshly grated ginger flavour, topped with lemon and black pepper seasoning. This is as peppery and fiery as you could want, with that entrancing and utterly unique spicy, earthy cumin note intact and almost musky now. Predictably long finish as the chilli and fire trail off, this remains clean and refreshing throughout.

A heady, entrancing experience; a one of a kind ginger beer that sets a stylish example.


Packaging claims: Contains natural gingers, contains natural sediment, no artificial sweeteners, flavourings or preservatives

Ingredients: Spring water, ginger extract, cane sugar, natural flavour, ascorbic acid

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 200ml glass bottle (£3.00 for a 4 x 200ml pack), widely available

Vita Coco Coconut Water with Peach and Mango

Made by: Paraipaba Agroindustrial Ltda. (for All Market Inc.)

Origin: Brazil

Imported into the UK by: All Market Europe Ltd

Vita Coco with Peach and Mango is a matt yellow colour. The drink is cloudy and still, and contains a fine puree of fruit floating in suspension. The colour fades to clear at the rim of the glass.

An odd lactic aroma on the nose reminds us of a calpis (fermented milk) drink. It manages to shake this off eventually and here you have peaches running the show, with a sliver of green mango skin in the background.

A different story on the palate, where the elements integrate and the coconut is allowed to breathe, just, between layers of peach. There is plenty of that soft, round texture that typifies these drinks, together with the sappy green freshness that prevents them from becoming too cloying. The whereabouts of the elusive Mango is hard to pin down here but is hardly missed. Short, clean finish.

Another useful addition to the Vita Coco stable. For those who like their coconut water on the fruitier side...

Packaging claims: Hydrate naturally, more electrolytes than leading sports drinks with 15 times the potassium, has more potassium than two bananas, 100% natural

Ingredients: Natural coconut water, mango puree, peach puree, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

Price: Should be about £1.70 for a 330ml Tetra Pack carton, available from Selfridges & Co and health food stores, and also online (eg www.aqua-amore.com)

Vita Coco Coconut Water with Pineapple

Made by: Paraipaba Agroindustrial Ltda. (for All Market Inc.)

Origin: Brazil

Imported into the UK by: All Market Europe Ltd

The rising tide of interest in coconut water, the natural juice of young (green) coconuts, has become something of a media phenomenon in the USA of late, with Europe set to follow. Coconut water is already a well-established health and hydration drink in Asia, Central and South America. We decided to extend our research into the growing number of coconut water variants now available...

Vita Coco with Pineapple is a pale, off white colour with a matt orange hue. The drink is cloudy and still, and contains a fine puree of fruit floating in suspension. The colour fades to clear at the rim of the glass.

Now on the nose this really works. Scents of coconut and pineapple are complimentary and combine perfectly. Lazy ripe pineapple is given an edge here with the green sap of the coconut.

Hard to fault this on the palate also, there is none of the 'low tide' vegetative flavour encountered in the plain variant (bit.ly/bAYg7U). What you have is fresh, green, salty sweet young coconut and milky pineapple, in a soft, roundly textured duet. Short, clean finish.

A satisfying drink from Vita Coco, and a lesson in understatement.

Packaging claims: Hydrate naturally, more electrolytes than leading sports drinks with 15 times the potassium, has more potassium than two bananas, 100% natural, hydrate and feel good

Ingredients: Natural coconut water, pineapple puree, coconut puree, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Price: Should be about £1.70 for a 330ml Tetra Pack carton, available from Selfridges & Co and health food stores, and also online (eg www.aqua-amore.com)

Vitamin Water Essential Orange (c+calcium)

Made by: Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd

Origin: UK








This Vitamin Water variant is a pale, matt orange colour. The colour fades out to a watery rim at the edge of the glass.

On the nose familiar, powdery aromas of effervescent Vitamin C tablets (Hailborange). More nostalgia follows with dilute orange squash, and we detected a lactic, milky scent that had us discussing calpis (fermented milk) drinks.

Light body and flavours on the palate with ripe citrus and an understated sourness, again with the delivery taking the direction of a calpis drink. There is a subtle chalkiness contributing a little texture to the experience, before the drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Still orange flavour spring water drink with vitamins and minerals

Ingredients: Spring water, fructose, sugar, mineral salts (potassium phosphate, calcium lactate), citric acid, vitamins (C, niacin, E, pantothenic acid, A (beta carotene), B6, folic acid, B12), stabilisers (acacia gum, glycerol esters of wood rosins), colour (beta carotene), flavourings

Price: Should be about £1.30-£1.50 for a 500ml PET bottle, widely available including online (eg www.aquaamore.com)

Zico Coconut Water with Mango

Made by: Zico Beverages LLC

Origin: USA

Imported into the UK by: Zico UK Ltd

Zico coconut water is a pale, off white colour. The drink is slightly cloudy and contains a small amount of fine coconut particles floating in suspension.

Ripe mango aromas on the nose, this is fruity with custard apple and creamy vanilla to follow. The aroma develops more tropical notes as it settles: Pineapple rings and tinned fruit salad, with a warm husky, nutty note.

This is much lighter on the palate than the nose would suggest, providing a delicate coconut flavour and salty-sweet balance. There is a faintly creamy texture, a little sweet fruit, and the suggestion of soft young coconut meat, before the drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Gluten free, only 60 calories, nature's sports drink, more potassium than a banana, zero fat, no added sugar, 5 essential electrolytes, low acidity

Ingredients: 100% natural coconut water, citric acid, natural mango flavour

Price: Should be about £1.70-£1.80 for a 330ml Tetrapak carton, available online (eg www.aquaamore.com) and at independent health food stores nationwide

Attitude Natural Energy Drink

Made by: Energizer Brands Ltd

Origin: UK








This energy drink is a pale brown colour, slightly cloudy, translucent and with a warm pinkish hue to the colour. The colour fades to clear at the rim of the glass. When opened, the drink produces a creamy froth on the sufrace of the liquid caused by the small bubbles, and contains a fine sediment when poured out.

On the nose juicy aromas of barley sugar, soft strawberry candies (think of Chewit sweets) with plenty of vanilla. We also uncovered a fruit dessert theme: Ripe bananas, cream and brown sugar, with a top note of lemon citrus.

Light and fresh, the palate opens with fruity lemon flavours, moves through malty and grassy tones, followed by dried apple and vanilla. There are some spices giving a gentle pepper twist, a little citrus acidity and an unusual earthy flavour (reminds me of tea leaves).

This manages to take you on an interesting journey before the short finish...


Packaging claims: Turns you on naturally, rich in antioxidants, suitable for vegans, diebetic friendly, sweetened with low G.I. fruit, full of natural energy from active adaptogen (rhodiola rosea root 500mg), no caffeine, no taurine, no synthetic ingredients, no artificial flavours, sweeteners or preservatives, 50% of your vitamins RDA (Vitamin C, B1, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12)

Ingredients: Sparkling spring water, natural sweetness from fruits, lemon juice partially concentrated, natural fruit and yerba mate flavours, barley malt, ginger, lemongrass (all natural extracts)

Price: Should be about £1.00-£1.20 for a 330ml can, available from health food store chains and independents, and specialist food outlets nationwide

Simply Hibi- Hibiscus drink

Made by: Ibis Organics

Origin: UK

The Roselle plant (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) is a variety of Hibiscus grown for its nutrient properties. It is consumed in a variety of different ways, however variants of a soft drink are most popular in the Caribbean, Mexico & Central America, Africa and Malaysia. Contrary to popular belief it's not the actual flowers or petals that are used to make drinks, but the calyces (flower casings) of the plant. When the calyx is ripe it turns a deep, bright red colour and is ready for use. The calyces are cored and then infused, and the colour, flavour and nutrients leach out. Hibiscus has started to generate increasing interest as part of a new group of 'superfoods', prized for their nutritional and especially antioxodant properties.

This drink is a deep maroon colour. The colour is intense, with plenty of purple highlights and becoming opaque at the core, like a young red wine.

Nosing this it is rich, sweet, earthy and with a distinct vegetable note. Here we have freshly crushed blackcurrants, leafy and with beetroot overtones, and steamed artichoke. There is also a little freshly turned earth (reminds me of a cabernet franc wine), and a twist of black pepper...

The palate is light, and dominated by sweet, juicy blackcurrants. In contrast with the aroma it contains few of those vegetable notes, with only a little leafy character and a rhubarb stem detected in the background. A gentle tartness develops, which has a pleasant 'mouthwatering' effect, before the drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Rich in Antioxidants

Ingredients: Hibiscus infusion 85% (Hibiscus and water), glucose-fructose syrup (15%)

Price: Should be about £1.40 for a 250ml PET bottle, available from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Booths, Holland & Barrett and other health food and independent specialist outlets

the Berry Company Goji juice drink

Made by: the berry juice company

Origin: UK

The Goji berry is the red berry fruit of the boxthorn shrub. It is also known as the Wolfberry, derived from the Greek origin for the plant Genus. The plant is a relative of the chili pepper, tobacco and deadly nightshade plants, and most commercial plantings are to be found in Northern China. In the past ten years Goji berries have started to generate increasing interest as part of a new group of 'superfruits', prized for their nutritional and especially antioxidant properties.

This Goji drink is pale burnt orange in colour, showing good intensity. It is cloudy/translucent and contains some fine fruit pulp in suspension.

On the nose rich, thick apricot puree, followed by more stone fruits: Mangoes this time. The sweet, fleshy aroma is given a 'lift' with a heady note of passionfruit.

The palate is lighter than the nose would suggest, with satisfying flavours that combine soft orange stone fruits (apricots and peaches) with their tropical cousins (mangoes and passionfruit).

The drink develops from an initial sweetness, akin to white grape juice, to turn pleasantly sour on the finish. The use of passionfruit comes into its own here, providing a tangy freshness and balancing out those sweeter notes. Another interesting release from the berry company.

Packaging claims: No artificial colours, no artificial preservatives, no sweeteners, in partnership with Heart Research UK

Ingredients: Water, pressed Wolfberry/Goji fruit (20%), fruit extract concentrate, pressed passion fruit juice (10%), natural flavour malic acid, antioxidant ascorbic acid

Price: Should be about £1.50-£1.60 for a 330ml PET bottle, available from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Department stores and health retailers nationwide

Power Horse Sugar Free Energy Drink

Made by: Power Horse Energy Drinks GmbH

Origin: Austria

Imported into the UK by: BTM International UK Ltd

For this review, we are pleased to welcome our guest reviewer Mr Matt Chambers. Matt, together with his wife Karen, is the esteemed founder of Whisky website and blog 'Whisky for Everyone', one of the preeminent influencers working in the world of Whisky today. Here is Matt's review:

Power Horse is an energy drink that is produced by the Austrian food and beverage giant S. Spitz Company. The company was at the forefront of the development of energy drinks in the early 1990s and the Power Horse brand first appeared in 1994. This makes Power Horse one of the first energy drinks on the market and it remains popular throughout mainland Europe. The S. Spitz Company was founded in 1857 and their headquarters are located in the city of Linz. The Power Horse energy drink range stimulates the drinker’s metabolism, responsiveness and is believed to enhance sporting performance. This is achieved by the inclusion of high levels of natural chemicals such as caffeine and taurine in the drinks

Another Austrian, named Dietrich Mateschitz, saw the potential of this genre of drinks and decided to develop his own energy drink. He based his new beverage on the Japanese caffeine based drink Lipovitan, which first appeared in the 1960s. Mateschitz named his new energy drink Red Bull and the rest is history, as they say. Red Bull has gone on to dominate the energy drink market since its launch in 1997, especially in the USA where it has almost 50% of the energy drink market share. The success of Red Bull and Power Horse has led to many copycat products appearing around the globe.

This drink is the SugarFree version of Power Horse. The colour is a vibrant golden yellow and the nose is sweet yet refreshing. There is a combination of vanilla, chewy fruit sweets and candy floss. Cutting through this is a distinct citrus note that is reminiscent of lemon zest and this helps balance the more obvious sweeter element.

On the palate, this is light, juicy and refreshing. There is an initial saltiness (think of brine or sweat), and while this may sound unappetising it is actually to the contrary. This characteristic combines with the zingy citrus zest from the nose to give a crisp, sharp and refreshing drink. The sweeter elements then begin to appear, especially those fruity chewy sweets (think of bubblegum or fruit pastilles) and the candy floss.

The palate ends with a feeling reminiscent to something like a cream soda. The finish is short yet refreshing with the fruitiness and citrus zing again prominent, although the citrus becomes a little more sour. At all points the elements remain slightly understated.

Whilst not being fully aware of the medical or scientific benefits or claims of this Power Horse SugarFree drink, all that can be said is that it is a clean, refreshing and crisp beverage. It is very pleasant and easy to drink and not as obviously sugary as some of its competitors. You can imagine drinking a can of this on a hot day or after doing some exercise.

Packaging claims: Low energy, sugar free special drink containing taurine and caffeine, with sweetening agents, contains 80mg of caffeine, not suitable for children, pregnant women, and people sensitive to caffeine, suitable for diabetics, do not mix with alcohol, high caffeine content (32mg/100ml), pasteurised

Ingredients: Water, acid (citric acid, sodium citrate), carbon dioxide, taurine 0.4%, glucuronolactone, colours (plain caramel, riboflavin), sweeteners Acesulfame K, Aspartame), flavouring, caffeine, inositol, vitamins (niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12)

Price: Should be about £0.70 for a 250ml can, available from larger branches of Tesco (world foods section)

Firefly Lemon, Lime & Ginger 'Detox'

Made by: Firefly Tonics

Origin: UK

This non-sparkling 'detox' drink is a pale, matt lemon yellow colour. The colour fades out to clear at the rim. The liquid is slighty cloudy and contains some fine particles floating in suspension.

On the nose light but immediately attractive aromas: Sultanas, baked apple, crumble topping, lemon butter, sweet spices (ginger, cinnamon)...altogether appetising.

Flavours on the palate are light also, but satisfying and without the dilute quality found in many flavoured waters. That moreish style is replicated here, with flavours of softbake cookies (oat & sultana), more apple crumble topping, and gingerbread.

There is a lovely, zingy thread of citrus acidity running through this, balancing the sweetness perfectly. The heat of the ginger spice comes through late on the finish, bringing with it a pleasant warmth that coats the mouth and lingers. An entirely refreshing experience.

Packaging claims: Natural energy, detox, absolutely nothing artificial

Ingredients: Still water, fruit juices from concentrate: white grape (22%), lemon (4%), lime (3%), apple juice extract, botanical extratcs (ginger, nettle, dandelion, burdock, rosemary) 1%, natural flavourings

Price: Should be about £1.50-£1.60 for a 330ml glass bottle. Available from Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Department stores, healthfood stores, and specialist food and delicatessen outlets nationwide.

Bundaberg Root Beer

Made by: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks P/L

Origin: Australia

Imported into the UK by: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks UK Pty Ltd

Root beer originates in Philadelphia, USA, where it was first developed as a herbal tea formula and then as a soft drink marketed to miners and the mining community, from where it's popularity grew. Root beer is still strongly associated with North America, however related drinks made using roots, tree barks, herbs and spices exist in many countries (examples being Ginger beer and Dandelion & Burdock in the UK). The original flavouring components of this drink were Sassafras tree root bark, together with Acacia bark. As health concerns gradually surfaced with the use of Sassafras, Sarsaparilla and other complementary herbs, spices and fruits were introduced to flavour the brew.

Bundaberg Root Beer is a dark chocolate brown colour, fading slightly at the rim of the glass. The drink is sparkling and as with other Bundaberg drinks, the bubbles here are very small and rise gradually to the surface from specific points in the glass (as with a fine sparkling wine). There are some small particles floating in suspension.

On the nose a reminder of the medicine cabinet, with a creamy menthol scent: Muscle rub ('Deep Heat' cream), plus notes of vanilla, treacle and malt extract.

Moving to the palate, the initial taste is of a herbal cola, with vanilla and creamy menthol, followed by dark sugary flavours (molasses, treacle, malt..). A refreshing bite evolves towards the finish, bringing grassy, salted caramel and leaving a trace of liquorice in the aftertaste.

There is a lovely restrained balance at work here, with supple, round flavours loaded with nuance, and just the right amount of bite to cleanse the palate.

As with other Bundaberg drinks, this is a real 'thinking man's' soft drink, whereby the quality of ingredients used allied to traditional production methods produce a captivating experience.

Packaging claims: Naturally brewed to be better, traditionally brewed, plus tbc

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, sasparilla root, vanilla bean, ginger root, liquorice root, molasses, sasparilla flavour, caramel, acid (citric acid), yeast, preservatives (E211, E202), Antioxidant (E300)

Price: Should be about £1.40-£1.50 for a 340ml glass bottle, available from Waitrose and selected supermarkets, and specialist retailers

the Berry Company Acai juice drink

Made by: the berry juice company

Origin: UK

The Acai berry is the fruit of the Acai palm tree, which grows in Central and South America, from Belize to Peru. The tree prefers wet, swampy ground. The global demand for Acai berry products (pulp, juice etc) has risen sharply since the 1990s, due to the fruit's beneficial levels of antioxidants derived from polyphenols (the tannic and colouring compounds that give the berries their flavour profile and dark purple appearance).

This Acai juice drink is a matt purple colour. The intense purple fades towards the rim of the glass where it picks up a tawny colour. There is a plentiful sediment of fine Acai and Raspberry fruit particles in suspension, giving the colour an opacity. An unusual clear film develops on the surface of this drink as it settles.

Nosing this is like holding your head over a bubbling pot of mixed berry jam: Blackberry, raspberry and blackcurrant all stirred together. The heady scent of the various fruits has an attractive, juicy quality. Raspberry dominates here, and has a fine syrupy edge. There is a leafy, earthy note that makes its presence felt (reminds me of blueberry).

On the palate the red fruit makes the running, with a soft, billowing raspberry flavour up first and showing that syrupy style. The black fruits follow in support with plenty of jammy fruit to complete the picture. The fruit pulp gives a light texture to the drink, with the balance falling on the sweeter side.

A light juice drink that manages to satisfy, and leaves a pleasant trace of concentrated fruit in the aftertase.

Packaging claims: No artificial colours, no artificial preservatives, no sweeteners, in partnership with Heart Research UK

Ingredients: Water, Acai fruit pulp (20%), fruit extract concentrate, pressed raspberries (10%), natural flavour, citric acid, antioxidant ascorbic acid

Price: Should be about £1.50-£1.60 for a 330ml PET bottle, available from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Department stores and health retailers nationwide

San Pellegrino l'Aranciata Amara

Made by: San Pellegrino SpA

Origin: Italy

Imported into the UK by: Nestle Waters UK Ltd





The San Pellegrino spring is located in the town of San Pellegrino Terme, North of Bergamo, in the province of Lombardy, Italy. The official spring water bottling company was formed in 1899, and diversified into sparkling soft drinks as early as 1932. An Amara or bitter version of the orangeade was launched in 1949, to mark the company's 50th Anniversary.

The Amara is an intense, matt orange colour with yellow highlights, fading out to a clear watery rim at the very edge of the glass. There is a fine sediment of orange fruit in suspension, and the drink is steadily sparkling when poured out.

The primary aromas on the nose are warm and juicy; here we have freshly sliced Navel oranges with a drop or two or Grand Marnier. As the drink opens up in the glass the impression is much fuller, one of whole oranges: Zest, flesh, pips, even leaves...a whole orange grove. A sharper note suggests grapefruit.

'Amara' translates as 'bitter', and on the palate this really delivers. From an initial burst of mouthfilling, ripe orange flavour with a fresh acidity, there follows a long, controlled transformation to bitterness. The zesty bitter taste sensation, derived in part from Quinine (Chinona tree bark extract), is similar to the experience of eating Kumquats.

There is a lovely flavour concentration here, entirely refreshing and helped no doubt by the high juice content at 15.6%.

Amara is a uniquely invigorating, enlivening drink, and leaves a mouthwatering sensation behind. Within the overall balance, the palate is both stimulated by the acidity levels (felt on the sides of the tongue), and by the extraordinary bitterness (felt at the back of the tongue). The long finish is to be savoured.

Packaging claims: New formula with 30% more orange juice, no preservatives, no artificial colourings

Ingredients: Water, orange juice (15.6%), glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, carbon dioxide, acidity regulator citric acid, natural aromas, Chinona extract

Price: Should be about £0.80-£0.90 for a 330ml can, available from Italian delicatessens, specialist retailers and online

Bundaberg Ginger Beer

Made by: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks P/L

Origin: Australia

Imported into the UK by: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks UK Pty Ltd





Bundaberg Brewed Drinks have been making traditional soft drinks using natural ingredients since 1960. They are based in the town of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Due to overwhelming popular demand we present our review of perhaps their most well known product, the Bundaberg Ginger Beer...

This is a pale, cloudy off white colour. When poured out the drink is gently sparkling, translucent and with a light yellow tint to the colour.

The aroma is fresh, up front and citrussy at first, with a distinct lemon barley theme. The warmth of ginger follows some way behind. This is quite subtle and restrained for a ginger based drink, appetising and with a moist gingercake sweetness.

On to the palate, where citrus flavours (lemon and orange) and the light-medium body make a fresh, fluid impression. The ginger notes arrive in fine understated style, with a controlled force, and without the raw burn or aggression found in some ginger beers.

There is a long finish to this, with rolling ginger now and a subdued pepper bite, recalling more sweet fruit than fiery spice. As with its stablemate, this is a soft drink that clearly demonstrates what can be done with a dedication to quality ingredients and deft handling.

Packaging claims: Naturally brewed to be better, always cloudy, full of real ginger pieces, traditionally brewed, the natural flavours of ginger

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, ginger root, natural flavours, acid (citric acid), yeast, preservatives (E211, E202), antioxidant (E300)

Price: Should be about £1.40-£1.50 for a 340ml glass bottle, available from Waitrose and selected supermarkets, and specialist retailers

Vita Coco 100% pure Coconut Water

Made by: Paraipaba Agroindustrial Ltda. (for All Market Inc.)

Origin: Brazil

Imported into the UK by: Marigold Health Foods Ltd




The rising tide of interest in coconut water, the natural juice of young (green) coconuts, has become something of a media phenomenon in the USA of late. Coconut Water is already a well-established health and hydration drink in Asia, Central and South America. We decided to find out what all the fuss is about...

Vita Coco is a pale, off white colour. The drink is still, translucent and contains a small amount of fine coconut particles floating in suspension.

The aromas on the nose are fairly challenging: Tropical fish tanks, warm pondweed, and a whiff of ripe Brie cheese all come to mind. There is something vegetal at work here, that carries a damp and 'closed' quality.

Moving to the taste, Vita Coco is at once fresh, softly textured, with a roundness on the palate and a delicate 'salty sweet' flavour. There is a nutty, green husk flavour next (reminds me of sugar cane or aloe vera) followed by a late burst of soft young coconut meat.

This drink has a long, satisfying aftertaste during which the experience takes shape, and the promise of having just drunk from a freshly opened coconut finally comes into focus.


Packaging claims: Like sticking a straw in a coconut, hydrate naturally, more electrolytes than leading sports drinks with 15 times the potassium, has more potassium than two bananas, 100% natural, the beauty of one ingredient

Ingredients: Natural Coconut Water

Price: Should be about £1.70 for a 330ml Tetra Pack carton, available from Selfridges & Co and health food stores

Bundaberg Lemon Lime & Bitters

Made by: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks P/L

Origin: Australia

Imported into the UK by: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks UK Pty Ltd

This sparkling soft drink is a pale pink colour, clear and bright, with fine bubbles that rise steadily to the surface from various points in the glass.

On the nose a deep lime aroma: Key lime pie, dusted with allspice, plus notes of ginger and quinine. This is very appetising. As with many lemon & lime drinks, the lemon struggles to compete with its more delicate freshness.

On the palate a juicy and nicely concentrated lime flavour, followed by soft cinnamon. Persistent, mouthwatering and with a lovely tart balance...this is refreshing stuff. The bitters flavours add a spicy dimension: Cloved orange, ginger and quinine. They bring a light bitterness with them, perfectly balanced between the sugar and citrus. The cinnamon note that made an early appearance now lingers on the finish.

Packaging claims: Naturally brewed to be better, crafted from real lemons and limes, [naturally brewed] from real herbs and tropical spices

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, lime juice from concentrate (6.3%), bitters brew (4.8%) (water, cane sugar, tropical spices, gentian root, yeast), lemon juice from concentrate (0.8%), acid (citric acid), antioxidant (E300), flavour, colour (E120), preservatives (E211, E220)

Price: Should be about £1.40-£1.50 for a 340ml glass bottle, available from Waitrose and selected supermarkets, and specialist retailers

Itsu Limeflower/ Zesty Orange Vitamin Water

Made by: Made under license

Origin: UK

This still Itsu drink is a pale lemon yellow colour, with a light green hue. The colour fades to a clear watery rim around the edge of the glass.

The aromas are very light and fleeting, lead by a citrus note. There is a glimpse of acacia, a trace of honey...the impression is of a heavily diluted cordial.

This is confirmed on the palate, with flavours that are dilute and ephemeral, unable to express themselves before disappearing. There was only time to detect a warm grassy note and a drop of orange oil, before water washes the palate clean and the drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: Vitamin enriched water, zero fat and less than 60 calories, contains 50% of your RDA (vitamin & minerals), suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients: Still water, fruit extract, citric acid, bitter orange peel infusion, limeflower infusion, natural flavouring, minerals (zinc citrate deydrate, potassium iodide), vitamins (C, B3, B5, B6, B12, folic acid), natural colour (safflower and carrot)

Price: £1.50 for a 500ml PET bottle, available from branches of Itsu across London

San Pellegrino Chino

Made by: San Pellegrino SpA

Origin: Italy

Imported into the UK by: Nestle Waters UK Ltd

Chinotto is a sparkling Italian soft drink named after the small, bitter citrus fruit of the Myrtle-leaved orange tree. The tree is believed to have originated in China, hence the name. Today Chinotto fruit is mostly cultivated in Italy, where the peel extract is an essential ingredient in Italian Bitters ('Amari'); alcoholic liqueurs drunk either as a digestif or an aperitif. San Pellegrino claim to have formulated the first Chinotto soft drink in 1932, today marketed under the brand name of Chino.

Sparkling Chino is a dark chestnut brown colour, clear and intense. When poured out, fine pinhead bubbles can be observed rising from various points in the glass.

On the nose this is sweetly spiced and strikingly aromatic: Allspice, cloved orange, with rooty and woody scents all combining to create a spice cake impression.

Opening with a fruity caramel, cola flavour on the palate, a long and controlled progression of sweet to bitter follows. Flavours of spice cake and ginger at first, cassia and clove, then black cherry, fig and toffee. Subtle notes of liquorice and menthol emerge to add further points of interest along the gently bitter, persistent finish.

Chino is an absorbing taste experience, and a soft drink to really savour. If you like this or think this sounds appealing then look up our review of Bitter KAS.

Packaging claims: None

Ingredients: Water, glucose-fructose syrup, sugar, carbon dioxide, colour E150d, aromas, acidifier citric acid, chinotto extract, acidity regulator sodium citrate, salt, antioxidant L-ascorbic acid

Price: Should be about £1.00 for a 330ml can, available from specialist outlets like italian foodstores and delicatessens

V-Fresh Lemongrass drink with Basil seed

Made by: V. Thai Food Product Co Ltd

Origin: Thailand

Imported into the UK by: Manning Impex Ltd





The strain of lemongrass that is most readily consumed in food and drink today is believed to have originated in Malaysia. As well as being a component of soft drink recipes, it is also drunk as a tea. Citral, a chemical component of lemongrass, has been shown to have significant anti-cancer properties. Basil seeds are often added to drinks and desserts in Thailand to add texture, like tapioca. The seeds become gelatinous when added to liquids.

This drink is a bright lemon yellow colour, with a greenish tint. It is non-sparkling, and contains a large number of black basil seeds in suspension.

On the nose a warm, mellow aroma of barley sugar and lemon jelly is inviting. The combination brings to mind sugar-dusted lemon travel sweets. Beneath this there lies a woody, earthy note of lemongrass sticks.

What follows on the palate is broadly consistent, with soft, warm flavours of lemon jelly mix and barley sugar. There is a light oiliness and that earthy, now grassy note stays in the frame. The basil seeds add a light texture (like tapioca pearls), with a bite similar to eating a Kiwi fruit. The drink ends in a short finish.

Packaging claims: No presevatives

Ingredients: Water, lemongrass (15%), basil seed (12.5%), fructose syrup, sugar, colour E102 & E133

Price: Should be about £0.75 for a 290ml glass bottle, available from specialist retaliers , and in and around Chinatown