DRY Soda: Lavender

Lavender is one of those flavors that can be really tricky to pull off. Too much, and it's like drinking (or eating) fabric softener. Too little, and it tastes vaguely musty to me. But when it's done right it's clean and refreshing, and shouldn't remind you of doing body shots off the Snuggle Bear (which, if numerous internet rumors are true, is voiced by Mickey Dolenz, formerly of The Monkees...which seems somehow tragic. This is not listed in Mickey's official website or IMDB credits, so it may just be urban legend).

So how did the DRY soda lavender flavor come off?

In terms of scent, the lavender is very subtle. I took that as a good sign. You can tell what it is, but it doesn't come off like air freshener or an old lady's purse.



What I have liked about all the DRY sodas I've tried so far is that the carbonation is just bubbly enough to give a little zap, and the flavor seems to come more as an aftertaste than something that hits you at first sip. That may not sound like a good thing, but it really is. The subtlety is fascinating.

This flavor is no exception. It almost tastes like semi-flat lemon-lime soda at first...and then, just as you're beginning to think "this is boring as hell," a sweet herbal taste kicks in and changes everything. Try to imagine drinking a lavender lollipop. (Again, one of those things that sounds sort of wrong but tastes really good.) It was super easy to guzzle this...which I'm sure is not the delicate, ladylike image that DRY might have been going for.



DRY is meant to be sipped on its own or used as a mixer. So once again, being the giver that I am, I forced myself to make a little cocktail of vodka and the DRY lavender. Really, is there no end to the lengths I will go to for you guys?



Just as with the other DRY sodas I have sampled, it is even better with a little spike. While the lavender flavor seems to appear as an aftertaste with the soda alone, the admixture of vodka really brings out the floral notes. I think this could be a really great cocktail done with a sugared rim and a little pineapple juice.

Score another win for DRY.



PURCHASED FROM:
Sample from company

CALORIES:
70 calories per 12-ounce bottle.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
Fat free, sodium free.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
drysoda.com

DRY Soda: Juniper Berry

First, a thank you to the good people at DRY for indulging my whining and sending me this sample when I was unable to procure it on my own.

Juniper berry, should you not know, is what gives gin its distinct flavor. Juniper berries are actually not berries at all, but a cone that grows a joined set of scales that look a lot like berries. Sorta like a fleshy pine cone masquerading as a berry. (And juniper is in fact an evergreen.)



I am personally not a fan of gin. But I love the scent of juniper, and I am hoping that the qualities I like in the smell -- rather than what I don't like about gin -- is what's going to come through in the soda.

Smelling the soda, it reminded me of one of my favorite bath gels. I know that doesn't sound like a compliment, but I mean it as one. It's very brisk and clean, with a light scent that is sort of a cross between pine and generic berry.



It's lightly carbonated, so there is only a little fizz. The flavor is very subtle. There's a touch of citrus in the background: I couldn't tell you what kind of citrus; just general zestiness. (Is that a word? I don't care, you get the point.) The main flavor reminded me of really watered-down ginger ale.

What I have noticed with both of the DRY Sodas I have tried so far, is that the flavor really seems to come out more as an aftertaste rather than something you notice during the actual sip. In this case, the aftertaste reminded me strongly of gin. If you are a gin lover, I could see where this would be the perfect drink for you when you can't actually have the real stuff. Sadly, I am not a gin lover, so its charms are lost on me.



DRY sodas are also meant to be used as mixers, as well as to be drunk straight. I absolutely loved the cucumber DRY soda (see my review here) mixed with vodka. I know that for this flavor, gin should be the natural choice -- but, as I have none on hand, I used vodka instead. (Always remember, folks, I am merely having a nice mixed drink because I care about bringing you guys the best quality reviews possible. Not because I wanted a cocktail or anything like that. Such a mitzvah on my part...)

Once again, I have to say that as much as I may have liked the soda on its own, it's truly really stellar as a mixer. I mixed about two ounces of soda to a half-ounce of vodka. The citrus became a little cleaner and more lemony. The ginger ale background disappeared completely and left a very crisp taste reminded me of a berry-tinged martini.

On its own, it's not that I didn't like it -- but it was just too similar to plain gin for me. I truly loved it as a mixer, though.

It's hard for me to rate this one, because it's not that it's bad in any way. It just has a flavor that I tend not to like under the best of circumstances, so take my rating with a grain of salt...especially because I could see gin fans going into ecstasies over this one.



PURCHASED FROM:
Sample From Company

DRY Soda: Cucumber

First, my thanks to DRY for sending me this bottle. I was unable to source it reasonably close to me, and they were kind enough to humor my begging.

I picked this flavor to start with because I LOVE cucumber water. As a matter of fact, if you were to look into my sippy cup (whoops, I meant Al Gore-approved carbon neutral reusable beverage vessel) at any given time, you would find water with fresh slices of cucumber. It's crisp, it's refreshing. It adds a more subtle, yet more interesting flavor than lemon or lime slices would.



So when I saw that DRY had a cucumber soda, I had to try it.

And how was it? Well, the first thing you notice is that it smells like a mix of cucumbers and lemon-lime soda. I wasn't exactly expecting the citrus aroma, but it was a surprisingly brisk combination.

It was interesting how different the taste was from the smell. With the scent, you got the cucumber right away. With the flavor, the cucumber is more subdued -- actually, it's more of an aftertaste than the main event. But that really means it that has a soft, almost sweet lingering aftertaste that is pretty darn good.

The main taste is citrusy...only not. It's like a club soda that someone let a slice each of lemon, lime and cucumber sit in just long enough to pick up the essence of each item, but not long enough that any one flavor stands out.



The carbonation is bubbly but less gassy than a common soda. It was super easy to finish the glass. Yes, I felt so grown up drinking it that I even skipped my sippy cup. (Sorry, I meant Al Gore-approved carbon neutral reusable beverage vessel -- I forgot again -- DOH!)

DRY sodas can be drunk either on their own or mixed with spirits. Now, just because I care sooooo much about giving my dear readers as much information as possible, I tried mixing some with vodka. (Not that I would enjoy it, of course. This is purely for educational purposes.)

As good as the soda was without the vodka, it was even better with it! I used an unflavored vodka (although the DRY website suggests citrus vodka as an option). It was interesting how, once mixed with the vodka, the citrus notes were less pronounced and the cucumber stood out more. A very refreshing cocktail.

This flavor was good both with and without the alcohol, but I have to say I liked it more as a mixer. Either way, it's a winner.


PURCHASED FROM:
Sample from company

Be sure to visit DRY Soda's web site. There you will find information on where you can buy DRY locally -- or purchase directly from DRY online.