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

Sticky Fingers Barkeries Wild Blueberry Scones

Sometimes you just need a nice warm scone at 9:00 pm at night...
And at times like those who wants to drive to the nearest bakery or Starbucks (if they even have any scones at that hour!)

Now, of course you can make them from scratch but I don't tend to keep the ingredients for blueberry scones on hand. Enter Sticky Fingers. Sticky Fingers Bakeries make scone mixes that all you have to do is add water, mix and roughly 12 minutes later you have warm scones.

The mix was easy enough to mix. It is VERY sticky- and if you were wanting to form cute little triangle scones you will need to have flour on hand. We all know I am a fan of raw dough- pretty much any raw dough. Well not this raw dough. It's not that I didn't like a sticky, gummy, version of envelope paste, but I am just not a fan of sticky, gummy envelope paste. Into the oven the scones went and I went to kill 12 minutes.

What the scones may have lacked in flavor when raw they did smell fantastic while baking. Gotta love having your house smell like fresh baked items with minimal effort.

So the taste?
...um... did I mention how good they smelled while baking?
Unfortunatly the aroma that wafts forth is the best part of the scone. While the scones ARE very light and fluffy the taste is just- eh. The flavor is bland doughiness and there are not nearly enough blueberries. But worst of the lot is that the envelope paste taste does not go away when fully baked.

I loved the idea of this product, but I will either need to plan my 9:00 cravings better or start making scones from scratch.

PURCHASED FROM:
Cost Plus World Market

Coffee-Mate Italian Series Italian Sweet Creme Ltm Edition

Non-dairy coffee goodness!
I like my coffee two ways- either strong and black or light and sweet. More often then not my choice for coffee at home is light and sweet because I can stay in and deal with having dairy creamer.

It was a happy discovery to find this Coffee-Mate, not only is it non-dairy but it taste pretty good!. I am not sure to be honest what makes it Italian sweet creme but it is indeed sweet- I didn't feel the need to add any extra Splenda to my cup and it is very creamy (cremey?).



PURCHASED FROM:
Albertsons Supermarket

An excellent product for the lactose intolerant- and for everyone else.

Grown up Soda: Dry Cranberry Lime

Why waste time?- one word sums this up:
YUM!

I might just be addicted. This is perfect! Not too sweet, not too tart, dry enough to keep it crisp. The perfect amount of carbonation to give it a hint of bubbles.

I know a lot of people only drink cranberry juice to ease UTI's or with vodka- and I am sure this would still be good for both counts. I however am one of those weird freaks who loves cranberry in just about every shape and form I think it is one of the most overlooked flavors/fruits out there. Even if you think you don't like cranberry give this a try because it might just be what it takes to convert you to the red side.

Off to buy more! (thank the powers that be for 24 hour stores)