August 15, 2006
Dear Pom Powers That Be,
You have probably already been getting a lot of these letters lately, especially now that Newsweek jumped on the Pom bandwagon a few weeks ago. So, I apologize for my tardiness, as I should have recognized this emerging trend much earlier. But, alas, I was too preoccupied with my standard beverages and unwilling to admit that a juice that resembled a nasty bruise I once had on my knee could be tasty. Also, I was unwilling to conform to purchase your beverage solely because of a pretty solid ad campaign. I admit it, it is clever to put a strand of pearls on a drink bottle and call it Juicy Couture. I might have even chuckled. But, I refused to be that easily manipulated. I thought I could resist your clever bottle design and promises of health benefits.
But, alas, your marketing masterminds have gotten the best of me. I waved the white flag. I drank your juice. And, mind you, I don’t really like fancy drinks beyond orange juice or water. I also don’t drink tea. Therefore, me trying your Pomegranate Black Tea is actually a sort of big deal.
My rating is largely contingent on the fact that you are fighting a difficult battle: trying to get a picky beverage drinker to like your drink (I also don’t like soda, ever). So, be proud of the 3 stars. I liked it. I totally bought into the healthy/antioxidant stuff and felt like I was doing something good for myself. I had just returned from the gym and I found it refreshing. If I actually enjoyed tea, I would probably have liked it even more.
Additionally, getting to keep the glass was pretty snazzy.
I’m sorry I ever doubted you. You are correct. Pom will save you. Pom will be your friend. Pom will support you in your time of need.
Congrats, Pom Wonderful. You have my utmost respect.
Regards,
Carey
Price: $3-$4
Where: most grocery stores, www.pomwonderful.com
Rating: 
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Posted by chewandswallow
August 4, 2006
Like most American twenty-somethings, I’m a Diet Coke fiend. Every now and then, however, I like to see what else the carbonated beverage industry has to offer.
The Goya Carbonated Beverages caught my eye in the ethnic foods section of my local grocery store with its colorful, fun bottles and flavors ranging from Sangria to Pineapple. I was slightly skeptical about the Sangria flavor; it reminded me of non-alcoholic beer. How good can an alcoholic beverage be without the booze?
Surprisingly, the Sangria flavor wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. It has the smell and taste of carbonated red sangria but without the after effects of actual wine and triple sec. I loved the taste of the Guava and Coconut flavors: tropical and fruity. If you don’t like either of those flavors, start with the Guava. It’s a better way to ease your taste buds into tropical flavors, especially if you’re particularly anti-coconut.
It’s a change for your taste buds, but if it is too much, you can always go back to good ol’ Diet Coke.
Price: One bottle of Goya costs under a dollar (I spent $0.59).
Where: most grocery stores
Rating:
-Melissa
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Posted by chewandswallow
August 2, 2006
It’s like someone ran into Starbucks and threw it in a soda bottle. If you like good strong espresso, Manhattan Special’s “flagship soda” is for you. The 100 year old recipe is especially great in the summer when you’re looking for a coffee fix but don’t feel like dealing with diluted iced coffee or a hot latté. The added fizz blended with pure espresso makes Manhattan Special a truly unique way to get your coffee. It is also made in decaffeinated, diet, and diet-decaffeinated varieties for those who want to skip the jolt, the calories, or both. Just be aware that the diet has a somewhat artificial and very sweet taste (imagine three Sweet ‘N Low in your coffee).
Price: A 10 oz. bottle runs for about $1.65
Where: It is most widely distributed in the New York area in major supermarkets as well as gourmet delis. Outside New York, they are mostly carried in specialty Italian markets. To make things even more difficult, the newly released diet-decaffeinated is not yet widely carried. Additionally, you can order cases here: http://www.homeandbeyond.com/manspecescof.html
Rating:
-Mike
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Posted by chewandswallow
I finally woke up early enough to go to the Waverly Farmers’ Market (I live in Baltimore) on Saturday and was really excited to buy some apple cider. Reid’s Orchard Cider (Ortanna, PA) is great–sweet without being too sweet and very refreshing. Also at the Market are several products from Lewis’ Orchard (Cavetown, MD). I had previously bought their apple butter at a local specialty store and saw several other varieties at the market, such as pumpkin butter and pear butter. Once again, I have no complaints. Good stuff.
Traditionally, I’m a Snapple girl, but in the spirit of trying and reviewing new things, I opted to forego the Snapple and pick up a Tradewinds Sweet Tea. Absolutely delicious. This refreshing drink advertises the fact that it’s “Fresh Brewed Just Before Bottling,” and although I’m no tea-expert, that fresh-brewed taste comes through loud and clear. Tradewinds comes in nine different flavors and I look forward to sampling the other eight. The only edge Snapple has on Tradewinds in my book is the fun fact beneath every cap. I guess I’ll just have to get my interesting facts from somewhere else now.