Better Libations | Healthy Drink Reviews

Matte black with pinstripes, like a muscle-car

Despite being out for a few years now, this product has escaped my attention until now.  Tonight I’m looking forward to a lengthy sit in class followed by a late movie with the girlfriend, so I decided I needed a bit of a pick-me-up.  I usually don’t care for energy-drinks like Rockstar, those medicine-y, carbonated, buzz-creating liquids that rarely taste good, always cost too much and leave you feeling jittery.  This 16 oz can was only $1.99 at the 7-11, so I grabbed it and waited for my chance to review.

Popped open the can and I’m instantly reminded of Pepsi, but then I taste it.  The kola nut flavor is immediate, then fades into a sweet, tangy-energy flavor with a slight herb-y undertone, most likely from the guarana, ginseng, ginko-biloba and milk-thistle extracts added.  There is almost a citrusy-sour element to the flavor, I can’t quite place it.  The sweetness lasts, most likely due to the 66 g of sugar in the can.  That is honestly quite a lot, 33 g per 8 oz serving definitely beats out Coke.  The flavor overall is pleasant, but not nearly as interesting and complex as Red Bull Cola.  I can feel the caffeine kicking in, along with its supplemental buddies, but I don’t get too jittery or anxious.

Researching this drink brought me across some interesting information I was not aware of before.  One of the co-owners and founder of Rockstar is Russell Weiner, son of  the inflammatory right-leaning radio personality Micheal Savage, who has been accused of racism, bigotry and homophobia among other things, as gleaned from his writings and radio show, and some worry his influence extends to his son.  Russell Weiner was involved in the creation of the Paul Revere Society, a group dedicated to stopping ‘illegal’ immigration.  There have been boycotts of Rockstar, especially by the LGBT community, although Rockstar agreed with Change.org to donate 1oo K to LGBT rights associations last year.  Around the same time, the CFO of Rockstar, Russell’s mother and wife to Micheal Savage stepped down from her position in Sagave Productions and is no longer professionally associated with the show.  It would seem that Rockstar is now devoted to clearing up its image, donating and supporting causes and just being a profitable business. As with any conscious, conscientious purchasing decision, we implore you to make up your own mind about companies you buy products from.

Rockstar has been distributed by Pepsi-Co since mid-2009, since dropping from Coca-Cola, but that really hasn’t changed its availability.  I’m not condoning the wanton consumption of energy drinks in any way, and seek out only ones that do not use HFCS or any artificial sweeteners, which is most.

In closing, I found this a tasty, albeit sugar-loaded energy drink that did the job, without giving me the jitters, and without excelling in the areas of flavor or originality.  I would still rather drink a Red Bull Cola over this any day despite the lack of energy supplements.

Score: 3 out of 5. A decent-tasting energy cola that doesn’t really outperform, or make me feel like a rockstar.

– WiseGuise

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3-Star Reviews, Rockstar energy drink, independent company

I'm green with. . .protein

Every once in a while I get an urge to try a protein drink, despite their notoriously gritty texture and ugly mouthfeel, mostly because I go to the gym and need the most protein without the added calories of fat and carbohydrates.  These experiments usually end with a grimace and a vow never to drink another one, but I inevitably forget and see something new.  That brings you today’s post, Mix 1 Key Lime ‘enhanced protein shake’!

Now, it isn’t fair to characterize all protein drinks as a horrible experience, that has just been my sum of experiences.  The idea behind it isn’t to enjoy a smooth, delicious beverage, it’s to pack a ton of protein into your body so you can blow out every major muscle group you have doing power cleans and bench pressing while groaning like a geriatric.  Protein builds and maintains muscle, and eating too much doesn’t necessarily harm you, your body uses what it needs and disposes of the rest.

It smells exactly how I expected it to, like a lime flavored protein shake. The taste is better than I anticipated, smooth and not as thick as I suspected it to be.  The sweetness is very light, and the lime is bold and sour, almost to the point of tasting artificial.  The ingredient list denies this, listing only juice concentrate (lime, apple) and citric acid.  This goes down surprisingly well, smooth and not a single bit of grit.  Overall this was much better than I hoped it would be, leaving only a milky feeling in my mouth due to the whey protein isolate, a milk by-product.  A large amount of vitamins and minerals was added, 23 total, with 15 g of protein and plenty of antioxidants.  Calories come in at 200 for the 11 oz bottle, but only 22 g of sugars.

Drinking this has changed my mind quite a bit on what a protein drink can be like; it doesn’t have to be a harrowing journey into an abyss of gag-inducing textures from gritty, tasteless mixes than slide down your throat like a stagnant oily slurry.  They can actually taste good.

Score: 4.5 out of 5. A tasty, smooth entry into a world of thick, gritty protein shakes.

– WiseGuise

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4-Star Reviews, Mix1 all natural, independent company

Simple designs are not always boring

I came by this simple looking can at my local Sunflower Market, and I liked the design and possibility of trying a new flavor from this established company, and though their reviews here have not yet broken past a 3, I’m more than willing to give a company another chance.  Also, I was thirsty and this was on sale.  Everyone wins!

Sparkling water doesn’t usually agree with me, and this isn’t quite an exception, but close.  The fizziness doesn’t totally turn me off, and I hear some people like that sort of thing.  The scents are understated but tangible, the cranberry doesn’t walk over the grapefruit or vice versa.  The taste is about the same, tame and fairly equal, although the grapefruit wins out for the aftertaste.  The fruitiness is light, as is the sweetness, 24 g of cane sugar in this 10.5 oz can (far below our benchmark can-of-Coke).  Aftertaste is pleasant and sweet, no dry-mouth or cotton-tongue.

Hansen’s seems to still be doing business independently, with several different lines of drinks and several new products like this one. I also noticed that they are quite open about their financial information and any inter-company agreements, so kudos on the transparency.  As for the beverage, I found the taste to be quite enjoyable, cranberry and grapefruit mix surprisingly well.  The carbonation was a little too intense for me, although others may enjoy it far more, I’m not a sparkling water kind of guy.

Score: 4 out of 5. A natural, fizzy sparkling water with the right amount of taste and sugar.

– WiseGuise

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4-Star Reviews, Hansen's all natural, independent company

Yes, finally, the last oogave review that I’ve been putting off for a week.   Christmas shopping has been wreaking havoc on my posting, among other things.  Let’s get down to it, shall we?  Yes, we shall.  I ended up with the other citrus offering from oogave, Mandarin-Key Lime.  This simple soda has only four ingredients, as long as you count ‘natural flavors’ as a single ingredient.

The freshly opened bottle tickles my nose with a citrus-y mandarin feather, but I’m having a hard time detecting the lime.  With a swig, I get that first rush of sweet from the agave, then an orange tang, followed by a hint of lime.  None of the flavors really overwhelm the others except for the sweetness; at least you can say that oogave knows how to play it mellow with the flavors, if you’re into that sort of thing.

I think that Esteban could really play around with the flavors a lot more, make them familiar but interesting.  The sweetness always seems to take control of my taste-buds before the real flavors get a chance to take them for a ride.  I really wanted to like this soda more, but the sugars are the only thing my tongue has any memory of now that I’ve finished the bottle.  Although, I do feel fuller.

Score: 3 out of 5. The understated flavors disappear under the agave sweetness.

– WiseGuise

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3-Star Reviews, oogave all natural, independent company, oogave, organic

I found another Adina lurking in the back of my fridge, and after my last positive experience with one of their drinks, I felt compelled to enjoy this one, despite the leery sensation I have when I read the words ‘miracle’ and/or ‘super’ attached to ‘fruit.’  You will get more on our feelings about this in time.

I popped the cap and took a whiff of the fruity elixir, and found the mango fighting with the unfamiliar goji aroma, and they seem to be pretty well matched.  Carrots are refereeing this scent showdown.  The juice is thick and not unpleasant, with all the juices getting a fair turn on my tongue.  There is a bit of that raw mango aftertaste to it, which some find unappealing.  I polished off this bottle rather quickly, it was very refreshing.

There is a ton of Vitamin C, antioxidants and and some other various goodies.  But, there are a fair amount of carbs in this one for the calorie conscious, about 45 grams for the bottle, but remember it’s 92% juice.  I feel that Naked makes better juices than this, but I still enjoyed it.

Score: 4 out of 5. Satisfying, but not the best.

– WiseGuise

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4-Star Reviews, Adina drink reviews, independent company

I have decided to venture back into the jungle and review another maté tea, as I have become an avid drinker of maté, including one of my new favorites, Sol Maté.  Bombilla is another company centered on organic, fair-trade products, created by a couple of white guys who fell in love with maté while in Argentina.  Within a few short years their products went national, and now I have brought it you, our faithful readers.

Peach is not my favorite tea flavor, it usually tastes too sour and over-peachy to me.  While the scent speaks rather fluently of the fruit, the taste of this beverage is more mild-mannered and subtle, managing to let the maté have a say.  At first, I found it a little weak, but as I continued to swill the mildly sweet liquid, the flavors came out a little more.  Maté is a taste that needs to be sipped and savored to truly be enjoyed, like any good tea.  Only 20 oz of sugar in 16 oz, and full of antioxidants and vitamins.

Bombilla has satisfied many of the things I look for in a drink and a company, providing a healthy, sustainable product that tastes good and leaves out the calories and bad karma.  It’s available at Whole Foods everywhere, or check their handy locater to find it.

Score: 4.5 out of 5. Tasty peach tea, but it didn’t thrill me.

– WiseGuise

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4-Star Reviews, Bombilla drink reviews, independent company, organic, Yerba Mate

Gin-Jah!

I came across this in one of my shopping excursions, and realized that I am not too familiar with ginger-flavored drinks, despite having a taste for the spicy and robust flavors in the world.  It’s organic, original, Fair Trade and from an independent company, so I did what I do best and bought a few to try out.

The satisfying pop leads to a strong ginger aroma, with an undercurrent of pineapple.  I feel like I’m on a tropical island already.  The first swig starts off mildly sweet, leading into a heavy, earthy ginger taste that has a pleasant burn like real ginger should.  The lime and lavender enter as back-up flavors, rounding out the overall taste nicely.  It seemed to get a little sweeter as I drank it, with the ginger tapering off while still maintaining the leading role on my palette.

Adina is revamping their website, and possibly their line of beverages from the look of their site.  They are committed to Fair Trade and sustainable farming, good news for the tree-hugger in everyone.  I was quite pleased with this beverage and the company that produces it, but it isn’t easy to find, at least in my area.  Wild Oats carries Adina, but use this handy locator for a store near you!

Score: 4.5 out of 5. Great tasting and full of organic, gingery goodness.

– WiseGuise

User Ratings: (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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4-Star Reviews, Adina drink reviews, fair trade, independent company, organic

Yay for media kits!

There is a growing genre of drinks that I am coming across more often, that of the ‘organic/healthy energy drink/soda.’  Drinks like EVO and Jones GABA have been our most recent encounters.  Although the consensus so far has been positive, someone is bound to come along and screw it up.  In the meantime, I have found another company that hasn’t yet.  Sol Maté, created by a collection of three small Canadian companies, has harnessed the local popularity of the South American yerba maté plant, which, similar to tea, has been brewed into a similarly slightly bitter herbal beverage for centuries.

Sol Maté comes in an interesting ribbed bottle, with a simple, cool design.  It is certified USDA organic, has 60 mg of caffeine and 21 g of sugar per 10 oz bottle.  There is a sweet, herby smell emanating from the ribbed neck, something like-but also quite different from-tea.  The taste is altogether original, at least for the (American) palette not familiar with maté.  This is much smoother and not as strong as other drinks based on yerba maté, which can be a turn off.  The sweetness mingles with the natural bitterness and distinct taste of the maté, creating an experience both new and enjoyable.

I have reviewed maté before, but never carbonated. It added a different edge to the drink, and joins my list of South American flavorings like guarana, sangria and tamarind that are a welcome departure from kola and citrus flavors.  If you want to find this to try, look in your local Whole Foods store or check their website for additional locations.

Score: 4.5 out of 5. An entirely new soda experience for many.

– WiseGuise

User Ratings: (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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4-Star Reviews, Sol Maté drink reviews, independent company, Yerba Mate

Yay for media kits!

There is a growing genre of drinks that I am coming across more often, that of the ‘organic/healthy energy drink/soda.’  Drinks like EVO and Jones GABA have been our most recent encounters.  Although the consensus so far has been positive, someone is bound to come along and screw it up.  In the meantime, I have found another company that hasn’t yet.  Sol Maté, created by a collection of three small Canadian companies, has harnessed the local popularity of the South American yerba maté plant, which, similar to tea, has been brewed into a similarly slightly bitter herbal beverage for centuries.

Sol Maté comes in an interesting ribbed bottle, with a simple, cool design.  It is certified USDA organic, has 60 mg of caffeine and 21 g of sugar per 10 oz bottle.  The lemon-lime flavor serves as more of a backdrop to the maté, the sweetness wrestles with the sour for dominance, and in the end leaves a tea-like dryness on your tongue.  The beverage has a very distinct maté scent, with a hint of the lemon and lime.  This drink does pep me right up, natural caffeine seems to work much better for me than when it’s added.

Overall, in my opinion the unique flavor of the yerba maté doesn’t quite mix with the familiar citrus duo, which is why I enjoy the original flavor a bit more, it stands alone just fine.  If you want to find this to try, look in your local Whole Foods store or check their website for additional locations.

Score: 4 out or 5. Interesting combo, but the mixture falls short of the original.

– WiseGuise

User Ratings: (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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4-Star Reviews, Sol Maté drink reviews, independent company, organic, Yerba Mate

Blends right in with the fruits and veggies

Although it may be a bit difficult to find in my area, I still love hint and their wondrous flavors.  No sweeteners, preservatives or even a single calorie is hidden inside this bottle.  There’s a reason this product made it on to our Best of 2008 list.

Cucumber is my favorite flavor of this line, not because it’s an amazing flavor, but because it’s different, and delicious.  The fresh-cut cucumber scent is there right to the bottom of the bottle, and the ‘hint’ of sweet cucumber stays with you as well.  Yet, you can chug it, enjoying the cold, crisp water taste, and then let the cuke aftertaste mellow on your tongue for as long as you would like, since it tends to stick around like an amiable friend.

I have nothing negative to say about this product, but I must admit that I have run into individuals that dislike the idea of cumumber-flavored water.  Despite these anti-cucumbites, I think that this is definitely worth trying at least once.  If you can’t find them or want to try more flavors, you can always order online.

Score: 5 out of 5. Clean, crisp taste, and nothing more.

– WiseGuise

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5-Star Reviews, hint drink reviews, essence water, independent company