Mr. Q. Cumber (#44)
Overall Rating: 7.17 out of 10
Mr. Q. Cumber Sparkling Beverages, Global Beverages Enterprises
Website: https://www.mrqcumber.com
90 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 22g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Green tall neck bottle. Green label with catchy name and pictures of cucumber slices = 6.3
Color: Inviting green = 7.0
Taste: Lite, Fresh and Healthy. = 7.4
Experience: Totally different taste here. I was greatly surprise by its taste and energy = 8.0
Okay, So let’s take a few cucumbers, slice then up, soak them in some fresh cold water for few hours, and add a little carbonation. There you got Mr Q Cumber. Really enjoyed the fresh taste of vegetables and forgot that it was a soda. Mr Q is a light and refreshing break on a hot day with no guilt. I highly recommend you give this one a try if you happen to see this one on the shelf.
Sipping Spider Venom Cherry Cola (#43)
Overall Rating: 7.45 out of 10
150 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 41g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Nice dark and spooky amber bottle. Spider and web on red paper label = 7.8
Color: Dark Amber Cola = 7.3
Taste: Smooth and tingly cherry taste = 7.2
Experience: Great themed soda for kids. Decent cherry flavor not too sweet = 7.5
Had to grab this one and give it a try. Funny that I’m doing this review in September with Halloween just around the corner. Nice looking amber bottle with red spider label. Plain black cap, so looks like they are still working on that. This soda was a nice smooth cherry taste that did not have that overwhelming of being covered up in sugar. Give this a try in the fall and get ready for the Halloween favorite soda.
Zuberfizz CocoFizz Chocolate Soda (#42)
Overall Rating: 7.32 out of 10
Durango Soda Company, Durango Colorado
Website: https://www.zuberfizz.com/
159 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 43g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Standard Zuberfizz old school squat bottle and vintage looking label (Please don’t change) = 8.0
Color: Bubbly brown = 7.3
Taste: 3 parts chocolate, 1 part cola = 7.0
Experience: Interesting mix. Something you might of thought of as a child = 7.0
For my second Durango soda, I got to experience the CocoFizz Chocolate Soda. This soda gave me the thought of mixing 3 parts chocolate milk with one part cola, so think about that. at the twist of the cap, I started having memories of the many Yoohoos I had in my teen years. This soda did leave a nice sweet chocolate aftertaste and went down like a cold glass of chocolate milk after drinking a can a soda prior :) As like the Key Lime, the CocoFizz is made with Durango’s “Triple-Filtered Carbonated Water” from Colorado. The label mentions “Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory” so I assume there is a connection there. For the experience, I’m recommending only to drink one of these at a time as I started to get that too much sugar feeling few minutes after finishing.
Zuberfizz Key Lime Cream Soda (#41)
Overall Rating: 8.42 out of 10
Durango Soda Company, Durango Colorado
Website: https://www.zuberfizz.com/
159 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 43g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Nice old school squat bottle and vintage looking label = 8.0
Color: inviting green = 8.5
Taste: Very impressive for a Key Lime. = 9.0
Experience: Really enjoyed my first soda from Durango. Looking forward to trying their others = 8.2
After having the Stewart’s Key Lime, I was kinda expecting the same scientific artificial taste. But to my surprise, the Zuberfizz Key Lime cream soda was the total opposite. This soda had a very natural taste and a sweet sugar cane after taste. I really enjoyed this soda and its “natural” taste. Looking forward to trying Durango’s many other flavors!
Virgil's Orange Cream Soda (#40)
Overall Rating: 8.07 out of 10
Reeds, Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.virgils.com
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 42g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle with colorful label. Also a nice matching wrapper around neck = 7.5
Color: Orange Burst = 8.0
Taste: Refreshing Orange taste = 8.3
Experience: Another great Virgil’s treat = 8.5
Sweetener: Unbleached Cane Sugar
Virgil’s Orange cream soda provides a refreshing orange taste. The Orange Cream soda a sweet orange drink that feels light and goes down smooth. Give this soda a try with foot long sub from your local deli
Virgil's Black Cherry Cream Soda (#39)
Overall Rating: 8.12 out of 10
Reeds, Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.virgils.com
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 42g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle with colorful label. Also a nice matching wrapper around neck = 7.5
Color: Inviting Red = 8.5
Taste: Sweet and smooth cherry taste = 8.0
Experience: Another great Virgil’s treat = 8.5
Sweetener: Unbleached Cane Sugar
Here is another great staple from Virgil’s. The Black Cherry Cream soda provides that perfect black cherry and cream taste. This soda has a oh so sweet cream taste that goes down smooth. The black cherry provides a fruity bite. Give this soda a try after a long day in the office and you won’t be disappointed.
MacFuddy (#38)
Overall Rating: 8.3 out of 10
Bottled thru Orca Beverages
Website: https://orcabeverage.com/about-orca-beverage/
150 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 41g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Vintage style label with corky sayings = 8.5
Color: Peppery cola look = 8.0
Taste: Very unique with interesting bite = 8.2
Experience: This is definitely a unique drink with that sweet pepper bite. Give it try after a rough day in the office = 8.5
Sweetener: Cane Sugar
For all those Dr Pepper lovers out there, you have to try a MacFuddy. This is a very unique and appealing soda. With a solid Dr. Pepper taste at the start, you will notice a peppery but sweet after bite that grabs your attention. I really enjoyed this soda and definitely will go for a few more bottles. The vintage label is well done with its corky sayings such as “12oz of 24 hours of flavorable outcomes” and “Infused with Luck” If you can find this soda, for sure you need to give it try after a rough day in the office.
Hank's Gourmet Grape Soda (#37)
Overall Rating: 8.0 out of 10
Hanks Gourmet Beverages, Philadelphia, PA
Website: https://www.hanksbeverages.net/
180 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 44g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Great heavy bottle. Classy label with gold print including neck label = 8.5
Color: Mystic Purple = 8.0
Taste: Average grape taste = 7.5
Experience: Hanks Grape soda has that stable grape and sweet taste = 8.0
Sweetener: Cane Sugar
After tasting the Hanks Root Beer on my last review, the Grape had a common taste and sweetness.The Grape Soda provided an average but inspiring grape refreshment. This soda went down smooth and also leaves that desire for a second one. Like the Root Beer, I’m impressed with the bottle. It is a nice curved heavy bottle and classy label. Looking forward to trying the other Hank’s flavors. Give Hank’s a try at your next cookout.
Check out the Hank’s story: https://www.hanksbeverages.net/about/
Hank's Gourmet Root Beer (#36)
Overall Rating: 8.42 out of 10
Hanks Gourmet Beverages, Philadelphia, PA
Website: https://www.hanksbeverages.net/
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 41g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Great heavy amber bottle. Classy label with gold print including neck label = 8.5
Color: Medium brown mystery = 8.5
Taste: Smooth and stable root beer = 8.0
Experience: Hanks has an unique taste that goes down smooth. Enjoy one of these on your next cook-out = 8.7
Sweetener: Cane Sugar
At first taste, I really enjoyed Hank’s Root Beer. This root beer was not an overtaking foamy mess, but a smooth and easy going soda. Hanks has a great aroma and the right amount of cane sugar to give it “ I want another one” feeling. I was also really impressed with the bottle. It is a nice curved heavy amber bottle and classy label. Looking forward to trying the other Hank’s flavors. Give Hank’s a try at your next cookout.
Check out the Hank’s story: https://www.hanksbeverages.net/about/
Lemmy Lemonade (#35)
Overall Rating: 8.12 out of 10
Bottled thru Orca Beverages
Website: https://orcabeverage.com/about-orca-beverage/
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 43g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle with original Lemmy label = 8.2
Color: refreshing lemon = 7.8
Taste: Total inviting refreshing lemonade with sugar on top = 8.0
Experience: Really enjoyed one of these by the pool = 8.5
Sweetener: Pure Cane Sugar
Lemmy Lemonade soda pop was first introduced in 1939 by the A. J. Lehman Company. A carbonated soft drink that contained real lemon juice and pure cane sugar..
I have a had few Lemmy’s in the past and finally took the time to write this review. I never got a chance to taste the original, but have to say I really enjoy this lemonade. I’m a fan of lemon flavored drinks and beer, so that probably explains my review. Lemmy contains the perfect mixture that is not to sour and not to sweet. This is a great example of a craft soda from the past. This drink goes down fast and smooth leaving a lemmy taste to remember. This is a great soda to enjoy by the poolside on hot summer day!
Dublin Cherry Limeade (#34)
Overall Rating: 7.15 out of 10
Bottled by Dublin Bottling Works, Dublin, Tx
Website: http://www.dublinbottlingworks.com/
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 42g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle with vintage looking label = 7.2
Color: Bubbly red color = 7.4
Taste: Cherries and more cherries with some sugar on top = 7.0
Experience: This makes a great summer retreat after doing some yard work = 7.0
Sweetener: Pure Cane Sugar
If the Dublin name rings a bell, it should. This is the bottling birthplace of the 120 year Dr. Pepper brand. As the Dr. Pepper production stopped there, the Dublin Bottling Works started to take a stand on the craft soda business with the release of many different sodas with one of them being the Cherry Limeade. A clear simple smooth bottle with a vintage label and picture of cherries.
At the release of the green cap, the inviting smell of cherries and fizz. With a great taste of cherries and pure cane sugar, this soda proved it point. Did not really taste much of the lime or much tartness. With the 40+ grams of sugar in this one, tastes is as if your having a cherry sour ball candy. This makes a great summer retreat after doing some yardwork!
Moxie (#33)
Overall Rating: 5.87 out of 10
Bottled thru Orca Beverages
Website: https://orcabeverage.com/about-orca-beverage/
150 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 37g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Great retro label that matches the original = 7.5
Color: Flat dark cola color = 7.0
Taste: If you have tasted Moxie in the past, you know the taste = 5.0
Experience: Not a big fan of Moxie taste, but if you grew up with it? = 4.0
Sweetener: Pure Cane Sugar
Well, I think the label saids it all for Moxie “Distinctively Different” If you have had Moxie in the past, you know the taste I’m talking about. If I were to try to explain the taste, I think it would sound like a somewhat flat cola with a aftertaste of a flat Barq’s root beer. It kinda gives me the feeling of taking some type of medication bought in a 1800s drug store. I guest that it explains it being a 100+ year old brand. If you grew up drinking Moxie back in the day, I’m sure this remake would be appealing.
Afri-Cola (#32)
Overall Rating: 5.75 out of 10
MineralBurnnen AG,Classic Beverages Imports
Website: https://www.afri.de/USA/index.html
140 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 36g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Know for its fashionable and unique bottle. Have to give them this one. Great shape and clean label = 8.0
Color: Deep cola look = 7.0
Taste: Flat and dull. Not sure what is so great here = 4.0
Experience: Again, really tasted like it was open for few days = 4.0
Sweetener: Cane Sugar
With more than 80 years of history in Germany, Afri cola was re-introduced in the United States nationwide. Afri cola is a premium cola made with real sugar and natural flavors, featuring a bold taste that is enhanced by an extra caffeinated kick by containing twice as much caffeine as other colas, the company says. Not sure why this tasted flat to me, but could be because of the high caffeine? It’s a great know product from Germany, and maybe if you grew up drinking Afri-Cola, then you might be hooked on it. But really not a fan favorite for me.
Diet Barritts Ginger Beer (#31)
Overall Rating: 7.67 out of 10
North American Beverage Ocean City, NJ
Website: http://www.bermudasgingerbeer.com/
0 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 0g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Standard tall clear bottle with clean font Copper Label. = 7.5
Color: Refreshing murky color = 7.5
Taste: Great sweet Ginger taste with no sugar = 8.0
Experience: Not much of a Ginger person, but enjoyed this one = 7.7
Notable Ingredients: Extract of Quillaia Bark, (interesting)
After tasting the Original Barritts Ginger Beer and not being a big ginger fan I did enjoy it. But after tasting the diet, I can’t say that I noticed much difference between the two. With the diet being zero calories, zero sugar I was very impressed. Barritts provides that deep ginger taste throughout the experience. I can see the real ginger lovers clear this one off the grocery store shelves. Also check out Barritts site as they have some great mixer recipes for their ginger beer.
St. John Brewers Root Beer (#30)
Overall Rating: 8.02 out of 10
St John, Virgin Islands
Website: https://stjohnbrewers.com/
15 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 49g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Nice beachy looking paper label of palm tree, barrels and tap = 7.6
Color: Medium Brown = 7.8
Taste: Great natural root beer = 8.0
Experience: Great taste, reminded me of the that A&W root beer stand in the 1980s = 8.7
Sweetener: Cane Sugar
At first thought, a root beer from the islands? really? Well St. John founders have a terrific story and how they started brewing beers. I have not had a chance to try their beers, but the Mango sounds very interesting. Back to soda, St John’s root beer has a great sweet root beer taste that does not disappoint. Natural flavors of Wintergreen, Anise and Vanilla ingredients really give this root beer a unique taste and foaming malt. I have to say, I was impressed with this soda. Really got to try this one with a glass full of vanilla ice cream! Enjoy
Check out their story: https://stjohnbrewers.com/st-john-brewers-about-us/
Virgil's Cream Soda (#29)
Overall Rating: 7.92 out of 10
Reeds, Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.virgils.com
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 42g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle with colorful label. Also a nice matching wrapper around neck = 7.5
Color: Sandy Brown = 8.0
Taste: Sweet and smooth cream taste = 8.0
Experience: Goes great with a chocolate desert! = 8.2
Sweetener: Unbleached Cane Sugar
After having Virgil’s root beer, the bar was raised high for the cream soda. Happy to say that I was not disappointed. I got the chance to have the cream soda with a chocolate brownie and boy was that a treat! This soda has a oh so sweet cream taste that goes down smooth. As like the root beer, the cream soda has a very detailed listing of the all natural ingredients including vanilla beans. I’m looking forward to trying more of the Virgil’s soda. Try this cream soda with a chocolate dessert, you won’t be disappointed.
Boylan Cane Cola (#28)
Overall Rating: 7.87 out of 10
Boylan Bottling, Paterson, New Jersey
Website: https://www.boylanbottling.com/
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 40g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle. I have always liked the style and thickness of Boylans bottles. It also has embossed name and year = 8.0
Color: Deep cola look = 8.0
Taste: Decent and different cola taste = 7.7
Experience: Bought the 4 pack of this one. Great treat in the middle of the day = 7.8
Sweetener: Cane Sugar
Another great soda from Boylan. I have had this one many times thru the years and finally got time for the write up. I always enjoyed Boylan sodas and this is another great example of a simple and satisfying soda. The Boylan’s Cane Cola has a unique cola bite and a delightful taste as it goes down. Enjoy a bottle for that midday treat
NuGrape Soda (#27)
Overall Rating: 6.62 out of 10
Orca Beverages
Website: Orca Beverages
200 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 49g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Vintage Nugrape Yellow label = 7.0
Color: Deep purple= 7.0
Taste: Grapey grape, little to much sugar = 6.5
Experience: Great grape refreshment = 6.0
Sweetener: Cane Sugar and alot of it!
To start, I can’t remember the actual last time I had a grape soda, so it has been at least a decade on this one. I have several vintage Nugrape bottles and nice to see the they stuck with the same label in yellow. Well this soda for sure has an enriching grape flavor that reminds you of eating grapes right off of the vine. My only major downfall on this one is the high calories and sugar. Got to love their logo “ A Flavor you can’t Forget” and I think this is true to say.
Goody Blue Berry Cream Pop(#26)
Overall Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Orca Beverage, Mukilteo, Washington
Website: https://orcabeverage.com/
160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 43g
Label and Bottle Appearance: Tall clear bottle with Goody boy Label. Twist off cap = 7.0
Color: Deep mystery blue = 7.0
Taste: Bubblegum-ish berry and sweet = 6.5
Experience: Overload of sugar on this one = 5.5
Notable Ingredients: Citric acid and sodium benzoate
This is the first time tasing a Goody soda and I’m not surprised on this one. Typical bubble gum ish taste and a lot of sugar. One of these soda was a treat, but I can see a tummy ache after too many of these. I would like to give credit to the Orca Beverage on the great line of retro sodas they provide and also the stories behind their retro brands. Give there website a reading and learn some soda history. Will be trying the red and root beer soon.