Trader Joes Refreshers Pomegranate - 7

Trader Joes Refreshers Pomegranate - 7 thumbs up
This soda is not bad, but poegranate? I'm not 100% sure about the flavoring. It's a fruit flavor, sure, but the label could have said any number of fruits. Still, not a bad soda. Cane sugar instead of HFCS, so that's good too.

World Market Blood Orange Soda - 8.5

World Market Blood Orange Soda - 8.5 Thumbs up!
Theoretically this comes from Italy, but it also says on the label that it was made and bottled in Oakland, CA. Regardless of origin, it is delicious! I highly recommend going to Cost Plus and getting a bunch of this.

Article by Marc at WebUrbanist

Great article by Marc at WebUrbanist on sodas old and new:
http://weburbanist.com/2010/04/13/shaking-it-up-strange-and-unique-soda-packaging-and-flavors/

Abbondio Rossa & Bitter - 3

Abbondio Rossa & Bitter

From Italy - this soda embodies what a bitter should be. Unfortunately I am not a fan of bitter. Still, my coworkers who I tested this on loved it. If you can get past the fun vintage models on the label, be sure to pour out the soda into a clear glass to get an appreciation for the vibrant rose color.

Ramune Strawberry - 7

Ramune Strawberry

I picked this great Japanese soda up from Larry at the Plaza Deli in Santa Barbara. This soda has a great red color and tastes strongly of sweet strawberries - just what one would want and expect.

Quick tip for folks trying any Ramnue for the first time: pull the green plunger out of its perforated ring before popping into the top marble. Otherwise you're doomed for frustration or injury.

World Market Pomegranate - 6.5

In theory, from Italy, but I believe that it's more likely inspired by Italian sodas. When I was in Italy I never tasted something so strong. This is incredibly syrupy. Still, the flavor is good. It earns a 6.5. I'm glad to have had it but don't need a repeat any time soon.

Pithy Little Black Cherry - 8.5

Pithy Little Black Cherry.
From the Pithy Little Company - also a gift from Liz Werhane. This was fantastic! I can't think of the last time I've had a better black cherry. Great color and better flavor and carbonation.

Taisun Grass Jelly Drink - 1.5

Taisun Grass Jelly Drink or Xinh Xao Mat Ong
When you're in the mood of some grass jelly drink, there is none better.
Unfortunately it has an unpleasant brown coloring and tastes just as bad.
Mostly it tastes like sugar water. I recall leaving Easter jellybeans in a cup of water overnight as a child and drinking the coctail the next day. I had no idea that I was making a home-brew of grass jelly drink.

Blummers Blueberry - 2

Thank you to Heather Ridgely for picking this up for me in Monroe, WI.
Blummers has a great blue color. Also, it's Kosher, so it says on the label. Unfortunately the taste is far to chemical for my liking. 2 thumbs up.

Napa Valley Vanilla Creme - 6

A beautiful golden color. This soda smells nice as well. Those are about all of the positive aspects of the soda, though. It gets lower points for the sticker label – stuck on the glass instead of regular print-on-glass silk screen. Also, the soda is way too sugary. It's drinkable, so 6 thumbs up, but not one I need to rush back for.