Vodka Spritz Fresca Mixed Grapefruit Citrus: a 'Hard' Fresca

My sister-in-law handed me one of these when we were on a family camping trip recently:

Brand: Fresca Mixed Grapefruit Citrus.

Origin: Daleville, VA.

Purchase Place: Unknown (somewhere in SW WI).

Sweetener: Unknown (I can't stand alcohol labels with how much they don't have to have on it).

Review: This was dangerous. It was crisp and refreshing like a Fresca... like a non-alcoholic Fresca. You could easily have too many of these! It tastes like a regular Fresca with just a SLIGHT bite of alcohol. Fresca is already one of those sodas that could mix will with booze, and they're doing it well with this drink. If you're interested in any of what I'm writing here, you'll be happy if you grab a few of these!

Score: 8 out of 10.

Fora the Red Drink by Casamara Club

My boys and I recently got back from 3 days of mountain biking in Cuyuna State Park. On our 2nd day, I found this cool looking can at a fancy ice cream shop:

On the ladder of my boys' bunk bed at our small hotel.

Look at that wild ingredients list! Grapefruit Peel? Rhubarb Root? Black pepper?!?

Brand: Fora the Red Drink by Casamara Club.

Origin: Detroit, MI.

Purchase Place: Victual, Crosby, MN.

Sweetener: Demerara Cane Sugar.

Review: This tasted unlike anything I've ever had. It's basically a flavored, carbonated, and lightly sweetened water. (And it's just BARELY light pink, so I don't know that it deserves to be called "the red drink.") It initially has the citrus hit of lemon, but then the flavor goes much deeper than that. I feel like the black pepper gives it almost a ginger-like "spiciness," and the hibiscus and rose definitely give it some flowery notes. (And maybe that's some of the strawberry coming through as well.) 

Honestly, I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it because it was so unique! My wife (who loves La Croix and Bubly waters) could have enjoyed this. It's a bit sweeter than La Croix as there's actually 20 calories of sugar in this, and I appreciated that. I'll give it an average 5, although the experience was higher and the flavor was lower.

Score: 5 out of 10.

Dublin Texas Bottling Works 1891 Grapefruit Soda

I opened this to sip on tonight: 

Brand: Dublin Texas Bottling Works 1891 Grapefruit Soda

Origin: Dublin, TX.

Purchase Place: "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store," Jordan, MN.

Sweetener: Pure Cane Sugar.

Review: Do you like Squirt? Because it's basically Squirt. If I did a side-by-side, I don't know that I'd taste much of a difference. I think Squirt is decent, so I liked this. Easy.

Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Topo Chico Grapefruit Mineral Water

I cracked into this last night:

Brand: Topo Chico Grapefruit Mineral Water.

Origin: Monterrey, Mexico.

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: None.

Review: I saw "grapefruit" on the label, but I didn't realize this was just mineral water until my first sip. It was decent as no-calorie slightly-flavored water. It was like a fancy La Croix. Nothing amazing, but still refreshing. I'll give it an average score.

Score: 5 out of 10.

1893 Citrus Cola (by Pepsi)

I grabbed this from Target this weekend:

Brand: 1893 Citrus Cola (by Pepsi).

Origin: unknown.

Purchase Place: Target, Minneapolis, MN.

Sweetener: Fair trade certified sugar.

Review: I was ready for an "orange" punch, but after a sip, it was clearly a "grapefruit" flavor. And then, sure enough, I noticed that it said it was infused with "grapefruit essence." If you like grapefruit, then give this a try - the grapefruit flavor was pretty spot on. It was OK, but their plain 1893 Cola was much better.

Score: 6 out of 10.

Grapefruit Kiss Soda

I brought this to my board meeting earlier this week:

Brand: Grapefruit Kiss Soda.

Origin: Mukilteo, WA

Purchase Place: Frattallones Ace Hardware, St. Paul, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: You know, it tasted like Squirt. All "citrus" sodas taste that way to me. It's like I'm racist, but only towards citrus sodas.

Score: 6 out of 10.

Rummy Grapefruit Soda

I brought this to a board meeting the other night:

Brand: Rummy Grapefruit Soda.

Origin: Breese, IL.

Purchase Place: "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store," Jordan, MN.

Sweetener: Pure Cane Sugar.

Review: It's like Squirt. A lot like squirt. And a little like Fresca. It's good, but nothing special. You like Squirt? You'll like this.

Score: 6 out of 10.