Here we go again with another Mount Rushmore of my top 4 carbonated soda choices. As the world knows, our neighbours to the south are the geniuses behind the explosion of soda choices in the world. They are so much more creative than we are in the art of mashing something into an existing product and making it better. Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s we saw a large influx of “pop” enter the stores and we have never been shy of choice since then. There are thousands of choices you could make here but here is by spin at the best tasting of all-time.
- Sierra Mist – PepsiCo USA
This brand of beverage has never come to Canada and is a must find if you are the USA. It’s a simple lemon/lime soda, much like 7up and Sprite but is has a crisp taste that is not too high in sweetness and sugar. It ws born in 1999 as companies went looking for variations on the lemon/lime taste and they stumbled across gold. It has endured some formula evolution over the decades largely staying true to the original success, replacing fructose with sucrose and eventually adding stevia as the sweetener. Pick up a case when you are down south next time.
2. Canada Dry Cranberry Ginger Ale – Dr. Pepper Corp
Good ole’ Canada Dry is an institution in this country and in the last 50 years, throughout the world. It may be one of the most recognizable Canadian brands ever and has always been a premium product across the globe. Ginger Ale was it’s most impactful product dating back to 1904 and really took off during prohibition where is was deemed the best liquid to properly mask the smell of liquor. A pretty steep history! Since then, they have tried to find ways to re-invent the wheel and the best combination is their mix of ginger ale and cranberry which is tremendous by itself and even better in a mixed drink.
3. Tahiti Treat
Anyone born in the 70’s or sooner will remember the classic Tahiti Treat beverage. The greatest part of Tahiti Treat is the way it vanishes from store shelves for 10 years and suddenly it’s back and it’s like it never left your life. It combines the fizzy goodness of pop with the sweetness of juice punch. Like a fizzy Kool-are drink that delivers more than the sum of its parts. It’s weaker cousins C-Plus and Hawaiian Punch can’t hold a candle to this monster. It’s so popular that Drake chases the product down in obscure places throughout Canada and it has become the holy grail of summer drinks. You are a true pop aficionado if you drink the Tahitian Treat with any regularity.
4. Old Jamaica Ginger Beer
Ginger Beer is an acquired taste and the varying brands range from difficult to swallow to literally nostril burning. Not my old friend from Jamaica, Old Jamaica Ginger Beer. It’s one of the few that you can crack in a can, pour over ice with a lime garnish or when feeling sporting, mix in some dark run for arguably the greatest cocktail known to man, the Dark & Stormy. There is a tale to be told of a warm night pounding Dark’s in the Jamaican heat that warms my heart. OJGB has the right combination of spice and sweet to make anything go. I have tried them all and might be a connoisseur of the beverage but if you haven’t tried ginger beer, you are missing one of the great hidden gems in the beverage category.
That’s my top 4 and I challenge you to do better. What have I missed here and what is your argument as to why it’s in your Mount Rushmore? Compel me to try something new!