Kirks pasito passion fruit soda: Continuing my sampling of Australian carbonated beverages, I purchased this tropical soda to pair with some fish and chips. The soda is sickening sweet but does have a passion fruit flavor, even if it's artificial. On closer inspection, I found that Kirk's is owned by Coca-Cola, though it is from Queensland, Australia. 2.0/5.0
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Brooklyn Soda Works lemon and thyme soda: About five years ago, I had a fantastic bottled apple ginger soda from Brooklyn Soda Works at a restaurant in NYC. Since then, I've been looking forward to my next opportunity to try a different flavor from the brand. I also backed them on Kickstarter a few years ago. When I found myself at Smorgasburg for the Brooklyn Record Flea, I visited their tent and purchased a $4 cup of lemon thyme soda. Unfortunately, it was not very good. The lemon was faint, and the soda could use more sweetness t... (read more) 2.0/5.0
brooklynsodaworks soda drinks lemon thyme 2.0 smorgasburg
&pizza berry ginger lemonade: I was excited about all the craft soda options available at the fast-casual pizza chain &. Unfortunately, all six I sampled from their fountain machine were overly sweet. This berry lemonade had just a bit of spiciness from the ginger but tasted mostly like berry juice. 2.0/5.0
soda drinks & ginger lemonade berry 2.0 pizza
Gina Mango nectar: Containing less than 25% juice, this thick mango flavored beverage has an aftertaste anyone that has had artificial mango bubble tea will recognize. Very sweet. Not recommended. 2.0/5.0
drinks avoid gina mango nectar 2.0
U Cha Barley milk tea with boba: Continuing my bubble tea taste test across Berkeley, I found myself at a popular tea shop named U Cha on Bancroft. Their expansive menu has the fruit and milk tea flavors you expect from a Taiwanese-style chain. I ordered their barley tea with boba at 20% sweetness with little ice. The flavor was familiar but watered down and over-sweetened; the boba was too chewy. With better options, this one is a pass. 2.0/5.0
drinks berkeley bubbletea ucha barley milk tea boba 2.0
Arrowhead Watermelon Lime sparkling water: I purchased this beverage because I needed a container to use with my homemade carbonator. Though it contains 100% natural ingredients, the watermelon is reminiscent of watermelon-flavored Blowpops. Overall, it's a difficult flavor to imagine pairing any food with this drink, and it's not desirable enough to have on its own. 2.0/5.0
drinks arrowhead watermelon lime sparkling water 2.0