Gourmet Sodas

[winky]

Okay, let's talk sodas.

Most may not consider soda to be a "gentleman's essential," but as I'm not much of a alcohol drinker, I enjoy a good soda especially when I smoke a cigar.

After seeing Boylan's sodas highlighted on a show on the Food Network, I became a huge fan. Not too easy to find but, in my opinion, worth the search. Don't like everything they make, but their cream soda is the best I've had, and their root beer is pretty great, too.

Any other "specialty" sodas you all enjoy?

 

[holiday]

Don't know if its available in the US but Dr Fentimans is good stuff. I love the Cola and the Shandy.
View attachment 90329

 

[BigRich]

I love trolling Cost Plus World Market for quirky sodas too. A bonus is most are actually made with sugar instead of HFCS.

 

[theperfectstorm]

Boylan's is great stuff, as is Thomas Kemper from Seattle.
Also, Speicher's from Wisconsin makes fine root beer and amazing Orange Cream.

If you ever find it, try Borgnine's Coffee Soda, an espresso soda made by Ernest Borgnine's daughter. Un-real.

 

[winky]

If you ever find it, try Borgnine's Coffee Soda, an espresso soda made by Ernest Borgnine's daughter. Un-real.

Sounds interesting. Any leads as to where I might find this?

 

[winky]

Don't know if its available in the US but Dr Fentimans is good stuff. I love the Cola and the Shandy.
View attachment 90329

Is this easy to find in the the UK? I'm planning a trip to London in May and will keep my eyes open for it. Any flavor your recommend over the others?

 

[winky]

Is this easy to find in the the UK? I'm planning a trip to London in May and will keep my eyes open for it. Any flavor your recommend over the others?

Whoops, just noticed you mentioned the Cola and Shandy. Thanks. What is Shandy?

 

[holiday]

Is this easy to find in the the UK? I'm planning a trip to London in May and will keep my eyes open for it. Any flavor your recommend over the others?

Its very easy to find where I live, but I'm sure it produced near here. I think its widely available. I really like the Cola....and the Shandy........and the Ginger Beer!
I think the Cola wins.

 

[Tricky]

holiday,
Thanks for the introduction to Fentimans! As a youngster, I religiously read a series of books by a british author, Brian Jacques. He frequently mentioned drinks such as the dandelion and burdock concoction and I always imagined what it could taste like. I will be actively searching this out, as well as the cola and the lemonade. Thanks!!

 

[Pescara]

and the soda equivalent of lilac vegetal

which sadly seems to have disappeared lately, as has Dr. Brown's black cherry

 

[winky]

I should probably add Henry Weinhard's Root Beer. My favorite root beer whose recipe was apparently created by the company during Prohibition.

 

[holiday]

Whoops, just noticed you mentioned the Cola and Shandy. Thanks. What is Shandy?

Shandy is beer mixed with lemonade, its delicious

 

[ouch]

I love Boylan's, and my daughter considers it a special treat when we go to Fuddruckers, where she can overdose on Boylan's outstanding black cherry and cream (sorry, honey- diet only).

I think America's original "microbrewer" of soda is Dr. Brown's. They have a decent black cherry, a very good cream, and classic cel-ray tonic to wash down corned beef and pastrami.

 

[The Seeker]

Is this easy to find in the the UK?

Go to any Waitrose and you should find it.

 

[theperfectstorm]

https://www.jollygrub.com/OnLineStore1/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=32

 

[Lucius]

Don't know if its available in the US but Dr Fentimans is good stuff. I love the Cola and the Shandy.
View attachment 90329

I've seen that at a local gourmet deli near me. I was intrigued but didn't bother because it was like $3 a bottle and I rarely drink soda anymore. I'll probably grab one the next time I'm over there.

 

[Duamuteffe]

Don't know if its available in the US but Dr Fentimans is good stuff. I love the Cola and the Shandy.
View attachment 90329

+1 on Fentiman's - their ginger beer is *amazing.* Personally, I though the dandelion and burdock tasted like cough medicine, but that was what DH (Yorkshire born and raised) thought of Boylan's birch beer, so it may have something to do with what one grew up drinking...

 

[Lucius]

holiday,
Thanks for the introduction to Fentimans! As a youngster, I religiously read a series of books by a british author, Brian Jacques. He frequently mentioned drinks such as the dandelion and burdock concoction and I always imagined what it could taste like. I will be actively searching this out, as well as the cola and the lemonade. Thanks!!

REDWALL!

Man I read the crap out of those books, even if every single one had the same general story and characters, and extensive descriptions of feasts.

 

[xriley]

Not sure if this qualifies, but I like the IZZE's. Especially the grapefruit flavor.

 

[dobeedigital]

Walgreens in the states actually has deerfield trading company's Gourmet soda. My fave is the blackcherry. Jones Soda also makes some pretty good gourmet sodas.

+1 on the Sprecher, there kola is really good.