Rovers – 3

Rovers – 3 thumbs up

As with Chipper, this soda is Syrian and comes with a fun pull tab.  It is also labeled with a cartoon man in a speedo who encourages you to recycle.  I don't think that they intend him to be in his bikini bottom, but I don't know what the intention of drawing the additional triangle would be otherwise.  This soda was nothing spectacular.  If it is an apple drink, I wouldn't be surprised from the label but couldn't taste it.

Manzana Lift – 3

Manzana Lift – 3 thumbs up

The flavor of apples, as the name implies.  This is basically just carbonated apple juice.  It also mentioned Manzana Roja, so I imagine that it's made from red apples.  Coca-Cola makes this for their Mexican market.

Chipper – 3

Chipper – 3 Thumbs up

You know that it's from the Middle East, or possibly from the 70s when you take a look at this pull tab.  It has a very strong lemon-lime carbonated flavor like a stronger 7-up.  This was not as strong as the sprite concentrate that I once tried in high school.  All the same, I'm not a big fan.

Cock Cola - 3

Cock Cola - 3 thumbs up
There are many jokes to be made here but I will avoid them.  The soda simply wasn't strong enough.  The cola flavor was weak.

Dr. Tima's Honey Blood Orange - 3

Dr. Tima's Honey Blood Orange - 3 thumbs up
Dr. Tima was one of the first sodas that I ever tried.  Unfortunately it's not one of the bet.  This tasted terrible, sour and acidic.  Just skip it!

Looks Like Orange Tastes Like Grape Soda - 3

True to its name, this soda looks like orange and tastes like grape. Boy does it taste like grape - a powerful grape taste. Unfortunately I was only a fan of the color and not the flavor. Cool artwork on the bottle, though!

Party Pop - 3

Those kids on the label appear a little creepy, especially when put on a sangria-flavored drink. Not a great flavor, not a great soda.

Mr. Q Cucumber - 3

Very creative. Still, cucumber probably shouldn't be a soda. It tastes like one would think - cucumbery.

Java Pop Caramel - 3

I have to imagine that coffee flavor is something that a lot of independent soda makers want to try. I can remember being at the beach as a kid and someone handing me a small cup of "Coffee Cola." I was excited - how often are people handing out free soda? I was disappointed after tasting. I wasn't surprised what that particular brand never made it on the market. I was surprised by the various attempts that everyone has made. Few succeed. Java Pop angles on the sweet side of soda and goes too far, in my opinion. I should have suspected that caramel would be super-sugary.

Fizzy Lizzy Red Hill Pomegranate - 3

Again, Fizzy Lizzy is heavy on the sour and low on the flavor. Maybe this appeals to some, but not to me. I could taste the Pom, but the sourness was overwhelming.

Fizzy Lizzy Pacific Raspberry Lemon - 3

I picked this up at Henry's in Pacific Beach, CA. They have a great selection of Fizzy Lizzy for those who are fans. I am not a fan. This soda was all sour and no flavor. I like what they're trying to do but they went too far.

Chai Cola - 3

Taylor's Tonics Chai Cola. I hate to discourage these guys as they're putting out independent sodas and trying new things. I just wasn't a fan of the flavor - neither Chai nor Cola, this Chai Cola did not taste good. It was a good try!

Pop Shoppe Orange - 3 thumbs up

The Pop Shoppe Orange is trying hard to be the sugariest soda ever made. It has a definite orange taste and orange color in a fun little bottle but I feel like I'm drinking pure orange syrup. Three thumbs up

Avery's Vintage Dark Vanilla - 3 Thumbs up

Avery's Vintage Dark Vanilla - great color but tastes like Slice. This is good if you prefer Slice over its predecessor, Sierra Mist. Bad if you don't like Slice. 3 Thumbs up.

Zevia cola - 3

Gross. You can taste the stevia sweetener like a bad diet coke flavored with sweet-n-low.

No thank you. 3 thumbs up

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.

Avery's Toxic Slime - 3

Avery's Toxic Slime only gets 3 thumbs up. It is not nearly as good as the Monster Mucus from the same company. It is supposed to be a nice lemon-lime with a funny color and label. Great color and label - the flavor needs work. Way too sugary and artificial-tasting. Still, a fun one for kids and Halloween parties.

Virgils Diet Black Cherry Cream

Virgils Diet Black Cherry Cream : 12/24/2008: Thanks to Paul Wilcox for this soda! It tastes like carbonated nyquil. Fortunately for me, I don't mind nyquil so much. Still, not a soda you want to drink a lot of.

Tommyknocker Root Beer Float

Tommyknocker Root Beer Float : 7/29/2005: Wow this is sweet. So sweet that I can't really enjoy it fully. It has an odd bubblegum aftertaste. I don't know what to do with this soda.  

Thai Kitchen Thai Iced Tea

Thai Kitchen Thai Iced Tea : 6/14/2003: At first, this had the taste of an iced mocha drink, but then I was left with a very sour taste that I do not like - 3 thumbs up. Yuk.

Mike Shinn Rating: 3 Average User Rating: 5 Paul Manzanar Rating: 5     - This drink does not have carbonation. Remember to shake it before opening it. It has a sort of earthy flavor from the tea they use. The can states that the drink contains black tea with whole milk. The best Thai tea that I have had so far was mixed with condensed milk instead of whole milk. Since this drink uses whole milk instead, it tastes watery in comparison. I would say it is true to the flavor of Thai tea, but it could be better.