Review: Pepsi Next Paradise Mango

 

My reaction to seeing this was pure "Wahhh?"  Mango!  In a cola!  But it's true, there's a Pepsi with a hint of mango in it.  Now, I haven't tried Pepsi Next either although it's supposed to have 60% less sugar than regular Pepsi (the whole bottle has 100 calories and is sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup, sugar and aspertain, so quite the combination).  I do like a lot of the colas that have hints of other flavors in them (although I'm a Coke fan in that respect).  Cherry and Vanilla Coke are something I'll drink when I'm craving a mainstream soda and it works well enough with citrus.  However, mango as a flavor hint to Pepsi is still a little jarring.  

Outsides:  It really just looks like normal Pepsi but smells like you dropped a piece of Stride Mega Mystery gum in it (Oh no, am I spoiling the mystery?  I actually think there's some strawberry mixed in there too).

Insides:  It's a little bit jarring at first since I never would have expected mango to go with Pepsi, but it kinda works.  This is a lot like cherry Pepsi in that the mango flavor makes the Pepsi a little sweeter and the cola flavor a little more mild.  The soda is really fruity scented, but isn't a blatant fruit soda in terms of intensity of flavor.  Also, I wish they'd have a little more cola flavor just because the mango is so overpowering.  As for Pepsi Next, it's not a terrible lower calorie option.  The soda tastes a little more syrupy than usual and you can kinda taste the asperain, but if you love pop and want to shave off a few calories, this is a LOT better tasting than normal diet (although I kinda like Pepsi Max).

Overall:  It's a bit strange but I like it.  This kinda makes me wonder what kinds of flavors will Pepsi release in the US next (because Japanese Pepsi has a TON of crazy flavors).  Pepsi Coconut?  Pepsi Melon?  Pepsi BACON!!!   Only the consumers and corporate executives can decide.

My Rating:  Try it!   Here's Pepsi's site if you want to look at it:  Pepsi.

Also, here's some pictures of the swanky room I'm in.  I work at my school's medical library as the media desk babysitter and they're remodeling the upstairs part, so I get to stay in the very classy yet very cold Rare Books Room.

 

And now for something completely different: Jolly Ranchers Watermelon Soda

What:  Watermelon soda with everyone's favorite sweetener, High Fructose Corn Syrup!

Where:  USA

Why Should I Care:  I don't drink soda/pop too often and when I do, I try to stick with ones that use cane sugar.  This one is a bit of an exception though because of two reasons 1.)  It's only a dollar for a liter and 2.)  It's freakin' Jolly Rancher!  Watermelon Jolly Ranchers are delicious so why shouldn't this soda be!

Packaging:  It's a fairly large bottle with the Jolly Rancher logo on it.  I'd prefer a smaller size and a glass bottle, but I tend to prefer a lot of things that are never going to happen.

Non-taste senses:  It looks and smells like a Watermelon Jolly Rancher.

Taste:  This may come as a shock, but it tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher.  It's not overly sweet or sugary (syrupy) and it also has a nice fruity flavor.  Unfortunately, the fizz doesn't hold up too well.  The soda starts out nice and fizzy but by the time I used it for this review, it flattened out.

Overall:  Soda is bad for you.  It is full of sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and will make you fat.  However, if you need some soda pop love, this is pretty good.  It's fruity, colorful and may possibly brighten your mood a little that day.  Don't expect a gourmet experience though.

My Rating:  Buy it (just not too often).  Apparently, you can only find these at random Dollar stores and Big Lots.