Sorry about the dated KPOP Demon Hunters reference, but I couldn't come up with anything better for a title. After a month doing a capsule series on trading cards, I've come back to another recurring subject, pop. I've tried some of the latest releases over the last few weeks, so let us get into the reviews.
First, there is A & W Root Beer Float. It took awhile for me to find a store that sold it by the bottle, but I found one. I read some other reviews suggesting that the pop had hints of caramel, particularly butterscotch. I tasted that right away, even without those early suggestions. The flavor was so strong that I almost couldn't drink it. I'm not sure, but I may have also tasted a hint of vanilla as well. All in all, I did not like and would not really want to try it again.
Next, there is the return of Coke Holiday Vanilla Cream. Coke seems to want to make this a seasonal exclusive. I'm not sure how this flavor differs from the new Vanilla Float flavor though. When I tried the Float flavor, I could barely taste any vanilla. The same goes for the Holiday flavor. I didn't taste that much vanilla or creaminess. As for the 'holiday' component, I couldn't be sure what that was supposed to be. On the bright side, it didn't taste too much like Coke either, so I was able to drink it. If just barely.
Finally, there is Pepsi Vanilla and Cream. Unlike the previous two flavors, I drank this at home straight, no ice. (It was the day I had car problems and was stuck there. Fortunately, the car was fixed the following day.) Now, I've had problems involving Pepsi and vanilla/cream flavors. I found the recent Wild Cherry and cream flavor undrinkable. However, this flavor pairing of vanilla and cream worked. Neither one overpowered the other, and the unmistakable sweetness of Pepsi complemented both. I will be having this one again soon.
There have been other holiday limited-editions that have come out recently, but I am not planning on trying any of them. Unlike the other flavors, I don't have any particular fondness for those. I could be surprised though if I did try them. I mean, I don't really drink Mountain Dew, but I was delighted by their Dirty cream soda variety. I liked it so much that I not only have had it multiple times, but I have also thought about trying some of their other varieties.
What I am really looking forward to are the new flavors announced or rumored for next year. Sprite Chill will have a watermelon flavor. Both Coke and Pepsi will have strawberry and cream varieties. Coke as Strawberry Float, I think, and Pepsi as Strawberry Shortcake. Dr Pepper has had a Strawberry and Cream flavor for years, although it is my least like of the four regular varieties. I just find it too sweet. Dr Pepper will come out with a Vanilla Float version, supposedly in February. How this one will differ from the Cream Soda version is beyond me for now. Finally, the big rumor is that Pepsi will bring back Crystal Pepsi for next spring/summer. It was one of my all-time favorite flavors of pop. I've gotten it most of the times that it has been brought back, although the more recent trials haven't always been as good as the original.
But my tongue will be waiting if this rumor is true.
