Tome Tropical Ecuadorian Strawberry Soda

Strawberry sodas aren't incredibly unique. But to me, strawberry sodas from Ecuador are. This particular soda is called Tome Tropical Strawberry Soda and did not come directly from Ecuador, but rather via La Sierra, a Mexican/Ecuadorian restaurant in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood.


Unfortunately, the fact that it's from Ecuador is the only unique thing about this soda. It's syrupy, overly sweet and is very artificial-tasting. Probably from all that high fructose corn syrup. Think of it as Ecuador's version of this but perhaps not as good. I was intrigued, but disappointed.
Overall Grade: C

Frostop Vanilla Caramel Cream Soda

Best. Cream. Soda. EVER.


I've had Frostop Root Beer before, and it was nothing incredibly special, but when I saw their Caramel Cream Soda, I thought hey, that looks good. And I was not at all disappointed. What an amazing cream soda! The hint of caramel is sweet and decadently creamy. Another fantastic creme brulee inspired beverage (like this one). Oh and did I mention that this is my new favorite cream soda?
Overall Grade: A

Dogfish Head ApriHop

I anticipate reviewing many of the Dogfish Head line of beers, because they are known for their unique brews. And unlike some other experimental breweries out there, Dogfish is almost always guaranteed to produce some amazing beers. First up is Dogfish Head's ApriHop, an IPA brewed with real apricots.


ApriHop, as the name suggests, is an interesting combination of IPA hoppiness and sweet apricots. The flavors mingle well together and it is surprisingly smooth for an IPA. It's fruity and refreshing, and therefore perfect for a warm summer evening. I've always enjoyed fruity flavored beers, and now I have a new favorite that I don't have to be ashamed of drinking.
Overall Grade: B+

Sioux City Cherries n' Mint

I think I've tried the enitre line of Sioux City sodas out there and Cherries n' Mint is definitely their most unique.


The Cherry and Mint flavors work together here because the mint is rather subtle. The overall flavor in fact is pretty mild. It's more of a hint of mint rather than a 50/50 mixture. This touch of mint actually makes the soda pretty refreshing. It's also made with real cane sugar, which is a bonus.
Overall Grade: B

Dry Rhubarb Soda

Yes, this soda is called Dry Rhubarb Soda and no, it does not sound very appealing. Dry Soda is actually the name of the company, which is based out of Seattle and focuses on a line of all-natural, somewhat healthy carbonated beverages. They also have lots of unique flavors, such as Lavender, Juniper Berry, Lemongrass and Blood Orange.


Well, just like the name says this soda is rather dry. The tartness of the rhubarb is overpowering and the sweetness is very subtle. But the lack of sweetness is what makes this soda somewhat healthy. Each bottle has only 16 grams of sugar, compared to the 30-50 grams found in most other sodas. So if you're looking for a healthy soda, this may be the one for you. But if you're looking for something a bit sweeter and more flavorful, try something else.
Overall Grade: B-