Cove Soda probiotic root beer

Background information: While not a fan of probiotic root beers, I've been hard up to find new root beers to try, so I'll give any sort a go. While shopping at my local grocery store, I ran across a new brand I hadn't seen before, Cove Soda. Cove makes "healthy" probiotic sodas and kombuchas and has zero sugar while being certified organic.

(from the website): "Hi, we’re John and Ryan 👋 Brothers and Co-founders of Cove Soda

Growing up, soda was a rare treat, enjoyed only on the most special of occasions. Tucked away in our most cherished memories of birthday parties, pizza nights, or an A on a test, soda was there.

While we outgrew our soda fixation, deeming it forever unhealthy; the nostalgic craving lived on. Our guts were telling us not to walk away from those classic flavours we knew and loved. 

So, we took a sip down memory lane to create a soda that isn’t meant for special occasions, rather, for everyone and everyday enjoyment. Enter Cove Soda, the first-ever, zero sugar functional soda made with 1 billion probiotics, and real organic ingredients.

We’re making way for a new generation of soda drinkers."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Brought to you by Cove Drinks Inc., 1A Johnston Ave., Trenton NJ 08629. 0 calories, 0g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.covesoda.com/

Ingredients: Filtered water, Erythritol*, Caramel*, Citric acid*, Natural flavour*, Vanilla extract*, Himalayan salt, Stevia extract*, Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Bacillus subtilis DE111 (probiotic). *Organic


My thoughts: I can't believe it's been almost a year since my last review. I haven't had much luck finding new root beers to try, but finally came across this. I'm not much for probiotic, nor zero sugar, root beers, so let's see how this goes.

"Fttzzzzz...pop!" Ah, the good old sound of cracking open an ice cold can of root beer. I prepare myself for the worst, but it smells okay... As the liquid flows over my tongue I think, "Hey this isn't so bad!" It has that rooty sassafras taste, with a decent vanilla flavor helping it out. It has a little of that sort of sour probiotic taste to it, but it's really not all that bad, with the rooty flavor strong enough to help hide the healthy bits. The aftertaste isn't unpleasant, not revealing any new spices or anything, but also not getting overwhelmed by the probiotic elements. There is very little hint of the stevia sweetening altering the taste, which is usually not the case.

The carbonation is fairly strong, though not with the most aggressive bubbles, so it doesn't prickle the tongue. Some of these probiotic drinks can feel a little flat, but this one holds up just fine. I tend to feel like these probiotic drinks tend to have a creamy quality to the texture and this one is no different, offering a satisfying smoothness. The thing that really surprised me is the stevia sweetener. As I mentioned above, it only has a hint of that typical stevia taste (though it is there), but manages to be properly sweet without the sugar.

Well, consider me surprised. I was fully expecting to not like this root beer based on past experience with stevia sweeteners and probiotics, but I came away not minding it. While it wouldn't be my choice among regular root beers, it does offer a moderately satisfying root beer experience and a very good probiotic root beer taste. Seems like they got the formula right on this one.

Rating: C+
flavor: C+
aftertaste: C
sweetness: B+
smoothness: A-

carbonation: B+ 

VitaLife Prebiotic root beer

Background information: This root beer is sold at Aldi grocery stores, but has no product information. It is a seasonal item, however, so may not be readily available.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Dist. & sold exclusively by Aldi Batavia, IL 60510. 40 calories, 5g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.aldi.us

Ingredients: Water, Organic Water Kefir (Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Kefir Culture), Organic Agave Inulin, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Root Beer Flavor (Water, Organic Caramel Color, Organic Gum Acacia, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid), Organic Stevia, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Monk Fruit Extract, Tartaric Acid, Sea Salt.


My thoughts: I'll admit that I'm not generally a fan of prebiotic sodas. But I saw this root beer and figured that it needed to be added to my reviews, so I bought a can (from my local Aldi's).

Taking a whiff of the just cracked can, it smells like an ordinary root beer. Taste, however, is completely different. Okay, I guess not completely different, as there are some rooty undertones, but the overall flavor is kind of a fruity...something. It doesn't really have a specific fruit flavor so much as it creates an impression of the fruitiness without being a definite flavor. I know that may not make a whole lot of sense, but that's the impression I get. It's not a particularly pleasant flavor, but it's not gag inducing. The aftertaste reveals a little hint of the root beer undertones and some wintergreen or some such mint along with some vanilla. At this point, not having read the ingredient list yet, I suspect the fruitiness is monk fruit, which is often used as a natural sweetener (edit: monk fruit confirmed on the list).

One thing this gets right is the carbonation. While not the really aggressive bubbles I love, it's probably more along the lines of what the average person prefers, a suitably prickly experience that doesn't necessarily dance on the tongue. To go along with that, I feel like it has a decently creamy sensation, going down nice and smooth. As for sweetness, I don't like the flavor monk fruit imparts as a sweetener, so am marking the sweetness down as a negative due to the influence on the flavor profile.

Alright, so as a prebiotic soda, this isn't a terrible drink by any stretch. But as a root beer, it's just not good, falling well below the average tasting root beer. This might be a decent option for those trying to drink healthier beverages, though I'm sure that -as in many things- the health advantages are overstated. I'd rather just eat healthier in general and mix in good tasting root beers in moderation instead.

Rating: D-
flavor: F+
aftertaste: D
sweetness: D
smoothness: B

carbonation: B+ 

REBBL root beer

Background information: (from the website) "A CAUSE LOOKING FOR A COMPANY…

REBBL was born out of a passionate collaboration between global thought-leaders to identify an innovative solution to uplift vulnerable communities around the world."

(from the can): "Deliciously supercharged plants to power people."

"Every can of organic REBBL POP is packed with deliciously refreshing, nutrient-dense, plant-powered ingredients that support immunity and digestive health. We ethically source our ingredients, supporting the communities that grow them, and use sustainable packaging."

"Good for you, great for other, better for the world."

Product details: 12 fl. oz. Distributed by REBBL, Emeryville, CA 94608. 50 calories, 5g sugar. Contains 3% juice. Aluminum can. www.rebbl.co

Ingredients: Sparkling water, organic acacia, organic coconut nectar, organic natural flavor, organic vanilla extract, organic stevia extract, pink salt, organic monk fruit extract, vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Contains: coconut. 


My thoughts: Following up on my last "healthy" root beer review, I have yet another root beer with similar claims, with "supports immunity & digestive health." Sounds like another flavor disaster waiting to happen, but we'll see if this one can't offer something a little more palatable.

First off, the rooty sassafras flavor isn't very pronounced. It does come across as definitely being a root beer, however. The stevia is just ruining it with a very pronounced taste. If you like Stevia, no big deal. But I detest the flavor it imparts and in this drink it overwhelms the other flavors with its presence. Notes of vanilla and what I believe is the monk fruit (which -according to the internet- has a caramel/toffee taste). There are some other flavors that I can't quite identify, though I do like what they are doing, but it's hard to sort them out underneath the oppressive stevia. The aftertaste starts out not very good, with more stevia taste on the menu. But an interesting thing happens if I wait a bit longer, as the stevia finally fades away and I can start tasting more of the underlying flavors that were hidden away before, with the vanilla and monk fruit finally taking over. This is one drink that is vastly improved by the aftertaste and benefits from longer pauses between taking another drink. One thing I didn't notice earlier in the drink is the wintergreen, but as I got down to the last 1/3 of the can I started to notice it and it seemed to get stronger the closer to the bottom of the can I got. It never did get too strong, though.

The carbonation is on the weak side, but at least doesn't seem to totally vanish as I make my way through the drink. Again, when carbonation is low it's harder to gauge smoothness, but I'd rank this about average. It's not particularly creamy (I like a creamy foam froth), but there is a little bit of creamy texture in there. Sweetness is fine, leaving a pretty clean feeling in my mouth, but comes at the price of destroying the flavor, so gets some points knocked off for that detrimental side effect.

Whereas the last "healthy" probiotic root beer I tried was an absolute failure on all levels, this one at least offers a somewhat pleasant experience. Other than the overly strong stevia influence, I like what the flavors are doing here. Yes, it could use a little more rooty sassafras taste and veers more towards a vanilla caramel flavor in the aftertaste, but overall I enjoyed this flavor blend that was hidden underneath. I think this is a good choice for those that are looking for very low sugar alternatives. If you're okay with the stevia taste, then adjust my rating accordingly as that was the main factor for my lower score. Absent that sweetener, this might be a mid to high "B" rating instead. I wish they'd offer this same blend with a cane sugar sweetener, as I think I'd really like it.

Rating: D+
flavor: D+
aftertaste: C+
sweetness: D+
smoothness: C
carbonation: D

Tractor root beer

Background information: (from the website) "We launched Tractor Soda to take a product people have loved for decades and make it better. It’s as simple as that. Our commitment to sourcing only 100% organic and non-GMO ingredients comes from our immense respect for the farmers and growers who bring food to our plates each day. We hope they'll be proud of our product. And we hope you enjoy our hand-crafted sodas.

As we tread further into the 21st century, consumers continue to make it clear that they want an earth-friendly, healthier alternative to the products and services they've grown accustomed to. For years, the soda industry has refused to change. And, in many ways, it’s gone the opposite route entirely: producing beverages that are loaded with alternative sweeteners and other unnecessary ingredients. 

Tractor Soda was created for the consumer who’s mindful of the planet we live on. We give our retail partners the tools they need to present an alternative soda that’s new yet familiar, organic yet refreshing, simple yet full of flavor. 

Our innovative delivery system eliminates the excessive waste of traditional soda packaging, making Tractor Fountain Sodas an eco-friendly alternative to bottled sodas."

As a side note, I see that Tractor Soda Co. is based out of Coeur d'Alene, ID, the city right next to my small, childhood town.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Bottled by the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC. P.O. Box 3663, Camarillo, CA 93011. 118 calories, 29g sugar.  Glass bottle with twist off top.  https://tractorsodaco.com/tractor-soda/root-beer/


Ingredients: ultra-filtered carbonated water, organic cane sugar, organic blackstrap molasses, organic aged bourbon vanilla, organic wintergreen, organic sassafras, organic sarsaparilla, organic sweet birch, organic bark/roots/spices (including organic licorice, organic nutmeg, organic cinnamon), organic caramel color, organic juniper berry extract, organic quillaja.


My thoughts: With a huge list of "organic" ingredients (did I mention they're organic?), this seems like a root beer that ought to offer a complex taste, with plenty of subtleties to be discovered. That said, the initial flavor is not super rooty. It's certainly a root beer, make no mistake, but the sassafras is a little on the weak side. It really wouldn't be a big deal, as there are plenty of other things going on here, however I do note that overall flavor could use another notch or two of intensity. As for how the other spices play out, I'd be hard pressed to pick out any particular flavor over another, as the blend is nice with no particular spice overpowering the others. The aftertaste does feel a like the sassafras stands out just a bit more. Interestingly, the wintergreen doesn't seem to add a minty flavor to the drink, but I can certainly feel it's cooling effect.

This is one of the less sugary feeling root beers I've had; sweet enough, but not making me reach for a water immediately after to wash down my mouth after finishing the bottle (looking at the nutritional facts, I note that most root beers have about 50% more sugar). I really like the carbonation, as I'm a fan of aggressive bubbles that sting just a little bit. Carbonation seemed to stay strong through the whole bottle. A general side effect of high carbonation is that often the smoothness suffers a little bit, and this is no exception. The bubbles of carbonation remained just that, without transforming into a frothy foam that makes the drink a bit creamier. In fact, this is probably one of the least creamy root beers I've had that lists quillaja (an additive to increase foaminess in drinks).

My end impression is that this is a moderately good root beer with a bevy of spices, however it's held back by the strength of the flavors, all lacking in intensity and making it feel slightly watered down. Keep the proportion of spices the same, but dilute them a little less and this could jump up into the "A" catagory. I wish more root beers nailed the carbonation the way this does, but they missed the opportunity to transform some of that effervescent might into foam. An admirable effort that needs a bit more work to really dial it in.

Rating: B-
flavor: B-
aftertaste: B-
sweetness: A-
smoothness: D
carbonation: A-

Oogavé root beer

Background information: (from the website): "The subtle yet well-defined flavors of our agave sweetened organic soda pair well with the variety of botanicals found in every bottle. With notes of sarsaparilla, vanilla, and horehound, this is an honest-to-goodness soda fountain favorite. Did we mention it's all natural?"

(from the bottle): "Gluten-free, caffeine-free, low-glycemic and vegan"

*note: Are they trying to convince me not to drink it, because this description on the bottle is doing a great job at exactly that! ;)

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Oogavé Sodas, 4420 Glencoe Street, Denver, Colorado 80216.  100 calories, 24g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.oogave.com/


Ingredients: Purified Carbonated Water, Organic Agave Nectar, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors and Caramel for Color.


My thoughts: Okay, it's an "all-natural" root beer sweetened with agave nectar instead of cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup.  I tend to be leery of these alternative sweeteners, as my experiences with them aren't positive.  In fact, I'll just come right out and say I hate diet sodas.  Except diet Dr. Pepper.  I'm not sure what magical elixir they mix in there, but it's good.

I worked on a Stevia commercial a couple years back and they provided cases and cases of free soda.  I tried a couple and they were absolutely disgusting.  So we left several cases with the sound stage when we were finished.  A couple months later I was once again shooting at the same place, and they still hadn't managed to dispose of all the drinks we gave them, so apparently it wasn't much of a hit.

Moving on to this drink, it smells pretty good.  I'm expecting it to be pretty gross and...hey, it's not half bad!  It doesn't have any of that terrible aspartame or diet flavor that most sugar-free drinks suffer from.  The flavor is nice and crisp, feeling a bit lighter than I'm used to with notes of vanilla.  It's actually a refreshing change from the usual soda I drink.  The aftertaste seems to come compliments of horehound (which the website says it has), as it's a little bitter.  The aftertaste seems a bit medicinal as well, and about 10 minutes into drinking it and with a quarter of the bottle remaining,  I feel a little gross, as if there's a distasteful flavor wafting around in my belly.  For some reason, it sort of reminds me of the sensation I had when I was a kid and I'd go swimming in a pool and accidentally swallow some of chlorine water and then I'd have this odd chlorine feel in my stomach.  Not that this tastes like chlorine, but the sensation is bringing back those memories.

Sweetness is just about right on, leaving my mouth free of any lingering syrupy feeling.  The taste, however, seems to be missing just a little bit of something that I get with sugared drinks, but it's nothing major.  Carbonation is excellent, with a nice bite to it.  It still goes down smoothly, with a bit of froth.

I was all ready to hate on this root beer, but it ended up being fairly decent.  It won't make it into my favorite root beer list, but it's certainly a worthy alternative for those looking to cut back on sugars.  Unfortunately, it seems that Oogavé has another lineup of beverages that contains both agave and Stevia (boo! hiss!), which likely won't taste as good.  If my previous Stevia experience is any indicator, you should avoid those like the plague.  But as long as this one remains Stevia free, I can certainly recommend it to those avoiding sugar, however, if you're fine with your root beer being all sugary, I'd suggest sticking with those instead.

Rating: C-
flavor: C
aftertaste: D-
sweetness: B-
smoothness: B
carbonation: A