Spiked Pop Review: A Botanical Take on Hard Soda by Owl’s Brew
Story by:
Debbie Hall
I must admit, I am definitely a fan of soda (and fizzy beverages in general). However, I often approach hard sodas with some skepticism. They tend to taste very artificial and lack a depth of flavor that makes me want to indulge in another. Owl’s Brew, however, took that mindset completely away from me with their introduction of Spiked Pop. I knew right away after cracking open my first can of each variety that these were not simply traditional sodas being copied. Owl’s Brew has approached soda in an entirely new way; each of the seven flavors is made with real juice, tea, and botanicals, resulting in a refreshing, surprisingly sophisticated taste. Whether I drank it straight out of the can, used it in a cocktail, or paired it with food, the flavors were incredibly well-developed.
The first thing that caught my attention was the authenticity of the flavors in every product; the aroma alone prepared the palate for what I would experience with the food and beverage offerings. For example, watermelon had a fresh aroma with citrus undertones, bright lemon-lime was beautifully fragrant without any astringency; however, some of the more complex fragrant profiles, such as strawberry and black cherry, had noticeable floral undertones. Many of the traditional-flavored products, such as cream soda or The Doc, tasted improved because their sweetness was in balance with the flavor and had a more refined profile (similar to what you might expect from an herbal or vanilla-type flavor), while still being sweet enough not to overwhelm your palate.
Spiked Pop stands out from the competition in flavor, offering unique options that still let you enjoy a refreshingly drinkable beverage. The watermelon flavor is fresh and satisfying; the lemon-lime flavor is bright and zesty; the pineapple flavor is dewy and tropical, without being syrupy; the black cherry flavor is rich and smooth; and the strawberry-hibiscus flavor has a good balance of sweetness and tartness. The Doc flavor pleasantly surprised me with its layered, slightly spicy notes, and the cream soda flavor was very soft, smooth, and indulgent, but didn’t feel heavy at all. The alcohol in all the flavors is very well blended, so you first taste the flavor, not the alcohol.
The mouthfeel also deserves credit. The carbonation is just right—lively but not aggressive—and the body stays light, which makes these incredibly easy to drink. There’s none of that thick, overly sweet texture you get with many hard sodas, and importantly, no artificial aftertaste lingering at the end.
Overall, the Spiked Pop as a drink feels like a good evolution of that product. Although it reminds you of things you may have had when you were younger, it also modernizes them by using superior ingredients and makes them more tastefully balanced. To me, it’s a drink that can be enjoyed in both informal and formal settings. Clean, flavorful, and genuinely enjoyable—this is one of the few hard sodas I’d go back to without hesitation.
Owl’s Brew Spiked Pop is sold at major retailers nationwide, including Target, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Sprouts Farmers Market, H-E-B, Total Wine & More, BevMo!, and Kroger, as well as regional retail shops. To find a store, click here. For more information, visit theowlsbrew.com.
Note: Product was provided by the brand, Owl’s Brew, for evaluation and written review
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