Lisa Kaminski/Taste of Home
Over the years, Shark Tank has introduced me to some pretty nifty gadgets, technology and treats. Seriously, who among us has not tried a Scrub Daddy sponge or debated the merits of a Squatty Potty (you know you have)?
Recently another product really grabbed my attention: Sap! This beverage company from Vermont takes seltzer—something we know and love—and puts a natural and good for you (!!!) spin on it using maple and birch sap. The second I saw this product, the maple-lover in me knew I had to try it along with a few of my Taste of Home pals.
What Are Sap! Drinks?
But before we get into the testing, let me just break down what Sap! is for those of you who didn’t tune into Shark Tank. Sap!—yep, there’s an exclamation mark in there—is made of 100% Vermont maple or birch sap that’s been carbonated; no water or sugar added.
While these drinks aren’t zero calories like their sparkling water competition, they do offer a lot more than your typical seltzer—most notably they’re packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. I’d say that that added mineral boost is worth the 25 to 80 calories that each can holds.
What Does Sap! Taste Like?
Alright now, for the testing! I grabbed a handful of friends—soda lovers, seltzer lovers and maple lovers—to see how Sap! stacks up.
Sap! Maple Seltzer
Our first foray into Sap! was their trademark maple seltzer. Before we even cracked open a can, we were all pretty excited. This product’s label boasted a lot of benefits: certified organic, GMO-free, gluten-free, only 9 grams of sugar (for comparison, most sodas have around 40), 40 calories and a whole host of nutritional benefits like antioxidants and minerals.
Of course, we also took note of the product’s pretty, minimalist packaging.
When it came to the taste, though, don’t expect a big punch of maple flavor. Instead, this seltzer offers just a whisper of maple, the same way flavored sparkling waters only offer a hint of lime or grapefruit.
My testing crew did really like this light taste, though. Most of us found it to be really refreshing and just slightly sweet—enough to satisfy a mild sugar craving without going overboard.
Bottom line: Refreshing and outdoorsy. We’d drink this again!
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Sap! Maple Soda
While we all generally liked the seltzer option, a few of us wanted a bit more maple flavor—enter Sap! maple soda. Made of the same ingredients as its seltzer cousin, the soda variation contains the same healthy vitamins and minerals (thiamin, manganese and riboflavin, to name a few), but has a much more concentrated maple flavor.
Now, when I say this, don’t think that Sap!’s soda is as potent as your favorite maple syrup. Rather it had a pleasant, mellow maple flavor. A few of the testers compared it to a really mild cream soda, and I think that’s a pretty apt comparison.
That had us all thinking of the great possibilities for this soda: floats, mixers (it would be great with bourbon!) or even a healthier alternative to your traditional sodas. With only 80 calories, 18 grams of sugar, zero caffeine and 100% organic ingredients, it’s a pretty great substitute for those looking for a healthier version of a sweet treat.
Bottom line:Â Great mild sweetness. A terrific substitute for soda that we feel good about drinking ourselves and giving to our kids.
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Sap! Birch Seltzer
Rounding out the Sap! offering was their sparkling birch water beverage. This flavor definitely stands out from the rest, first and foremost because it’s birch (not maple), but also because it offers nutritional and health benefits different from the maple varieties.
The packaging says that birch sap’s “unique combination of minerals, amino and organic acids… can help boost immunity, fight fatigue and detoxify the body.” Well, that sounded pretty good to us—especially at just 25 calories.
Unfortunately, the flavor didn’t quite match those amazing claims. While we loved the idea of all these antioxidants and the immune-boosting power, we found that this sparkling water was slightly bitter and even had a bit of a vinegar taste—”medicinal” was the word that many of us were reaching for.
We were sad that this one didn’t quite live up to our expectations, but it’s likely because we don’t have a taste for birch the way we do maple.
Bottom line:Â Unless you’re a birch fan, stick with Sap!’s maple options.
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The Takeaways
Overall, we’d consider ourselves Sap! fans. The mild maple flavors of the seltzer and soda were really refreshing and definitely satisfied our cravings for something slightly sweet. We’d skip the birch sparkling water for now, but it was still fun to try. If you’re interested in sampling, try their variety pack or their new line of Sap! sparkling water.
Love maple? Try these recipes.
Chocolate Maple BarsMy family runs a maple syrup operation, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate maple syrup into my cooking and baking. These bars are delicious! —Cathy Schumacher, Alto, Michigan
Maple Butter TwistsMy stepmother gave me the recipe for a delicious yeast coffee cake shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
Glazed Apple-Maple BlondiesMy 6-year-old son and I conjured up this recipe to use the last of the apples we picked from the local apple orchard. Each bar goes beautifully with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Mini Maple Cinnamon RollsMaple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon
Maple Walnut CakeThis maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
Maple-Orange Pear CrispIn fall, my family loves to kick back after dinner and dig into big bowls of this spiced crisp. It isn't too sweet, but it still satisfies a sweet tooth. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut
Blueberry Pan-Cake with Maple FrostingHere's your excuse to have cake for breakfast. The batter is made with pancake mix! —Matthew Hass, Test Cook
Taste of Home magazine, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pressure Cooker Maple Creme BruleeThe pressure cooker is the perfect cooking vessel for the classic dessert creme brulee. The crunchy brown sugar topping in this recipe is wonderful, and the custard is smooth and creamy.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Maple French Toast BakeThis yummy French toast casserole is a breeze to whip up the night before a busy morning. My family loves the richness it gets from cream cheese and maple syrup. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Chewy Maple CookiesMy husband, Bob, and I have a small sugaring operation with Bob's father. I love to put some of our syrup to use in these golden cookies. —Reba Legrand, Jericho, Vermont
Maple-Bacon White Chocolate FudgeTired of the same old fudge? Try my recipe with white chips, maple flavoring and bacon. Then be prepared to share the recipe. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Apple-Walnut Maple ConserveVersatile and delicious, this conserve reminds me of a warm cozy kitchen; you'll love every bite. I warm the conserve and pour it over vanilla ice cream as a dessert, and it's great as a topping over French toast, biscuits or even pork roast. Be sure to make more than one batch so you can give it as gifts during the holidays.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Plus, learn more about the Southern classic of
syrup and biscuits.
Morning Maple MuffinsMaple combines with a subtle touch of cinnamon and nuts to give these muffins the flavor of a hearty pancake breakfast. But you don’t have to sit down to enjoy them. Our 2-year-old comes back for seconds, and even my husband—who doesn’t normally like muffins—likes these. —Elizabeth Talbot, Lexington, Kentucky
Maple Bacon Walnut Coffee CakeWake up the sleepyheads in your household with this moist, tender coffee cake that’s both sweet and savory. Bacon and nuts in the crumbly topping blend with flavors of maple, nutmeg and cinnamon. Yum! —Angela Spengler, Clovis, New Mexico
Coffee Maple SpritzI like spritz cookies because they're easier to make than rolled cutouts but I can still be creative with different shapes and sizes. Feel free to substitute vanilla or rum extract for the maple flavoring. —Dierdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Ginger-Maple Roasted PecansUse these spiced nuts as a snack, in a salad or as a coating for fish. They're a smart ingredient to keep on hand. —Angie Thanopoulos, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Maple Nut Banana BreadThis recipe boosts banana bread to a whole new level with maple syrup, sour cream, pecans and a cinnamon-spiced streusel. I was lucky enough to be a finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
Peanut Butter Maple CookiesI bake these crispy yet chewy peanut butter cookies often. My grandchildren, both near and far, can't wait to dig into the cookie jar. —Lois Bowman, Swanton, Maryland
Maple-Glazed Cinnamon Chip BarsWhen I make these, the kitchen smells like Christmas. Cinnamon chips add fabulous flavor to the bars, and the maple glaze fancies them up a bit. —Lyndi Pilch, Springfield, Missouri
Maple-Walnut Sticky BunsMmm! These ooey-gooey goodies will have everyone licking maple syrup from their fingers—and reaching for seconds. The yeast dough chills overnight. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Maple Peanut Butter PieMaple nut goodies have been a favorite candy of mine since I was a child, and I think the flavors taste just as great in a pie! This pie freezes well, too—just take it out to thaw 30 minutes before serving. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Maple Carrot CupcakesA savory update to baked French toast, this is an easy make-ahead dish that is excellent for brunches and showers. The combination of maple syrup, bacon and nuts makes it impressive and satisfying. —John Whitehead, Greenville, South Carolina
Maple-Bacon Doughnut BitesWhile these delicious bite-size treats are ready in minutes, they’ll disappear in a flash. And don’t relegate the deep-fried goodness to the breakfast nook—I’ve never had anyone turn these down no matter the time of day. —Chelsea Turner, Lake Elsinore, CA
Vermont Maple Oatmeal PieThis yummy pie has old-fashioned appeal, but is so easy to prepare. Serve it with ice cream drizzled with maple syrup or top it with maple- or cinnamon-flavored whipped cream. —Barbie Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Maple Nut Coffee CakeEvery time I make this coffee cake for the holidays or church functions, the pan is emptied in a hurry. People rave about it. —Rosadene Herold, Lakeville, Indiana
French Toast CookiesI created these soft, sparkly cookies because my sister loves cinnamon French toast covered in maple syrup. In the case of these cookies, bigger is definitely better! I like to use white whole wheat flour, but any whole wheat flour will work.—Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois
Maple Sticky BunsMy family has a small sugaring operation in our backyard. This recipe makes good use of the maple syrup we make. It's a family tradition to serve these sticky buns on Thanksgiving every year. —Priscilla Rossi, East Barre, Vermont
Mom's Maple-Apple PieMom's apple pie might be a cliché, but others have tried and failed to rival my mom's recipe. My siblings and I panic when anyone else takes the holiday apple pie assignment, but we make sure Mom is making hers, too. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
Maple Walnut BiscottiReplace melted chocolate with more maple flavor by combining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; drizzle over biscotti. — Susan Rogers, Brattleboro, Vermont
Maple-Walnut Spritz CookiesAfter taking a trip to Vermont during maple harvest season and tasting amazing maple goodies, I just had to make something using maple syrup. The answer was this delicious cookie. I love maple syrup, walnuts and spritz cookies, so I used all those elements to create these perfectly scrumptious bites. I just love the aroma when these are baking—it takes me back to Vermont and the good times I had there.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, PA
Vermont Maple-Pecan CakeThis delectable nutty maple cake has become a hands-down favorite. Chopped pecans add delicious flavor, and the rich cream cheese frosting is accented with a teaspoon of real maple syrup. —Teresa Cardin, Mansfield, Missouri
Glazed Maple Shortbread CookiesWhenever I visit friends in Lutsen, Minnesota, I make sure to buy maple syrup there because I think it's even better than in Quebec. These delicious cookies can be decorated with sprinkles but they're just fine as is.—Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Updated: Aug. 20, 2022
