I Tried the Spindrift Soda, and It’s Not What I Was Expecting

I’m a huge fan of soda. Look in my fridge right now, and you’ll find plenty of the new Orange Cream Coke and Dr Pepper Blackberry. I also keep a case of Pepsi Zero on hand at all times.

You might be surprised to learn that soda shares space on the shelf with Spindrift sparkling water. Spindrift is the only flavored sparkling water we buy these days. It’s replaced La Croix in our shopping cart, as we prefer Spindrift’s flavors (especially grapefruit) and love that it uses actual fruit.

I was thrilled when Spindrift released a line of soda that, like its water, features real fruit. The line has five flavors: Shirley Temple, Concord Freeze, Strawberry Shortcake, Ginger Ale and Orange Cream Float. Every one of them sounds scrumptious!

Spindrift Soda Review

Gael Cooper For Taste Of Home

It didn’t take long for my excitement to fizzle. The second I started my taste test, I knew something was up.

Strawberry Shortcake

The very first Spindrift soda I tried, Strawberry Shortcake, sounded like it would meld fruity strawberry and sweet vanilla. It even poured out in a pretty pink color. But then, I tasted it. My first thought was, is this vinegar? There’s an odd, kombucha-like tang to the drink. I understand Spindrift soda leans heavy on real fruit, with no added sugar or “engineered” (their term) sweeteners. But only Tom Hanks on his Cast Away deserted island could possibly think this was a soda.

Concord Freeze

I moved on to Concord Freeze, the grape flavor. I grabbed Strawberry Shortcake first at random, but after that disappointment, I sought out Concord Freeze because it seemed like any company could make an adequate grape soda. This one was a bit better, not as vinegary, plus I was now braced for the fact that what I think is “soda” and what Spindrift thinks is “soda” are not in the same universe. Concord Freeze did not taste like grape soda, but it did smell like it, and honestly, I’d drink a whole can of this before I’d take another sip of Strawberry Shortcake.

Orange Cream Float

Orange Cream Float poured out more yellow than orange and reminded me of the orange juice you might be served at a bargain hotel’s breakfast buffet. People, you can’t call a drink “Orange Cream Float” and have it in no way remind drinkers of an orange soda-vanilla ice cream float! There was a pleasant aroma, but the drink reminded me of an out-of-season orange, where you keep nibbling at it, hoping you’ll find the sweet, rich citrus flavor of a true orange, but never get there.

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple Spindrift soda was next. I love Shirley Temples! I also love the blissful, bubbly 7Up Shirley Temple, which imitates the popular kiddie cocktail that mixes 7Up and grenadine. But as you can maybe guess, I did not love the Shirley Temple Spindrift soda. This one gave me no vinegary tang but also no fruit flavor. There was just…nothing.

Ginger Ale

The final flavor, Spindrift Ginger Ale, is the best of the bunch. There’s both a recognizable scent and taste, with true ginger bite. Did I love it? No. Would I choose it over other brands of ginger ale or ginger beer? Again, no. But Tom Hanks, on his Cast Away island, would not throw this one out to sea.

Final Thoughts

Calling this line “soda” is misleading. It’s liquid, in a can, with fruit on the label, but it’s not what most people think of as soda. I appreciate that it has real fruit and no added sugar, but there’s zero reason to choose this over a Spindrift sparkling water. True, the “sodas” have about 35 to 40 calories per can, which is less than a regular Coke or Pepsi, but is about double the calories in your average Spindrift water flavor.

I love Spindrift water. I don’t love Spindrift soda. If you want real soda, buy some, and if you want a beverage with a hint of fruit flavor, pick up Spindrift sparkling water and enjoy that instead.

Spindrift Soda Release Date

If you want to try Spindrift soda for yourself, it’s only available on the Spindrift website, Amazon and at select retailers. You may not see it in your grocery store now, but the soda will appear in more stores later this year.

When I checked the site on March 5, the sampler of all the different flavors was sold out on Spindrift’s site, but I saw it was still available on Amazon. You can also order a 12-pack of one single flavor for $26 on Spindrift’s site and Amazon. Yes, that’s more than $2 a can, so your call on whether it’s worth it.