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Asda Dr Thunder
by carl_lazarevic
My wife Vicky is absolutely addicted to soft drinks. There's not a day goes by where she isn't craving her 'fizzy fix'. Unfortunately brand name drinks are an expensive option and the bottles don't last long enough to warrant the expense. That's where the selection in our local Asda comes in handy. The Asda priced fizzy drinks are ... fantastic value in the 4 bottles for £2 deal, and are; for the most part, surprisingly good quality drinks. It is unfortunate that the drink I am reviewing here is the exception to that rule. I was really looking forward to trying this one too.
- The Packaging -
My reasons for getting excited should become evidenced as soon as you lay your eyes on the bottle. The similarities between the name and a certain popular brand name are undeniable, so if you like Dr Pepper it already has your interest. However the label itself carries a far more Vimto vibe to it. The bold Purple and White swirls rippling out of the vibrant Pink centre conveys an attractive message. Then, in simple white font you are informed of what you are buying. "Zero added sugar: Dr Thunder: Mixed fruit flavour carbonated drink." Being a lover of both Vimto and Dr Pepper I couldn't wait to crack open the bottle.
- The Drink -
On initial inspection the liquid inside the bottle carries an appealing dark colour consistent with other caffeinated soft drinks such as Coke and Dr Pepper. Holding the bottle up to the light however reveals that the colour of the drink has more in common with Caramel than most other soft drinks, and I had hoped this would indicate a slightly milder flavour.
The first time I opened the bottle it gave off an appropriately loud fizz, and I was pleased to discover an appealingly fruity fragrance. The smell was kind of similar to Vimto but with a distinct hint of vanilla. I have never had a good experience with vanilla flavoured soft drinks, but something about the smell always gets my taste buds going.
So I poured the liquid into my glass and found the task surprisingly easy. Dr Thunder was not overly fizzy even without me holding the glass at an angle, and so I could just hold the bottle over the glass and prepare myself. Alas the flavour did not prove worth the wait, and so the drink crumbled at the final hurdle.
The first time it hits the tongue Dr Thunder has a pleasant fruity flavour not dissimilar to Vimto, but in under a second mixes in a distinctly metallic sweetness that sabotages your palate. On swallowing the drink you find it leaves an unpleasant aftertaste that could almost be described as vegetable in nature. So the drink ends up having a sweet fruity flavour with a distinctly salady aftertaste. Not exactly what my other senses had led me to anticipate, and so I cannot force myself to overrate a drink that scores in all areas except for flavour.
- The After Effects -
As with all soft drinks you get a very bloated feeling and the need for a satisfying burp immediately after drinking. Sadly this does not last for long. By the end of the first day the drink was already starting to lose its fizz, and before long the drink was flat. I am normally very happy to drink a flat coke, but in this case it only served to make the taste even worse.
- Value for Money -
All of the drinks in this range carry the same price. 65p for a 2 litre bottle; or 4 bottles for £2, is admittedly a fantastic deal. Whether it's worth the price for this particular flavour is up to you to decide, but I would personally recommend you try the others instead.
- Dietary Information -
A 100ml glass of Dr Thunder contains only three calories, which is amazing in comparison to its branded counterparts. All sugars within it are naturally occurring and it is suitable for vegetarians. It contains no artificial colours or flavours and so shouldn't drive the kids too haywire. However those with allergies to Gluten or Barley should steer clear.
- The Final Verdict -
Dr Thunder appeals to all of your senses except for your taste buds and thereby proves a waste of money. I have been foolish enough to try it a few times as I fancied a change enough to give it a second chance. However Vicky and I are both in agreement that we won't bother getting it again.
Ingredients
Carbonated water, Natural flavourings, Barley malt extract, Phosphoric acid, Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesfulfame K), Preservative (Potassium sorbate), Caffeine.
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Asda Smart Price No Added Sugar Apple & Blackcurrant Squash
by staceyspiers
it's squash (or diluting juice) as they say in some areas- it's difficult to get excited about a product like this, but especially so with this one.
Like all budget brands the packaging is plain, people often site that expensive products are usually the same but in posher packaging, perhaps that's true but I sure do like ... posher packaging.
The price of this is low, but not so low as to really feel like you're getting a bargain, just pay the extra and get something better, it only works out to about 3p a glass cheaper- you're just letting your self down if you buy this product.
The taste is ok, but it's very watery unless you make it very strong, in which case you go through a bottle quite quickly and then have to go out and buy more. Just buy a massive bottle of good diluting juice and save yourself the hassle.
it doesn't really taste of 'fruit', rather it just has a hint of the laboratory manufactured approximation of fruit that somehow managed to be accepted by consumers.
A good budget squash would be robinson's, which is always on offer, and the best squashes (other than the expensive stuff you get from someone like belvoir) is 100% ribena.
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Asda - Grape, Apple and Raspberry Juice
by louly_booly
Shopping at Asda you always find a good bargain I find. So I never fail to get a load of juice when shopping at Asda. One of my favourites is Asda's own grape, apple and raspberry juice.
The packaging comes in a purple card board and shows on the front pictures of the fruit in the juice. On the sides it has all the ... ingredients and a little about how the product was made. It's a really simple package for opening and closing, it has a twist lid at the top. Helping keep the juice fresh. It says on the packaging that it can serve up to five servings.
The juice it self is very sweet and refreshing as the packaging promises. It's also from concentrate and is reddish in colour. It tastes absolutely amazing and I always have it for my breakfast to help wake me up!
You can pick these up for around £1 each or you can get four for £3. There is also other types of juice in that offer. They include blueberry, cranberry, orange, mango, forest fruits and many, many others. A very good bargain with the Asda juice!
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