The classic blackcurrant squash, just the way you like it! (Ribena Blackcurrant Concentrate)

Member Name: Jon K

Product:	Ribena Blackcurrant Concentrate
Date:	31/07/04 (283 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The taste, Not fizzy or gassy, Widely available

Disadvantages: The price

In terms of soft drinks, Ribena has to be one of the best-known brands of squash drinks available, and also probably one of the nicest. Although you can get large bottles of the juice which you dilute according to your taste, there are good-sized bottles of ready-mixed Ribena available, and I first gave them a try last year.

The best variety of blackcurrant juice available, Ribena comes in two varieties - original and Light. The light version is very similar, but is less sugary (see below). I think these are quite a new product, as I was only aware of them a couple of years ago, and they are the newest addition to the Ribena range of soft drinks.

The taste of Ribena is fruity and pleasant, with blackcurrant the only fruit you'll recognise, as thats practically all that is in it (obviously!). It does have quite a sharp aftertaste, but I've noticed this with any type of blackcurrant juice I've ever tried.

These Ribena drinks are available most places - I bought mine in One Stop, but you'll find them in most supermarkets, possibly cheaper or on offer.

A 500ml bottle of Ribena costs about £1.05, which is pretty expensive for what it is. Compared to Oasis for example, it definitely isn't - that also comes in a 500ml bottle, and is about 20p cheaper. You might need to keep an eye out for those offers if you want to try this!

You can also get cartons of Ribena (288ml), but these are usually available in multipacks only. If you can find the individual cartons, they shouldn't be too expensive (about 40p to 60p depending on the shop), and also come in Original and Light varieties.

Nutritional Information (per 500ml bottle):

Energy - 1210KJ / 285Kcal
Protein - Trace
Carbohydrate - 70g
Fat - Nil
Vi
tamin C - 120mg*

Ribena contains mostly water, blackcurrant juice (6%), and Glucose Fructose syrup. It also contains no fat. The carbohydrate content is all sugars.

The Nutritional values for Ribena Light are lower overall, especially carbohydrate (sugars) and energy.

*One bottle of Ribena provides 200% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (R.D.A.) of Vitamin C.

I prefer to buy the 500ml bottle, as it is just right for one person, and needn't be drunk all in one go. The big bottles of squash are nice if you fancy drinking Ribena over a longer period of time, but the ready-mixed bottles of the drink are better (if more expensive), especially if you're on the go. And the carton variety is fine if you want a drink at one particular time.

I would recommend any of these, especially if you like Ribena.

Summary: