DiningBuzz! - Soft Drinks From Around The World

http://www.mtviggy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pid_29347.jpg
These are some really strange flavors of Pepsi — including ice cucumber and white yogurt.

What soft drinks have you encountered in your travels around the world? Please list the strangest, most delicious, most vile or whatever other category on which you would like to report, along with a description.

Thank you in advance.

Wow, where are these from? I guess you could have the yogurt one for breakfast.

There used to be (may still be) a orange soft drink I encountered in Germany called Cilly Minora...very tasty.

Pepsi cucumber, pepsi blue hawaiian & pepsi white are mentioned here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/849615-top-ten-weird-bizarre-japanese-soft-drinks.html

pepsi shiso here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/544697-cool-new-stuff-buildings-trains-technology-etc-6.html#post11959583

No idea about the boabab flavour but within http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/544697-cool-new-stuff-buildings-trains-technology-etc-12.html#post16804611 an intrepid FTer bravely tried the caribbean gold flavour

I've only had the pepsi white. tab mixed with calpis is a good description. I like calpis, but the tab flavour ruined it. :td:

I asked my parents to buy me Antesite whilst they drove through France, but not the version with aniseed. I got an email today saying they found some. One of the bottles is apple and cinnamon flavour, that should be interesting (Antesite is one of the strangest soft drinks I've ever tried. It's made with liquorice extract and this is naturally sweeter than any sugar, so you get these intense flavoured sugar free concentrates and you add a few drops to a glass of water. I guess it's an acquired taste and is horribly difficult to get hold of, especially if you're a fellow aniseed hater)

EDIT: I just realised that when Pepsi Azuki was mentioned it wasn't a joke. :( Urgh!
http://f00.inventorspot.com/images/azuki.img_assist_custom.jpg
This ranks high on my vile list - perhaps even more (but not much more) than Dr Pepper

Moxie! It tastes like Jägermeister and as far as I can tell is only available in certain counties in Maine.

It's "good for what ails you" or something like that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxie

When in Atlanta hit up the Coke museum.

You can try as they say on their web site

Take your taste buds on a trip around the world. Sample over 60 different products through five tasting stations arranged geographically, and a sixth station dedicated solely to Coca-Cola® brands. Sip, mix, and savor to your heart's delight!

The bitter stuff from Italy is always the weirdest.

Moxie! It tastes like Jägermeister and as far as I can tell is only available in certain counties in Maine.

It's "good for what ails you" or something like that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxie

Wow. Of all the soft drinks in the world, you picked the one that leapt to my mind. Although it's an acquired taste, my entire family has acquired it. That's bad news for me -- I brought a 12-pack home from PWM last week, and it was gone before I got home again from my next trip.

http://www.mainethingstodo.com/mttd/2010/01/95-drink-moxie/

Moxie is actually more widely available than you might think. I was surprised to find it in the cooler in my local (Memphis area) Fresh Market.

If you're looking for a food pairing for Moxie: Think whoopie pies.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/WhoopiePieHistory.htm

There is everyone's favorite, Inca Kola, from Peru. Looks like pee, tastes like bubble gum!

The bitter stuff from Italy is always the weirdest.

Really? We have it in Spain too (Bitter Kas), in the UK there's Angostura Bitters which is really refreshing when you add a few drops to a glass of lemonade.
There's such a history of bitter drinks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitters
And it's so widespread across the world - especially in HOT countries and regions - it's hard to think of them as weird. They are so good at stimulating flagging appetites.

If you end up craving a bitter taste on a particularly hot day there was a Japanese recipe I came across some time ago that I really enjoy. The gist of it was that you take a bitter melon - goya in Japanese
http://image.rakuten.co.jp/oki-nanaya/cabinet/cm1/go-ya-1kg-h.jpg
finely grate some and just add it to the soda of your choice.
You can add it to club soda but I like it mixed in with a sweeter carbonated drink.
Here's a ready made version from Japan
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~tacchini/img/goya-man1.JPG
I'll take bittermelon soda over melon soda any day

Moxie! It tastes like Jägermeister and as far as I can tell is only available in certain counties in Maine.

It's "good for what ails you" or something like that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxie

+1

Moxie is the first thing I thought of also. Only soft drink I crave. Every time I visit my place in NH I pick up some to take back. Last time I took a 12 pack it tasted like crap, though. My first thought was they changed the recipe or it was from a different bottler. Finally I noticed on the bottom of a can that it was over a year out of date!

As my husband says, "Moxie is a warrior's drink" (channeling Worf from Star Trek). To me it's Dr. Pepper on steroids.

I like Ting, but for the prices charged around here, I'll save my money and drink it in the Caribbean.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/512021694_8f1099251d.jpg

When in Atlanta hit up the Coke museum.

You can try as they say on their web site

Take your taste buds on a trip around the world. Sample over 60 different products through five tasting stations arranged geographically, and a sixth station dedicated solely to Coca-Cola® brands. Sip, mix, and savor to your heart's delight!

The bitter stuff from Italy is always the weirdest.

The Coke tasting room was the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread title. I remember tasting a Lychee drink that was kind of weird.



My best remembered favorite was a dry lemon carbonated soda in England, but I can't recall the brand.

Guarana- Not really that exotic but a pretty tasty citrus soda

One few people have probably heard of which is one of my favorites.....Pop-Cola from the Philippines. It is a cola taste, but not really like any I have had in the states.

I've always been struck by the feeling that the closer one gets to the Equator, the sweeter grow many of the popular soft drinks. Maybe the prevaling local temperature makes them taste that way.

To be avoided, especially by oenophiles, the Mexican "Jarritos" brand "sangria-flavored" (NA). "Gag a Maggot" is the description my eldest daughter used to describe it.

The Coke tasting room was the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread title. I remember tasting a Lychee drink that was kind of weird.

Oh, I thought the lychee drink was the best!

SWEAT:

http://www.google.com/search?q=pocari+sweat&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=0YZSTt7aJLCBsgL1pdyxBg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CB4Q_AUoAQ&biw=819&bih=477

The Coke tasting room was the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread title. I remember tasting a Lychee drink that was kind of weird.



My best remembered favorite was a dry lemon carbonated soda in England, but I can't recall the brand.

Schwepps bitter lemon?

Dandelion and Burdock has to be a pretty weird one, although I think of it as normal (don't like it mind you!)

Canned non alcoholic shandy is also pretty uniquely disgusting.

In terms of bitters, I love things like Campari, and Angostura, but can happily leave Brio - it just tastes slightly 'off' to me.

Orangina and the San Pelligrino orange counterpart are yummy holiday in a glass drinks!

The one I miss most is Elderflower cordial - you can get the sparkling versions in stores here, but not the mix with water ones - I found them at a trade fair once, but not since. Love that stuff http://www.bottlegreendrinks.com/products/cordials/bottlegreen-cordials/ I really want to try the strawberry and elderflower, and the apple and plum ones too!

Generally try to keep to water and the odd Gaterade/Powerade when travelling. However, I got addicted to a bunch of different drinks in Japan.
Pocari Sweat (as mentioned above), CC Lemon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.C._Lemon) (which I can source in Vancouver at a few places btw but costs an arm and a leg), and this green melon soda (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/685931-melon-soda.html) at MOS Burger.

http://www.breizhcola.fr/

Living in North Carolina how can I not mention Cheerwine on this thread? My sister is actually friends with the Granddaughter of the inventor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerwine

I assume the bitter stuff from Italy is Chinotto (of which Pepsi do a particularly dry version)? The San Pellegrino version is lovely - and as I live in a part of the country with an established Italian population, readily available here! A slightly sweeter equivalent is Malta's Kinnie - I say "slightly", but it has terrifying sugar content.

Which leads me on to my country's "other national drink" - Irn Bru. There's nothing quite like it (unless you go to Peru and drink Inca Cola, which is actually quite similar, but much less orange). In its "native" state, it's banned in the US. However, it's incredibly Scottish, and often claimed to outsell all other soft drinks.

Other favourites from around the world - Austria's Almdudler is always a pleasure (a herbal, gingery flavour), as are the various German Apfelschoerle. Japan scores well, not just for randomness, but for some drinks I still crave - not just the various cold teas, but things like aloe juice and Calpis. L&P will always bring back memories of New Zealand, as will Bundaberg Ginger Beer of Australia. Childhood visits to France always included the then novel Orangina, but also the gently amusing Pschitt and Sic. There's also Ricqles, but I try to forget that memory.

And then there's Indian Thums [sic] Up sarsaparilla. I want my thunder!

Oh, I thought the lychee drink was the best!

On the other end of the scale at the Coke Museum, try the Beverly Drink in the European section of the tasting room. :eek:

Neither my friends nor I could figure out what Beverly is made from.

When in Los Angeles, a visit to this place is a good idea. If you can't visit, they will ship it to you, but as all items are glass bottles, the cost of freight adds a good amount of $ to the final price tag. I'm fortunate to live nearby.

You will find many small companies represented, often featuring products that are made with cane sugar.

Galco's Los Angeles/Highland Park, CA (http://www.sodapopstop.com/home.cfm)

Which leads me on to my country's "other national drink" - Irn Bru. There's nothing quite like it (unless you go to Peru and drink Inca Cola, which is actually quite similar, but much less orange). In its "native" state, it's banned in the US. However, it's incredibly Scottish, and often claimed to outsell all other soft drinks.

Made in Scotland from girders!

Made in Scotland from girders!

I love Irn Bru but its too sweet for me nowadays!

one to try in Malta is Kinnie, only buy one bottle though! its a very bitter orange drink, smells quite appetizing in the glass......until you taste it

I'm always up for any of the Mexican Jarritos sodas. And if in China, I'm a big fan of Wong Lo Kat, which though not exactly a soft drink, seems to be consumed as though it were one and its bright red cans are just about everywhere: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Lo_Kat
http://www.bjreview.com.cn/business/txt/2010-09/19/content_299229.htm

Two Japanese soft drinks that I found in vending machines only once each were

1. Plum wine soda
2. Cardamom soda

Perhaps they were ill-fated marketing ventures, but the plum wine soda wasn't bad.

Schwepps bitter lemon?

Schwepps Bitter Lemon is one of my favs to drink when I'm in the UK or Africa... another favorite is Appletiser.

I think I'd like to try a Pepsi Cucumber. :)

Ale-8-One is a ginger ale -ish drink from my neck of the woods, but I've never tasted it.

Schweppes Agrum' ("Citrus") is a nice, fairly dry fruit drink I'd like to see migrate over from France. Just like Gini did for a while (albeit a far too sweetened version).

Red Kola is another Scottish one that's rarely seen elsewhere - imagine black cola with even more sugar.

Sparkling ice tea (usually a fairly unsweetened Lipton) is very popular in the Netherlands and some other continental European countries, and I'd love to see that closer to home too!

I used to love drinking Krest when I was in Botswana. It wasn't quite Sprite, it wasn't quite Ginger Ale in taste but it was really good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krest

My sister enjoyed Ting in Antigua -- said it was very refreshing. I couldn't partake as the citrus they use is grapefruit and would interact badly with my medications.....

Tried Fentimans in Prague .. Very tasty ginger beer (soda).

www.fentimans.cz

I'm a big fan of a cold bottle of Jamaican ginger beer.

http://www.latinmerchant.com/images/product/1BNC%20(19).jpg

Schwepps Bitter Lemon is one of my favs to drink when I'm in the UK or Africa... another favorite is Appletiser.

I think I'd like to try a Pepsi Cucumber. :)

Ale-8-One is a ginger ale -ish drink from my neck of the woods, but I've never tasted it.

Oh I lvoe appletiser! And peartiser!

Many Mexican restaurant carry the made in Mexico stuff some make their own. I'm a sucker for cinnamon perhaps thats why I like it and it goes well with hot food

Schwepps bitter lemon?

I'm addicted to Bitter Lemon, and you can occasionally find it in liquor stores among the mixers. Never see it in regular grocery stores here in the states.

I like it as an alternative to the Tonic in a G&T.

I'm also quite fond of Izzy.

There is everyone's favorite, Inca Kola, from Peru. Looks like pee, tastes like bubble gum!

I've always called it an evil blend of Mountain Dew and Bubble Gum. Wow is it vile.

And then there's Indian Thums [sic] Up sarsaparilla. I want my thunder!

That stuff - in small quantities - is divine. However the sugar content....

My sister enjoyed Ting in Antigua -- said it was very refreshing. I couldn't partake as the citrus they use is grapefruit and would interact badly with my medications.....

Great mixer too.

My sister enjoyed Ting in Antigua -- said it was very refreshing. I couldn't partake as the citrus they use is grapefruit and would interact badly with my medications.....

Has a grapefruit base. I don't drink soft drinks unless it is this one. Even had my Publix in Roswell Ga get it. So I do drink it quite a bit.;)

I'm a big fan of Rivella (Switzerland), i remember in Hong Kong drinking Sprite Ice but i dont believe thats made anymore?
I also found in Germany fizzy apple juice but i can't remember the brand..
Love Mountain Dew (US version), i also prefer Dr Pepper in the US to the UK
Guarana also, although i find it amusing that the stock the Brazilian cafe at home sells is from Portugal, apparently its not quite the same

When I was at the place in Milwaukee years ago that was the model and inspiration for the drive-in on the television show Happy Days, I sampled this bright green soda that is local to the Milwaukee area, but I forgot what it is called.

http://www.dggpro.com/thesodadepot/images/greenRiver.jpg

Perhaps it was Green River?

If I remember correctly, it was rather sweet...

I gave advice on where to get interesting beverages, but didn't post those that I like:

Bundaberg Ginger Beer (Austrailia)
L & P (New Zealand)
Red Ribbon Root Beer (USA)
Virgil's Root Beer (So Cal Local)

Favorite soda of all time:

Schweppes Cream Soda

It's like crack in a can. Whenever I think about traveling to Asia, it's the first thing that I think about. Drooling over it now. (Second is Dark Chocolate Maltesers, but that's a different thread altogether.)

Big Red from Texas. I kind of like it. Bubble-gummy cream soda. I always find it in San Francisco when I am there every few months at a convenience store on Sutter near Hyde. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Red_(drink)

My sister enjoyed Ting in Antigua -- said it was very refreshing. I couldn't partake as the citrus they use is grapefruit and would interact badly with my medications.....

I found Ting in our local Tesco on Saturday - it makes an excellent mixer for vodka!!!

Our native Irish soft drinks are Tanora (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanora) (tangerine flavoured & now being discontinued) and Red Lemonade (http://www.loveirishfood.ie/our-brands/tk-lemonade.aspx)

Schweppes Agrum' ("Citrus") is a nice, fairly dry fruit drink I'd like to see migrate over from France.
I love Agrum. Ever since I discovered it in the AF CDG lounges, I've brought home a can or two whenever I'm in France.

I love Guarana antarctica. Just had it at brazilian restaurant recently and it was awesome. Now to find where to buy it in my city.

Saw these in a Paris department store. I'm sure it tastes the same as any old coke, but...

http://www.sassisamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Karl_Lagerfeld_Diet_Coke_2011.jpg

I love Agrum. Ever since I discovered it in the AF CDG lounges, I've brought home a can or two whenever I'm in France.

we get that in the supermarkets in Sydney, have to say I'm not so keen on it.

we get that in the supermarkets in Sydney, have to say I'm not so keen on it.

Again, it's an excellent mixer (god, I really do sounds as if I have a problem :D) but I rarely drink soft drinks on their own, with the exception of Coke Zero... it's water the rest of the time. But come nightfall and it's vodka or gin & mixer for me!

They stopped selling Oasis in Australia- noncarbonated fruity drinks, very refreshing, sometimes more thirst quenching than bubbles

Again, it's an excellent mixer (god, I really do sounds as if I have a problem :D) but I rarely drink soft drinks on their own, with the exception of Coke Zero... it's water the rest of the time. But come nightfall and it's vodka or gin & mixer for me!

I see vodka as more of a breakfast drink so I generally mix it with juice, but I guess I can see your point :D

I haven't tried any of the unusual flavours people have listed, but my favourite fizzy soft drink is Mezo Mix. I've only seen it on sale in Germany, but it seems really popular over there. It's like Fanta and Cola mixed together.

When I'm at home I don't really drink anything fizzy. I'm not a huge fan of drinks with a lot of sugar in them, and aspartame gives me migraines, so I stick to water, coffee, and the occasional fresh orange.

Any Malta... available across parts of the Caribbean and Latin America.

i love dr. brown's "CEL-RAY" soda - very hard to find!! tastes like a mix of ginger ale and celery.

I've seen guarana tossed around on this thread, but want to add that not all guarana drinks are created equal. Having tried a few, Guaraná Antarctica from Brasil is the absolute best! They make it in Portugal too, but it's not quite the same.

http://www.sancarlosproducts.com/images/productimages/gurana_antartica.gif

I'm currently in Chile for an extended period of time and everywhere I go I see "Pap" and "Bilz" soft drinks. I have to admit I have yet to try them, probably because my husband didn't exactly give them glowing recommendations (apparently they are sickly-sweet and don't have a specific flavor)

http://riquisimasempanadas.com/web/images/stories/Chi%20-%20Bilz%20y%20Pap.jpg

Finally, being a native of Michigan, I have to endorse any kind of Faygo soft drink (or as we call it, "pop"), especially their grape pop.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQQ1g2ADLbGNYzTyt1YR_faFcYpn81g OIYNwUymMkU3T3TPK8oug

My sister enjoyed Ting in Antigua

I forgot all about Ting. Heading to BevMo tomorrow. Will pick some up when I replenish my ginger beer stash.

Is Lucozade a "Soda"? I love that stuff.

Ohhh lucozade, the old version in the glass bottle normally seen in hospitals - the original energy drink, nevermind that new fangled red bull stuff!

Lucozade... the worlds best hangover cure... although it was always intended as a drink for invalids when we were kids (you knew you were sick when a bottle of red cellophane wrapped Lucozade showed up):D

I remember being given lucozade after falling off a trampoline while at a sports centre on holiday as a kid :D

I found Ting when I was in Jamaica and look for it when I'm in the Caribbean. To me, it tastes like Wink (the sassy one, from Canada Dry) that we used to have as a treat when I was a kid, and parents (mine and my friends') seemed to always have it on hand as a mixer.

My dad is from New England, so he grew up drinking Moxie. I can find it sometimes at Bev Mo in San Diego. I've tasted it and can only imagine that people drank it because it was The Depression, everything was expected to be awful, and everything was supposed to taste like dirt.

I remember being given lucozade after falling off a trampoline while at a sports centre on holiday as a kid :D

A&E? Nah, some lucozade and they'll be right as rain, x-rays are for wusses!

In my case, our school nurse (yup, fully qualified sister no less, not the receptionist who had been on half day first aid course) was addicted to tubi grip and antiseptic - it could cure anything (and yes, she tried to send me back to class with a shattered knee cap after applying antiseptic (I wouldn't let her near me with tubigrip, it would have been agony!) I had to beg the nice secretary to let me call my mother (after hopping up 3 flights of stairs to get to the office) to come and take me to hospital because I was sure I knew something serious was up! )

My sister enjoyed Ting in Antigua -- said it was very refreshing. I couldn't partake as the citrus they use is grapefruit and would interact badly with my medications.....

I love Ting. It is made in Jamaica. It is definitely a grapefruit drink and very fizzy. I buy it at a boutique grocery in Los Angeles.

How similar is Ting to something like Fresca?

How similar is Ting to something like Fresca?

A hundred million times nicer than Fresca! Can now also swear by Marks & Spencer Sicilian Lemonade as a mixer *hic* :D

It's more similar to Squirt than Fresca.

Thumbs Up only availiable in western India. Now owned by Coke. Also Duke's Lemonade. The best lemon soda drink around. Now owned by Pepsi and only avaliable in Western India

Chilsung cider in Korea. So clean!

Lucozade... the worlds best hangover cure... although it was always intended as a drink for invalids when we were kids (you knew you were sick when a bottle of red cellophane wrapped Lucozade showed up):D

Ahh yes...My Mum learnt the hard way it was probably not a good idea to give a kid with a stomach bug a bright orange soft drink while he's lying on the new white lounge.

It's more similar to Squirt than Fresca.

Absolutely! Maybe just a bit less sweet than Squirt. I'm not saying that Squirt is overly sweet. Squirt is another fave-o-mine.

Absolutely! Maybe just a bit less sweet than Squirt. I'm not saying that Squirt is overly sweet. Squirt is another fave-o-mine.

Yep, and you are lucky that you spend time in SAN. I have seen it in many hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurants there, and in Tijuana too.

Lucozade... the worlds best hangover cure...

Oh no, that's GOT to be Irn Bru (washing down a roll and square sausage, with tattie scone on top)!

I rarely drink sweet drinks and prefer carbonated water.

I did present a colleague with a bottle of Pocari Sweat once as a gift (didn't seem odd to me as I am very familar with the product but it made an impact on him)

I do like Beverly, which the WDW fan crowd seems to enjoy mocking. It is much more to my tastebuds.

I do like Pret a Manger gingerbeer, and elderflower drink, because they are not overly sweet. The sweetest I will go is the various Orangina products but they are variable and have changed since changing ownership.

Just tried watermelon cola and Nestea's Pear & Honey in Taiwan. Can't say I care for either of them. Jarritos Tamarindo is still a favorite of mine.

I miss Peruvian gaseosas :(
I do love the Spanish version of Fanta (it has orange juice!)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/andreadbc-albums-peru-picture3355-gaseosas-peruanas-guarana-inca-kola-y-kola-inglesa.jpg

Guaraná, Inca Kola and Kola Inglesa

(aren't they colorful?)

Conspicuously absent from this list are the "orange cola" drinks from Germany:

Mezzo Mix, Schwip Schwap, Spezi, and other brands. It is basically 80% Coke with 20% Fanta/Orange soda. It's pretty good.

Also missing is the Russian Kvass drink and also Tarragon lemonade.


Which leads me on to my country's "other national drink" - Irn Bru. There's nothing quite like it (unless you go to Peru and drink Inca Cola, which is actually quite similar, but much less orange). In its "native" state, it's banned in the US. However, it's incredibly Scottish, and often claimed to outsell all other soft drinks.

I love Irn Bru. When I am in Scotland, I divvy my drinking between tea, beer, Scotch, and Irn Bru.

I have purchased it in the U.S. at the Richmond Highland Games in 2009.

My favourite Soft Drinks are American Standards but not common in Europe:

- Mountain Dew (just "relaunched" in Germany and in UK as "Mountain Dew Energy", very expensive and somehow not as tasty here)

- Arizona Ice Tea (Green Tea+Honey) (available at select Restaurants at ridiculous prices, discovered that the German Drug Store "Rossmann" is now selling them for €1/can and always get strange looks when I carry out 48 cans at a time).

- Dr Pepper

Generally I feel that even Standard Drinks must be mixed differently in different countries. I love Mountain Dew in the US and UAE but not much in Europe.
Also whenever I am in UAE, I much prefer Pepsi over Coke, appears much more thirst quenching, where as it's the other way around in Europe.

At least Red Bull will come from the same factories in Austria, whereever you buy it in the world.

I am a bit of a "Soft drink nut" and used to fill up my luggage coming from the US with cans up to it's weight limit. I even once brought a whole suit case filled with nothing but Mountain Dew, Mountain Dew White Out, etc.

It upsets me that in the States you get like 12 cans for $4? That 12 cans may set you back $16 + $4 in "can deposit" in Germany...

Mountain Dew Energy is missing the orange juice that is found in Mountain dew in the US :( and is made with sugar instead of corn syrup

Tukola..

I like Fruz.. very refreshing, but expensive..

Barley soda in Korea, just right after a nice hot bath.

Barley soda in Korea, just right after a nice hot bath.

Almost sounds like beer..

I miss Peruvian gaseosas :(
I do love the Spanish version of Fanta (it has orange juice!)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/andreadbc-albums-peru-picture3355-gaseosas-peruanas-guarana-inca-kola-y-kola-inglesa.jpg

Guaraná, Inca Kola and Kola Inglesa

(aren't they colorful?)I thought Guaraná was Brazilian.

You have to try Inca Kola at least once, but it's disgusting for more what it looks like, than for what it tastes like. :eek:

:)

I thought Guaraná was Brazilian.

You have to try Inca Kola at least once, but it's disgusting for more what it looks like, than for what it tastes like. :eek:

:)

There are many popular Guaraná drinks in Brazil :) I've only tried Guaraná Antártica... I like it, but it tastes different.

and I'm told that Inca Kola is an acquired taste :P

You have to try Inca Kola at least once, but it's disgusting for more what it looks like, than for what it tastes like. :eek:

:)


and I'm told that Inca Kola is an acquired taste :P

Our group decided it tasted similiar to pineapple bubblegum flavored medicine.

Gingerino, an apéritif drink similar to Beverly, both of which are an acquired taste.

I love Stoney. It's a ginger soda manufactured by Coca Cola. It isn't available in the US, and I've never seen it out of Uganda. One last Stoney in the airport lounge in Entebbe is our family's ritual for leaving Uganda.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/512021694_8f1099251d.jpg

We used to have kickapoo in India. Discontinued in the early eighties i think.

A score of mine from around the world: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3781766049_9a5ab4cd70_o.jpg

Fanta Melon is my crack, I have it shipped from Japan when I have a craving if any IAH flyers want to grab me some let me know :D. Whenever I go outside the US I make it a point to find a local 7-11ish type store and see what kind of weird soda they stock.

A score of mine from around the world:
...
Fanta Melon is my crack, I have it shipped from Japan when I have a craving if any IAH flyers want to grab me some let me know :D. Whenever I go outside the US I make it a point to find a local 7-11ish type store and see what kind of weird soda they stock.

Nice stash..

That Fanta Melon looks pretty sweet.^

inca Kola is like yellow big red.

A score of mine from around the world:
Fanta Melon is my crack, I have it shipped from Japan when I have a craving if any IAH flyers want to grab me some let me know :D. Whenever I go outside the US I make it a point to find a local 7-11ish type store and see what kind of weird soda they stock.

Have you tried that Pepsi? I remember when it was released and really didn't like it. Have you tried the other limited edition Japanese Pepsi?

Have you tried this Fanta? I always drink it when I'm in Japan, its one of my favourites.
http://shibuya246.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/IMG_3449.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HpqvRi2uT_4/TCwGgbuTmNI/AAAAAAAAA2g/vrd8SRXDzKw/s1600/cockta.jpg

http://www.chinesemasterchef.co.uk/images/vimto.jpg

Vimto is a soft drink originating from the United Kingdom. It was first manufactured as a health tonic in cordial form, then decades later as a carbonated drink. It contains the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants (in a 3% concentration), flavoured with herbs and spices. The original recipe was invented in 1908 by (John) Noel Nichols.

Vimto has also been made into a sweet and an ice lolly. It is available both as 'packaged goods' - i.e., in cans and bottles via retail outlets—or as a dispensed soft drink—i.e., a draught drink in pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Scottish Hangover cure so says Billy Connoly.

http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com/Repository/media-centre/irn-bru-logo.jpg

Vimto is nice.

It's possibly also the only soft drink that's an anagram of vomit...

Have you tried that Pepsi? I remember when it was released and really didn't like it. Have you tried the other limited edition Japanese Pepsi?

Have you tried this Fanta? I always drink it when I'm in Japan, its one of my favourites.
http://shibuya246.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/IMG_3449.JPG

The Pepsi was different, not horrible but alright. I have not had that Fanta though, I had a flight to Osaka booked, but decided to route a different way on an upcoming trip, and I would have tried it.

Also I got this at HKIA in 2009 and always wondered whether it's genuine.

Certainly no Austrian Brew, but after all the "original" came from somewhere in Asia?

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9734/13564186207018579590758.jpg

Ironically, apparently I never wondered enough until today :D

After having a look at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull) I found that this appears to be in fact Krating Daeng (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krating_Daeng) "the basis for the creation of the best selling energy drink in the world, Red Bull"

That reminds me: About 10 years ago I used to LOVE "Lipovitan B3" - haven't seen it in Germany (or anywhere else) for years...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/2/2a/Lipovitan_B3.jpg/282px-Lipovitan_B3.jpg

Looking this up, I just found that it's being sold in California and can be ordered online in the US (in a differently designed can though, wonder if the content is the same) - has anyone tried it? Maybe worth ordering a case when I'll be there later this month...

What about chile's entries Bilz and Pap?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqBerj_7fXc/TgpxufI6d0I/AAAAAAAAABA/hhhAPmMAlgg/s1600/placa_pet_3000.jpg

And Colombia's Postobon Manzana. Cos apples are bright pink right?

http://www.tualimentacioninternacional.com/images/10.png

Also from Postobon, La Colombiana, which is identical to Pap

http://www.tualimentacioninternacional.com/images/14.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/2/2a/Lipovitan_B3.jpg/282px-Lipovitan_B3.jpg[/IMG]

Looking this up, I just found that it's being sold in California and can be ordered online in the US (in a differently designed can though, wonder if the content is the same) - has anyone tried it? Maybe worth ordering a case when I'll be there later this month...

but this isn't Baccus-D It looks like it could be quite similar.

I assume the bitter stuff from Italy is Chinotto (of which Pepsi do a particularly dry version)?

Just wanted to give another mention to Chinotto, basically unsweetened cola, which I find totally foul despite having grown up in Italy.

Spezi in Germany - ready mixed Cola and Fanta orange. My children love it so when we are in a fast food place where you serve your own drink they always make it.

Pepsi and Coke sell ready it ready mixed.

Amazing post! I love drinking softdrinks...I didn't know that there are different kinds of sodas around the world. I'm really learning a lot here.

One of my favorite soft drink is grapefruit soda from Japan.

Tropi-Cola from Cuba.... perhaps the most horrible soft drink ever created.... :(

Living in North Carolina how can I not mention Cheerwine on this thread? My sister is actually friends with the Granddaughter of the inventor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerwine

Fully agree- first experienced Cheerwine at a scouting event in Michigan... had soo much of it :eek: :cool:

Then when in DCA a friend took me to a local grocer that carried it- ended up with several bottles and cases of cans :D

And a patient FTer also brought a few cases up to ANC on a visit- I still have a couple cans left (probably expired by now) will need to resupply on an upcoming RDU trip I have ;)

- Arizona Ice Tea (Green Tea+Honey) (available at select Restaurants at ridiculous prices, discovered that the German Drug Store "Rossmann" is now selling them for €1/can and always get strange looks when I carry out 48 cans at a time).


I came across that (and tried and liked it) recently in a store here, they sell it for €2/0.5l bottle which, in my opinion, is jolly expensive.

I have a can of San Pellegrino 'Pompelmo' soda on my desk right now. YUM! Nice and tart like proper grapefruit, not sweet like Minute Maid type grapefruit, mixed with sparking water (it says it is 16% grapefruit juice) and whilst there is sugar added, it retains that nice refreshing taste. Have had the lemon and orange varieties lots, but yesterday found this one, and 'blood orange' flavours in whole foods. I rarely drink 'leaded' soft drinks, as I don't need the extra calories, but I shall make an exception once in a while for this one I think!

russian soft drinks called "Baikal", "Tarkhun" and "Sitro".

Stoney in East Africa can't be beat.

Oh, I thought the lychee drink was the best!

Same here saw the title and lychee Coke popped into my head. Man did I feel rough after the Coke museum. Don't normally drink that much soda.

Check out saspirilla leaf pepsi from Japan

http://rinkya-japan.tumblr.com/post/5591329074/shiso-pepsi-reviews-are-in

it was pretty gross.

Almdudler is my thing. I stock up like crazy every time I'm in Austria and ration it out over months once I'm home.

Almdudler is my thing. I stock up like crazy every time I'm in Austria and ration it out over months once I'm home.

+1 ^

You may know about "Pepsi White" but may not find now at any store because its a limited edition and was sold in Japanese markets during 2008.


http://cdn-www.cracked.com/articleimages/dan/softdrinks/yogurt.jpg http://www.foodbev.com/writeable/uploads/images/2009/05/29/7136_pwhiteuse-400maxw-350maxh.jpg

When in holiday in Egypt I tried a local soft-drink called Fayrouz. Didn't expect much, but it was really, really good. :)

I was in Austin last weekend and did a BBQ tour. South of the city in Lockhart, TX I tried Big Red for my first time. It's supposedly a necessity down there to enjoy with BBQ. Personally, I couldn't stand it, tasted like liquefied bubble gum to me. But still, always good to try something new!

Stoney in East Africa can't be beat.

Stoney is terrific! And for reasons hard to explain, orange Fanta sold in glass bottles in Tanzania/East Africa always seems to taste far sweeter and more delicious than its counterpart in the US.

The one I miss most is Elderflower cordial - you can get the sparkling versions in stores here, but not the mix with water ones - I found them at a trade fair once, but not since. Love that stuff http://www.bottlegreendrinks.com/products/cordials/bottlegreen-cordials/ I really want to try the strawberry and elderflower, and the apple and plum ones too!Austrian supermarkets are excellent for various (flat) elderflower cordials. They seem to be popular. There are even "own brands" as well as nationally known ones like darbo. btw I tried the strawberry and elderflower which is new this year from Bottlegreen in the UK, and much preferred their cherry vanilla. Wasn't too impressed with their other new coconut one although I am sure some will like it.

For me, whenever I am back in Scotland, it is mandatory for me to drink IRN-BRU:D

You may know about "Pepsi White" but may not find now at any store because its a limited edition and was sold in Japanese markets during 2008.


http://cdn-www.cracked.com/articleimages/dan/softdrinks/yogurt.jpg http://www.foodbev.com/writeable/uploads/images/2009/05/29/7136_pwhiteuse-400maxw-350maxh.jpg

Pepsi and yogurt flavour??? Gee, I wonder why that didn't catch on? :confused:

I was in Austin last weekend and did a BBQ tour. South of the city in Lockhart, TX I tried Big Red for my first time. It's supposedly a necessity down there to enjoy with BBQ. Personally, I couldn't stand it, tasted like liquefied bubble gum to me. But still, always good to try something new!

While waiting in line for Franklin Barbecue they walked past with a box of cold beverages- I tried the Big Red along with another FTer- twere interesting but very sweet. The wait was worth it though...

While waiting in line for Franklin Barbecue they walked past with a box of cold beverages- I tried the Big Red along with another FTer- twere interesting but very sweet. The wait was worth it though...

I agree. Amusingly, when I waited at Franklin's two girls came around selling coffee. Pretty smart too as it was 10 AM on a Sunday.

I did a search and was surprised that nobody in this thread has mentioned "Club Cool" (formerly "Ice Station Cool") at Walt Disney World. This is an attraction inside EPCOT Center (in Orlando), sponsored by Coca-Cola, that features a bunch of Coke brands from around the world. Free sample-size soda, and serve yourself!

Some of the flavors offered, according to Wikipedia:

Smart Watermelon (China) - A very refreshing watermelon flavored drink
Kinley Lemon (Israel)
Fanta Kolita (Costa Rica) - A very sweet cherry flavored soda
VegitaBeta (Japan)
Lift Apple (Mexico) - An apple flavored beverage
Mezzo Mix (Germany) - Coca Cola with a taste of orange
Beverly (Italy) - A very bitter non-alcoholic apéritif
Krest Ginger Ale (Mozambique)

I remember a Teem drink... where was that from...? It was once sold here in Argentina, but I doubt it was a pure local brand. Perhaps a discontinued Coke brand...? Or was it Team... cant remember the spelling.

I remember a Teem drink... where was that from...? It was once sold here in Argentina, but I doubt it was a pure local brand. Perhaps a discontinued Coke brand...? Or was it Team... cant remember the spelling.

Gingerino from Italy.....

I remember a Teem drink... where was that from...? It was once sold here in Argentina, but I doubt it was a pure local brand. Perhaps a discontinued Coke brand...? Or was it Team... cant remember the spelling.Do you mean this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Teem_Soda_1980s.jpg

It is a Pepsi brand. I remember seeing Teem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teem) in the United States as well, but I do not recall ever drinking it.

Dont have a picture, but had a Turkish drink in Allentown,PA at a Turkish restaurant 10 days ago. During Ramadam so that helped. It was a "yoghurty" milky drink with a salty aftertaste. Very refreshing. Sorry forgotten its name.

A HS friend went to the USSR in the 80's. She brought me back a bottle of Pepsi. (I collect bottles.) It was so weak you could almost see through it.

She also told me a funny story about the vending machines. Do you remember the kind that would drop a cup and mix the syrup, ice, and CO2 for a fresh cup of each time? You would take and enjoy the drink. In the USSR, the cup was tethered to the machine. You drank the soda and put it back for the next customer!!! YUCK!

Dont have a picture, but had a Turkish drink in Allentown,PA at a Turkish restaurant 10 days ago. During Ramadam so that helped. It was a "yoghurty" milky drink with a salty aftertaste. Very refreshing. Sorry forgotten its name.

Ah yes, ayran can be very refreshing with kebaplar (kebabs). A mix of water and yoghurt with salt, I've also seen a mint flavour in NY. Definitely a staple drink in Turkey, and can also be found in other countries in that region.

I do love the Spanish Fanta! It's great in a number of other countries, too, just not the U.S.

I had Kofola in Bratislava recently, it's similar to coke but with more of an anise flavor.

Hotlips soda from Portland, Oregon. I love the boysenberry (http://hotlipssoda.com/our-sodas/boysenberry/)!

Hotlips soda from Portland, Oregon. I love the boysenberry (http://hotlipssoda.com/our-sodas/boysenberry/)!

I wonder if "Hotlips" Houlihan tried that stuff:D

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mcv-m-GdRvA/St_NQg3mz8I/AAAAAAAAJcc/aScy7Aslq7Q/s320/buenos+aires+303.jpg

Very refreshing!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2718095805_52fbd65ae5.jpg

Also very good!

I had strawberry fanta in the Gambia that contained sugar instead of corn syrup, enjoyed it much more but have only been able to find it with corn syrup since :(

Is anyone familiar with Nicaragua's Kola Shaler?
I rarely drink soda, but if I do, it's either a Japanese limited-edition pepsi, a plain jane coke, Reed's ginger beer, or a new carbonated flavor to jot down in the book. The coffee one was awful (that was from Surabaya), and the most recent one was banana bought at a Grenanaese (a combo of Grenada and Guyana because I can't remember which) store in the Bronx. I couldn't gulp down more than a few sips. Also, carbo juice/soda (don't recall which) from a halal store in Detroit, that took a bit of gumption.

Now, to focus more on the sweetest soda that doesn't yet exist, I reckon giving the bubble treatment to gajar halwa would render me incapacitated for a couple of weeks...

Ah yes, ayran can be very refreshing with kebaplar (kebabs). A mix of water and yoghurt with salt, I've also seen a mint flavour in NY. Definitely a staple drink in Turkey, and can also be found in other countries in that region.

I just did the drive from London to Mongolia and ayran is indeed very refreshing, especially in that baking heat. Unfortunately, when I got to Mongolia I was offered airag (http://www.mongolfood.info/en/recipes/airag.html), which I misheard as ayran.:D

Just ran into apple beer at a soda fountain in Rhode Island... new one to me.

Bilz and Pap, sigh... Oh, yes, it's all so very virtuous to decry the influence of American fast food chains on your children's waistlines, but then you bottle Bilz and Pap locally and give it to them from infancy on as if it were really fruit juice... At one point when I was living in Chile I read that it led the world in per capita consumption of carbonated beverages. Coke, mostly. Never saw people drink so much Coke before.

Orange Fanta is big in Chile for mixing with beer on hot summer days--I forget the name of this concoction. Anyone remember? Apparently to the dismay of serious wine lovers in Chile, mixing orange Fanta with Champagne is a thing there too, or so I've read, but in 10 years living there, I never saw anyone do that. I suppose it's not too far from a mimosa.

I once got drawn into a conversation with some Chileans who wanted me to confirm or deny definitively that there was a blue version of said soft drink available in the US. Took me a little while to figure out they were talking about grape Fanta.

I was turned on to Limca in India which was fantastically addicting and tooth-rotting. Great stuff!

My son went to Ireland with his high school marching band and they fell in love with Club Orange. I searched high and low to find it in the U.S. I was able to buy some bottles from an Irish bar in Seattle.

http://www.club.ie/

I just did the drive from London to Mongolia and ayran is indeed very refreshing, especially in that baking heat. Unfortunately, when I got to Mongolia I was offered airag (http://www.mongolfood.info/en/recipes/airag.html), which I misheard as ayran.:D

hahahaha! However fermented milk is not that bad.

Rather enjoyable in fact. Here's grapefruit kind (in inner mongolia)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pbdqJjTufW8/UB6MszFoKhI/AAAAAAAAEy4/CojsgF6o0y4/s512/2012-08-05_21-56-31_948.jpg

I also really enjoyed Inka Cola while in Peru and bought it a couple of times in NY. One our recent trip to SE Asia, my wife enjoyed Pocari Sweat.

Has anyone tried Mauby in Trinidad & Tobago? It is very popular there but I couldn't stand the taste...

hahahaha! However fermented milk is not that bad.

Rather enjoyable in fact. Here's grapefruit kind (in inner mongolia)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pbdqJjTufW8/UB6MszFoKhI/AAAAAAAAEy4/CojsgF6o0y4/s512/2012-08-05_21-56-31_948.jpg

In Inner Mongolia, they call grapefruit "grape pomelo?" At least in southern China, it is "xixiu," or "western pomelo." If you know the brand MengNiu, did you see any products that you thought were germane to Inner Mongolia?

For me, whenever I am back in Scotland, it is mandatory for me to drink IRN-BRU:D

My daughter loves it.

In Inner Mongolia, they call grapefruit "grape pomelo?" At least in southern China, it is "xixiu," or "western pomelo." If you know the brand MengNiu, did you see any products that you thought were germane to Inner Mongolia?

I know the brand, I toured their factory :D

Inner mongolia has amazing dairy products, but some really weird cheeses, ever tried banana flavored cheese? Chocolate?

I love the MengNiu peach and oat berry yogurt, yogurt is definitely a staple of the IM culture, and pride. I found the MengNiu yogurts to be among the best I have ever had, anywhere.

I know the brand, I toured their factory :D

Inner mongolia has amazing dairy products, but some really weird cheeses, ever tried banana flavored cheese? Chocolate?

I love the MengNiu peach and oat berry yogurt, yogurt is definitely a staple of the IM culture, and pride. I found the MengNiu yogurts to be among the best I have ever had, anywhere.

They do dig their yoghurts up there, and in Xinjiang, too bad it hasn't spread to the rest of the country...I'm with you on the oatberry ones. Quite nice. Really, you could tour the factory? Is it in Hohhot or Baotou or...?

Chocolate cheese, yeah, it wasn't a rollicking good time, but Guangming also makes it: http://buildingmybento.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/chocolate-cheese/ .

They do dig their yoghurts up there, and in Xinjiang, too bad it hasn't spread to the rest of the country...I'm with you on the oatberry ones. Quite nice. Really, you could tour the factory? Is it in Hohhot or Baotou or...?

Chocolate cheese, yeah, it wasn't a rollicking good time, but Guangming also makes it: http://buildingmybento.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/chocolate-cheese/ .

It is technically Hohhot, out at the remote campus for IMNU. It is an incredible facility, the cows live indoors in an AC environment with clean floors and even some TVs, really quite odd!

When we went, this was actually over 3 years ago now, we were the first non 'expert' westerns to be there. Now the entire area has exploded in size, across the street now is a Coca Cola bottling plant, there are multiple datacenters and call centers in construction. Sadly it looks like the days of seeing the shepherds tending their herds of sheep and cows are over, I only saw one last month, prior I had seen dozens. the old villages where they cows slept in the abandoned homes, are all piles of rubble or new strip malls. Housing development everywhere. I know there are people there and progress if good, but seeing some of the 'old ways' and even a couple authentic yurts before, was quite nice.

not to get too far off topic!
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4069/4633984046_76691df341.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4013/4633984176_67baa3bda2.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/4633388677_66a416bff7.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4057/4633389939_46a750fac6.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3386/4633391367_c06c84d065_b.jpg

it goes on and on, there are multiple buildings like this, very impressive facility, and only a handful of people there but milk being put into tetrapak continually! Mostly it is run by the robots you can see in the one larger picture here.
They also have some non tetrapak milk for the local area, very good, a lot better in fact as it is not requiring UHT. However they mostly do UHT, as vast majority is UHT shelf safe milk due to the lack of long term old storage, or putting priority to the yogurts and other snacks.

I have Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry, Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke Zero thanks to a cross-border trip this weekend. Mmmmmmmm, tastes like cherry :D

I have Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry, Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke Zero thanks to a cross-border trip this weekend. Mmmmmmmm, tastes like cherry :D

no cherry vanilla?!

I love vanilla coke and dr pepper in the US, i took socks to the US the last time i went (in June when the last thing i needed to wear was socks lol) just so i could bring cans home 'safely' in my checked baggage..

I didn't see a diet cherry vanilla - not keen on regular soda (cokes etc) because they make my teeth feel icky!

It is technically Hohhot, out at the remote campus for IMNU. It is an incredible facility, the cows live indoors in an AC environment with clean floors and even some TVs, really quite odd!

When we went, this was actually over 3 years ago now, we were the first non 'expert' westerns to be there. Now the entire area has exploded in size, across the street now is a Coca Cola bottling plant, there are multiple datacenters and call centers in construction. Sadly it looks like the days of seeing the shepherds tending their herds of sheep and cows are over, I only saw one last month, prior I had seen dozens. the old villages where they cows slept in the abandoned homes, are all piles of rubble or new strip malls. Housing development everywhere. I know there are people there and progress if good, but seeing some of the 'old ways' and even a couple authentic yurts before, was quite nice.

not to get too far off topic!
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4069/4633984046_76691df341.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4013/4633984176_67baa3bda2.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/4633388677_66a416bff7.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4057/4633389939_46a750fac6.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3386/4633391367_c06c84d065_b.jpg

it goes on and on, there are multiple buildings like this, very impressive facility, and only a handful of people there but milk being put into tetrapak continually! Mostly it is run by the robots you can see in the one larger picture here.
They also have some non tetrapak milk for the local area, very good, a lot better in fact as it is not requiring UHT. However they mostly do UHT, as vast majority is UHT shelf safe milk due to the lack of long term old storage, or putting priority to the yogurts and other snacks.

Xiexie Steph3n, for the unexpected tour! That looks quite clean AND organized too! Did you just stroll up to the door and say, let's have it, or you had local contacts who suggested it? Is it clear that MengNiu didn't mind you taking photos? Did you tour many other factories while in China (Inner Mongolia) too? Do you see signs everywhere in Hohhot for Ordos cashmere? Oops, way OT...

I typically despise mainland leche, as the unrefrigerated types taste like something fierce, but at least in Shenzhen, Guangming and Kowloon Dairy products are almost always kept cool.

Oh right, soft drinks. Can any of the RGN-mistake fare candidates comment on the difference between Burmese Star cola and the newly reintroduced Coca cola?

Oh right, soft drinks.Actually, I thought you were on-topic and the discussion was quite interesting, for what it is worth — but the FlyerTalk member who launched this thread may disagree with me...

I had never had Irn-Bru before moving here to Scotland, but I really like it now. It is very sweet though. Back home in Adelaide, Australia we have a drink called Sno Drop (and a knock off Sno Top), which is kind of a darker, almost cola version of Creamy Soda. I actually miss it. My dad loves the stuff.

Here's a tasty one...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKqASrvenfU/TToQyn2r68I/AAAAAAAAAAc/9az86sgOaGc/s1600/soda.jpg

Probably have brought 5 cases of Birch Beer home in 2012... :eek: :p

Actually, I thought you were on-topic and the discussion was quite interesting, for what it is worth — but the FlyerTalk member who launched this thread may disagree with me...

Those wouldn't be soft drinks, but drinks from around the world nonetheless! Now, Japan does have a fizzy soy drink...

Those wouldn't be soft drinks, but drinks from around the world nonetheless! Now, Japan does have a fizzy soy drink...

actually most anything not liquor falls into the 'soft drink' category :)

The invite to the plant was from a local prominent person, which is always important in China. The guards did not want to allow us in until he said we were with him. However I've done pretty well just by asking too, it never hurts to ask!

Last month I did a tour of a flight kitchen in Beijing. Very nice, was treated like royalty even with a personal greeting by their staff when I got there.

(with thanks to United for coordinating those arrangements)

Also no, didn't see Ordos advertising at all, but did meet some people in the area that were/are geologist and consulting for a lot of the mining operations.