Once you go blak…

[Editor's note: This is our second guest post here at FFOS, this one by a leet haxxor, known as Brad. He is something of a soft drink taster, having tried every soft drink flavor that he's been able to find.]

Being the official carbonated beverage professional for www.fraggedformysins.com, I wanted to take a moment to review some of the newest drinks on the market.

Black Cherry Vanilla Coke/Diet Coke – To anyone who has bought a case of Vanilla coke and found yourself unable to tolerate the overwhelming vanilla flavoring after the 3rd or 4th can, I will reassure you that Coca-Cola puts no less than 10 oz of vanilla flavoring in this can as well. For serious. The cherry flavor is present though, and it helps to some degree, unlike cherry vanilla Dr Pepper which just tastes like diluted Dr Pepper. Similar results in both regular and diet varieties. Overall I give it 5/12 cans, because that’s all I could drink.

Berries and Cream Dr Pepper/ Diet Dr Pepper – Now here is a nice twist on a classic. I was expecting little change over regular Dr Pepper, due to the previous bastardization of Dr Pepper previously mentioned. I was pleasenty surprised though, as the berry flavoring was sweet and not overpowering. I was a little disappointed in the diet variety, as berry flavor without sugar (especially Splenda) tastes very fake and hads a bite to it (for example 7up plus, which I still have several cans of in my pantry if anyone will take them) Therefore I give the regular 9/12, and the diet 6/12.

Coca-Cola BlÄk – When I first read the news article about this being sold in Europe, it made me want to vomit. I like a mochachino as much as the next guy, but if someone poured coffee in my coke I sure wouldn’t drink it. Well on my recent trip to ATL, Eric told me if I was a real connoisseur I should review it in a guest blog, and since he pays so well I couldn’t refuse. I found it in a ghetto gas station in Lithia Springs, and purchased an 8oz bottle. Apparently it doesn’t sell in the 32oz coffee refillable coffee mug yet, too bad… Anyway, it was a pleasant surprise, but would definitely have mixed emotions from some. If you have every bought a big bag of Jelly Bellies, you either loved or hated the cappachino flavored beans. I for one loved them, and drinking Blak was like drinking Jelly Beans. The flavor was so similar, I’m pretty sure that is what coke execs were going for. The official site says it has the “effervescent taste sensation of Coca-Cola” but no, it doesn’t, it tastes like Jelly Beans. 10/12 in my book, but my wife would hate it.

Big Red Vanilla Float – One more just for fun, kind of a niche, since Big Red isn’t nationally available, but I found it in Meijers in Lexington KY. The first can I opened I couldn’t drink, because I generally don’t like red cream soda’s, but with the other 11 taking up space in my cabinet, I eventually drank another, and once you get past the initial shock of the first drink its actually pretty good! Still very similar to Big Red, but the cream flavor rounds it out, and the aftertaste is very good. Try it i you can find it. 8/12