It’s very nice, but I don’t get what’s the big deal. A soda pop (apparently) close to the hearts of the Austrian people! O? Alright, now how many ‘national drinks of Austria’ is Austria entitled to have? There must be nearly a dozen – a number that exceeds Austria’s total population.

In commemoration of this fascinating holiday, I’m drinking a bottle of ΕΨΑ’s Orangeade. It’s the least I can do, and the occasion had me re-reviewing ΕΨΑ’s ace website, some quotes from which will now follow:

Our factory is wonderful. It has intensely traditional style and it gives a sense of harmony as old and new coexist in a splendidly shaped space.

The new look of EPSA is so much enjoyable that «your eyes enjoy» makes you anticipate tasting the authentic flavours of dew that contain.

«When I am thirsty between the choices that exist, and everybody else drinks what it is found in front of them, I insist in choosing EPSA.»

Until now we knew that Greeks were fighting like heroes; from now on we shall say that the heroes fight like Greeks.

Coke’s Mezzo Mix, with its 1.5% orange juice content, does not hold up well against the original bottler of the orange/cola hybrid: Spezi. I can’t tell if I feel this way out of (borrowed) nostalgia for Spezi, bias against Coke, or I don’t know what.

I definitely prefer the original ‘DIY’ ethos of Spezi; many people just stir up their own rather than buy it pre-bottled. They call that cocktail “spezi” without regard to the trademarked product, which came along after the drink was invented and named.

On the other hand, here someone has made their own brilliant Mezzo Mix commercial, and I’m sucker for wannabe viral marketing.

Mmm.

Thanks, Dia. This almost redeems your janky, grimy, so-called ‘supermarkets’.

Doddly-doodly-do-do-doo-do-do
Doddly-doodly-do-do-doo-do-do
Doddly-doodly-do-do-doo-do-do
Doddly-doodly-do-do-doo-do-do Dum-de-dum-de-dum-dum-da-dum-day
Oh, I love New England.
Dum-de-dum-de-dum-dum-da-dum-day
Oh, New England.

Etc.

.

Discovering that “Government Center” is actually a common (and disliked?) section of downtown Boston was a total thrill for me. When I was accidentally cruising up Massachusetts Route 128, I couldn’t've been more pleased with my poor sense of direction. Similarly, when I finally came across my first Stop & Shop – I rushed in!

Stop & Shop Markets are kinda underwhelming (no surprise). I picked up a cold, 240mL can of Stop & Shop brand orange soda, called SunPop. It was corn syrupy (another no surprise). Nevertheless! I sang to myself as I sipped it and drove on…

Now, speaking of the number ’128′, this song…

…is an amazing live version [128kbps] of the Modern Lovers’ most well-known (and numbingly repetitive) song. Recorded live in 1972!

Stop & Shop, Route 128, the spirit of 1956, and the modern world all get mentions.

By way of that website, you can figure out how to get this amazing, unsurpassed drink in your locale (erm – in the US).

Blenheim Ginger Ale

Find it. Take my word. Seriously.

Meanwhile…
I am sick with a cold and got up ridiculously early besides.
Ms. A. went to great trouble to find me some orange juice, and returned with this:

It was travel-weary juice (i.e. slightly fermented) but still very good. I’m confused, though. Can you read that there, in blue…?
It says: “SQUEEZED in KENT DAILY“. What? Kent, England? Is Kent the ‘orange capitol’ of the UK or something? Known for its vast, bountiful orange groves and its expert orange-juicing acumen. World-renowned Kent.

Then I drank the flavor called Yup – for a similar reason. No idea what a “Yup” is, or why it’s called that. Tasted like lemon, by which of course I mean “lemon”.

I saved the most anticipated Squamscot Soda for last: MAPLE CREAM. Why no charming photo? Well, according to the December 31st, 1969 issue of the Boston Herald – ‘Maple Cream’ is Squamscot’s newest flavor, and, as such, hasn’t found its way to their website just yet.

Annnnd that was the end of the Squamscot six pack.

:-(

I bought three French 75 cl. bottles of flavoured water: Lemonade, orange/pomegranate, and VIOLET. They are all delicious, all made with real sugar, and all worth the yacht downpayment I forked over for them – but holy fuck – excuse me – were you listening? V I O L E T F L A V O U R. It’s so heavenly, I‘ve been sipping it by the shotglass, and the bottle has lasted two weeks.

I can’t find a pic of the fancy bottles, but I did find one of the bottling plant…?

Well, despite the intense size of the companies involved (or because of it?) I can not find a pic of this bottle anywhere online. But orange soda in a brown bottle = weird for some reason.

Giant Orange.

Orange Julep’s position as a Montreal physical / cultural landmark can probably be overstated – but I’m not in a position to do it. Located in the middle what is surely one of the ugliest neighbourhoods on the island, the beverage called Orange Julep is served daily out of a giant, 40 foot tall, orange-coloured concrete ball. Literally – the drink comes out of the ball. There are insulated tubes running out of the ceiling with spigots on the bottom. Not unlike beer taps.

This bizarre method of delivery only lends to the sense of mystery surrounding the means of production & ingredients in this drink. It appears to have some actual orange juice, along with loads of (powdered?) sugar. Beyond that is speculation. It seems very likely that there is a dairy component to the drink, but again – who knows? It’s certainly too frothy, viscous, and rich to escape skepticism.

Julep from space.

Orange Julep also produces a bottled version of its famous drink – and that one is dairy-free. However, if you order the bottled version at the counter – they just look at you funny.
Why don’t you want it from the ceiling?!

While you may be thinking that Orange Julep suspiciously resembles the disgusting produce of that American West Coast drink chain, Orange Julius – you are probably thinking right. Julius pre-dates Julep by at least a decade. Coincidence? Then, locally, there is a cheap reproduction of the Orange Julep – known as “Orange Maison”. It comes in giant, plastic, orange-shaped bottles. Coincidence? It’s sugary sweet, but watery.
Apparently, it used to be delivered to houses along with the milk (?!?).

Ha! Thanks!

This soda has an even better gag up its sleeve!

C’plus is an orange drink, so we assume that the “C” refers to vitamin C.
A brief glance at the “Nutrition Facts” label will show the following:

Vitamin A… 0%
Vitamin C… 0%
Calcium… 0%
Iron… 0%

Hm.
If we are talking about a registered trademark, can it still considered “false advertising”?
Could they argue in court that the “C” stands for “Courtesy” or “Calories” or “Cadbury”…?

Real cane sugar! Pulp! Heavily carbonated! All very good things.
The bad news…?
Royal Tru-Orange was bought up, and is now bottled by Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines™.

Not an uncommon occurrence, little regional favourites being purchased by the global heavies.
Take a look at the long, long list of Coke-owned drinks around the world. YOU WILL BE AMAZED.

Vs.

Zesto, a popular Filipino brand of fruit drinks/sodas, makes a fine, sour, painfully carbonated, acidic drink with real dalandan juice. …And a dalandan is a special, little Filipino tangerine (a Mandarin specifically – but I didn’t want to say “Filipino Mandarin”). Zesto also uses real sugar which would normally earn it the win by default – but it also happens to be VERY delicious – so it wins by fault!
Yea Zesto!

I guess this pressé is trop faux-sophistique pour moi, because I just don’t care.
Yeah – spring water from Mississauga (pop. 704,000).
I thought it was a bit sour, and a lot underwhelming.
Came away from the cranberry-orange flavor with a similar opinion.

Maybe I’m just bitter because I paid $1.89 each (plus tax & deposit) for two 250ml. bottles.

The Orange Crush of the Orient.
Pepsi vends this stuff anywhere east of Western Europe,
though my particular bottle came from Lehar.
It’s pretty plain orange soda that leaves me not much to say.
I found this funny review online, though:

I have noticed that only those people chose mirinda who are very sober & serene in nature…like elderly ladies or pregnant women or people like me!
Where as the real cool dude types will choose coke or pepsi.I rarely find any guy chosing mirinda over pepsi or coke.
A piece of information for your knowledge: ’Miranda’ was also the name of a beautiful, modest and tender girl in Shakespeares famous play called THE TEMPEST. She was untouched and the only being that could approach her was a super natural creature called Ariel(ring a bell???)
All kids should be given mirinda to drink but I see many toddlers drinking coke and pepsi instead.In the long run coke and pepsi are harmful for growing.

I’m sure that Pepsi Co. agrees!