Soda, Pop, or Coke? + {Cascal Giveaway}

Posted: July 23, 2012

You probably don't know this about me, but I grew up in the South, Georgia to be exact.  I am a Southern Belle and a connoisseur of Coke.  When dining out at a restaurant they'd ask what you want to drink, and you'd say a Coke; then they'd ask you what kind.  Sprite, please.  Yes all soda was lovingly referred to as Coke. That's what happens when you grow up in a suburb of Atlanta, home of Coca-Cola.  Pepsi would never cross these lips!!  And the word "pop" was only for what happens to a balloon when it's pricked with a needle. When I started on this journey towards health, soda was one of the first things to go. I would much rather EAT my calories than drink them and I didn't want all the added sugars that go along with most sodas on the market. 

Recently though, a company called Cascal contacted me about their new fruit juice based fermented sodas as they seemed like a good fit for my blog/journey/readers.

And I'm so glad they did!

Highlights:

  • Deliciously bubbly soda
  • Fermented for a unique and sophisticated taste
  • Crafted with natural juices
  • Light, sweet flavor
  • 60-80 calories per can
  • Caffeine-free
  • Gluten-free

They come in 5 flavors, though I only received/tasted/reviewed 3 of them: Crisp White, Ripe Rouge, Bright Citrus, Berry Cassis, and Fresh Tropical.  These are very similar to the Izze sodas you've probably all had, but I liked them even better!  I found their combinations of flavors more interesting and sophisticated.

Bright Citrus:

Light, refreshing, and citrus-y, indeed! With notes of lemongrass, tangerine and pineapple, Bright Citrus pairs especially well with tangy teriyaki chicken, a gourmet chicken sandwich or fresh guacamole and chips.

Berry Chassis:

Deep, flavorful, and sophisticated.  With notes of black currant, tangerine and lemon, Berry Cassis pairs especially well with creamy hummus and crisp pita chips or spicy tandoori chicken.

Fresh Tropical:

By far my favorite.  Light, peppy, and sweet.  With notes of mango, jasmine and kaffir lime, Fresh Tropical pairs especially well with Pad Thai, barbecue sandwiches or sweet mango salsa and crisp tortilla chips.

And I can't wait to try:
Crisp White – With notes of pear, apricot and magnolia, Crisp White pairs especially well strawberry ice cream, fresh salads, a mild Brie cheese or any number of the more robust cheeses.
Ripe Rouge – With notes of cherry, rose and chocolate, Ripe Rouge pairs especially well with Marcona almonds, marinated olives, Asiago cheese, or grilled beef.

I still don't recommend soda (even these awesome ones!!) as a daily habit, but for an every-once-in-awhile thing, most definitely.

So now for the giveaway!

Up for grabs: One reader will win a variety pack with one of each of the five Cascal flavors.

To Enter:

Leave me a comment below with what you call it: soda, pop, or Coke... and which Cascal soda flavor you're most excited to try. 

Bonus Entries:

1) (optional) Leave me an addtional comment below after you're Tweeted the following: 

Delicious, light, natural @cheerscascal fruit soda giveaway via @nsSweetlife #freshtropical #glutenfree #noaddedsugars http://tinyurl.com/bs9uqpx

2) (optional) Leave me an additional comment below after you've shared a link to this page (http://tinyurl.com/bs9uqpx) on Facebook.

A winner will be chosen on Thursday night, July 26th at 8PM MST, and announced in Friday's Blogpost. The winner must be in the U.S.

Additionally, you can interact with Cascal by:

Disclaimer: because I have to make SURE you know this... these products were given to me to taste/review for free.  These thoughts and opinions are strictly my own, and I was not compensated for this post.

 

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Comments

Submitted by Angie N - July 23, 2012 - 7:50am

I am from the South as well and we call it "Coke." I am looking forward to trying Bright Citrus!

Submitted by Anne - July 23, 2012 - 8:14am

I've always called it soda, but Coke is definitely the only 'soda' I'll drink! And berry cassis and tropical are both calling my name, yum!

Submitted by Shannon Konyndyk - July 23, 2012 - 8:52am

I grew up in Alaska and we called it "soda pop" :) We just love our onomatopoeias but hate all the fake ingredients and haven't consumed soda pop in about two years.

Submitted by Carla Ulrych - July 23, 2012 - 9:23am

I originally hail from Michigan and was raised calling it pop. When I moved to Nevada 7 years ago I began saying soda. It's become so natural that when family visited recently it sounded so strange to hear them refer to it as pop!

As for the flavor I'm excited to try, probably Fresh Tropical because I'm a big fan of lime. But honestly, I've never seen these sodas in northern Nevada so I'd be curious to try all of them!!

Submitted by Nancy - July 23, 2012 - 9:24am

I was born and grew up in Colorado and I called it soda pop.

Submitted by Anne - July 23, 2012 - 9:25am

I'm from Utah and it was called soda or pop or even soda pop. However, my mom is French and always called it ca pique. So, until I was 8 or 9 or so, I always thought it was actually called 'ca pique' and thus it will always be known in my family.

Submitted by Anne - July 23, 2012 - 9:28am

I've tweeted about your giveaway.

Submitted by Anne - July 23, 2012 - 9:31am

And now I've posted about your giveaway on facebook. Oh, incidentally, with my French roots and love affair with creme de cassis, I think the cassis flavour has my name written all over it.

Submitted by Joanna - July 23, 2012 - 9:40am

We call it "soda", and I would love to try the Berry Cassis!

Submitted by Caitlin - July 23, 2012 - 9:59am

I'm from the east coast and we call it soda here! I can't wait to try the bright cirtus and the crisp white. They sound delicious!

Submitted by Trixie - July 23, 2012 - 10:18am

From Ohio, and we call it pop. I don't get why people continually make fun of us for calling it "pop"...it's just what it's called where I live. Anyway, these "sodas" look delicious and I would try any flavor!

Submitted by Crystal - July 23, 2012 - 10:36am

Even if it's a Dr. Pepper, it's still a Coke around here in West Texas. Ripe Rouge sounds like my type!

Submitted by Deb - July 23, 2012 - 10:48am

Being from Michigan, we know it as pop. I actually don't drink pop anymore and am anxious to try these. The Fresh Tropical and Bright Citrus sound very refreshing to me.

Submitted by Amy - July 23, 2012 - 10:58am

born and raised in the south as well! :) I would love to try Bright Citrus, I ♥ pineapple!

Submitted by Fran - July 23, 2012 - 10:59am

Being Mexican-American we'd call it "soda" in Spanish. Although in most Latino homes that'd be Coke anyway. When visiting family across the border, us kids we were often sent to a corner store (which was an enterpurnerially converted room off a person's home or garage, super tiny) w an older cousin to go buy sodas for the visitors. Coke came in the curvy bottles. I was always fascinated by the different Mexican snack products. Their names & adverts. Oh, & the Coke from across the border had a different taste!! Closer to a Pepsi, LOL.

Submitted by Becky@MunchingVeggies - July 23, 2012 - 11:01am

Actually I just call it Soda. But diet Coke is my addiction (no not proud!) The citrus looks refreshing but am curious about the tropical flavor!

Submitted by Susan S. - July 23, 2012 - 11:18am

Don't drink it anymore, but here in the South we call it all Coke. The ripe rouge sounds great

Submitted by Nicole - July 23, 2012 - 12:18pm

I call it soda, and I'd love to try the tropical flavor!

Submitted by Nicole - July 23, 2012 - 12:19pm

I shared the link on my FB!

Submitted by Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. - July 23, 2012 - 12:33pm

Soda! And I'd like to try the Tropical Flavor!

Submitted by Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. - July 23, 2012 - 12:34pm

Just tweeted!

Submitted by Rebekah - July 23, 2012 - 12:36pm

Even after 10 years in Georgia, I never got used to calling Pop, Coke. I remember when we first moved there, though, we were at a Mexican restaurant and I asked what kind of pop they had. The waiter looked at me like I had two heads. My mom let me know that it is called Coke here. At that he said, "Oh, Coke! We have Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, etc.". Being back in Colorado, I no longer get made fun of for calling pop, pop.

The crisp white sounds quite intriguing to me. Since, I too, have given up pop drinking, I occasionally indulge in one of the juice based varieties, like Izze.

Submitted by michele malone - July 23, 2012 - 1:04pm

we say coke here. :) I'm a huge fan of the fresh tropical.

Submitted by Lynnetta - July 23, 2012 - 1:13pm

I grew up in Eastern Ohio drinking pop. But now I live in Pittsburgh where I've been saying soda instead of pop...which is peculiar because pop is part of the Pittsburgh lexicon. It's just me trying to sound sophisticated :) I think I would like the Crisp White.

Submitted by Gail - July 23, 2012 - 1:18pm

I used to drink tons of diet coke but gave it up recently. I drink lots of watter but sometimes I just need bubbles! I am looking forward to trying the Crisp White....

Submitted by heather - July 23, 2012 - 1:29pm

As I read your post I had to smile. I grew up calling all soda "Coke" as well! I always thought it was just a backwoods Louisiana thing. Good to know we aren't alone lol. I would love to try the Fresh Tropical!

Submitted by Whitney - July 23, 2012 - 1:51pm

I'm from Texas and it's all Coke! I love Cas Cal but I haven't tried Ripe Rouge yet!

Submitted by Whitney - July 23, 2012 - 1:53pm

Just tweeted and facebooked!

Submitted by Georgiana - July 23, 2012 - 2:09pm

I call it soda - and that Crisp White flavor sounds refreshingly divine!

Submitted by Georgiana - July 23, 2012 - 2:10pm

Shared on Facebook as well! Thank you so much!

Submitted by Tonya M. Campbell - July 23, 2012 - 2:15pm

I switched to 'soda' after I spent a summer down south and it has stuck, but I know how down there 'pop' is so weird!
I want to try that tangerine!

Submitted by Meaghan - July 23, 2012 - 2:42pm

I'm from the Midwest, where everyone and everyone calls it "pop." I always say soda though! I'd love to try the Crisp White. It sounds delicious!

Submitted by Michelle - July 23, 2012 - 2:49pm

Well, I lived in Ohio for 30 years and it was "pop" but now that I'm living in Florida I say "soda" so people don't give me funny looks! I would love to try any of these flavors and the Ripe Rouge sounds particularly interesting.

Submitted by Becky - July 23, 2012 - 5:43pm

I grew up in Ohio where everyone calls it "pop." But when we moved to Arizona I started calling it "soda," because apparently that's what you do on the west side of the country!

Submitted by Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries - July 23, 2012 - 7:43pm

I call it soda! All flavors sound great but the Tropical one sounds the best!

Submitted by Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries - July 23, 2012 - 7:44pm

i tweeted!

Submitted by Kristin W. - July 23, 2012 - 7:55pm

hee hee! i'm not really submitting an entry, just wanted to let you know that i adore this post! brings back memories of my mom calling it soda and of course, everyone around us calling EVERYTHING Coke.

Submitted by Megan Davis - July 23, 2012 - 8:29pm

Just wanted to put it out there, I'm from australia and we call it soft drink. Not pop, soda or coke. :P

Submitted by Brittany - July 23, 2012 - 8:33pm

I'm from the south too, and it will always be "Coke"!! :) Glad we are on the same page! The Fresh Tropical sounds good!

Submitted by Brittany - July 23, 2012 - 8:35pm

Tweeted!

Submitted by Renata - July 23, 2012 - 8:38pm

I call it soda and the Berry Cassis looks amazing!

Submitted by Renata - July 23, 2012 - 8:43pm

I tweeted too! Thanks so much!

Submitted by Ray - July 23, 2012 - 8:46pm

Crisp white sounds delicious! I call it soda too.

Submitted by Ray - July 23, 2012 - 8:47pm

I also shared on my FB wall! Thanks for the refreshing giveaway!

Submitted by Doris - July 23, 2012 - 9:12pm

Definitely Pop--and I'm a berry girl all the way!

Submitted by Christina H. - July 23, 2012 - 10:58pm

Well I have lived a lot of places and what I call that carbonated beverage has changed. In MI, pop. In WI, soda. I'm currently in the process of increasing my H2O intake and decreasing my soda (I'm currently living in WI) intake. I'm only having about one a week now, but I'm hoping to decrease that even more. I'm most excited to try Bright Citrus because all the flavors remind me of summer and being at the beach.

Submitted by stepfanie gray - July 24, 2012 - 12:35am

I grew up in the south also so I completely understand where you're coming from by saying coke and meaning sprite. My family moved to Az 2 yrs ago and I am noticing that we are slowly moving to the expression "soda" though.

I would like to try the ripe rouge flavor.

Submitted by Ariel - July 24, 2012 - 2:28am

Alabama and of course it's coke no matter what. But here lately I've heard myself start refering to it as soda and maybe even pop, i don't know if there's any influence in that. other than a few years bak when i heard people call it other things I got to thinking that it does make more since considering that coke is it's own soda... Maybe it finally took? I have been around some more northerners here lately too :) he he

Definately want to try Ripe Rouge :)

Submitted by Julie - July 24, 2012 - 9:40am

POP - from the midwest!

Submitted by melissa - July 24, 2012 - 2:58pm

COKE and any of them sound great!

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