Tuesday, December 18, 2007 , Updated
New product in Dallas stores: Dry Soda
DALLAS — Starting off with a couple of disclaimers:
#1 - Dry Soda is not brand new, having been first introduced in early 2006. It has, however, recently arrived in Central Market stores.
#2 - Some of us have a weakness for fizzy beverages of all kinds, not to mention designer drinks that are themselves clear, come packaged in a clear bottle, and contain froufrou ingredients.
With that out of the way, Dry Soda is a fabulous sparkling soda, created by a Seattle-based mom who wanted a sophisticated drink. It's marketed as an "adult" soda and as an alternative to alcohol, but don't let that stop you from liking it.
The line of flavors, derived from fruits and herbs, is exotic: Kumquat, Lemongrass, Rhubarb, and Lavender. It has 50 calories and only 14 grams of sugar -- cane sugar, no fake sugars -- pretty low compared to regular soda, which typically has 40 grams of sugar. It's closer to a potently flavored seltzer than a soda, but that's part of why it's so good, is that it has good flavor but isn't overly sweet. The kumquat was especially refreshing -- citrusy upfront and ending on a spicy undertone.
It's served at some Dallas restaurants including Stephan Pyles, Cafe Madrid, and the T Room at Forty Five Ten, as well as at retailers such as the Soda Gallery in Bishop Arts, Corner Market on Greenville Avenue, the two branches of Market Street, Stoney's Wine and Gifts, Whole Foods, and Central Market.
kirk, says:
Thanks for the heads-up on this, Teresa. I may have to suspend disbelief and see what a Rhubarb or Lavender soda tastes like. (Not chicken, I hope. I think Jones Soda has a corner on the really disgusting flavors, like Turkey and Gravy.)
Anonymous
1 year, 11 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Alex Bentley, says:
Tried these recently at Whole Foods -- not my cup of, well, soda, but to each their own. I can handle rose or lavender ice cream at Paciugo, but not these.
Staff
1 year, 11 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
luniz, says:
so if diet sprite isn't expensive enough for me, i should try this?
Anonymous
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Pavel Lishin, says:
An alternative to alcohol, eh? Right.
Verified
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John McClelland, says:
Maybe they mean it's an alternative to an alcohol mixer. Instead of Coke, try Lavender Dry Soda.
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Billusa99, says:
Rum and Coke Friday will, this week only, be christened Rum and Kumquat Friday -- until I become obnoxious upfront and up-end on a dicey undertone.
Anonymous
1 year, 11 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Fezziwig, says:
I am so excited. I knew about a cool food product before Teresa did! These are great. I like the lemongrass mixed with gin. Now I've gotta try the kumquat.
By the way, I love your blog, Teresa!
Anonymous
1 year, 11 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, says:
lemongrass + gin sounds perfect. the one they did not have that i really wanted to try was the rhubarb. i'm a fan of rhubarb. in fact, i'm running for president of the rhubarb fan club
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luniz, says:
what would rhubarb go with? bourbon?
Anonymous
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kirk, says:
Rhubarb goes very well with Thunderbird, MD 20/20, Cisco, Night Train, and Wild Irish Rose.
And Beaujolais Nouveau, of course, which has very similar flavors and texture.
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Scott, says:
I like the rhubarb soda with an equal part of warm squab stock, mixed with agar agar, allowed to set, then dusted with flor de sal. These savory gelees are always a good conversation starter at parties.
Anonymous
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John McClelland, says:
Maybe we should be asking Martha Stewart or the woman from the Victory Garden for some advice on these flavors.
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Billusa99, says:
TG has a blog??!!
Anonymous
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Scott Miller, says:
Tried the rhubarb and kumquat. Personally, I prefer the kumquat. Either works with vodka, but then what doesn't?
Try the Soda Gallery on Bishop.
Verified
1 year, 11 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
DC, says:
The house I grew up in had wild rhubarb that grew alongside the garden. Each year there was an inevitable rhubarb pie at some time. However, it also grew alongside a few hemlock. Early in the season, when all were green, it was hard to tell the difference. Somehow, it reminded us that death was just around the corner, at least in the Shakespearean sense.
In any case, a neighbour (vowels for Bnumbers) of mine has been going on and on how she hates sake, so I was at Central Market today stocking up on a few bottles of nigori and junmai daiginjo when I saw the cooler with this soda. What the hell, why not?
Driving home while drinking the rhubarb soda, I thought it tasted more like freshly cut grass rather than the tart bite of rhubarb.
Would I buy one of these again? No, probably not. It's probably better than bottled water, but then again, there's nothing wrong with tap.
Anonymous
1 year, 11 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, says:
i also stumbled across a bottle of the rhubarb - at the <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/places/corner-market/">Corner Market</a> on greenville at mccommas, $2.49 ouch - and was not bowled over by the flavor, either. sake, on the other hand...
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pepper, says:
I felt seriously ripped off after a 4 pk of Kumquat Dry Sodas. Izzes are better and better priced (Super T has 12 packs for around $8)...for those cheap like me and still needing a good mixer (the pomegranate in particular)...
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