OTHER THINGS I CONSUMED: 1/16/26

/ / Other Things I Consumed, Reviews / 1 Comment

Unwell Cherry Lime Energy Drink

Unwell Cherry Lime Energy Drink

This energy drink is um, well, unawesome. While it has a strong cherry aroma, its cherry lime flavor doesn’t pop. Its flavor is muted, which is surprising because that wasn’t the case when I tried Unwell’s Frosted Cranberry Energy Drink several weeks ago.

But that’s not all that’s disappointing. There’s something mid-sip that I can only describe as a somewhat thick texture that’s similar to what I experience with protein beverages. That would be fine if this had protein, but it has none. It’s not a deal breaker, but again, I don’t recall Unwell’s Frosted Cranberry having it.

The beverage has 150 milligrams of caffeine from natural sources, 745 milligrams of electrolytes, doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners, and is made with real fruit juice (although the can says just 4 percent). Also, the can brings Airheads candy to mind.

Barebells Wild Strawberry Protein Soda

Barebells Wild Strawberry Protein Soda

While Barebells, known for its protein bars, calls this a “soda” with 200 milligrams of caffeine, the can should really say “Protein Energy Drink.” Along with Wild Strawberry, there are also Sweet Cherry and Pineapple Sunrise varieties.

The “soda” has a pleasant strawberry aroma and a mild strawberry flavor. There’s also a slight creaminess, which I guess could be from the whey protein isolate, which provides 10 grams of protein. It contains no strawberry juice but does have artificial sweeteners. Not surprisingly, because it’s a protein “soda” with whey protein isolate, it has the same slightly thick texture as other protein beverages.

It’s an okay-tasting drink with a high caffeine content and a decent amount of protein. It’s tasty and caffeinated enough that I might try the other flavors.

A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda

A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda

Yes, this came out more than half a year ago, but I came across it during a visit to 7-Eleven. Actually, I passed by it a few times during previous 7-Eleven visits. However, I finally decided to pick it up because of FOMO and YOLO, and because the bottle and soda colors reminded me of Chewbacca and Han Solo.

Back in August, our reviewer, Amber, gave it a 5 rating because of its artificial chocolate aroma and the way it mostly tasted like a cream soda, with no chocolate flavor. While I could definitely smell its artificial chocolate aroma, I thought it had a pronounced chocolate syrup flavor with a bit of cream soda behind it. That artificial chocolate flavor is not for everyone, but I liked it a lot. Since it’s a limited edition flavor, I might have to pick it up again the next time I’m at 7-Eleven.

H-E-B Limited Edition Bread and Butter Pickle Sweet & Spicy Wavy Potato Chips

H-E-B Limited Edition Bread and Butter Pickle Sweet & Spicy Wavy Potato Chips

Reigning Spotted Photo Champion, Robbie, sent me a box of stuff from H-E-B to try because he knows I’m so enamored with the grocery store. He asked me what I would like to try, and I told him H-E-B’s limited edition potato chips. So he delivered with this flavor and a Korean BBQ, which unfortunately did not survive the USPS.

Having tried those Lay’s Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle chips from a few years ago, I expected these to be as potent and fiery as those. However, I was surprised to find that these chips were neither potent nor fiery. They have a pleasant pickle flavor that’s not overpowering and a “spiciness” that’s almost nonexistent. I loved them so much that I ate more than half the bag while watching a Korean drama episode on Netflix.

REVIEW: Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink

/ / Reviews / 1 Comment

Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink can

Glacier Crush sounds like a Gatorade flavor.

I assumed, with “glacier” in its name, that Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink would probably be blue or white in color, but that name doesn’t give me a hint as to what it’s supposed to taste like. Thankfully, by law, there has to be an ingredient list, and within that lineup of ingredients that end with -ine, -ate, -ide, -ine, -vin, and -min, there was “patented lychee fruit extract.”

In my mind, I’m like, “awesome,” a lychee-flavored energy drink, which there needs to be more of. Then I thought the white in the can’s design must represent the lychee’s flesh, and the liquid would come in a pleasant, opaque white color. However, it turned out to be yellow, like pee-in-the-glacier-snow-yellow. Definitely not lychee-colored.

Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink color

Confusing to my eyes? Yes. But this energy drink is also confusing to my taste buds because, while there’s lychee extract, the beverage’s flavor reminds me of blue raspberry. A delicious blue raspberry, mind you, but still not lychee. But I imagine if Bloom ever decides to create a proper lychee-tasting energy drink, it would be pretty good, because the two drinks I’ve had from the brand, including this one, have been delightful.

Not only does the drink have 180 milligrams of caffeine from green coffee extract, but it also has galactomannan prebiotic fiber, which sounds like something from alien plants. However, that alien-sounding nutrient provides only one gram of fiber. Come on! Instagram tells me I need more fiber! Please give it to me!

Much like I’m amazed at how great Monster Ultra flavors taste despite having zero sugar, I’m equally surprised at how great these Bloom Energy flavors are, even though they are also sugar-free and have apple cider vinegar mixed into them. Poppi needs to do whatever Bloom is doing to hide the apple cider vinegar in them.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 10 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 180 milligrams of caffeine.

6 Other Things I Consumed This Week: 12/12/2025

/ / Other Things I Consumed, Reviews / Leave a Comment

Yes Honey Sweet Apple Soda

Yes Honey Sweet Apple and Strawberry Sodas

These definitely taste like they’re sweetened with honey. I picked up the Sweet Apple one first, and when I tried it, I didn’t taste apple. All my taste buds could pick up was the honey, which Winnie the Pooh would be all over and shaking his honey pot-shaped belly in euphoria. But I really wanted more of apple.

Yes Honey Strawberry Soda

Because the honey was so strong with the Apple one, I wondered if it would be the case with another Yes Honey flavor. So I ended up spending another three dollars for the Strawberry version, which had a more noticeable fruity flavor. The honey still comes through strong, but at least my tongue can taste the strawberry.

Adding honey to a strawberry soda creates a unique flavor that’s also quite good. If you happen to see Yes Honey sodas, they’re worth a try.

Yes Honey Soda also comes in Ginger Ale, Watermelon, Berry, and Peach flavors. The latter two flavors have 50 milligrams of caffeine from green tea.

RYSE Sunny D Energy Drink

Ryse Sunny D Energy Drink

I went into my local 7-Eleven to during my run jog brisk walk sloth-paced walk to pick up something to pick-me-up. I had intended to purchase a Monster Ultra, but a can was almost FIVE DOLLARS. So I ended up buying the RYSE Sunny D Energy Drink, which was almost two dollars cheaper.

Does this energy drink taste like Sunny D? I don’t know. It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve had Sunny D, and I’m trying to remember what it tastes like. All I remember is that it was SUPER sweet, and I don’t get that with this sugar-free drink with 200 milligrams of caffeine. It definitely has an orange flavor, but no wave of nostalgia washed over me, reminding me of Sunny D. It’s fine tasting energy drink, and it’s made me curious enough that I might give other RYSE flavors a try.

Pop & Bottle Double Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte

Pop & Bottle Double Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte

This one is not for me. After trying it, I would not repurchase it.

What got me curious about it was that this coffee drink is sweetened with dates. As someone who likes RXBars and Larabars, I thought it might surprise me. As I drank it, RXBars and Larabars definitely came to mind, although too much. It’s not awful, but the date flavor distracts my taste buds from the coffee and cold brew. If I were into niche alternative sweeteners, this would be one of the few coffee drink choices I have.

A can does have 120 milligrams of caffeine. However, the can’s 8-ounce size bothers me. Before I knew it, it was gone.

Starbucks Iced Banana Protein Cold Foam Matcha

Starbucks Iced Banana Protein Cold Foam Matcha

When Starbucks rolled out its protein drinks and protein cold foams, this version that it promoted was the only one I wanted because, if you’re a regular reader here, you know I go bananas for bananas. Anyhoo, this drink was highly disappointing to my banana-loving taste buds.

The foam’s banana flavor was almost non-existent, except for occasional moments when a banana chunk ended up in my mouth. But other than that, all I could taste was the matcha, which isn’t an awful thing because, if you’re a regular reader here, you know I go mmmm for matcha. Well, at least I got a good amount of protein that day.

Alani Nu Winter Wonderland Energy Drink (2025)

Alani Nu Winter Wonderland Energy Drink (2025)

Alani Nu’s Winter Wonderland got rebuilt in Santa’s workshop this year. I didn’t try the previous version, which had a coconut element. However, this updated flavor with a stronger fruity taste is delicious. Out of all the cranberry-flavored holiday beverages I’ve had over the past few weeks, I think this one stands out as my favorite. However, that could be the caffeine talking. But it has a tasty cranberry flavor that’s neither too sweet nor too tart, making it easy to drink. It’s definitely something I’d drink again next year unless Alani Nu changes the recipe again. Which I hope it doesn’t do.

3 Other Things I Consumed This Week: 11/21/2025

/ / Other Things I Consumed, Reviews / 1 Comment

Hillshire Farm Turkey & Bacon Ciabatta Deli Sandwiches

I don’t own an air fryer, so I can’t give you the 411 on how crispy this sandwich can get. However, I do have a microwave that, according to the box, will create a softer sandwich, so beep beep boop!

Before I comment on how this sandwich tastes, I must mention how it’s constructed. Obviously, everything is frozen — the provolone cheese, oven-roasted turkey, hickory-smoked bacon, chipotle aioli, and ciabatta roll. However, they’re not stacked nicely. A good portion of the cheese protruded from under the bun, and the frozen disc of chipotle aioli sat on one side of the sandwich. So when I microwaved the first one, most of the cheese melted onto the paper towel I was instructed to wrap around the sandwich, and the chipotle aioli ended up in one corner of the sandwich.

So if you happen to buy this or any of the other varieties, I’d highly suggest, after the suggested defrost time, repositioning the slightly less frozen ingredients so you can achieve a better balance. And that was your Public Service Announcement for the day.

Okay, now how does this taste? Good enough for a frozen sandwich. The bread, surprisingly, wasn’t dried out or tough to bite through, which has haunted previous microwave sandwiches. Between that bread was a decent portion of turkey that ended up a bit dry and tasted overly salty. Bacon did what bacon does and added some smokiness and porky flavors. The provolone was surprisingly noticeable for a mild cheese, and the chipotle aioli kicked up the flavor a few notches with its smoky, peppery notes. 

Stacking issues aside, Hillshire Farm’s Turkey & Bacon Ciabatta Deli Sandwich is a decent tasting offering that has gotten me curious about the other varieties. It’s $6 for two, they’re ready in under 4 minutes, and each provides 25 grams of protein.

Unwell Frosted Cranberry Energy Drink

Is it just me, or does someone else have Matchbox 20 pop into their head whenever they see an Unwell product? 

This seasonal energy drink has 150 milligrams of caffeine from green coffee extract, and like Unwell Water, it has 745 milligrams of electrolytes and contains no artificial sweeteners. Actually, I think this is the company’s first energy drink.

Maybe because it comes in a can and it’s an energy drink, I thought the beverage would be carbonated, but it’s not. Because it’s not carbonated, its cranberry flavor is decent, and it’s not too tart, I found it easy to drink. However, I don’t taste anything that could be considered “frosted.” Or maybe “frosted” was added to the name to make it sound wintery. 

While it tastes fine and I could see it coming back next year, I don’t think it’s delicious enough to make me want to repurchase it if it does.

Chips Ahoy Chewy Cookie Butter Inspired Cookies

Vin already covered this with a full review, but I wanted to add my two cents here. These cookies were good. I thought the speculoos cookie butter flavor was mild, but noticeable. I was disappointed that the cookie’s filling didn’t have a texture similar to cookie butter. Instead, it had the same snap as the chips in the cookie.

However, after going through half of the package, I came across the warming instructions, which involved heating a cookie or two on a plate for a few seconds. Those suggestions made the cookies better in my opinion. The speculoos flavor popped much more, and some of the cookie filling had melted a bit. So beep beep boop, if you decide to buy these cookies.

Click/Tap here for our previous Other Things I Consumed posts.

REVIEW: Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink

/ / Reviews / 1 Comment

Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink can

Why hasn’t there been an apple-flavored ginger ale, Canada Dry, Seagram’s, and Schweppes?

It sounds like a tasty idea that none of you have had the gingers to create. Instead, we have Red Bull, an energy drink brand, might I remind you, coming up with this Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink, which, sure, isn’t ginger ale, but has the flavor of one.

Y’all too tired to come up with new flavors, you say? More like too lazy, Seagram’s, because you never come up with new varieties. And you, Schweppes, how about you Schwep yourself onto your feet and put some blood, Schwep, and tears into flavor development. And you, Canada Dry… well, I hope you’ll read this and make an apple ginger ale a reality, because you’re the only one making a real effort with new varieties.

But for all of you ginger ale makers, this Red Bull Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink will give you wings, caffeine, and an idea of what an apple-flavored ginger ale could taste like.

Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink in a glass

Although I must admit, my first experience with this energy drink was a little weird. It smelled very apple-y, and didn’t really give a hint that some ginger was involved. When I took my first sip, the sweet apple flavor hit my taste buds first, but as the transition to the ginger began, it tasted like dirt —or “earthy,” if I want to be less harsh about it. However, that twist was brief. As the earthiness mellowed, the ginger kicked in, and together with the apple, it was pretty good. But that fleeting dirt taste was odd.

But you know what they say, “Never judge an energy drink by the first can you try.” Thinking I’d love this before even trying it, I bought two cans. My experience with the second can was much better, and I didn’t get that earthiness. Maybe because the can got to chill in the fridge overnight, while the first one didn’t? Whatever it was, it made a difference, and what you’re basically going to taste here is a delicious apple-flavored ginger ale, with a balance between the two flavors. Although it has a slightly less satisfying apple flavor than the also recently introduced Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice, it’s still very pleasing.

This year’s Winter Edition Red Bull also comes in a sugar-free version. But I’d really like the Big Ginger Ale to come up with an apple version of their ginger ales. Maybe next holiday season, as a gift for all of us?

Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 38 grams of sugar (including 38 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.

Scroll to Top