The Best Soft Drinks You've Never Heard Of

I went and tried the coolest, underground soft drinks of summer 2024, so you don't have to.

Apr 14, 2024

We all know that feeling when someone compliments you on an item of clothing. ‘Oo that’s niiiiiice’ someone will say, and we will blush with fake modesty and reply, ‘oh thanks’ followed with several different, optional answers:

‘Oh this old thing? I’ve had it for ages! Perhaps it’s coming back into style aha’
‘That’s very sweet. I got it at (insert sample sale/store/charity shop here)’ and then proceed to explain the exact geography of said place to the other person. You don’t use the supercomputer in your pocket. You aren’t allowed to stop. You must relentlessly and metaphorically march them down every street within a mile radius of that location, so that they can also understand where you got the garment, and proceed never to go there, ever.
‘I got it ONLINE, on Vinted‘ Then complain about Depop, complain about the government scalping tax from people selling their second-hand clothes, and boast about how much of a bargain your mohair cardigan was.

Now imagine those scenarios but with soft drinks. When was the last time someone complimented you on your Coke Zero, or bottle of kombucha? That’s about to change, with this incredibly useful and completely-not-a-waste-of-my-time guide to the best soft drinks you’ve never heard of (summer 2024 edition).

Galvanina Blood Orange

This sparkling blood orange number from the Italian brand Galvanina is absolutely fucking delicious. It has little bits in it, but you can’t physically taste them, so you get the premium visual without the questionable mouth feel. The flavor is intensely rich, slightly sparkling and comes in a fancy bottle, so yeah, sign me up. It’s not cheap, this one cost me £3.50 in Leyton (I know, I KNOW, sorry) but I’d say it’s worth the price for the premium taste experience and to turn some heads at the picnic.

Pocari Sweat

If you’ve ever been to Japan, Pocari Sweat will be familiar. It’s in every shop and robot-operated vending machine. I was once in Tokyo, in a 7-Eleven, and saw a freshly married husband and wife, dressed in full wedding attire, divert away from their party and dip into the shop to buy a huge 2-litre bottle of the stuff. It tastes like grapefruit and… not sweat, which is what I’d been anticipating on the first try. Pocari Sweat has a very high ‘oooo’ rating in terms of public intrigue around your drink. Also, I’m not telling you where to buy it, because I want it all for myself.

Agua De Madre

This is the only Kefir entry and it’s a good one. I was skeptical at first but the bottle drew me in. It has a pleasant ergonomic shape - like a chair with well-placed, worn armrests and a tasteful gold bottle cap. Its savoury flavour with a hint of sweetness - sort of like watered-down Robinsons squash, is nice and refreshing. Also, it’s got probiotic things living in it, which are good for the old microbiome, so great!

Refix Organic Recovery Drink

Do we need a drink made of seawater? No. Are people going to make one anyway? Yes. Refix is a Spanish brand and this little monster is billed as a ‘recovery drink’. So, more on the electrolyte tip, but the branding got me, hook, line, and sinker. It’s reminiscent of a ‘disruptive’ creative agency or an advertising billboard for some horrible new unorthodox yoga studio. Now onto the taste - If I drank this following any intense bout of physical exercise, after which, being physically sick is already fairly high up on the agenda, I do feel that Refix would push me over the edge. It tastes like being partially drowned by a veteran wild swimmer named Judith from Loch Lomond. I tried Refix during one of my worst-ever hangovers on a walk through Hackney Downs. I was simultaneously sweating and freezing, while constantly worrying that my fly was undone even though I’d repeatedly been told this was not the case. Needless to say, the drink did not improve my experience, but I managed to get a photo, marking the occasion.

Canada Dry

You’ve probably had Canada Dry before. It’s a nice, mild drink and tastes less gingery than I remember. It’s likely to garner a few glances at the social function but be warned; you’ll have to let everyone ‘have a go’ so they can remember what it tastes like too. Following this, someone will tell a boring story about a relative who always has Canada Dry and dive into a monologue about how much they love their grandma. I also learned about a Dutch cycling team sponsored by Canada Dry: ‘Canada Dry-Gazelle’ that only operated for two years (1973 & 1974) and had a very trendy kit - look out for these on the streets this summer.

Solo

Any Australians reading will know Solo. It was my first time and I can honestly say it’s the best lemon drink I’ve tried. Not too bitter, absolutely full of sugar, and a pleasing, slightly taller-than-usual can (at least by UK standards) that will certainly raise some eyebrows. I was intrigued by the guy kayaking on the front and it turns out he’s called ‘Solo Man’. Here’s a list of things he’s been seen doing to get his hands on a can:

Kayaking down rapids
Riding a wagon towed by horses
Riding a catamaran
Driving a yellow speed boat
Wrestling a brumby
Playing squash
Horse riding
Fishing for a shark
Windsurfing
Arm wrestling
Doing a triathlon
Safety rafting down rapids
Kayaking off a cliff
Wrestling a saltwater crocodile
Driving a jeep through a store
Fixing a jetty as a carpenter and wakeboarding on an esky lid
Dragging a shark home
Chasing a barrel of lemons

I bought mine from a shop, by tapping my stupid phone on a little screen, but who cares, it’s a good drink.

Chaparritas

Dating back to 1947, Chaparritas is certainly not new. But it is very dainty and tastes good. This Mexican soft drink could definitely sit alongside a sophisticated and expensive coffee/pastry situation and you could even try mixing it with a little mini san pel. I’ve got to be honest, it was the bottle design that tipped me over the edge and into a purchase - the little ridged neck and the minimal label, along with TWIST OFF cap… be still my beating, sugar-drenched heart.