The weather’s heating up in Vancouver — and on days like this, nothing hits the spot like a cold, refreshing soda.
But, personally, I’m not very keen on artificial ingredients, high sugar content, and random chemicals that can come with many sodas. If you’re the same, or just want something a little different, there’s a new drink made locally in Vancouver that you should definitely try.
Say It Ain’t Soda is a unique local brand making handcrafted, small-batch soda using 100% real fruit and botanicals. It’s especially unique in that they don’t use any flavourings — natural or artificial. The result is a depth in flavour you won’t get with flavoured drinks.
Currently producing three blends — Citrusy Symphony, Blossoming Orchard, and Trip to the Tropics — every can is made in its Delta microbrewery.
Made with simple ingredients only, you won’t get any artificial sweeteners, flavourings, or preservatives. The fruits and botanicals are steeped to extract flavour, a bit of agave is added for sweetness, and it’s all topped off with purified BC mountain water before being carbonated. At 8 grams of sugar and 35 calories per can, the sweetness level is just the perfect amount.
But how does it taste? And will it satisfy my soda craving? I cracked open a few cans to find out!
Trip to the Tropics
First up was Trip to the Tropics, a drink that features grapefruit, guava, and hibiscus — and my immediate thought was that it’d be the perfect drink for a beach day.
Initially, the tartness of the grapefruit took front and centre, but after a few sips, I noticed the sweeter notes of guava setting in, balancing things out, and pairing everything together nicely. The hibiscus also added floral notes in the background which made it feel like a true summer drink.
Overall, it felt bright, vibrant, and super refreshing.
Blossoming Orchard
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the combination of ume plum, pear, and lavender, but Blossoming Orchard caught me by surprise in the best way.
It had the right amount of sweetness, with the juicy notes of plum and pear leading the way. The lavender finish really stood out: floral without being too perfumey and in-your-face.
Bonus points here for the dreamy lilac colour, it made the drink feel super elegant and sophisticated.
Citrusy Symphony
Last but not least, Citrusy Symphony blends the flavours of calamansi, blood orange, and star anise for a thirst-quenching, lively sip.
Admittedly, this was my favourite of the three — lets just say it really delivers on its name! It had a bright citrusy scent, and packed a serious fruity flavour punch while keeping things sweet but not too sweet.
But the star anise was the real star here: it added a subtle warmth and peppery finish that I thought really elevated the drink and made it unlike anything I’ve tried before. Light, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, Citrusy Symphony managed to hit all the right notes!
Want to try Say It Ain’t Soda for yourself? You can now find these flavours at Choices Markets, Nester’s Market, IGA, and various specialty retailers in Canada. Head over to Say It Ain’t Soda’s website to find a full list of where to find them.
You can also catch the brand at festivals and events throughout the city this summer including Brewery and the Beast, Vancouver Craft Beer and Music Festival, and Feast of Field — be sure to grab some free samples!
