Read to the end for an announcement!
Besides all the other fun stuff that happened on my birthday, I also received two very exciting packages, and one of those was a case of sodas from Zevia. They sent me free mixed case, which included all six of their flavours, so I could try them out and let you guys know what I think. I was really looking forward about this, because I was so curious to see how Zevia would compare to traditional diet sodas.
In case you haven’t seen Zevia before, here’s a bit of info from their site: ZEVIA™ contains none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes found in diet sodas because it is sweetened with natural stevia. Diet sodas also contain artificial flavors and colors. ZEVIA™ does not. With great effort, expense, and painstaking care, Zevia LLC found the healthiest, all natural ingredients available. Many “natural” sodas contain sugar which means calories. Diet sodas are usually sweetened with processed artificial sweeteners which means chemicals. ZEVIA™ with stevia is the only truly all natural diet soda.
I like drinking soda from time to time, but I have to admit that I’m not completely on board with all the chemicals in Diet Coke and its cohorts — and the idea of drinking regular soda, with so much sugar and corn syrup, is an even worse thought. I already use powdered stevia, which is a(n) herb, here and there, and I thought using it to sweeten soda was a genius idea from the moment I heard about Zevia.
So, what do I think now that I’ve had a chance to actually try it?
Amazing. Seriously. As excited as I was, I was still expecting the flavours to be a bit ‘dull’ — not as sweet or tasty as the traditional, chemically-perfected sodas. But they’re great: full of flavour, with no chemical aftertaste.
I tried the rootbeer first and was pleasantly surprised. I think rootbeer can be a hard one to nail down; it seems to really differ from brand to brand. But Zevia’s is really tasty, and I love the ingredient list — actual extracts and oils instead of numbers. I tried the cola next, and I wouldn’t have been able to tell it apart from Coke or Pepsi (not that I’m claiming to be any sort of expert). It’s definitely sweeter and less bitter than Diet Coke; my dad (who drinks much more diet colas than I do) declared it to be more like Diet Pepsi, but better.
The fruity flavours are definitely less sickly sweet than their traditional counterparts, but I think they’re SO much more refreshing and actually taste like what they claim to be (because they ARE what they claim to be!). The ‘Twist’ (lemon-lime) flavour is very lime-y and fresh — perfect.
My big question before I tried Zevia (besides whether or not they’d be good) was about the lingering aftertaste. I don’t know if this happens to everybody, but when I drink anything that’s sweetened with Splenda or the like, I taste that sweetness at the back of my tongue for HOURS. My body just doesn’t break it down (duh), so I feel like I’m tasting ‘sweet’ long after the soda’s gone. Not happy about that. But I’m pleased to report that the stevia in Zevia does NOT do the same. When I’m done drinking it, I’m done tasting it. As it should be!
So — Zevia sodas: Amazing, wonderful, the only soda I want to drink from now on (cheesy but true). Zevia the company: Amazing and wonderful for sending me the free soda to review. And now: An amazing and wonderful giveaway!
Zevia has agreed to let me host a giveaway for your guys! The ‘grand prize’ is a mixed case of Zevia (which is what I received — very exciting!) and they will also send a mixed six pack (one can of each flavour) to two runners up.
All YOU have to do is link from your blog to this post and then leave me a comment to say you’ve done so (please fill in your URL when you leave the comment, so I can visit your site!). If you don’t have a blog, go have a look at the Zevia Site and then leave a comment telling me which flavour sounds the best.
I will use a random number generator to pick the winners on Tuesday, January 5th (one week from today). The giveaway is only available to people with a US (non-PO Box) shipping address. Good luck!
I’m curious to try the ginger ale. I want to know how it compares to Blue Sky Organic which my new coop, Seward, doesn’t seem to carry.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am torn between the ginger ale and the Twist. Those tend to be what I buy anyway as far as flavors.
Oh yum! I totally want to try the Root Beer. I love root beer so much, but don’t drink much because of the all the sugar (or chemicals). Can’t wait to try this one.
-Jen
No blog here but I love reading your updates. I’m a big fan of ginger ale but I would actually most like to try the cola flavor. I’d be interested in finding out if a natural cola really does taste “cola-ish.” Thanks for the very generous giveaway!
Shameless pandering…I never win anything.
I’ve just found your blog recently, but I’m loving it so far. Right now I’m a fan of Blue Sky sodas because I’m from New Mexico where they make it, but I’m excited to try this Zevia because my husband’s been using stevia drops in his tea for a while now and loves it. Thanks for posting, and I hope I win!
Wow, loved that you’re reviewing this stuff. I have been wondering about it for the longest time now! I never drink diet stuff and sugar is no longer a part of my diet so I would love to try the root beer! I miss root beer…
No blog… But I’d love to try the Ginger Ale! Most diet Ginger Ale’s just don’t cut it, so I rarely have any. Thanks for the giveaway!
I don’t have a blog right now, so I went to the site and I would have to say I’d like the cola and black cherry, then mix the two together to get a cherry cola taste! Would love to try these -
This soda sounds great! The ginger ale looks awesome, as does the orange! (Happy belated birthday, BTW.)
The natural twist looks good. I usualy drink flavored seltzers, and will definitely try the zevias even if i don’t win… thanks for hte info!
The Twist flavor sounds lovely as does the Ginger Ale. Would love to try both! Great giveaway!
The natural twist sounds yummy!
Looks like I’m with the majority, Twist or Ginger Ale would be my first choice to try.
I can’t decide if I’d like Dr. Zevia or Root Beer better. Both are flavors that I love.
I blogged about the giveaway here, but I’d also like to know how the Zevia cola stacks up to regular cola! I am a big Pepsi drinker, but if there’s something that might be a bit healthier, I’d like to know about it!
I’d love to try the ginger ale, and have some healthier options in the house for my diet coke-drinking husband. I’ve linked to your contest on my blog. Thanks!
root beer. no contest
Hi Anna–
I’d love to check out all the flavors, but especially the ginger ale and cola.
From a fellow Minnesotan.
Zanny Johnson
ooo, just catching up on my blogs and had to comment on this great giveaway! I am trying to break the awfulness of HFCS and this looks pretty good.
Love the blog. More pictures of snow please. 
Oh -yum. I think my order of preferences are 1. Dr. Zevia, 2. Cola and 3. Rootbeer.
Twist sounds yummy.
Love the blog.
Love anything orange flavored. That Zevia looks great–will check the co-op!