Review: Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale
Oct 27th, 2008 by Steve
I thought I'd take a look at a unique beverage from the folks at Canada Dry, which coincidentally, was imported from Canada via my friend Henry. Let's see what Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale has to offer!
With the increase in teas showing up on the beverage market these days, it's interesting to see how the more "traditional" producers of carbonated soft drinks adapt to these trends. In this case, Canada Dry has combined what they do best and created what they call "a refreshing blend of green tea and ginger ale." And I agree with that assessment.
If there ever was a drink that really was a split personality, Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale is it. There aren't that many drinks out there that are so much ginger ale AND so much green tea, but this beverage does that. Sure, you could say it's pretty much carbonated green tea, but the ginger ale elements really come through. It's an odd combination, that's for sure, but it just works.
Bilingual Label: English
I don't consider myself a green tea connoisseur, so the experience was a bit different for me, but I did enjoy the unique blend of flavors. It's a clean drink that has a distinct green tea sent when you first open the bottle (in my case, a 1.5 liter bottle). The color is on the clearish side, with a hazy yellow/green that you typically associate with ginger ale.
As for the taste, it leans more to the green tea side of things, but there's an obvious influx of ginger ale. The aftertaste also wasn't too syrupy, but the tea flavor does seem to last with you. The ingredients note the sweetener is "sugar/glucose-fructose", whereas in the U.S. it's listed as "high fructose corn syrup", so that may have some influence on the overall taste experience.
Bilingual Label: French
Thanks to the folks over at the Lesley Eats blog, we know that this drink does contain caffeine, which translates down to 0.83 mg/oz. For comparison, Mountain Dew has at 4.5 mg/oz. So while not completely caffeine-free, it's a pretty small amount, probably associated with the green tea. The packaging also makes a big deal about containing "52 mg of polyphenols per 250 mL serving". According to Wikipedia, "research indicates that polyphenols may have antioxidant characteristics with potential health benefits. They may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer."
A full ingredient list is as follows:
Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale
Carbonated water, sugar/glucose-fructose, citric acid, natural flavors, green tea, sodium benzoate, ascorbic acid, calcium disodium EDTA.
A 250 mL (8.5 oz.) serving will cost you 100 calories, 55 mg of sodium, and 26 g of sugars.
Overall, Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale is a refreshing change of pace, bringing two light flavors together with a blend that rewards your sense of adventure, while providing just a darn good drink to experience.
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I'm intrigued. Sounds good. I'll be looking to try this soon.
Don't they have this in America too?
Jordan, I'm pretty sure you can find this drink in the U.S. as well, but it's not as widely distributed. From what I've been able to tell, it's only in a few select markets… and it's sweetened with high fructose corn syrup here. If you can find it, it's worth giving a try!
We found this beverage while visiting in Davenport, IA. Being a big fan of both green tea (diet) and CDginger ale (also diet) we tried it and loved it. My daughter also likes it. We live in far south Texas and have yet to find it, but the search is on!!
It's impossible to be a "health" product and contain high fructose corn syrup.
Good to know. I actually bought a bottle of this a couple weeks ago and haven't opened it yet. (Got it at Wegman's.)
Now I'm looking forward to tasting it, (although I'll save most of it for my friends that don't mind gulping down high fructose corn syrup!)
I love this – found it by the case in Ohio but only can find the 2 liter bottles in western NC – hope it will be widely distributed soon
I've found this beverage in Worcester, Mass. Haven't seen anywhere else including N.Y.C. & Long Island. Excellent Beverage. Definitely worth trying.
I have had this in Colorado, and it makes a darned good mixed drink. I blended a little honey and vodka, added lime (or used lime vodka), ice, and then the green tea ginger ale, and topped off with a teaspoon or so of Jaegermeister. It combines the idea of a Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger ale and lime) and green tea with honey, and adds a note of the herbal Jaeger for depth. I think I'll add it to ExtraTasty.com…
I'm from Ontario, and yeah, they sell it in all the usual formats. Very good stuff, I was slightly taken aback by how good it is and how it really captured both tastes.
I live in Michigan and have tried it and I love it. I'm a big green tea drinker and the combination with gingerale is very refreshing and adds sparkle to the green tea taste. I have found it at a few stores here mostly in the 12oz. size in the 12 in a package. I prefer the 2 liter size but they are hard to find.
I found this at Bel Aire Supermarket in Roseville, CA — hadn't heard of it previously, tried a bottle and now I want to find it in my area in So. Cal. It's very good.
I tried the beverage, and found it to be quite disgusting. I took a few sips and threw it away. I love ginger ale and I love green tea. Unfortunately, both of these perfect drinks do not mix well together. Ginger ale's sweetness does not mix with the tea flavor any more than you would want to mix milk and coca-cola together. I have had an unique chance to observe several of my tour bus passengers buy this drink at a local shop and throw it away without finishing more than one-quarter of it.
Canada Dry should have just released a green tea instead of dumping green tea into pop. This drink gets two thumbs down.
[...] infusion of antioxidants. For example, we found it an odd combination last year when we reviewed Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale, but the experience was quite positive, even though you probably didn't expect tea in your ginger [...]
I can't find this product here in Birmingham, AL. I tried it in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. Can you tell me how to find this product?
I absolutely love this drink. I live in Canada, and I can get my hands on it quite easily. In fact, I bought about twenty 1.5 L bottles of the stuff. They were on special for 99 cents. It's really unfortunate that it's not as readily available for you guys down in the states, because the drink is just as the review says. It's probably the greatest carbonated beverage I've ever had.
I live in Orange County, Ca. I love Green Tea Ginger Ale! Had one 6 pk. & don't remember where I purchased it. Where can I find it in my area?? I have been looking & haven't seen it anywhere. Can you help? Please! Thanks
I picked up a bottle this week when I did groceries and I have to say I really enjoy it so far. I'm a green tea fan and a ginger ale fan so it was like a match made in heaven for me. I'm actually not a big fan of Canada Dry Ginger Ale and tend to prefer Seagrams but I really enjoyed this beverage. The green tea overtones really compliment well the crispness of the Ginger Ale. In the USA recently there seems to be a bit of a Green Tea craze in the beverage market and Canada Dry was smart to capitalize on it. This is really sort of a niche drink but it does an excellent job of filling that niche.
I bought this at Kroger, Michigan and I love it! I'm not a pop drinker. My pop consumption is about 1 can every 2-3 weeks, but I really do like this a lot. It is not too sweet and has a very refreshing taste. I bought a 12 pack for a party and everyone just loved it! I think this will be my drink from now on. I just wish more stores and restaurants would carry it.
I need at least ten packs of 12. I shop in the bronx, westchester & manhattan. I like the cans not the plastic bottles. Down to my last
6 cans,help. Thanks
Do they sale it in SC, if so where?
I just tried it while visiting relatives in Charlotte, NC — I loved it! I bought it in SuperTarget. I'm from Charleston, SC; and, I have yet to see it here. Hopefully, both the regular and diet versions will be available here soon. If someone knows where I can find it in the LowCountry, please advise. Thanks.
I live in Chico, CA. This product is readily available in Safeway stores here. I have not tried it yet. I am a big fan of SoBe diet green tea and like Canada Dry ginger ale (diet), so I will probably try it. I wish they made it in diet because 20 some grams of sugar is a lot for a diabetic. Maybe I'll share it with a friend.
I live in Michigan and buy green tea ginger ale at almost all grocery stores! I always get the 12 pack of cans and I'm in love with the taste! Its so yummy and since I'm pregnant I try to limit my caffeine so its almost perfect! I love this drink, coca cola used to be my favorite pop and now its gross to me
I absolutely love this in the Diet version…. hope it stays around! It is one of the least-sweet drinks out there.
I tried this drink around Christmastime 2009 and LOVED it immediately! It has become harder and harder to find, so I bought a bunch of it when it was on sale, but I'm afraid that it being on sale means that it will no longer be available. I usually drink water only (coffee in the morning), so I eak this out to myself both as a treat and to curb any excessive soda drinking (I have read that the acid in soda can eat away at your teeth and that more than 2 cans of soda containing high fructose corn syrup can contribute to heart disease.) Hope it doesn't go away!
Does anyone know where I can buy the "DIET" version of this. Probably will have to be online as I live in the mountains of Arizona in Payson and we're way behind the times as far as new products!!
Many, many thanks.
Has everybody seen the new Canada Dry Ginger Ale commercial ?
It simply states that it is made from real Ginger. Uhh Duh !!
Any body that has bought C.D. Ginger Ale automatically assumes this is made from Ginger.
I don't really believe there are many out there that believe Ginger Ale is made by a crew of red heads from some British colony.
I have had it several times, they sell it at a convenient store near my house. I love ginger ale, and I love green tea! The first time I had this I became addicted to it. It taste so good! Now I make sure I keep a few on hand in my frig for my lunch when I go to work. I just wish they had one that they used decaffeinated green tea instead. I don't like to drink a lot of caffeine, so it is great that there is only a small amount in Canada Dry's Green Tea Ginger Ale. Excellent drink, I recommend it! Two Thumbs up from me!!
Canada Dry Diet Green Tea Gingerale is the only soda me and boyfriend will drink! It's refreshing, clean, but *ammit! Hard to find! I'm not giving up, though. The search IS ON!
When will this be available in more stores other than Target? I hope the diet green tea gingerale will be sold here soon. I know lots of people who would buy it.
Discovered Green Tea Gingerale in MN last year. I bought one 12 pack and it was great except for the calories. This year I found Diet (lousy name) and feel in love. It's not in AZ though. Why not?
I LOVE Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger ale.It is my all time favorite beverage.
I have tried the diet green tea ginger ale, love it, but can't find it anymore. Was this a promo or what?
Duane, you took the words right out of my mouth…
That is the exact reason I came to this website; to find out if
it had been discontinued!!
I can't find it in STL, and I LOVE that stuff!!!
Canada Dry makes a very good soda called Island Lime and it is sold in the Philly area only. I was up in Philly last week from Georgia and bought every bottle the store had. The only thing is it is made with HFCS but it still taste really good. I had some friends try it here in Georgia and they loved it.
i tried this product and to me it taste like there is cucumbers in it althought it's not mentioned…anyone know if this is what you get when you mix green tea and ginger…my wife says the same thing and she loves cucumbers…..thx bob
I just tried the Green Tea Ginger Ale – and I have to honestly say – TWO THUMBS UP for Canada Dry. It certainly beats the taste of the cola's that are currently on the market. I found it be VERY freshing and the ginger gives just enough bite. I would definitely purchase this again.
Canada Dry's green tea and ginger ale is GREAT! Found it one time at Von's in Las Vegas, but can't find it now. Anybody know if this stuff can be ordered by the case from somewhere, anywhere??!
I'm a HUGE fan of Canada Dry Ginger Ale – it's all I drink during the day, and I've been drinking three 2 liter bottles a week for years. I decided to try the Green Tea version since it's healthier, even with the HFCS. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but after trying it it is now my new favorite beverage and has replaced the regular ginger ale at my house. I have no problem finding it in the NY/NJ area. Thanks Canada Dry for taking my all time favorite beverage and making it even better!!
[...] including Boylan Bottleworks Ginger Ale, Krest Ginger Ale, Canada Dry Cranberry Ginger Ale, and Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale. There are quite a few authentic tasting brands out there a well, some featuring that "spicy, [...]
For anyone in Florida they only seem to sell it at Publix. I was not a huge fan of the drink when I first tried it but then I tried it again a few months later and came to really love it. On the lookout now for a diet version.
I have been looking for this item in my local grocer(Walmart, Publix & Winn Dixie FL.) to no avail. I decided to call Walmart to find out why it was no longer shelved. Could not belive it had anything to do w/demand since it was difficult to find when stocked on the shelf. The Grocery Mngr. who had been informed by the 7-Up stocking guy advised that the FDA is requiring some sort of label change do to incorrect info. on the label. Once Canada dry complys it will be restocked. So grad what you can while you can. I confirmed w/Canada Dry and cust. svc. did say a letter was received from the FDA(she didn't give details on the letter) and that Canada Dry will respond to it.
Just found this beverage today here at our local Safeway in Seattle. I don't drink a lot of soda, so I don't know how long it's been available here, but I'm HOOKED now!
Contrary to the review, I don't taste more tea than ginger…I think they are pretty much equal in presence, with the lingering "aftertaste" of the ginger we've been accustomed to and loved all these years.
Love love love it!
I've been loving this for months now and have gotten all my friends hooked as well. One note though….The cans of Green Tea Ginger Ale taste much better than the bottled version which has a weird cucumbery taste. Very tasty with rum, scotch, vodka, mint and all sorts of other things. So far, this product can be hard to find here in Los Angeles, so I buy it up whenever I find it.
I have been drinking this pop for about 2 years but it has just disappeared. I hate when you find something you really really love and then NOTHING! Where is the diet version either in Canada or US? Please help me I'm very thirsty!!
Great stuff, goes good with some Kettle One vodka . . .
I am from Portsmouth, RI. My entire family loves your Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale. As a matter of fact, my husband is diabetic and likes it so much that I purchase it in both regular and diet. I have been purchasing your Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale for a while now. I always got it at Shaw's Super Market. Recently, I have not been able to find it anywhere. Are you no longer shipping it to Rhode Island. If so, how can I get some?
Its interesting to read the reviews on this drink. I just bought a two liter of it (American version) and did not find it tasted like green tea at all. Infact it has a strange kind of fruit taste. Perhaps Pear or Watermelon.
Not especially great
I just found this while grocery shopping this evening (literally home 10 minutes ago) and couldn't wait to open a can. I like it a lot and i'm not really sure how Joe (post 49) can't taste the green tea! I really don't taste the ginger ale (and I just finished a 12 pack of CD Ginger Ale yesterday). I've gotten on a "health kick" and wanted something to wean myself off my beloved Diet Coke. Thought this might fit the bill since I LOVE the holiday edition cranberry ginger ale. I like it a lot – I was actually googling to see if it comes in diet because there wasn't any diet at the store I was in. I might have to try out making my own soda here…but this is a great starting place for my break up with Diet Coke.
I really enjoy it, but I live in Texas just outside of Houston and there is only one store in a 40 mile radius where I am able to locate CD Ginger Ale Green Tea. "Canada Dry, you need to start delivering to more stores"!!!!!
I love Green Tea! The last time I drank Canada Dry was well….. umm. hmmm, that one time there wasn't anything else to drink that really long time ago. And then last week, I saw a woman at the grocery store buying Canada Dry Green Tea in the check out and she said it was great. I left the line to go pick up a pack. I bought a 12 pack. This is great!! Thanks lady in the Publix grocery store! Canada Dry will have a customer as long as they make this product.
I tried Canada Dry Diet with Green Tea and it is the first Diet soda I ever liked. I LOVE the taste. The only problem is that I tried it in Baltimore on vacation and now here in Savannah Gerogia I can"t find it. I have been looking all over. I am so bummed that I can"t find it. I have looked in all the local grocery stores. Can anyone help me.
They have been selling it in California for a while now. But within the last 2 weeks all the 2 litres disappeared and the cans are almost all gone now too. I was wondering if it was a TEST MARKET in the USA and they stopped the test, or has the Green Tea supply line been disrupted by the Tsunami in Japan?
I finally got around to trying this. I always see it at Target & most supermarkets here in the San Francisco area, but hadn't tried it till now. Not bad, a little unfortunate that is has HFCS here in the U.S. just like almost every other mainstream soda (with the exception of Pepsi & Mountain Dew Throwback of course). Definitely more "green tea" than "ginger ale". On of the reason I like this is that I've always preferred Canada Dry Ginger Ale over Seagram's (aka Coca Cola's) much more fake tasting Ginger Ale.