Review: Jones Soda Mele Kalikimaka Soda (2008)
Dec 8th, 2008 by Steve
If you have to track down a new soft drink for the holidays, head over to Target and pick up a 4-Pack of Jones Soda Mele Kalikimaka Soda. It's a non-alcoholic piña colada in a bottle!
Jones Soda Mele Kalikimaka Soda
OK, so it doesn't contain rum, but it is part of the 2008 Jones Soda Holiday collection, so what do you expect? What you should look forward to, however, is the coconut and pineapple flavors that are found in this tasty drink.
4-pack Bottle Packaging – One Side
Photo #10132 by Cindi Miller Herleman, Aurora, CO
(Snow, lights, candy canes… you can't go wrong with this shot)
Not that you don't know what Mele Kalikimaka means given that you've probably heard Bing Crosby sing it a zillion times already during December, but the phrase is a Hawaiian transliteration for "Merry Christmas". Obviously, this phrase was used since piña coladas contain coconut cream and pineapple juice, both having origins in Hawaii.
4-pack Bottle Packaging – Other Side
Photo #10143 by Tracey Stricklin, Montgomery, AL
(Close-up of a gingerbread house… very colorful)
The color of the drink is a pale yellow, more muted in tone, kinda of like murky water. OK, so maybe that wasn't a good analogy, but you get the idea, right?
It's a retro snowman scene!
Photo #10234 by Phil Hoffman, Pembroke, ON
When you open the bottle, the scent is very obvious. It's pretty hard to miss the pineapple + coconut combination. It's pleasant!
Look people, Dogs+Christmas=FAIL!
Photo #10221 by Megan Bredesen, Crest Hill, IL
As for the taste, you are greeted with a smooth pineapple-influenced taste. Very clean, little negative aftertaste. The coconut adds a bit of creaminess and compliments the flavor nicely.
I really have no idea what's going on here
Photo #10242 by Fatima Chishti, Niles, IL
Obviously, if you are already a piña colada fan, then this drink is for you. Even if you aren't, the combinations of tastes are very positive and make for pretty tasty diversion from what you'd usually find around Christmas. Plus, it's caffeine free and Kosher!
You can't go wrong with a huge indoor tree!
Photo #10182 by Jessica Downey, Battle Creek, MI
Like Jones Monster Mojito Soda, the Jones Soda folks seem to have found a nice niche here with Mele Kalikimaka Soda in regards to non-alcoholic soda versions of something you'd order at a bar. This drink is tasty, clean, and innovative… totally worth tracking down and enjoying this holiday season.
Did you like this review? Digg it.
[...] Mele Kalikimaka (New for 2008) [...]
Aloha!
"MELE KALIKIMAKA & HAOLEMAKAHIKIHO" (Merry Christmas & Happy New Year). Drinking this can only lead one to believe that good ole "Bing" lovers were gathered around and had been adding a little rum to their samples while trying to name the drink.
I agree with your review. It is not the best color (why didn't they make it red or green), but it certainly tastes like a colada without the rum.
Enjoy all!
While I found this Pina-Colada flavored drink is pleasant — what it REALLY took me back to was a Pina Colda flavored Dun-Dum — you know, those little suckers they'd give out at the doctors office etc. Anyone else with me here?
Good review. And, living in Vermont and having limited access to Jones, I should probably look for bottles of this stuff now that the 4th of July is closer than Christmas.
I hope Jones repeats this flavor issue this coming year. I'd love to give this soda a try with and without the rum.
Thanks
Hi…I don't know how I came across this, but your soda has my picture on it!
Did you specifically order this, or did the order come with it. I thought if JONES used your picture you got a free pack of soda! This is certainly news to me… I know it's been a while, but if you could give me some info on how you got these bottles that would be great! Hope to hear from you soon- Fatima