Review: 7Up Mixed Berry
Dec 29th, 2011 by Steve
Back in August we reported that Dr Pepper Snapple Group was phasing out Pomegranate 7Up in favor of a new flavor, 7Up Mixed Berry. Like Pomegranate, this drink is promoted as "Limited Time Only". Is it a worthy successor?
I liked Pomegranate 7Up quite a bit, though it never was the success that Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash has become every year. When I first heard that the new flavor would be "Mixed Berry", thoughts immediately went to that amazingly gross experiment from 2004, 7Up Plus Mixed Berry. That was something I didn't want to relive at all! Thankfully, that was not the case.
It appears that this product has the vague inclusion of "Antioxidant", just like what DPSG did when they ruined Cherry 7Up. I'm not sure how adding Vitamin E to a product counterbalances the large infusion of high fructose corn syrup, but hey, marketing folks will try anything to boost a #3 lemon lime brand.
For example, the bottle contains a callout to a website by the name of LetsPlay.com, a "community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to get kids and families active nationwide. We believe that the key to healthy living is managing calories in and calories out." There's just something a bit ironic about that (Translation: "Please, say no to soda taxes! So what if a 12 oz serving contains 140 calories!")
But enough of the ridiculousness of the packaging. You want to know about the taste, right? Well, when you crack open the top, you'll get a very light scent, almost something that would seem to come from a garden. This light purple drink is actually not too bad. It's definitely from that generic "berry" family, but is not too syrupy sweet. It actually reminded me a bit of Jones Soda Sugar Plum Soda or long-forgetten Sprite Remix Berryclear from 2004.
The overall experience is airy and not overpowering. There's a small aftertaste of syrupiness that stays with you, but it's a rather pleasing drink. The non-heavy nature makes in an excellent compliment for food. I still prefer Pomegranate 7Up, but this is a decent runner-up, despite DPSG's continued insistence that it contains "100% natural flavors". Really, do we have to revisit that debate again?
7Up Mixed Berry
Filtered carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, potassium citrate, potassium benzoate (preservative), natural flavors, calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor), D-alpha tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), Red 40, Blue 1
A 12 oz serving contains 140 calories, 40 mg sodium, and 39 g carbs (38 g sugars). The drink claims to contain 15% of your recommended daily intake for Vitamin E. Caffeine free.
I was going to try 7Up Mixed Berry. I might not try it after all.
well u should b-rizzle because this review doesn't do this soda justice. i find this to be MUCH better than that pomegranate 7-up. this isn't as sweet and isn't as syrupy. it's refreshing and has a light taste. and of course it has calories. but doesnt everything that is good. lol. but it still has less carbs and calories than coke/pepsi/rc/mt dew/etc..
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hey every little bit helps! anyway i highly recommend this soda. your taste buds will thank you.
I was pleasantly pleased with this. I agree it's no 7up pomegranate, but it's not a bad offering. originally I didn't care for it very much, but then I had the flu (I usually drink 7up when I'm sick, it's a hold over from my father when I was a kid) and my husband bought the mixed berry as a change and it grew on me.
They RUINED 7UP Cherry with their new "Antioxidant" formula. I don't know if I can ever drink another "7UP Antioxidant" product again.
If I do end up wanting to try this product, I'll wait until the holiday season 2012. If it's coming then.
[...] the other lemon limes. New line extensions have been added with varying success, such as the decent 7Up Mixed Berry and the atrocious reboot of Cherry 7Up. I'm not not sure who thought it was a good idea to dress [...]
omg loved this soda wish they would have it year round