Episode 21: Cherries Jubilee

The cherry blossoms were in peak form for this cherries jubilee.

Flavor

Cherries Jubilee! This episode reviews three flavors of black cherry flavored bubbly beverages:

Black Cherry by Waterloo

Black Cherry by Crystal Geyser

Black Cherry by Polar

The Can

All three of these cans are gorgeous! The Waterloo can is familiar: gorgeous logotype, fun filigree, and a straight-forward depiction of dark purple cherries. The can features a charming image of two cherries with perfectly-intact stems set off with a perfect green leaf. The Polar can adheres to the standard Polar branding: Color, Silver, Bubbles, the Polar polar bear and similarly perfect cherries. I wonder if the Polar company has a name for the bear and if so, is the bear named Bubbles? Crystal Geyser Sparkling Spring Water comes in a pretty plastic bottle. The label features five bright red cherries. The designers opted for a more realistic depiction of cherries instead of the too-perfect-to-be-seen-in-real-life double stem cherries. I love the subtle addition of tiny bubbles on the label.

The cherry blossoms really were a sight to see!

Notes

It isn’t quite a crack when it comes from a twist off bottle, is it? Waterloo has a strong and assertive crack that is way too wild to open discreetly. Waterloo doesn’t want you to hide that you’re cracking into flavor, they want you to crack loud and crack proud. The bottle had a lovely, polite hiss that is definitely more appropriate for a clandestine beverage scenario. Polar’s crack is polite, but certainly not a shrinking violet. With a precision bubble like Polar has, of course you are going to get a serious crack.

In terms of aroma, all three give a very cherry forward experience for the nose. Each beverage had a unique approach to black cherry and each of them tasted accurate and natural.

Waterloo’s Black Cherry is quite fruity and a little sweet. The black cherry flavor is subtle and not too overpowering. Waterloo has a Very Serious Bubble and is definitely for the bold beverage drinker. Crystal Geyser’s Black Cherry is downright JUICY. It takes a more tart, fleshy approach to black cherry. Polar reminds me so much of Dr. Pepper in a way that I cannot articulate. It’s sophisticated and natural.

Overall reaction

Each of these is pretty good. Each has their own unique approach to Black Cherry that you may find appealing, or not. Either way is fine.