Bootleggers Dry Lemonade product reviews

I was very excited to be able to try a locally made fizzy drink and was looking forward to giving it a taste. I left it in the fridge for an hour to cool before I couldn't hack it any more and ripped into it. I twisted off the lid, which opened quite easily, and was waiting for the classic fizz noise but it wasn't to be heard. I thought this was odd and then presumed the drink wouldn't be as fizzy as I thought.

I was suprised when I took my first mouthful that it did in fact have fizz to it but was a bit disappointed there was no flavour hit in my first mouthful. I popped the cap back on and gave it a very gentle tip up and down in case any of the flavour had settled at the bottom. I tried it again and the flavour appeared. It was quite a subtle flavour but at the same time it was very refreshing. I was glad that it wasn't in your face sweet it was actually on occasions had quite a tart taste to it.

This is the type of drink I can imagine drinking on a summers day poured over some ice and maybe with a dash of something alcoholic added to it. I actually really enjoyed this drink and I am looking forward to purchasing some of the other flavours.

I had seen the bootleggers brand at a recent show but due to the volumes of people at the stand I did not stop to taste test. I was so happy to then see that this brand was up to review on KIWIreviews to review.

I did not know what to expect from a dry lemonade but thought it was worth giving it a go. I am always keen to find a drink that I can enjoy as a special drink. Reading the label I was pleased to see that all the ingredients were natural.

On first opening this bottle I was surprised that although carbonated, it did not give off the real fizz that other drinks of this kind give off. I took my first sip and thought 'where's the flavour?' I took another mouthful and there it was. There was a light refreshing flavour that was not at all sweet (that is normally which puts me off carbonated drinks). It is definitely a drink that I could have numerous bottle of in the one day. Yum Yum Yum

As a mum I am very careful about which drinks I offer my son, but not being too sweet thought it was worth sharing a sip or two with him. He loved it.

I am now keen to find this in my local supermarket and have a bottle or two on hand for those days you come home and want something a little special. I would love to see this on drinks menus at restaurants so that I can swap my normal ginger beer which is too sweet for this dry lemonade.

This drink follows the trend of the other variants: very subtle flavour. And as with the Dry Ginger Ale variety, the mellow flavour does in fact work well. This beverage is a very easy-going drink, with a medium carbonation level and a flavour that hints at lemonade, rather than bashing you over the head with intensity.

As with the other Bootlegger variants, this Dry Lemonade comes with some little floaties that speak volumes of the authenticity and natural aspects of the drink. Unlike the Dry Ginger Ale, however, the quantity of floaties is much less, and doesn't have an overwhelming effect on the appearance of the drink.

I found that this drink was great as a slow drink; something to enjoy and savour over a length of time, as the flavour becomes a little more pronounced as it begins to warm. I didn't find myself sculling back the drink and wanting more, or finding it too tart to drink. This Lemonade holds the middle ground; you drink it, and when you have finished, you feel satisfied.

The dryness of the beverage would lend it well to cocktails and shandys, providing a great substitute to the usual lemonade or ginger ale. It is a drink I would certainly look at purchasing again in the future.

While I applaud any and all hand-crafted artisan products, especially those made here in NZ, I have a special place in my heart for fizzy drinks. Long story, won't go into it, but I know from experience that I can't fly in a plane for more than about 15 minutes without a glass of something mild and fizzy... and while 7-up is still my 'flight-companion of choice' I think this would be a good Kiwi-made substitute.

My only qualm about this was that it was very light on the lemonade flavour - I was expecting something a little more... lemonish. This was actually a tad too close to 'soda water' to offer me much in the way of "WOW appeal" simply because... well... I hate soda water. It always tastes like watery liquefied chalk to me. Couldn't tell you why without doing some chemical testing, but that's the way of it.

Anyway... I used this as a base for a wee 'chilled cocktail' and in an 8oz glass I put enough crushed ice to fill it half way, then put in a generous double shot of Feijoa Port, the juice from one medium lemon, and topped it off with this lemonade. TOTALLY BAD IDEA! Because I loved it, and Winter is so the wrong time to be slugging back iced drinks like this!

Overall, while it wasn't the greatest hit for me on its own, it turned out to be a drink that 'played well with others' and could be used as a significant ingredient in, I think, quite a number of Summer-suitable drinks. Acquire the taste now, experiment until the weather warms up, and you'll have something really impressive to show off to your mates around the BBQ.