I am desperately trying to force myself to drink more water. First let me say this. I hate water, especially the water on the Virginia Peninsula. It tastes nasty even after it is filtered.
Nonetheless, I am trying to be more contentious in this department. I am doing this by experimenting with various on-the-go drink packets available from companies like Kool Aid, Crystal Light and Ocean Spray.
Since I love Ocean Spray’s Sugar Free White Cran Peach drink so much I decided to try their Sugar Free Blueberry Lemonade. I am glad that I did.
This is a light, refreshing drink that isn’t too heavy either way. There is just the right mix of blueberry and lemonade. My only disappointment was the color, which turned out to be pink rather than blue. However, I admit that is a minor issue.
Like many Ocean Spray products, this drink promises to deliver 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, based on a basic 2000 calorie diet. It is jam packed with healthy antioxidants that the body so desperately requires.
Let’s talk specifics. The handy dandy on-the-go packets come in a box of 10 for around $2 to $4, depending upon where they are purchased.
A serving size is ½ packet, which is just enough for my small bottle of Perrier. (I also prefer bubbles.) It makes an 8 fluid ounce serving for one.
There are 5 calories per serving or 10 per packet if you want to calculate them that way. None of those calories come from fat, carbohydrate or sugar.
Other than vitamin C, each packet of Ocean Spray Sugar Free Blueberry Lemonade offers 10 micrograms of potassium. That equates to about 1% of the daily recommended amount.
Now for the bad news. Each serving also represents 10 micrograms of sugar. While not a lot, it may be enough to discourage anyone who is watching their sugar intake.
The product is easy to use. Simply tear open one of the packets and mix it with around 16 oz of water. Be sure to shake or mix the powder into the water thoroughly. Then pour one serving – 8 oz – over ice and serve. It couldn’t be simpler.
Unfortunately, like many similar drinks of this kind, Ocean Spray Sugar Free Blueberry Lemonade does not contain all natural flavors. It also contains some questionable ingredients. These include:
– blue 1 (dye),
– citric acid,
– gum arabic,
– magnesium oxide,
– malic acid,
– maltrodextrin,
– natural and artificial flavors,
– potassium and sodium citrate,
– red 40 (dye) and
– sugar substitute.
Ocean Spray offers a replacement guarantee on all of its products, should a customer not be satisfied. These can be reported via their 800 number at 1-800-662-3263, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Here is my summary review:
Taste: 5 stars. This is unique tasting drink that is light and refreshing.
Appearance: 4 stars: It is a pretty pink color, which is baffling since it also has blue artificial coloring.
Reputation: 5 stars. Ocean Spray enjoys a solid reputation. They continue to produce drinks that are both good for you and taste good.
Nutrition: 4 stars. I’m personally not a fan of the acids and chemicals but you can’t have everything in one drink. I do love the infusion of potassium and vitamin C.
Ease: 5 stars. You tear open the packet, pour the powder into the water, mix thoroughly and drink. That is about as easy as it gets.
Green rating: 2 stars. While the outside cardboard box may be recyclable or biodegradable, I doubt that the foil packets are.
Packaging: 5 stars. The packets are pale perriwinkle blue with a picture of blueberries and lemons on the front. They are tightly secured in a semi foil/semi cellophane pouch and have an easy to tear top. The box is white with the Ocean Spray blue logo and a perriwinkle colored band to indicate the flavor. It also pictures lemons and blueberries on front. The package is colorful and easy to find on the store shelf.
Ease of storage: 5 stars. The packets are small. They measure 5 ½” by ¾”, making them easy to store almost anywhere. I like to remove the packets from the outer box and store them, along with other flavor options, inside a sugar bowl.
Availability: 5 stars. Ocean Spray products are available at most grocery marts and many discount department stores like K-Mart Wal-Mart.
Price: 4 stars. Price will vary from store to store. Some cost as much as $3.99 a box or $.39 a packet. I got mine from the Wal-Mart for under $20. That’s a lot cheaper than a can of soda.
Product purchase probability: 5 stars. I love this drink and will certainly keep it handy at all times.
Final rating: 4.5 stars. This is a great summer drink!
5 stars – outstanding
4 stars – good
3 stars – average
2 stars – below average
1 star – poor
