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BY JESS THOMSON
It’s clear that our region excels at crafting artisanal foods like cheeses and breads—but outside the farmers markets, the local-means-better ethos extends to sodas, too. Here’s a list of our favorites. Since these aren’t your typical burger buddies, we’ve created a drinking guide, so you know what to crack, when.
***COLA: The Porch Drink
Fentimans Curiosity Cola, from Burnaby, BC, has a distinctly herbaceous flavor, like old-fashioned Coke, only a little less sweet. Serve in a cold glass, over ice, on a porch where you can people-watch, then reuse the classy bottle for daisies.
***CRANBERRY: The Hangover Cure
HOTLIPS Sodas are made with just cane sugar and real fruit—you should always tip the bottle to stir it up a bit before you open—so they’re perfect for those who’d like to concentrate the flavor of a full pint of berries into a single bottle. Their cranberry soda stays bracingly true to the berry, too—tart and gently carbonated, this is the ultimate pick-me-up.
***CUCUMBER: The Post-Spa Sipper
When you can afford a trip to the spa but not the time to relax afterward, pack a DRY cucumber soda, which turns traditional spa water into a carbonated experience. Gently sweetened and slightly floral, this is probably not a kid’s favorite.
*** GINGER: The Conversation Piece
Ginger is a heavy topic. Cock 'n Bull Ginger Beer is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy—it’s gingery enough to spark a conversation, but not so strong that you need a chaser. Dark and stormy fans, take note: it’s a little light on the effervescence. For a gentler ginger ale, try Americana Honey-Lime Ginger Ale. It has a faint peach color that makes it perfect for a chat on the patio with Grandma. And for pure carbonated ginger juice—less beer, more produce—try Rachel’s Ginger Beer, which is absolutely perfect for mixing.
***HONEY CREAM: The New Sweet Tea
If you take a cream soda DumDum lollipop and dip it in honey, you’ll get the flavor of American Honey Cream Soda. Drink one over afternoon tea when it’s too warm outside for hot liquids. For a much less sweet take on cream soda, try DRY’s vanilla bean flavor.
***HUCKLEBERRY: The Welcome-to-Washington Soda
When you’re stumped on how to welcome your new purple-haired neighbor, reach for an Americana Huckleberry Soda, whose gorgeous amethyst hue comes straight from the foothills. Any purple-obsessed birthday girl will swoon.
***ROOT BEER: The Fantasy Float
Orca Beverage Company excels at root beer. Their Americana Root Beer is a float’s fantasy—appropriately sweet on its own, but happy to accept a scoop of good vanilla. Best served ice cold.
***SARSAPARILLA: The Outlaw Soda
Sioux City Sarsaparilla is your favorite root beer's naughty cousin. Dark and spicy, with good ginger tones, this Orca Beverage product is for drinking straight from the bottle, preferably one swathed in a paper bag. Wear your chaps.
Buying Guide
DRY Soda Co. sells lightly sweetened cucumber, vanilla bean, blood orange, lavender, lemongrass, rhubarb, and juniper berry sodas. $1.69 each or $5.99 for a 4-pack at most Seattle-area grocers. Based in Seattle. www.drysoda.com
Fentimans makes botanically-inspired sodas, like Victorian lemonade, ginger beer, Seville orange jigger, a more traditional cola, and shandy. $2 to $3 each. Available at Metropolitan Market. Based in British Columbia. www.fentimans.com
Hotlips Soda sells naturally sweetened fruit sodas in flavors like boysenberry, pear, apple, cherry, and cranberry. $2.49 each. Available at Savour, Full Throttle Bottles, and many restaurants. Based in Portland. www.hotlipssoda.com
Orca Beverage Company bills itself as the nostalgic soda company. In addition to bottling old-time favorites like Moxie and Dad’s root beer, its “Americana” line captures the taste of classics; these flavors include Honey-Lime Ginger, Root Beer, Huckleberry, and Honey Cream. It also makes the Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer and Sioux City Sarsaparilla. Prices vary. Available at Pear Delicatessen & Shoppe and Full Throttle Bottles, Zippy’s Burgers and Delicatus. Based in Mukilteo. www.orcabeverage.com
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