i am not sure if this is a different soda than the sarsaparilla of theirs that i reviewed several years ago, but i will go on the assumption that it is different.
re-reading that review, i would not describe the taste as at all the same so that re-enforces my theory.
i like that they ventured away from the sameness of the old label designs and did something unique for the soda in honor of the 100th anniversary of their town of Glens Falls, NY. i am also glad they went with a sarsaparilla as the flavor.
I almost ignored this soda as i just saw the name “Cooper’s Cave Sarsaparilla” in listings at online stores. but then one had a bottle photo and i knew it was at least different in that way. actually, i play a game with myself when i go to root beer soda selling sites, i cover the names and just look at the bottle photos and guess what it is. if i see something i don’t know, i get a little excited. or else i get a little sad since i should know it but my memory is not what it once was and it never was so good to begin with. so anyway, this one i knew i did not know so i went with excited and ordered it with a couple other drinks. excellent decision!
the first thing i notice is just how huge and long lasting the head is! wow! rises to the top and stays there for a longer time than i care to wait.
the next thing is the taste. it is also light, like the old version, but this is kind of sweetly herbal tasting, in a good way. it is almost fruity, in the realm of a good herbal tea. it makes me think that maybe this is closer to what real sarsaparilla used to taste like, but probably sweeter than the Olde Tyme stuff was. this is a very refreshing, drinkable soda. if they have not changed the recipes of the other offerings, this is definitely the best of the lot from Cooper’s Cave. this has actually grown on me a lot as i drink more. at first i was surprised by the taste and taken a little aback but now i am almost done and really loving it.
Anthony’s Rating: 94
User’s Rating: 40
# of ratings:1
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| Type: | Sarsaparilla | Comes In: | 12oz glass bottle |
| Available: | NY, online | Obtained in: | mail order |
| Head: | Huge | Sweetener: | cane sugar |
| Caffeine: | No | ||
| Website: | http://www.cooperscaveale.com | ||
Ingredients: carbonated filtered water, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, gum acacia, phosphoric acid, citric acid and sodium benzoate as preservative
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this one as I’m a big sarsi fan but I will say (and I think I commented to this effect on your review) it’s too bad you don’t like Manhattan Special’s sarsaparilla. I was lucky enough to find some recently after years of not having any and I still think it’s a top-notch example of this particular beverage. One of our very few differences of opinion! 🙂
The link to the website does not work, It says it cannot be found. I’m not sure if it was put in wrong, or if the website no longer exists.
Why isn’t this one up on the all soda ranks yet? I checked but it isn’t there. I think there might be a few other sodas that are missing as well.
I finally got a bottle of this, and sadly I did not like it. I gave this a 40. I thought it was to sweet and like you said, it tasted tea like.