After learning about the importance of a balanced microbiome, I quit soda in my early 20s and never looked back — except for the occasional ginger ale when I’m feeling nauseous. For some, though, the daily habit is harder to kick, and it’s easy to see why: Soda is sweet, bubbly, and refreshing. Cue Olipop, a fast-growing soda brand that replaces processed sugar with juice-based sweeteners and prebiotic fiber, and its new ginger ale flavor. I was pretty skeptical after trying many “healthier alternative” snacks and beverages that left me with a half-satisfied craving and a weird aftertaste, but still I decided to try Olipop to see if it lived up to the hype and it was so surprising.
There Are More Than A Dozen Flavors
What makes Olipop different?
Less sugar: For me, the number one draw is the lower sugar content. Depending on the flavor, Olipop has between 2 and 5 grams of sugar per can. For comparative reference, Olipop’s ginger ale has 5 grams of sugar per every 12-ounce can — as opposed to the 35 grams of sugar in a can of Canada Dry. Instead of high-fructose corn syrup and cane sugar, Olipop is sweetened with juice, juice concentrate, cassava root syrup, and stevia leaf.
Prebiotic fiber: Certain types of fiber feed the good bacteria in your microbiome, making them a good source of prebiotics. Each flavor of Olipop has a blend of fiber from seven types of roots and flowers. Altogether, they add up to 9 grams of fiber per can.
Suits most dietary restrictions: Olipop is vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free. It also qualifies as paleo, according to the brand.
A variety of flavors: In addition to ginger ale, Olipop has over a dozen other flavors to choose from including classic cola, cherry, cream soda, and orange. Root beer is one of its best-sellers.
How Do Olipop's Gut-Support Botanicals Work?
What did Olipop Ginger Ale taste like?
Despite the much lower sugar content, Olipop’s ginger ale flavor is sweet and crisp. I detected a slight hint of stevia during my first sip, but the aftertaste disappeared quickly, and I enjoyed the rest of the can as much as I enjoy Schweppes, Canada Dry, and Seagram's. I cracked a can open as soon as I got my shipment, and it’s actually not bad warm, but it tastes much more like traditional soda when served over ice in a glass.
Unlike many tradtional brands, which taste like a synthetic, candied version of the ginger root, Olipop tastes like actual ginger, similar to ginger beer but with less of a kick. (Ginger juice is one of the ingredients, after all.) I love it, but my partner, who skips the pickled ginger every time we go out for sushi, wasn’t a fan. However, he did love the grape, lemon lime, and new apple crisp flavors.
In short, I plan on keeping a case of Olipop’s ginger ale from here on out. It tastes great and doesn’t leave me with jitters or indigestion, in addition to its lower sugar content and prebiotic fiber. If you’re a fan of real ginger, you’ll probably love it, too.
How To Shop Olipop
