Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry

 

Product circa: 2024 and later winter seasons

Sprite's Cranberry version from many years ago was very good, and this product has proved successful enough to return at least one year so far for the winter season.

This stuff is really good, but I'm annoyed that I'm having such a hard time discerning its flavors.  Beyond the cranberry, I can't tell what "spices" exists in this formula.  It's possible that there are traditional baking spices in this, like clove or allspice, and they are simply toned down so much that they're barely recognizable.  But by my tongue, I think it's more likely a bit of ginger and juniper that are added, maybe.  Regardless, this is a real treat, and worth picking up a 12-pack each season.

CinnaGraham Toast Crunch

Product circa: 2026

Obviously a combination between Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Golden Graham cereals, this seems to have great promise.

Maybe I haven't had these sorts of cereals in a while, but this tastes way too... healthy.  "Earthy" and even "woody" are the descriptors I'm getting here.  The cereal uses whole wheat and corn as its primary grain, but the mouth feels it more like whole wheat and oat bran.  I'm getting an overall very fibrous experience, like the product is ultra-high fiber (it's not) and like it could use some processed/bleached wheat to give it a bit more soft body.  It could be a lot sweeter too.  Even the cinnamon feels over-toasted and woody.  Maybe all this earthiness is from the adding of the graham cracker-like cereal, but I'm just getting earth, cinnamon, and not much else.  It's more hardy than hearty.  It's not unlike cinnamon mulch.  It's not horrible, but I think all of this is the result of cereal brands continuing to maximize nutritional value and fiber over sugar.  I'd rather have either of its constituent cereals, I think.

Doritos Ultimate Garlic Parmesan

 

Product circa: July 2026

Part of Doritos' semiquincentennial recognition.  Because garlic and parmigiano cheese are so American?

Anyway, LMAO - these taste shockingly like Doritos Cool Ranch, with perhaps a bit more garlic, and maybe the sour cream is a bit more "aged" to be cheese-like.  But the DNA is still Cool Ranch, through and through.  How disappointing and hilarious.

Oreo Firecracker Pop

 

Product circa: July 2026

While not specifically targeted as a semiquincentennial promotion, it is certainly a seasonal release for Independence Day 2026.

I respect the attempt here.  Three different flavors of creme in a vanilla cookie, and each creme flavor corresponds to the three flavors of a "firecracker pop", more likely known as a rocket pop.  Indeed, all three flavors of creme are completely discernible here, though I would say the lemon is least of all.  The problem is that while not unpleasant, this cookie is just way too busy, in terms of taste.  In addition, per my personal tastes, the 3 cremes make the balance more akin to a Double Stuf, which is not my preference.

Herr's Jalapeno Cream Cheese and Hickory Barbecue

 

Products circa: July 2026

Labeled "United" and "Liberty", these are semiquincentennial products, this time Philadelphia-coded as "Flavored 4 Philly".  I have no idea how these flavors relate to the city, but Herr's is known as a fantastic regional brand located not far from it.

Jalapeno Cream Cheese: Essentially a sour cream & onion flavor, with a greenery amped up a bit by green chile, and perhaps the sour cream powder goes a bit deeper in flavor so as to be "cheese".  The heat builds up just a bit after a couple bites.  Not bad, but I won't remember these.

Hickory Barbecue: It starts as your typical barbeque flavor, but it's clear that the hickory here as a much more deep and woody flavor than your average chip.  One of the best bbq chips I've had to date.

Ruffles Buffalo Wings

 

Product circa: July 2026

Another semiquincentennial, and this time a truly quintessential (there's a pun in there somewhere) American flavor.

I've had plenty of "hot sauce" chips before, but these are among the best.  It's because they cranked up the boldness of the flavor, and also the vinegar seasoning, such that it actually evokes proper Buffalo wings.  Bravo.

Pringles Italian Meatball

 

Product circa: summer 2026

While not expressly tied to the World Cup, these are a summer 2026 release that coincides with it.

These are very "pizza-chip"-coded, with tomato and oregano being the primary flavors, here.  These go further and have a heavier dose of aromatic vegetables, and also yeast extract to simulate the meat flavor.  In the end, I'd rather have Pringles Pizza flavored chips.

Birthday Cake Cheerios

 

Product circa: summer 2026

Birthday, get it?  Whether this product is meant to celebrate the USA's semiquincentennial or simply Independence Day in general, it is not called out anywhere on the box, except for the fireworks as part of the design.

I was excited, but I'm not sure why.  I don't think cereal was ever going to taste like cake.  Instead, you had a generalized vanilla frosting flavor added to the Cheerios, with perhaps the sprinkles also being notable.  Not bad at all, to be sure, but it's about as good as any sweetened Cheerios varietal.

Gatorade All-American Mashups

 

Product circa: July 2026

I bought this fully having no idea what it was.  It turns out that it's a mystery flavor in celebration of the semiquincentennial.

As the internet would suggest, this stuff is a dead ringer for guava.  It feels like it tastes less salty than your average Gatorade, as well.  A really nice change of pace, but nothing too special.

Orange Cream Coca-Cola

 

Product circa: 2025

It is my contention that every product should have an orange vanilla version, period.

Anyway, this stuff is good.  Orange, vanilla, and cola are flavors that have always gone well with each other in any combination.  The flavor is strong enough to be noticed here as well, and I would say they struck a good balance.  However, I might say that the older Orange Coca-Cola product would be my preference.

The zero sugar version is a pale comparison to the original; the flavor balance is off, somehow.  I think that vanilla flavoring might specifically struggle with calorie-free sweetener.

Dr. Pepper Creamy Coconut

 

Product circa: 2024 and 2026

On paper, this feels like an all-time varietal, but in practice, the coconut flavor is quite faint, and I would have preferred it stronger, almost like what you'd from Sonic Drive-In if you ordered a Dr. Pepper with a coconut add-in.  With that said, this stuff is still damn good, and I easily drank a whole 12 pack with time to spare.  And evidently, it was popular enough that it has returned in 2026.

Mountain Dew Frost Bite

 

Product circa: post-2020

I vaguely remember this tasting of melon, but it was mostly forgettable.  Label is cool AF, though.

Dump post: Oreos, Pop-Tarts, Lays, and Mountain Dew Baja Gold

 Just a post dumping old pics that I never posted.  I don't have individualized reviews of these, but I remember especially that the Oreos below were very good overall.

M&M's Milk Chocolate Cherry

 

From many years ago.

Pop-Tarts Frosted Pink Lemonade

 

This is from years ago.  I remember these being very tasty, I would love to buy these occasionally.

Powerade FIFA World Cup 2026 Trio

Products circa: Summer 2026

Yet another promotion for the 2026 World Cup.

Blood Orange Kick - It took me years to understand the flavor of blood orange.  The way I describe it today is a slightly more savory version of orange, a savoriness that borders on tomato.  Anyway, this has nothing of that.  It tastes mostly like any orange sports drink, but the flavor is slightly worse.

White Grape Wave - They somehow managed to alter the artificial grape flavor to simulate a commendably realistic white grape flavor.  It's not bad, but it's an odd mix with the sports drink base.

Cold Berry Burst - A tart blue raspberry with other generic "berry" thrown in.  Not teeming with flavor, but probably just the right amount of subtlety to make it easy to chug.  However, this stuff has the "cooling" menthol-like ingredients (which the internet doesn't readily identify)

Mountain Dew Dragon Fruit & TicTac Dragon Fruit

 

Product circa: 2026

Dragon fruit/pitaya is having a moment, I guess. In my cynical opinion, it's only popular because of its appearance.  I tried the stuff fresh many many years ago, and it's sweet, but its flavor is so subtle to almost be non-existent.  I think that any processed food product claiming to be flavored with it is being disingenuous.  Further, the color of its flesh is also white/colorless, and so any colorful dragon fruit products are also just doing it for "vibes".

Dew: Anyway, while its safe to say that this Dew doesn't look or taste like a dragon fruit beverage might or should, it caught me off guard on how tasty it is.  Overall, I'm just tasting "tropical", but it works so well, and it very much reminds me of Sprite Tropical Mix.  Call this Dew Tropical Mix.

TicTac: Extremely average.  Generic fruitiness, a touch of floral, but it does end with a nice sourness as it dissolves.  

Dirty Mountain Dew

 

Product circa: spring 2026

Following the dirty soda trend, Pepsico decided to create its own bottled version.

I wish they hadn't.  Mimicking soda and cream was never going to work in a non-dairy shelf-stable version.  They simply added vanilla "cream soda" flavoring to their Dew, and they added too much.  In the end, the vanilla overpowers the rest of the product, and ultimately this tastes like cream soda, but more tangy and bitter.

Ironically, the zero sugar seems to have less vanilla, and veers further toward balance.  But the sweetener completely ruins the attempt.

Lay's Brazilian-Style Garlic Sauce

 

Product circa: summer 2026

One of several Lays products promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, representing Brazil.

With a possibly extra-salted bite, these start with easily the strongest and most realistic raw garlic flavor I've ever tasted in a snack.  Next, the various cheese powders in the ingredient list manifest as butter on the palate, very much like that of buttered popcorn.  In the end, there is a tanginess that doesn't taste like vinegar at all, and well mimics the lemon juice that is intended.

These are very tasty, but because of the fact that they make your mouth taste like garlic for 6+ hours after you eat them, I'll never buy them again.

Fritos Flavor Twists Spicy Dill Pickle

 

Product circa: Summer 2026

I guess "spicy dill pickle" is plenty zeitgeisty enough to be an "American" flavor as part of this US semiquincentennial promotion.

They really provided "the works" of flavor profiles here for this snack.  I've tried plenty of spicy pickle snacks recently, and this is different.  This seems to have a ranch flavor base, with dill flavor added, with salt & vinegar powder added, and also the "red hot" flavor on top.  They're not unpleasant, but they are very busy in an All Dressed kind of way.  More than anything, this snack highlights that the flavor twists form factor provides an impressive crunchy texture when using new-fangled flavors, and I wish Fritos experimented with them more.

Lay's Wavy French Onion Soup

 

Product circa: 2026

Evidently as part of a promotion for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, this product represents France.

Onion powder is immediately evident here, but it avoids the pitfall of being too sweet, which I have experienced on past Lay's onion products.  Along with the onion is a heavy maltodextrin/MSG like flavor that is hard to miss.  There is also a lot of brown meatiness to simulate the beef broth of French Onion Soup, and it does well and making sure that this snack isn't too sweet.  In the end, this is a very enjoyable chip.

Twix Snickerdoodle

 

This is a Presumptive Ephemeral Nom. 

Product circa: 2026

I'll keep it short.  This is a regular Twix bar with some cinnamon flavoring added to it.  It's the same type of cinnamon added to "apple cinnamon" flavored food products.  And... it doesn't pair well, here.  This is a miss. 

Diet Coke Lime (2025)

 

Product circa: autumn 2025 

Diet Coke with Lime was a fairly short-lived product from 2004, but it gained such a cult following (though not nearly as much as Diet Coke with Lemon from 2001), that I started to get annoyed hearing about it over the decades.

I'm glad that Coke revived it under this slightly different name, though I have a feeling that they would never bring it back permanently, even if the fan response warranted it.

And it's a shame, because this shit is good.  I wasn't a fan of the original in 2004, and it's impossible for me to say how accurate this stuff tastes to the original.  But the lime here (which isn't too unnatural tasting) totally compliments the Diet Coke, in a way that tastes smoother and better than Diet Coke.  If this were a permanent product, I would probably buy it somewhat regularly (and I never buy Diet Coke). 

Cap'n Crunch's Orange Creampop Crunch

 

Product circa: summer 2025

As soon as I learned of this product's existence, I was able to order some from Walmart's backstock in autumn 2025.  Have YOU ever had orange-flavored cereal before?  I rest my case.

The subtle-but-present orange flavor is there, and it's definitely a unique experience for cereal.  The typical "cereal vanilla" is what dominates most of the experience, but the vanilla and orange combine to get an almost banana-like flavor, which is very welcome.  In the end, this is a like a tropical-tasting cereal, and dare I say, even a refreshing experience.  I'd reach for a box of this once a year, if I had the chance.

Snickers Adventure Bar

 

Product circa: 2008 (!)

Indeed, I still have this bag of snacks!  Unfortunately, the chocolate has gone rancid, and they are inedible.

This was a promotional product released for the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  It was a regular Snickers bar base with the added flavors of coconut and chai-like spices... why they chose those flavors to promote this movie, I do not know.

I recall the candy having a subtle coconut flavor that accented the original very well.  I personally do not recall any flavor of spices at all, though some concurrent sources did.

Fanta Chucky's Punch

 

Product circa: autumn 2025

Released as part of a group of horror-themed sodas in preparation for Halloween 2025, I believe this one was the only brand-new flavor among them.

This stuff is good, and I'll tell you why.  Fruit punch sodas often miss the mark.  I would say most often they are simply too sweet, with not enough acid.  After that, they often have very little flavor.  This one bucks both trends with a restrained sweetness and flavor on the level of any proper fruit punch beverage.  Major kudos to Coca-Cola for producing this - too bad something like this isn't available permanently.

Arizona Frost ChillZicle

 

Product circa: 2025

Supposedly a juice cocktail meant to taste like an American "rocket pop", I would say that this doesn't hit the mark of that aim.  It has darker berry flavors that border on grape, and otherwise doesn't remind me of a rocket pop at all.

However, it's delicious.  Specifically, the style of this drink is not too sweet, in a way that reminds me heavily of some of the more well-balanced Snapples or even old-school juice box drinks.  The overall feel of this stuff is very nostalgic.  I will make it a point to try more of Arizona's juice cocktails!

Herr's Kettle Cooked Mozzarella Sticks & Marinara

 

Product circa: 2025-2026

Despite having tomato powder in the ingredients list, it's largely undetectable.  That leaves the expected mélange of Italian seasoning, but somehow this mix nails the seasoning that's traditional in the batter of fried mozzarella, and the taste of these is reminiscent of the real thing.  In the end, however, it's unremarkable.