Ayala's Jasmine Vanilla

Aroma: The jasmine wafting from this drink easily catches your attention as you prepare to take a sip. The softer vanilla undertones are also detectable, and they serve to round out this fragrance quite well.

Taste: Firstly, (I've noticed this with all the flavors), the water itself tastes pure and has no trace of that bottled water or mineral water taste that I have come to despise.
That said, wow. I've never had a jasmine-infused beverage before, but let me tell you, it's an amazing experience. You can actually taste the flower blossoms. It's like a bouquet of deliciously sweet smelling flowers...but in your mouth. That's the only way I can describe it. Let me lay it down for you this way: if you like seeking out new and interesting flavors, you have to try this.

Price: $2.00/bottle when purchased in a case of 12 - available through their online store. At first I thought this a bit pricey, but then I realized it includes free shipping, which can be a bear when shipping heavy beverages.

Ingredients: purified water, honey, extracts of vanilla beans and jasmine blossoms

Other Comments: It's almost creepy how well these guys matched our drink submission requirements and our overall mission. They're a small independent company that hasn't yet been gobbled up by one of the big boys (as far as I can tell). They're locally distributed in New York City and Philadelphia markets, but they are available nationwide through their website. They have a hard-core distaste for high fructose corn syrup and anything artificial. They have a passion for healthy living. And they make some of the most interesting natural drink flavors that I've ever seen. (I'm a chef, so I got all giddy when I read about their different herb and spice-based flavors). The herb selections aren't all arbitrary, either. They have an outline of all the herbs on the label which tells you about their individual benefits.
Ayala is the name of the woman who created these drinks, and not surprisingly she is a cook and a doctor (a pediatrician, to be exact). Evidently she was looking for an alternative to sugar-laden and artificially flavored beverages. A clip from their site: "Americans are getting heavier—in fact, two-thirds of us are overweight or obese. We simply consume many more calories than we need, and a significant amount of those extra calories comes from sugar and high fructose corn syrup." Boom! Short and sweet.

Overall: Here again Ayala's has succeeded in making a tasty drink with no sweeteners, fillers, or artificial crap. As noted on the other Ayala's reviews, I am quite impressed with the company's efforts to be green, which along with their focus on health earns them extra points. Jasmine vanilla is one of the most interesting and unique flavors that I have tried from Ayala's or from anywhere, and I like it quite a bit. Five stars for taste, originality, nutrition, concept and company.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

-Danithius