Metromint: Lemon Mint

Aroma: The scent of lemon practically leaps out of the bottle, followed right behind by minty overtones.

Taste: Now it's the mint's turn to shine. As soon it enters your mouth, your tongue is bathed in cool minty goodness. Upon swallowing, the twinge of delicate lemon flavor graces the back of your tongue and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. The water itself tastes pure and is unobtrusive, unlike some other bottled waters. There are no sweeteners whatsoever, so this is a very crisp, simple taste reminiscent of lemon mint herbal tea.

Price: $.99 (on sale) at a local grocer. Usually priced at over $1.50. Available at stores nationwide and online.

Ingredients: Purified water, mint, lemon essence

Other Comments: Metromint has a site that matches its products' crisp, hip image quite well. Not surprisingly, one of the founders has a background in fashion and design. (The bottle just screams "Fashionable!", which also leaves this product's users wide open to gags about being 'metro'- sexual. Hey, I'm comfortable with my beverage preferences.) Metromint is keen on going green.

Overall: Having such a simple product (no sweeteners, only three ingredients) can be a double-edged sword. Health-wise, it's great. The taste is just fine. But it also makes me hesitate to buy it, because I have a feeling that I could make this at home with some mint and lemon essences for about ten cents per bottle. Frankly, I think that with the product's premium pricing you're paying for a big slice of image. I picture this drink as something you would take to a board meeting in a Manhattan highrise or perhaps pass out to your rich clients while you discuss their investment options. Still, the price is by no means prohibitive; it's quite competitive with other soft drinks. As such, I do buy it occasionally, and I must say it really hits the spot after an intense workout or just on a hot day. I rated it for what it is: Minty flavored water. (That will make you look cool).

Rating: 4/5 stars.

-Danithius

Metromint: Orange Mint

Aroma: The scent of orange essence practically leaps out of the bottle, followed right behind by minty overtones.

Taste: Now it's the mint's turn to shine. As soon it enters your mouth, your tongue is bathed in cool minty goodness. Upon swallowing, the twinge of orange flavor graces the back of your tongue and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. The water itself tastes pure and is unobtrusive, unlike some other bottled waters. There are no sweeteners whatsoever, so this is a very crisp, simple taste.

Price: $.99 (on sale) at a local grocer. Usually priced at over $1.50. Available at stores nationwide and online.

Ingredients: Purified water, mint, orange essence

Other Comments: Metromint has a site that matches its products' crisp, hip image quite well. Not surprisingly, one of the founders has a background in fashion and design. (The bottle just screams "Fashionable!", which also leaves this product's users wide open to gags about being 'metro'- sexual. Hey, I'm comfortable with my beverage preferences.) Metromint is also keen on going green.

Overall: Having such a simple product (no sweeteners, only three ingredients) can be a double-edged sword. Health-wise, it's great. The taste is just fine. But it also makes me hesitate to buy it, because I have a feeling that I could make this at home with some mint and orange essences for about ten cents per bottle. Frankly, I think that with the product's premium pricing you're paying for a big slice of image. I picture this drink as something you would take to a board meeting in a Manhattan highrise or perhaps pass out to your rich clients while you discuss their investment options. Still, the price is by no means prohibitive; it's quite competitive with other soft drinks. As such, I do buy it occasionally, and I must say it really hits the spot after an intense workout or just on a hot day. I rated it for what it is: Minty flavored water. (That will make you look cool).

Rating: 4/5 stars.

-Danithius

Guayakí Yerba Mate: Pure Endurance Citrus Stamina Blend

Aroma : The olfactory clout of the Yerba Mate strikes you upon cracking the seal, a distinct, herby bouquet with a hint of ginseng, mixed with an orangey citrus that wants to make a home in your nasal cavity.

Taste : The initial taste is a mildy sweet, tangy citrus flavor (that would be the tangerine, orange and acerola), followed by the wild flavor of Yerba Mate. For the uninitiated, this comes as a surprise. It is an audacious, herbal, tea-like, and almost bitter taste, sweeping away the sweetness of the cane sugar and leaving your tongue cottony after swallowing. It is quite the experience.

Price : $2.09 at Good Earth, also available at many health-food stores nationwide, or order online.

Ingredients : An Infusion of: (Purified Water, *Guayakí Yerba Mate, *Siberian Ginseng Root), *Evaporated Cane Juice, *Tangerine Fruit Juice Concentrate, *Acerola puree, *Yerba Mate Extract, *Manioc Root Starch, *Orange Natural Flavor, Original Himalayan Crystal Salt, Citric Acid (* Indicates a Certified Organic Ingredient).

Other Comments : It is quite refreshing to see a company so committed to the environment; Guayakí’s well-designed website makes note of their efforts which include using solar energy, bio-fueled vehicles, and renewable organic ingredients.

Overall : This is an antioxidant- and energy-rich drink that is a welcome alternative to the Energy Drink craze, most of which are filled with HFCS, carbonation, and unhealthy levels of unnaturally derived supplements. That being said, a beverage that surprises you each time you sip it and leaves your mouth feeling dry may not be for everyone, despite its benefits.

Rating : 3.5/5 stars.

-WiseGuise