Alright folks, buckle up because I actually did the whole vngr beverage tasting thing last weekend. Wanted to see what all the fuss was about, if anything lived up to the hype, or if it was just fancy colored vinegar. Spoiler: some sucked, some rocked.
Starting Off: The Hunt & The Haul
First up, I needed the drinks. Hit up three different grocery stores – the fancy organic one, the big chain supermarket, and my local corner shop. My shopping list? Anything with “vngr beverage,” “shrubb,” “sipping vinegar,” or even “health tonic” in the name. Grabbed small bottles wherever possible because who wants a giant bottle of nastiness? Ended up with eight different bottles. My wallet felt lighter, my grocery bag heavier. Also snagged some plain sparkling water and club soda for mixing – figured I might need lifelines.
The Great Kitchen Counter Taste Test
Laid all the little soldiers out on the counter. Took photos, felt legit. Now, my plan was simple: taste each one three ways.
- Straight Sip: Brave? Stupid? Both? Just a tiny splash in a glass. Gotta know what the raw deal is.
- Mixed with Sparkling Water: The classic way most people drink ’em.
- Mixed with Club Soda: Similar to sparkling, but a bit more neutral. See if it changes anything.
Grabbed a notepad and pen. Started scribbling first impressions – looks, smell, straight taste face.
The Good, The Bad, and The Godawful
Man, some of these were… wow. One smelled like rotten fruit and tasted like battery acid. Straight sip? Barely a dribble and I needed water immediately. Even mixing it couldn’t save that one. That bottle? Trash can, immediately.
Another one looked promising – nice label, fancy marketing words. Straight sip was sharp, super vinegary, but weirdly had this background sweetness. Tried mixing it. With sparkling water? Better. With club soda? Eh, still kinda harsh. Not undrinkable, but definitely needed something else – maybe a splash of juice or real fruit? Got pushed to the “maybe” pile.
Then came the surprise star. Honestly, the bottle looked kinda cheap. Straight sip? Okay, tart but smooth, hints of berries? Weirdly pleasant for vinegar! Mixed it with sparkling water… bingo. Seriously refreshing. Like a super tangy, grown-up soda. Tried club soda too, still good, but the sparkle worked better. Finished that glass. That bottle got a big star on my scribbly notes.
A few others were just… meh. Too sweet trying to hide the vinegar. Too weak tasting like faintly flavored water. Those went in the “wouldn’t buy again” column.
My Verdict & Top Picks
Alright, real talk. Most vngr drinks are definitely not meant for straight sipping unless you’re hardcore. Mixing is key for actually enjoying them. Found two standouts from my eight:
- The “Cheap Bottle Surprise”: Seriously, the one I judged by its label? Winner. Mixed with plain sparkling water. Bright, fruity (real fruit taste!), tangy without being face-scrunching. Perfect summer porch drink.
- The “Dark Horse”: One with ginger and turmeric. Straight was intense. Mixed with sparkling water? Wow. Spicy, earthy, complex. Felt sophisticated drinking it, and genuinely tasty.
Would I replace my regular drinks? Nah. But having one of those top picks chilled in the fridge? Absolutely. It’s a different kind of refreshment. Just be prepared for some flops while finding your fav. Took me eight bottles and one grimace-inducing spit-take. My poor fridge space!
