Ocean Spray breaks into iced teas

One of summer’s favorite drinks has a new twist. Ocean Spray is mixing its signature juices into iced teas.

Ocean Spray’s new Juice & Tea drinks combine the sweet juices with tea for a lighter, hot-weather refreshment. “The taste is totally unique because no single flavor dominates the other,” Ocean Spray said in a news release.

Some people on The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel liked that. Others said it simply made the drink taste like watered-down juice. The panel was split on the new drinks, which ended up with a two-and-a-half star rating for taste.

“A refreshing alternative to soda. Not too sweet and a little fruit,” Tina Johnson said of the cranberry flavored drink.

Skip Hubbard liked the White Cranberry and Peach flavor. “Just peachy! Not too sweet or too overpowering. Probably pretty darn refreshing on a hot day,” Hubbard said.

Those who didn’t like the tea beverage said it left an aftertaste in their mouths. Some thought the drink contained Splenda or another artificial sweetener.

“Light cranberry taste, but leaves a horrid aftertaste,” Hubbard said of the cranberry flavor.

“Whatever it is, it’s watered down,” said panelist Marilyn Moore.

Ocean Spray’s new Juice & Tea drinks also are available in Wildberry and Diet Wildberry flavors.

Ocean Spray Juice & Tea, Cranberry

Price: $3.28 for 64 ounces

Nutrition per 8-ounce serving: 100 calories, no fat, no protein, 24 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 35 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • 1/2

Value: • •

Comments: “Light cranberry taste but leaves a horrid aftertaste.” — Skip Hubbard

“A refreshing alternative to a soda. Not too sweet and a little fruity.” — Tina Johnson

“Does not appeal to me. Flavor is not pleasant and leaves an aftertaste.” — Larry Inman

“Whatever it is, it’s watered down.” — Marilyn Moore

Ocean Spray Juice & Tea, White Cranberry & Peach

Price: $3.28 for a 64 ounces. Nutrition per 8-ounce serving: 100 calories, no fat, no protein, 24 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 35 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • 1/2

Value: • •

Comments: “Looks like apple tastes like peach but is really tea flavored.” — Nancy Robinson

“Just peachy! Not too sweet or too overpowering. Probably pretty darn refreshing on a hot day.” — Skip Hubbard

“Icky aftertaste.” — Tina Johnson