Orangina

This soft drink has a lot going for it: storied history (created by a Spanish pharmacist in 1935, sold for use in the Algerian market, expanded to France, then the world); specific "shaking motion" that all authentic Orangina drinkers do; pulp(!) in the soda; and a distinctive bottle design.

But is it all hype? Is this beverage any good?

Presentation/Appearance - 7/10 I have the 10 oz (296ml) glass bottle. It feels like a glass orange. The liquid looks like sparkling orange juice. Pulp, natural pulp, floats around. The label and most of the commercials want you to shake it, which seems unnatural because this is a carbonated drink. But, it does mix the pulp.

Nose/Aroma - 7/10 It smells like orange juice, even though it is made from concentrates (orange, lemon, and mandarin) and is only 12% juice and 2% pulp.

Taste/Flavor - 5/10 Unfortunately, it tastes like watered down orange juice. The use of HFCS instead of sugar doesn't help too much. It does have some orange bitterness to it though. It doesn't taste bad, but it doesn't overwhelm you with a delicious orange flavor either.

Finish/Satisfaction - 6/10 A little orange in the finish. The carbonation helps things stick around for a bit, if not too long. This seems like it would be a satisfying summer quaff. 120 calories in a 10 oz serving is not unreasonable, but 10 oz of this stuff disappears rather quickly. Switch from HFCS to sugar, up the juice a tad to add some more competing bitterness and make 12 or 16 oz bottles (which they likely do) and I'd be real happy with a beverage like Orangina.

Overall - 5.7/10 Routine soft drink that has the makings of a great soft drink alternative. I think the company spends more time on branding and commercials than on improving the taste. It's survived for 75 years without me. It will continue to do so.

I plan on trying Orangina as a cocktail mixer. Also they have Light and Rouge (made from Blood Oranges) versions that I'll try, too.

Any Orangina fans out there? Have I missed some important or subtle nuances on this beverage? Or are my taste buds just dead?