‘I really like full-sugar fizzy drinks, however this £3.49 wholesome swap tastes unimaginable’
A shopping writer tried four Melora Sparkling Mānuka Honey Drinks, and one surprised her so much she’d happily swap it for Prosecco at Christmas parties
Our shopping writer tried a £3.49 fizzy alternative to Prosecco for Xmas parties(Image: Eve Rowlands)
Discovering a healthy substitute for full-sugar fizzy drinks is famously difficult. Many low-calorie or naturally sweetened alternatives fall into the pitfall of tasting either totally bland or disagreeably synthetic.
Step forward Melora, a UK-based brand recognised for its UMF-certified and MGO-graded New Zealand Mānuka honey, which has introduced a collection of sparkling drinks sweetened with authentic Mānuka honey instead of refined sugars. To determine whether they measure up against conventional soft drinks, shopping writer Eve Rowlands sampled the complete range.
Eve is a self-proclaimed ‘fairly health-aware individual’ – she visits the gym four to five times weekly, fills her diet with fruit and vegetables, takes daily supplements, and seldom drinks alcohol. But like numerous people, she has one enduring weakness: “My unapologetic indulgence when I’m out or visiting a mate’s place, and I’m not in the mood for wine, is a sugar-laden fizzy beverage,” she admits.
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While Eve already champions Mānuka honey for its supposed antibacterial and antimicrobial properties during cold and flu season, she was originally doubtful about combining it with carbonation. “The idea of it sweetening a fizzy beverage? I was doubtful,” she says.
“I approached trying these with an open mind, aware they wouldn’t taste like Fanta or Coca-Cola in terms of sweetness. Their more authentic flavour didn’t put me off.”
Shop Melora’s Sparkling Mānuka Honey Drink here
Costing £3.49 per can, each Sparkling Mānuka Honey Drink packs more than a teaspoon of UMFTM 7+ Mānuka Honey along with fruit juices and botanicals, reports the Liverpool Echo. Here is how Eve ranked each flavour:
The Surprise Favourite: Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar
The star of the range turned out to be the most unlikely pairing. “The Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar variant was incredibly refreshing,” Eve remarked.
“It delivered the sharpness of lemon without tasting excessively vinegary. It does carry a potent aroma of apple cider vinegar, but that didn’t deter me.”
The Melora drinks are made with over 11g of authentic New Zealand Mānuka Honey(Image: Eve Rowlands)
The formula is rounded off with a delicate touch of black pepper, which Eve discovered gave “a gentle warmth rather than being overpowering -it proved a delightful mid-afternoon boost.”
Actually, it rated highly enough to swap out weekend beverages: “I’d happily substitute this for a Prosecco at a social occasion or simply enjoy it as a Friday evening indulgence in front of the TV.”
The Fruity Twist: Raspberry and Ginger
For the berry option, Eve noticed the fruit flavours unmistakably stole the show over the spice. “The raspberry flavouring was robust and dominated the ginger. I barely detected the ginger – just a touch of warmth in my throat – which suited me perfectly,” Eve explained, adding that the taste profile had earthy notes similar to traditional Dandelion and Burdock.
For those seeking pure, bold berry flavours without the botanicals, Dash Raspberry Sparkling Water (£15.99 for a 12-pack) continues to be an excellent option with zero sweeteners.
The Festive Treat: Apple and Cinnamon
While some may be wary of spiced apple in a cold beverage, Eve discovered it struck an unexpectedly soothing chord. “It was far nicer than anticipated. It was dominated by cinnamon – which some might not appreciate – but for me, it resembled a festive embrace, yet in a chilled, sparkling beverage,” she revealed.
The Melora drinks are made with over 11g of authentic New Zealand Mānuka Honey(Image: Eve Rowlands)
Unlike a crisp sparkling apple juice such as Appletiser, Eve characterised it as mellow and full-bodied: “It seemed like an indulgence whose lingering taste was as potent as a scented candle in the best possible way – I’d gladly enjoy it at a Christmas do.”
The Underwhelming Blend: Ginger, Turmeric and Chilli
The sole letdown amongst the four was the spiciest option on paper. “Given ingredients like turmeric, chilli, and ginger, I expected a knockout punch,” Eve remarked.
However, the combination didn’t quite match the intensity promised on the tin. “It fell rather flat. While still pleasant and interesting with the fizz, the flavour profile wasn’t particularly striking.”
The Verdict
All in all, the range demonstrated itself to be an uncommon soft-drink substitute that fulfils the desire for fizz without artificial sweetness. “After sampling the four varieties, I am won over, and my husband even gave his approval, which is quite significant,” Eve concluded.
“They deliver on genuine flavour while offering the wellness perks of quality Mānuka honey. What’s not to appreciate?”.
