Vitamalt

Vitamalt dates back to 1978, arising from Aarhaus, Denmark and as of this posting is owned by Royal Unibrew. The name is a combination of the words 'Vitamin' and 'Malt'. The Vitamalt brand is popular in the Caribbean and various parts of Africa. The drink is fortified with B vitamins Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin and is marketed as having health effects. The current Vitamalt lineup includes Light, Plus and Ginger varieties in addition to Classic.

Malt soda is new to me. This has pretty much the same ingredients as a beer (barley malt, barley, sugar, hops), but is alcohol free. It's immediate smell upon opening is that of a handful of barely or similar grain. It has very light carbonation on the tongue but a thicker texture. It has what I consider to be a strong flavor, almost like alfalfa. With little after taste much of what flavor hits you right up front. This is one of those drinks I think you have to have grown up on to enjoy. But here's to those that like it.

Nesbitt's Orange

Nesbitt's Fruit Products Company was founded in Los Angeles in 1924 by Hugh Nesbitt, originally to manufacture syrups used in soda fountains or as toppings. Nesbitt's sodas came about around 1938 and was said to be 10% California orange juice. Hugh Nesbitt was in St. Louis attending a convention of the National Association of Carbonated Bottlers in 1943 when he died after suffering a fatal blow during a fight in the lobby of the Jefferson Hotel while intoxicated. In addition to that rich history, Marilyn Monroe modeled for Nesbitt's advertising while early in her modeling career. Nesbitt's was also the only orange drink sold in Disneyland for a decade. In 1972 the company was bought by Clorox who later sold the brand to Big Red.

While this soda has a pleasant citrus smell, it isn't unlike Fanta in flavor. It has a minimal carbonation level and an almost radioactively bright orange color. If it indeed used to contain 10% actual orange juice it doesn't anymore. With nothing to differentiate it from other orange sodas in flavor or authentic ingredients it's not surprising that it lost so much market share to Fanta behind the behemoth of Coca-Cola. That said, it's still nice to sip on a fruity soda on a warm day.

Green River

Green River was created in 1919 by Schoenhofen Brewery in Chicago, IL. Schoenhofen had been around since the late 1800's but made Green River to continue sales during prohibition. Green River was a very popular soft drink during the prohibition years and is said to have trailed only Coca-Cola in market share at the soda fountains. But Green River began to fade after prohibition when Schoenhofen returned to making beer. The Schoenhofen Brewery closed in 1950, but Green River was still produced by other companies. Today Green River is produced by the Clover Club Bottling Co. back in its home city of Chicago.

My first taste of Green River was actually from an old fashioned soda fountain in Greenup, IL. It isn't exactly lime-flavored. It smells like lime Jello and has a unique flavor all it's own. I liken it to the very essence of the color green, or even pure leprechaun urine. I recommend trying some, if your lucky enough try to get it at a soda fountain for the old-time experience.