Burst of Tangerine and Orange Flavors
Written: Mar 02 '04 (Updated Jul 21 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Crisp, clean, not too sweet
Cons: Very direct flavor- no complexity; High price
The Bottom Line: This is a pretty good tasting alternative beverage with the refreshing taste of oranges and tangerines.
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| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Bacardi Silver 03 |
In the world of malt beverages, beer reigns supreme as the most popular form of alcoholic beverage in the world. The process of malting barley and other grains and then using them to produce a beverage is one that has been known since ancient times. Today, most every country in the world has at least a few breweries, supplying the local populace with fresh brew for daily consumption and enjoyment.
Nowadays, however, there is a new type of malt beverage that is growing in popularity, particularly among the younger generation and the female crowd. These new drinks are malt- based, but they are sweeter and without the addition of hops like you find in beer. They are often referred to as “malternative” beverages. And one of these newer drinks is Bacardi O3, an orange- flavored malted beverage with an easily recognizable name.
Basic Characteristics of This Beverage:
Bacardi O3 is crystal clear with a bubbly body, similar to a glass of club soda, but not overdone. The aroma of the beverage is striking and distinctly tangerine.
The manufacturer chose the name for this drink- O3- because of the fact that the product is made with three ingredients with an orange- like flavor. Natural flavors of mandarin and Valencia oranges with tangerines form most of the flavor profile of this beverage. The sensation of sweetness isn’t as strong as I thought it would be, though. There is a certain amount of tartness as well and the flavor is smooth and very easy to drink. The aftertaste is one of sweet oranges.
This product is sold in 12 oz. bottles, 16 oz. bottles, and 22 oz. bottles. The bottle itself is clear, with an orange colored “O” on the front. A six pack retails for about $7.99 and the alcohol level of this product is 5 percent by volume. It can be served straight- up, on the rocks, or drank directly from the bottle.
Food Compatibility:
Since the primary taste in this product is oranges and tangerines, it would match up best with anything made with fruit: fruit pies, fruit cake, raw fruit, fruit salad, and any fruity dessert. Of course, orange- flavored desserts are the best match. But the truth is, because of its compatible taste profile, it can be consumed with just about any food from any food group. As a general rule of thumb, if orange soda goes with your favorite food, then Bacardi O3 will also go with it.
Final Thoughts:
Bacardi is a well- known name in the beverage market. Its lineup of rum is considered among the best and most recognizable on the planet. Most any place you go that serves alcoholic beverages with a fully- stocked bar will have some type of Bacardi rum in the liquor rack.
Bacardi malt beverages are newer products that were introduced within the past few years. Before I go on, I should point out to everyone that this product, in spite of its name, is not produced by Bacardi itself. It is actually a product of the world’s largest beer producer, Anheuser- Busch. The reason A-B launched this new product line was to expand its offerings and grab a new share of this growing market. And the reason that A-B decided to make a deal with Bacardi and use its name on the product was because A-B knew well that the Bacardi name was more recognizable for a drink like this and the product would likely sell better if an existing name was used. So, rather than take a chance by creating a new product name, Anheuser- Busch decided to write a contract with Bacardi allowing A-B the right to use the name and symbols to market the product.
The thing that struck me right away about this product is that it isn’t overly sweet. When I first tasted a bottle, I expected a drink that was sticky- sweet, like a glass of orange soda. Thankfully, it isn’t that way at all. A-B brews this malternative beverage to taste like oranges and tangerines, but with a crispness and tartness that are evident throughout the drinking process.
Bacardi O3 (and the other Bacardi malt beverage line) has an alcohol content of only 5 percent. The primary reason that the strength was kept at this level was to help with distribution and selling. In many states, beverages over a certain level (typically 6 or 7 percent alcohol) cannot be sold in grocery stores where beer is sold. Also, if the ingredients in a beverage include liquor, then the beverage could not be sold in some states unless it was in a liquor store. By making the beverage out of malt and by keeping the alcohol content at 5 percent by volume, Bacardi O3 is right in line with most beer and can be sold wherever beer is sold.
With a taste that emphasizes oranges and bubbly water, Bacardi O3 tastes like a mixed drink made with a 50/50 mixture of Sprite and club soda, along with about a half- shot of Absolute Mandarin vodka added. At 5 percent, it is much weaker than your typical mixed drink. But with a half- shot of orange- flavored vodka mixed with approx. 3 ounces of Sprite and 3 ounces of club soda, you could create a drink that tastes very much like Bacardi O3.
If there is one complaint that I have with this product, it would have to be the fact that the taste is very direct. Unlike some of the great beers out there, with complex taste combinations that keep you guessing as you sip, Bacardi O3 is very straight- forward and to the point. It tastes like oranges, tangerines, and Sprite- nothing more, nothing less. Because of this, Bacardi O3 can get a little boring after a while. But that’s how malternative beverages are made. They are designed to taste exactly a certain way, making them predictable and acceptable to a wide range of customers.
Overall, Bacardi O3 is a pretty good- tasting product. I wouldn’t trade in one of my favorite beers for a glass, but it’s still pretty good. The crisp, refreshing, easy to drink taste makes it simple to consume one after another and it also makes it a widely- acceptable beverage; one that would be welcomed by most any partygoer of any age.
Pick up a bottle and enjoy the thirst- quenching taste of oranges and tangerines found in Bacardi O3. It’s a good- tasting drink that can make a nice alternative to ordinary malt beverages.
Be Sure to Read These Reviews on Other "Malternative" Beverages:
Bacardi Silver
Bacardi Silver Raz
Bacardi Silver Limon
Bacardi Silver Peach
Smirnoff Ice
Smirnoff Triple Black
Smirnoff Twisted Mandarin Orange
Smirnoff Twisted Cranberry
Smirnoff Twisted Green Apple
Smirnoff Twisted Raspberry
Recommended:
Yes
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