Lakes Soda: Bright Flavours from the Fells

Our latest tasting session took us to the heart of the Lake District by way of a beverage (three, in fact) from Cumbria’s very own Lakes Soda. Across Orange & Pink Grapefruit, Sparkling Lemon and Ginger & Lime, the drinks sparked a lively chat about fizz levels, natural flavours and the joys of finding a non-alcoholic drink that still feels like a treat.

Orange & Pink Grapefruit opened the line-up with an easy, satisfying crack of the can. The first impression was all pink grapefruit on the nose! It was juicy, citrusy, and slightly tart, but not too sharp once sipped. The balance between the tang of grapefruit and the sweetness of orange was spot on, giving a natural, refreshing flavour that didn’t veer into syrupy territory. It wasn’t the fizziest soda, more of a gentle sparkle than a proper fizz, but the bright, real-fruit taste made up for it. “You can really taste the fruit,” Mini Guru noted, and it’s true, it felt like something squeezed fresh rather than mixed from concentrate.

Next came Sparkling Lemon, which turned out to be the favourite of the session. From the first sniff, it smelled like actual lemon: clean, zesty and natural rather than chemical or synthetically sweet like some more renowned brands. It even “smells like the Lakes,” Mr Guru said, with that nostalgic, fresh-air brightness that brings to mind summer walks and local cafés. The fizz was a little stronger than the first can, and the flavour hit the perfect balance between citrus bite and soft bitterness. It landed neatly between the extremes of too-sweet and too-bitter lemon drinks like Pellegrino, making it a really satisfying middle ground.

Finally, we opened Ginger & Lime, which divided opinion slightly. The ginger aroma was strong, enough to make one taster with a younger palette pull a face, but for fans of that spicy kick, it hit all the right notes. “It tastes like Christmas,” Mrs Guru claimed, and she wasn’t wrong: warming, aromatic, a little festive. The lime wasn’t bold enough to stand out, but it likely kept the ginger in check. Mr Guru, who usually avoids ginger ale, was pleasantly surprised by how drinkable it was. Still, this one carried a little more sweetness than the others, something our resident diabetic, Mrs Guru, noted as a drawback, though the group agreed the sugar seemed to come from fruit rather than anything artificial.

By the end, there was agreement that one can at a time would be plenty, as they’re full-flavoured, juicy, and slightly sticky once you’ve had a few. But as an alternative to alcohol, or something to enjoy in a café or on a sunny day by the water, they hit the mark perfectly. The designs of the cans got a special mention, too as they embody the spirit of the Lakes… bright, colourful, and full of personality. They “feel playful, like the drinks themselves,”. And that seems to sum up Lakes Soda well: natural, fun, and distinctly Cumbrian in spirit.

Final thoughts: A refreshing, locally inspired range with thoughtful flavour balances and a genuinely natural taste. Not the fizziest sodas you’ll find, but each one delivers its own charm.

The sparkling lemon stood out as the clear winner, but all three offered something definitely worth sipping. The Sparkling Lemon was a hit with our younger Guru, but the other two offered a perfectly grown up alternative to a couple of non-drinkers still looking for a treat.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Bright, flavourful, and joyfully described as “the Lake District in a can.”

Buy Lakes Soda here: https://www.lakes-soda.co.uk