Taylor’s Tonics Chai Cola is one of those drinks that becomes a sort of cult classic. A lot of people will probably never taste it, but many of those who do try it become devoted fans (you know -- the type that regularly Tweets about their object of obsession). And I have to say that I can’t blame them. Although I was skeptical at first, the spicy-sweet flavor of Taylor’s Tonics Chai Cola totally won me over. (Now let’s see how long I can refrain from Tweeting about it.)
Package Design
The first thing you’ll notice about Taylor’s Tonics Chai Cola is the package design. It’s a distinctive beverage contained in an equally distinct package. The bottle is an old-fashioned brown bottle and the label is a faded / ‘aged’ cream color splashed with biological illustrations of various herbs and ample Art Deco embellishments. It’s unique enough to stand out even amongst some of the more interesting micro-breweries’ labels, which says a lot as far as sodas (and bottled teas) go.
Tasting Notes
Appearance -- Hazy brown, like brewed rooibos, with some fizz
Aroma -- Rich, spicy-sweet, dominated by cinnamon, cloves and ginger
Flavor -- Full-flavored, much like a great home-brewed, milk-free masala chai, but with a hint of tartness from the citric acid (which acts as a natural preservative); hints of caramel, yerba mate and vanilla add depth and complexity
Mouthfeel -- Fizzy (Go figure.)
Aftertaste -- Very heavy on cloves (perhaps the only drawback in terms of taste)
Aroma -- Rich, spicy-sweet, dominated by cinnamon, cloves and ginger
Flavor -- Full-flavored, much like a great home-brewed, milk-free masala chai, but with a hint of tartness from the citric acid (which acts as a natural preservative); hints of caramel, yerba mate and vanilla add depth and complexity
Mouthfeel -- Fizzy (Go figure.)
Aftertaste -- Very heavy on cloves (perhaps the only drawback in terms of taste)
Ingredients & Nutritional Information
Each 12-ounce bottle of all-natural Chai Cola proclaims that it contains ‘Select Herbs, Tea & Fizz to Lift Your Spirits.’ Ingredients are: filtered water infused with black tea, ginger, cinnamon, yerba mate, cardamom, clove and tea extract; evaporated cane juice; natural flavors of ginger, spice and vanilla; organic caramel powder; citric acid. The black tea, ginger, cinnamon, yerba mate, cardamom, clove, tea extract and evaporated cane juice are all organic.
Each bottle contains 135 calories, 40 milligrams of caffeine and 32 grams of sugar.
Each bottle contains 135 calories, 40 milligrams of caffeine and 32 grams of sugar.
Recommendations
Taylor’s Tonics Chai Cola is sweet enough for soda drinkers, and I have the distinct feeling that root beer drinkers will love it. It will likely also appeal to fans of syrup-based chais (such as Oregon Chai). However, it isn’t overwhelmingly sugary, and caramel, vanilla and yerba mate give it extra depth. Overall, this innovative, fun drink has plenty of mass appeal, but it’s also a great choice for anyone who loves masala chai or unusual colas.
If you like Taylor’s Tonics Chai Cola, you might also like the following drinks and drink recipes:
If you like Taylor’s Tonics Chai Cola, you might also like the following drinks and drink recipes:
- Jaipur Avenue Chai Tea (Review)
- Good Earth Chai (Review)
- Rishi’s Masala Chai Concentrate (Review)
- Peppermint Oregon Chai Concentrate (Review)
- Masala Chai Vodka (Recipe)
- Voyant Chai Liqueur (Review)
- Chai-Spiced Apple Cider (Recipe)
- Rooibos Chai (Recipe)
- Cardamom Herbal Chai (Recipe)
- Ginger 'Gizer and Ginger Soother
