![\"Kroger](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Kroger-Big-K-Candy-Cane-Soda-and-Cinna-Roll-Soda.jpg?resize=531%2C600&ssl=1\" "\\"Kroger")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Autumn 2005 is one of the most pivotal moments in the history of soft drinks since it marked the arrival of Jones Soda\u2019s infamous Holiday Pack. Featuring a wild medley of bizarre-flavored beverages (turkey and gravy, brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie, etc.), the strange soda set received heaps of media coverage, more or less putting the obscure cola manufacturer on the map.<\/p>\n
Here we are 13 years later, and soda companies are STILL trying to replicate Jones Soda\u2019s unusual (yet undeniably successful) marketing strategy. From upstart micro-cola companies to Coca-Cola and PepsiCo themselves, soda manufacturers continue to trot out unorthodox – and in some cases, downright disgusting – colas with the hopes that the (morbid?) curiosity of John and Joan Q. Consumer will be enough to turn a profit, or at least generate some free publicity.<\/p>\n
Kroger\u2019s Big K Candy Cane and Cinna-Roll Sodas are certainly emblematic of the weird-simply-for-the-sake-of-being-weird<\/em> cola trend. Neither product is all that appetizing – nor do they even taste that much like their namesakes, for that matter – but the sheer kookiness<\/em> of the drinks is appealing.<\/p>\n The packaging has this ironic, half-hearted ClipArt feel to it, complete with two of the worst puns you\u2019ll ever read in your life. And if nothing else, the soda hues are definitely cool; the candy cane one looks like mutated Hawaiian Punch (maybe lava lamp juice?), while the cinna-roll one is the same color of ultra thick<\/em> maple syrup (or 10W30 motor oil?)<\/p>\n Alas, aesthetics can only carry a cola so far, and in the one area that matters most, both these sodas fall flat. The candy cane variation is the better tasting of the two, but even then it just tastes like a jug of Sprite with about 50 peppermints floating in it. Granted, that\u2019s not my bag<\/em>, but if you\u2019re a connoisseur of peppermint schnapps, you might foster a fondness for it. <\/p>\n Unfortunately, the cinna-roll one won\u2019t impress anybody<\/em>. First off, the smell is weird. Yes, it’s like a cinnamon roll, but one that\u2019s really<\/em> stale. Or a fresh one that\u2019s in an old sock – I\u2019ll let you judge that for yourself. Regardless, the taste isn\u2019t there. Instead of tasting like a Cinnabon treat, it’s like thick ginger ale with a surfeit of sugar in it. In fact, both sodas are sugary to the point of being nauseating; one serving of either will net you a whopping 96 percent of your RDA of the saccharine stuff.<\/p>\n Alone<\/em>, I wouldn\u2019t consider either of these novelty colas worth going out of your way to experience. Just for the heck of it, though, I merged<\/em> the two for science\u2019s sake, and the coalesced Candy Cane-Cinna-Roll abomination actually tasted better<\/em> than either standalone soda. Take note, Pepsi Fire fans (both of you) – combining these two off-kilter Kroger colas might be the closest thing you\u2019ll get to reliving the magic and mirth<\/em> of summer 2017.\u00a0<\/p>\n (Nutrition Facts – 12 ounces – 180 calories, 0 grams of total fat, 20 milligrams of sodium, 48 grams of total carbohydrates, 48 grams of total sugars, and 0 grams of protein.)<\/small><\/p>\n Purchased Price:<\/b> $1.49 each Autumn 2005 is one of the most pivotal moments in the history of soft drinks since it marked the arrival of Jones Soda\u2019s infamous Holiday Pack. Featuring a wild medley of bizarre-flavored beverages (turkey and gravy, brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie, etc.), the strange soda set received heaps of media coverage, more or less putting the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1440],"tags":[1488],"class_list":["post-25565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-soda"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7725,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2010\/11\/15\/review-jones-bacon-flavored-soda\/","url_meta":{"origin":25565,"position":0},"title":"REVIEW: Jones Bacon Flavored Soda","author":"Marvo","date":"November 15, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Sometimes I feel like I'm the lamest member of the Jackass crew. I'm not willing to get kicked in the balls, have animals attack me on purpose, sit in a port-a-potty that's about to get knocked over, or get my ass cheeks pierced together, but I'm willing to eat fast\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jones Bacon Flavored Soda","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4087\/5177023598_ed9b7229ab_z.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":46704,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2021\/07\/06\/pepsi-hot-chocolate-cola-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":25565,"position":1},"title":"REVIEW: Pepsi ‘Hot’ Chocolate Cola","author":"Marvo","date":"July 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Pepsi \"Hot\" Chocolate Cola was initially called Pepsi \"Cocoa\" Cola when the online sweepstakes to obtain it was announced. I don't know if it was a phone call between soda CEOs or a letter from a very powerful law firm that charges per hour what most of us make in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pepsicocoa2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pepsicocoa2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pepsicocoa2.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pepsicocoa2.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pepsicocoa2.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11554,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2012\/03\/15\/news-jones-soda-to-release-au-naturel-sparkling-water-in-plastic-bottles\/","url_meta":{"origin":25565,"position":2},"title":"NEWS: Jones Soda To Release Au Naturel Sparkling Water In Plastic Bottles","author":"Marvo","date":"March 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Jones Soda has never been sold in plastic bottles. Actually, that's not quite correct. Jones Soda's discontinued line of vitamin enhanced water did, but Jones Soda soda has never been sold in plastic bottles. Well, that's about to change with their new line of Au Naturel sparking waters. Of course,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Spotted on Shelves"","block_context":{"text":"Spotted on Shelves","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/spotted-on-shelves\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43040,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2020\/03\/09\/dr-pepper-and-cream-soda-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":25565,"position":3},"title":"REVIEW: Dr Pepper & Cream Soda","author":"Julie","date":"March 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"What is Dr Pepper & Cream Soda? Peanut butter and jelly. Ham and cheese. An entire pint of Ben & Jerry's and the ensuing, all-encompassing feeling of shame. Some things naturally go together, and now two carbonated icons, Dr Pepper and cream soda, aim to count themselves among famous pairs.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Dr-Pepper-Cream-Soda-Closeup.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Dr-Pepper-Cream-Soda-Closeup.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Dr-Pepper-Cream-Soda-Closeup.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Dr-Pepper-Cream-Soda-Closeup.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Dr-Pepper-Cream-Soda-Closeup.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35136,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2019\/03\/01\/orange-vanilla-coke-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":25565,"position":4},"title":"REVIEW: Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola","author":"Meghan","date":"March 1, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"What is Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola? As the first new flavor of Classic Coca-Cola to be released stateside in over ten years, Orange Vanilla Coke sets itself apart by combining smooth vanilla and bright orange flavors with the cola\u2019s nostalgic original blend. How is it? Let me set the record straight\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Orange-Vanilla-Coca-Cola-in-Glass.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Orange-Vanilla-Coca-Cola-in-Glass.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Orange-Vanilla-Coca-Cola-in-Glass.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Orange-Vanilla-Coca-Cola-in-Glass.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Orange-Vanilla-Coca-Cola-in-Glass.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48413,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2021\/09\/27\/spotted-pepsi-cola-soda-shop-black-cherry-cola-and-cream-soda-cola\/","url_meta":{"origin":25565,"position":5},"title":"SPOTTED: Pepsi-Cola Soda Shop Black Cherry Cola and Cream Soda Cola","author":"Marvo","date":"September 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Update: We tried them! Click here to read our review. According to Pepsi, the limited edition Soda Shop line is a modern take on classic soda shop flavors made with real sugar. Oh, are you too young to know what soda shops are? Me too. I'm way too young. (12-pack\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Spotted on Shelves"","block_context":{"text":"Spotted on Shelves","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/spotted-on-shelves\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pepsisodashopbottles.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pepsisodashopbottles.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pepsisodashopbottles.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pepsisodashopbottles.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pepsisodashopbottles.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25565"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25565\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Kroger](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Kroger-Big-K-Candy-Cane-Soda-and-Cinna-Roll-Soda-2.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\" "\\"Kroger")
<\/p>\n![\"Kroger](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Kroger-Big-K-Candy-Cane-Soda.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\" "\\"Kroger")
<\/p>\n![\"Kroger](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Kroger-Big-K-Cinna-Roll-Soda.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\" "\\"Kroger")
<\/p>\n![\"Kroger](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Kroger-Big-K-Candy-Cane-Soda-and-Cinna-Roll-Soda-4.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\" "\\"Kroger")
<\/p>\n
\nSize:<\/b> 2 liter bottles
\nPurchased at:<\/b> Kroger
\nRating:<\/b> 4 out of 10 (Candy Cane)
\nRating:<\/b> 3 out of 10 (Cinna-Roll)
\nRating:<\/b> 5 out of 10 (Both flavors combined)
\nPros:<\/b> The packaging is hipster-tastic; the colors of the sodas are really groovy. Combining the two colas together gives you (unofficial) Kroger Fire<\/em>.
\nCons:<\/b> Both colas are excessively sweet. The cinnamon roll one has an off-putting smell (and carbonation that takes forever<\/em> to die down). Realizing there\u2019s no rational answer for when your significant other asks you why<\/em> you\u2019re putting them in the shopping cart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"