Another find from the liquor section in the discount store! I have tried the regular tequila infused desperados a few times and although I couldn't drink more than two at one sitting it's a tasty alternative to straight forward beer. 



On first pour it has an attractive golden colour and a strong fresh mint scent. The initial taste is a mouthful of mint infused lime, I can't quite work out which is the more dominant flavour., though Verde doesn't let you spend to long dwelling on this as I was struck immediately by the tequila/beer follow through. 

Mint is the lingering aftertaste which leaves your mouth feeling fresh. Desperado Verde is almost like a beer sorbet, cleansing your palate as you drink it. Your set up for a different drink almost immediately. Which is handy as I have no idea how anyone could drink more than two of these.. Yes that's personal opinion, but then it's my site and my review 

To sum it up, it's a cool fresh alternative drink for a hot thirsty day, 

Root Beer isn't easy to come by in this neck of the woods, it was never readily available until the expansion of American grocery websites and even still. It comes at a price and usually with hefty delivery charge attached. So when I managed to get some Dads old fashioned on offer I bought four cases and have been rationing it for a few months. 

Amazingly, it never occurred to me too mix root beer with booze until after a long day watching sports in the bar I decided to experiment with something different. I should have tried this sooner as some of the best discoveries happen after 10 pints of Irish Cider and today was no exception... 

A Google search throws up a lot of root beer and liquor recipes, some appealed, many had too many ingredients for my level of drunkeness (please drink responsibly) so dark rum mixed with root beer not only appealed but matched my level of skill

Sailor Jerry is a dark spiced rum with a smooth taste and a great, sniff the top of the bottle scent. A few years back there was uproar when the original (superior) recipe for this drink was changed and as a result those bottles are quite sought after. 

My mixology skills are, like my reviews, amateur and self taught. So in the spirit of making it up as you drink I start out with a clean Mason Jar, granted it's not really part of the recipe, but It set the Southern States  vibe I was aiming for as I listened to the new Zac Brown Band record

Next roughly fill a third of the jar with Root Beer, then pour your dark rum in, as much as you like, I went for around a measure the first time, then increased it with subsequent servings, that probably explained the banging headache. Finally top off with root beer and stir until you whip up a froth. Sit back and enjoy

The vanilla and Dr Peppery taste of Sailor Jerry mixes well with the acquired taste of root beer, which is closest in taste to sasperella.. Add a lime wedge to be smoothly upmarket 

Ice is of course optional, but I chill the root beer sufficiently that I don't need to add any, plus I don't like to water down the booze, which is what my mind always tell me I am doing... Who says drinking kills brain cells 

I think I'll try Jack and Root beer next... Sorry coke but your time is up

No matter how long they craft their brews and no matter how much time is spent chopping and choosing ingredients to get it tasting just right, there is one sure fire way to improve the taste of any liquor... Get it for free. 
Lazy Jack's didn't throw a case our way for nothing, I came by it in the form of an unexpected gift but very welcome gift.

It has been chilling in the bar for a few weeks while I waited for a sunny day to crack one open and sample the brew. Eventually I  gave up on the weather and settled for dry and overcast, so after mowing the lawn to work up a thirst, I cracked a bottle open.

The initial long ice cold sip was inoffensive, I didn't taste... anything. Undettered I persevered with a second sip which was more of the same and by the third, fourth and fifth taste I was convinced that my tastebuds had packed up and left without the decency of leaving me a note

By the bottom of the bottle I though I was getting the faint taste of Apple, but honestly can't be sure. The back of the bottle states that this is an effortlessly drinkable cider! Well after drinking four bottles over a two hour period I think I am in the unenviable position to strongly disagree.. I do taste apples, I think. But that could be the placebo effect. 

To sum it up Lazy jacks american style cloudy cider is a bland, alcopoppy type drink. I'm not convinced it is cider. The bottle claims to contain 4.7% ABV.. On reflection I don't taste the alcohol, the apples or the cider.. The packaging and the label on the bottle is well designed and visually appealing but it's clear where the lazy in  jacks comes from... the taste 

This must be aimed at those turning legal drinking age and looking for a cider alternative to alcopops.. It may appeal to some but i doubt it will appeal to many

So they say every cloud has a silver lining, on this occasion that comes in the form of Barney Bogtrotter picking up the cheque...while I never turn down free booze, this stuff would be top of the list for re gifting... Only I couldn't willingly inflict it on anyone else and that is a statement in itself