Orange Chocolate Soda Review: What Does This New Jones Soda Taste Like?
Updated: Oct. 17, 2023
Is it like drinking a Terry's Chocolate Orange?
I’ve seen numerous manufacturers crank out chocolate sodas over the years, and none of them have lived up to their potential. Most have a chemical flavor and a weird mouthfeel. (Canfield’s Diet Chocolate Fudge soda, I’m looking at you.)
Now, one of my favorite regional soda manufacturers, Jones Soda, is attempting a chocolate-flavored soda. You probably know Jones Soda for its gimmicky annual Thanksgiving soda offerings, such as Turkey & Gravy. Past flavors have included Candy Corn soda, Candy Cane soda and Eggnog soda—so they’re not beholden to Turkey Day. In fact, this year, I’ve enjoyed the Hatch Chile Lime soda, which blends sweet lime with just enough Hatch chile heat. But their new-for-the-holidays drink leans heavily on the sweet side of things.
What is the new Jones soda?
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The latest Jones flavor is… Orange Chocolate soda. The company describes it as “the sweet, tangy flavor of fresh oranges with rich, crave-worthy chocolate.” It’s not as out there as Turkey & Gravy soda, so it does seem like a perfect match for fall, since chocolate is a Halloween staple. In fact, the company told us that it “tastes like drinking Halloween candy.”
Maybe you’re already a fan of the choco-orange blend, thanks to Terry’s Chocolate Oranges. You know, then, how the bright citrus tang of orange melds with the sweet, creamy chocolate. It’s a delectable blend.
What does Jones Orange Chocolate soda taste like?
I wanted to love Jones Orange Chocolate soda. The flavor combo could’ve been made for me! I adore weird sodas, am a chocoholic and actually seek out Terry’s Chocolate Oranges at Christmas for the thrill of that sweet-tart combo.
It pains me to say it, but I don’t adore this drink. First off, there’s almost too much tart in the orange side of the soda. It needs a little contrast. This beverage is entirely missing the addictive sweetness of Orange Crush, Sunkist or other orange sodas.
And where’s the chocolate? There’s an almost-overwhelming flavor that washes in after the first sip of orange, but it doesn’t carry the creamy delight of chocolate, at least not for me. You’d think the chocolate flavor would sail in on a river of sweetness. Maybe chocolate and orange just don’t blend well in a pre-made beverage? The whole thing kind of reminds me of an off-brand orange soda.
Sadly, I really wanted the orange-chocolate soda to be dominated by its chocolate half, or at least to earn 50% of the taste. I imagined it tasting like a melted Terry’s Chocolate Orange, or like a mocha with tart orange zest grated into it (sometimes called a Valencia mocha).
But instead, the orange flavor takes up chocolate’s half of the bed. The idea of the drink is fun, but it’s not nearly as a-peeling as a more chocolaty version. Orange you glad you know?
Where can you buy Jones Orange Chocolate soda?
If you’re interested in trying Jones Orange Chocolate soda, it’s available now at retail outlets nationwide and at JonesSoda.com. You can scoop it up in four-packs or individual bottles, each with Jones’ fun, creative labels featuring photos taken by customers.
There’s even a neat Halloween three-pack available online that includes three Jones Soda flavors that have been given Halloween-inspired names, one of which is definitely not appropriate to share here.
Even if there’s no return of Turkey & Gravy soda this year, Jones Soda fans can still scoop up this fun fall flavor.
