Bonadea Aguas Frescas

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 16 oz bottle
BevNET Review: Along with their Jamaica flavor, Bonadea’s Tamarindo is a flavor that will likely have some level of familiarity to the American palate—at least as an ethnic specialty product. It’s flavor is extremely well balanced, with a four-ingredient formulation (water, tamarind, agave nectar, natural flavor) that offers tamarind flavor without overwhelming the palate. The use of agave nectar adds a subtle note of earthy flavor, plus it sweetens the drink to just the right level while maintaining a glycemic index that’s much lower than a sugar sweetened beverage. Ultimately, this is the type of product that has an exotic side to it, but not at the expense of everyday drinkability. In addition to having great taste, Bonadea has, on the back of the label, pointed out the benefits of tamarind seeds, including digestion, blood sugar, cholesterol, and more. That takes us to the branding of the product, which is definitely one of the product’s biggest assets. Unlike competing products, Bonadea has an ethnic authenticity but still feels mainstream and hip, which should help it at least catch the eye of a wider audience than a more "native" product. The presentation is soft and clean (especially the front panel), with a very inviting and appetizing look to the finished product. Overall, a superb product that’s definitely one of the best tamarind drinks that we’ve ever tasted.

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 16 oz bottle
BevNET Review: Bonadea’s take on the classic hibiscus based drink is a well-executed one, both in flavor and presentation. Inside the bottle, this product’s hibiscus flavor is natural and enjoyable, while the restrained use of agave as a sweetener makes the product feel lighter in the mouth than some of its much sweeter competition. And with only three ingredients, the product has a very “raw” natural feeling to it. Still, the product has nearly 140 calories per 16 oz. bottle, so it’s not exactly a “light” product. In any event, this is a solid choice if you are in the mood for a Jamaica as it’s one of the best bottled interpretations that we’ve seen. On the outside, we’re big fans of the look that they are presenting for the Bonadea brand. The ethnic sounding name paired with the cleanliness and attractiveness of the design help the brand achieve mainstream appeal and a sense of authenticity and quality. That, above all, seems like the difference maker for this product, giving it a look that should make it grab eyeballs in the juice cooler. Overall, this is one of the best tasting and most mainstream Jamaica efforts that we’ve seen to date.

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 16 oz bottle
BevNET Review: Pronounced “why-ya-buh," this beverage is made with purified water, guava puree, agave nectar, and natural flavor. The flavor is, despite being one of the higher calorie and carb heavy flavors of the line, quite mellow. The guava flavor is extremely enjoyable and, thanks to the heavy dose of guava puree, natural (it even has that slight grit that guavas have). However, from a branding point of view, this seems like their toughest sell, with the name “Guayaba” (guava in Spanish) making the product sound more complex than it really is. If they called it simply “Guava”, the product would still have a slightly exotic feeling without losing much if anything in terms of authenticity. Otherwise, we wouldn’t change a thing about this product.

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 16 oz bottle
BevNET Review: Of the Bonadea lineup, the Mango variety is the one that will have the most instantaneous mainstream appeal. Like the other flavors in the brand, this product features minimal ingredients (water, mango puree, agave nectar, natural flavor), resulting in something that has a much more natural tasting fruit flavor than your typical juice drink. The flavor of the mango is well executed and enjoyable, with just the right touch of agave sweetness to satisfy the palate. While the functional benefits of mango juice are listed on the back panel, it does sit right next to a nutrition panel that discloses this product’s 120 calories per serving (240 calories for the whole bottle). That might hurt the product’s credibility as having a “good for you” side, but either way, this is still one of the best tasting mango drinks that we’ve had in recent times. It’s a great example of less being more, allowing the natural flavor of the fruit to shine without too much aid from added flavorings. Overall, a very marketable effort from Bonadea that can definitely hold its own against anything in the juice category today.