Nestle Aguas Frescas

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 20 oz PET
BevNET Review: Nestle’s Jamaica Aguas Frescas is a nice RTD version of the classic hibiscus drink. While it’s not the sweetest Jamaica drink that we’ve ever had, it’s definitely sweet, with 46 grams of sugar per bottle. Otherwise, the flavor is clean and straightforward, with a modest amount of hibiscus flavor. Packaging is a 20 oz. PET bottle, which has a label around the bottle’s midsection. The design of the label is rather busy, with splashes of red liquid, images of hibiscus, and an aguas frescas jar covering almost the entire label. The bilingual labeling is certainly a smart move given the drink’s origins as a Mexican product. However, we think they could dial back some of the text that’s on the label (e.g. “Excellent source of Vitamin C”) – it just becomes noise at a certain point. Overall, we think they’ve done a nice job with this product, although they could certainly make the packaging more attractive.Reviewed on: 6/16/2011

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 20 oz PET
BevNET Review: The Tamarindo flavor of Nestle’s Aguas Frescas is a tamarind-flavored beverage that is sweetened with sugar. While the drink contains tamarind puree, there’s definitely something that tastes slightly off about this product, especially in the drink’s finish. The drink contains gellan gum, which could be the culprit. In any event, it’s an area that needs improvement. On the outside, the product is easily identifiable as a tamarind aguas frescas drink, but they could certainly improve the visual execution of the product. There’s simply too much text and imagery on the label, which hurts the overall quality perception of the product. Overall, a good start that could be a solid product if improved.Reviewed on: 6/16/2011

Product Type:Dairy: Dairy Alternative; Container: 14 oz PET
BevNET Review: Of the three flavors that make up the Nestle Aguas Frescas line, the Horchata variety was our favorite. This product, which is a classic mixture of milk, rice, sugar, and spice, has a flavor profile that’s on point. However, the addition of gum again leaves a funny feeling in your mouth and ruins the authenticity of the product. The bottle, which in this case is a 14 oz. fully wrapped PET bottle, feels cleaner and more appealing than the other two flavors. The look of the bottle whets the appetite, while the use of both English and Spanish seems like a very smart move. Overall, the best of the three varieties. Reviewed on: 6/16/2011