Review: Orange

989’s Orange variety is a stevia sweetened electrolyte and vitamin drink that is comparable in flavor to a sports drink. The functional ingredients, flavor, and coloring are kept in a cap dispenser until the time of consumption, which presumably is to ensure that the ingredients don't break down in water.. From a flavor perspective, this product is quite drinkable, especially when compared to other stevia-sweetened products. That seems to be the result of the Himalayan sea salt, which cuts the naturally bitter flavor of the stevia. On the packaging front, this product’s cap dispenser is on par with competing brands, which is to say that it’s slightly cumbersome to use (you have to first twist left and then right to dispense and remove the cap). Regardless, we can’t help but wonder how much the cap matters for this brand -- if it were simply a regular RTD beverage, it still seems like a pretty good one. Otherwise, the 989 brand, which is derived from the products 9 vitamins, 84 ionic minerals, and 5 electrolytes (84 plus 5 equally 89, of course), has a technical but sporty feel to it. This seems fine given the type of product that it is. And we appreciate that the label is simple and easy to read. Overall, as far as the category of “cap dispenser based functional beverages” are concerned, this is a good entry that’s enjoyable to consume.

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