So Real: Tangerine Melon

Of the four initial flavors of SoReal that we sampled, the Tangerine Melon variety was definitely our favorite. There’s a nice tartness and tang to the flavor of the product, which gives it a level of sophistication that we didn’t find in the other varieties. And for a product that’s 25 calories per bottle, it delivers full calorie flavor, with the sugar and fruit flavoring masking the added stevia that is used to keep the calories and sugar content low. Functionally, there’s a lot going on in this product, with calcium, fiber, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. While that’s all well and good, it doesn’t fill any one particular need directly, which keeps the messaging of the product from being direct (and therefore as effective). We’d say the same for branding and for the design of the bottle. Aside from the overuse of shades of pink and purple (it has a somewhat monotone look to it), it’s not really clear what this product is. General “wellness” functional beverages have always been a tough sell, so trying to make it more specific would help. Lastly, we’re not overly fond of the name, “SoReal,” which seems out of place on a product that, aside from the 1 percent juice content and green tea extract, doesn’t have ingredients that a consumer will likely recognize. Overall, the nicest flavor of the bunch, but it’s design and positioning could still stand to be improved.