As you know, weight is a constant struggle for me. Lots of times I do great during the week, but when the weekend comes we spend time with friends, go out to eat, and have lots of local alcoholic beverages. So I decided to give Crystal Light Mocktails a try.
I figured hey, it could be an alternative. At least I can be drinking something other than bottled water or calorie-laden beer around the campfire. They’re limited edition and come in three fun flavors : Margarita, Mojito and Appletini. I was sent the Mojito and Appletini to try. They are are available in multi-serve canisters with five 2-quart packets so they would be great for a party.
The mocktails contain just 5 calories and 0 carbohydrates per 8 fl. oz. serving (as compared to, say, 150-200 per glass of wine or beer). I was disappointed when I realized it has aspartame in it though. The Pure Fitness drinks that Crystal Light makes are sweetened with real sugar and Truvia. So while the mocktails are probably better than alcohol, they definitely aren’t “healthy.”
The Verdict: Of course you are all wondering how it tastes. I love Mojitos. And this definitely did not taste like a Mojito. But, it wasn’t bad. DH suggested adding vodka and mint leaves to it (which would sort of defeat the purpose of an alcohol alternative drink). I could sort of taste the aspartame. I tried to tell myself it was like a cheap vodka aftertaste. The minty limey flavor was refreshing though, and we drank the pitcher over the course of an evening. I also tried the Appletini, and it was almost too apple-y, and again with the overly sweet aspartame. Please, Crystal Light, switch to real sugar and/or stevia!
Note: I posted yesterday on Crystal Light’s Facebook Page asking them to consider switching all their products to sugar/stevia. I found it interesting that someone dissed me right off the bad, saying I shouldn’t whine on the page. What do you think, was I in the wrong? Are Facebook pages only for saying good things? I wasn’t badmouthing the brand, I DO like their Pure product, and I’d like their other products better without the aspartame aftertaste/health concerns. What do you think?
I was compensated for my time for sharing this information as part of the Crystal Light campaign hosted by One2One Network. All opinions are my own.
I think constructive feedback is perfectly acceptable on Facebook. And telling a company that you’d prefer (and would be more likely to buy their product) if they made certain modifications certainly qualifies as constructive. They won’t make a change unless they know consumers want it.
Seems to me they sent you samples (like, ummm, they’re looking for feedback), you gave them feedback. I’d think you were offering something valuable — if you found the aftertaste off-putting, it’s very likely others in the broad marketplace are going to have the same response. It seems counterproductive to send product to “test marketers” — hello, to TEST the reaction — and then behave as if a positive reaction to a not-yet full-market product was the only acceptable response. Besides, it doesn’t sound like this was a “putdown” on your part — my goodness, you backed your opinion up with praise for another of the Crystal Light products you’re familiar with and suggested the one be more like the other — that sounds constructive to me!
i was the one who told you to stop whining and i stand by it.. seriously.. get over it.
People are entitled to have an opinion ….get over it.
I think it’s pretty ridiculous to say that something marketed with “light” in the name should be made with sugar. Wouldn’t you assume that it’s going to be made with a sweetener? Just saying…maybe you should think about what it is that you’re reviewing before you make a suggestion that pretty much defeats why people buy it in the first place. Aspartame isn’t my favorite alternative, but I’m prepared to deal with it since it is one of the more popular sugarfree sweeteners.
Perhaps you missed the part where I reviewed another one of Crystal Light’s products, Pure, which was sweetened with a mix of sugar and Truvia. It was surprising to me too that sugar was in the ingredients. It tasted great though! And was still very low in calories. I don’t think it’s that much of a stretch to think that they would be going in that direction with their other new products. I drink an occasional Diet Coke so it’s not that I am 100% aspartame free in my life, but with this particular product it left an aftertaste.
Wow. I guess since this is your blog you are trying to assert your ‘rightness’. Point taken; you’ve lost a potential
Somehow I fail to notice any ‘whining’. After all, the Business pages on Facebook are basically designed for marketing purposes, and all I see here is that you’ve given their Marketing dept. something else to consider.
I often find that aspartame and splenda are too sweet and leave an aftertaste that I can’t shake, so if I’m going to have a Crystal Light I usually just add more liquid than suggested.
In addition, just because something is billed as ‘Light” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cut out the sugar entirely. it just means that the original ‘recipe’ has been altered in such a way as to reduce one or more elements.
It’s good to hear an honest review on a blog! It can’t all be sunshine and roses. Some products just aren’t what you think they are gonna be like. Kudos to you for being sincere.
I’m not a huge fan of aspartame either. As a diabetic, I’d much rather either have a small amount of sugar or Splenda. But that’s just me.
I have been reading a lot of glowing reviews of these Mocktails. I had high hopes because I really don’t normally like Crystal Lite, but since I cannot drink alcohol anymore, I was hoping they were tasty.
Hi, I think you are “right on” with your comments about Mocktails and Pure Fitness, as well as your responses to the rather rude detractors who seem to have followed you to your own blog entry!!?!?! I just found your page because I was doing a search to find out what the sweetener in the Mocktails is. I, too, was really happy with Pure being Stevia and sugar sweetened. And am disappointed that the not ONE of the Mocktail flavors is equally naturally-sweetened. For me, it is a make-or-break. I don’t sweat and work out so I can imbibe poisons, and that’s what I consider Aspartame to be. Guess I’ll be mixing my own Mocktails for the time being! Thanks again for the review and the self-respect!!
Thanks for the encouragement, Linda. I’ve been experimenting with herbal teas and some of them are super refreshing! I even planted some apple mint which I hope to try soon. Thanks again.