I served my family turkey and gravy soda as a prank, and they actually liked it

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• To commemorate its 25th-anniversary last year, Jones Soda Co. released a turkey and gravy flavor.
• The company reintroduced it this year for a limited time, and I got to try it and prank my family.
• While my kid loved it, I didn't think the intended flavor was strong enough — it was just a gimmick.

Last year, Jones Soda Co. introduced Turkey & Gravy Soda to "celebrate" its 25th anniversary. This year they brought the unappetizing concoction back just in time for Thanksgiving, claiming their fans were clamoring for it. I enjoy Jones sodas and love a good food gimmick, so I wasn't going to let this oddity pass without trying it.

You'll be disappointed if you're hoping it's turkey and gravy in soda form. Instead, this is a gimmick that only pranksters and diehard Jones Soda stans will love. Still, it wasn't awful. Here's what my family thought of it.

My 8-year-old loved it and finished the bottle.

We kept the strange soda's identity a secret and ensured the camera was rolling as they tried it. Surprisingly, and slightly disappointingly, they loved it. They claimed it tasted like orange soda. Even after we told them it was turkey and gravy, they insisted on finishing the bottle.

But my wife hated it and only took two sips.

My wife clearly tasted the turkey and gravy, food items she typically enjoys. She didn't like them in the liquid, carbonated form, especially when her burps kept bringing the flavor back.

I couldn't taste the turkey and gravy, but the aftertaste was powerful.

Orange and brown sugar were the dominant flavors for me, but the burps were a different story: the turkey and gravy came through strong.

The soda paired surprisingly well with rye whiskey.

I've been immersed in bourbon and whiskey culture for months, so I couldn't resist mixing the rest of my soda with Old Forester rye: two parts soda to one part whiskey. My wife and I were both blown away by how good it tasted. It was balanced, sweet, and spicy. I would serve this cocktail to guests, though mainly to see their surprise when they ask about the mixer.

Jones Turkey and Gravy Soda lists salt as the second ingredient.

One bottle has 240mg of sodium, but the drink doesn't actually taste that salty. Instead, the artificial sweetness from sucralose takes center stage. It is calorie-free and vegan if you want to play a joke on a guest with a plant-based diet.

The bottom line

Jones Soda's Turkey & Gravy Soda is a gimmick. They use the familiar formula of producing something so disgusting-sounding that people can't help but share it on social media. The marketing worked on me, but after trying it, I would only buy this as a gag. 

If you're into pranks or trying food oddities, then, by all means, pick up the soda while you can (supplies are limited). But, if you're looking for a tasty beverage or even a beverage that actually tastes like turkey and gravy, you'll be disappointed.

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