I recently had to have both a colonoscopy and an endoscopy which required that I consume only clear liquids for about 36 hours and take 32 laxative horse pills throughout the day. Not fun. I stocked up on all kinds of clear liquids and one that I bought was Hansen Beverage Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale in 12-Ounce Cans. Although I didn't need to drink diet beverages on that day, I generally do and knew I would have plenty left over so I chose diet ginger ale so I could drink it after the tests were over.

This soda tastes great. It's bit different from the usual but very good - even a bit better than the old standbys I usually drink. I tolerated it very well when my stomach was in an uproar and I like it now that I don't HAVE to drink it.

About the Product

Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale Soda is spiced up with essence of ginger root, vanilla bean and lime. Our sodas contain all natural flavors and have no sodium, caffeine, aspartame, preservatives, or carbs.

Manufacturer's Info

Packaging

Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale comes in 12 ounce cans and in a case of 24. There are other sizes but I chose the 12 ounce cans. The cans are white and green and proclaim that the soda is sugar and calorie free as well as free of preservatives and other nasty stuff. The cans have a typical pop top and the soda is fizzy when opened but doesn't spill out. The smell of the soda is actually quite fragrant. It is a mixture of ginger, citrus, and vanilla. The color is a light amber, slightly darker than mainstream ginger ales.

My Experience

I am used to drinking Schwepps Ginger Ale which I really like and this soda tasted a bit different but not in a bad way. It had the bold ginger flavor along with a touch of lemon and lime. It was slightly less sharp than Schwepps and smoother going down. I tolerated it well when my stomach was very fragile and objected to just about every other liquid I tried to drink.

Hansen's Soda Diet Ginger Ale contains Sucralose as its sweetener which is derived from sugar and is natural and safe. It is known more commonly as Splenda. It doesn't have a weird aftertaste and it's much healthier than aspartame which sweetens most diet beverages. I was doing a bit of research on the safety of Sucralose and found the following: "Results from over 100 animal and clinical studies in the FDA approval process unanimously indicated a lack of risk associated with sucralose intake." This quote is from several research websites I looked at.

There is no aftertaste and the soda isn't overly sweet although it certainly does have enough sweet flavor. It quenched my thirst and it made the horse pills go down easier. After my tests, I couldn't stand the sight of some of the liquids I had to drink during the prep but I kept on drinking Hansen's and have purchased another case for myself.

I now crave this soda. It has a fresh flavor and is a great change from diet cola. I like that it is so fizzy too. I hate soda that is flat or only has a little bit of fizz. I even like that the cans are just 12 ounces, small enough for me to drink in one quick sitting. I usually drink 20-24 ounce sodas and iced teas and often end up leaving some because I can't consume that much in one sitting. This soda is just the right amount per can for me.

I don't miss my Schwepps Ginger Ale at all! I like Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale as well or more and it's healthier for me.

Nutrition Info

Well, there is no nutrition in this soda. There isn't much of anything really. There are no calories in the soda, no sugars, no ... anything but the ingredients I listed below. It is not vitamin enriched and it has no sodium which is a change since most sodas do have sodium in them. Basically, there is nothing more than what water contains except for the natural flavors, Sucralose, and caramel color.

Ingredients

For those wondering what is in this soda, here are the current ingredients. They may change at any time so please consult the packaging before purchasing if you have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.

Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Natural Flavors (African Ginger, Mexican Limes, Californian Lemons and Madagascan Vanilla),caramel Color.

Buying Info

You can purchase Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale in a variety of sizes at grocery stores and stores that sell natural foods and drinks. This soda is pricier than mainstream stuff. I paid about $22.00 for the case which was an eye opener but well worth it in taste and in the health benefits of moving away from aspartame to a sweetener that's safe.

The Verdict

Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale has a smooth taste that is neither too sweet nor too overwhelming. It's thirst quenching and contains natural flavors that really make a difference to my taste buds. Omitting risky aspartame for safe Sucralose makes drinking this soda far less guilt-inducing for me. I don't have to endure possible future health issues to omit calories. While this soda is pricier than its mainstream counterparts, I truly feel it is worth it. I give the soda 5 stars. Really, what's not to love?

Recommended: Yes