Soda’s got quite a bad rap.
 
If it’s diet, it’s got nasty chemicals (Hello?! Aspartame.) If it’s regular, we're talking high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and then some more nasty chemicals. Both chemicals and HFCS contribute to weight gain and leech minerals from your bones. So not cool.
 
But it’s summer, and we’re freakin’ thirsty (especially if you live in the desert like I do). So that means we’re on the hunt for the perfect drink to sip poolside and serve to guests at summer parties. If you don’t want to drink soda or offer them to your guests because of the all the crap they contain, check out Oogavé, a new organic soda that’s sweetened with agave nectar.
 
Free of the artificial additives and HFCS found in conventional sodas, Oogavé sodas have less than 100 calories and no gluten, animal ingredients or caffeine. It was created by Stephen Anson, who owned a natural foods restaurant in Denver, Colorado, but couldn’t find a healthy beverage to serve with his meals. He concocted the soda, and demand led him to start bottling and offering it for distribution. Today, it’s sold in nearly 40 states.
 
Agave plants were prized by the Aztecs, who called them a “gift from the gods.” We agree—and not just because they’re the same plant that makes tequila! Agave nectar is low on the glycemic index, meaning it’s absorbed slowly by the body, helping you to avoid those yucky sugar highs and crashes. You’ll still get a little energy from the agave nectar, but it’s much smoother.
 
The Verdict
 
Pros: a wide variety of fun organic flavors, gives you the carbonation and rush you crave from soda, and available in natural food retailers across the country. Our favorites are Strawberry Rhubarb and Vanilla Cream (tastes like a creamy root bear float!)
 
Cons: If you're looking for something with light, subtle flavor, stick with tea; these are pretty sweet.
 
Oogavé comes in eight flavors and is available in bottles at health and natural food store. It retails for $1.25-$1.50 per bottle and $5-6 per four-pack. For more information, visit Oogave.com.
 
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Liz Farrington, Features Editor
A vegetarian who wishes she could stay vegan, Liz is a media professional and former editor at several fitness and lifestyle publications throughout Southern California. Now principal in Farrington Communications, she does sales, marketing, writing and editing for a range of clients. When she’s not shopping for leather-free handbags or deciding which companies to boycott, the Las Vegas resident enjoys following liberal politics, detoxing at the co-op, scoping farmers’ markets and volunteering for animal rescue.