Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime Review - sweet time!

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime Cider

While Sitting in our sunroom, my husband and I each doing our own thing on a Thursday night, I popped this cider opened and poured it over some ice (as suggested). I remembered that I was woefully behind on my Cider Bytes blog, and decided it was time to get back into the swing of blogging.  

I first enjoyed Kopparberg cider in Ireland several years ago and then again in Norway in 2010. Until recently I didn't know they made additional flavors. The pear was excellent with a jolly rancher-type flavor to it. We saw the Strawberry and Lime Kopparberg in our local Total Wine and bought one to try.

The company:
Kopparberg proudly claims themselves ün-established since 1882, sold in 40 countries and the best-selling pear cider in the world (or they claim to be, I have no data!).

Reflections:
The flavor is refreshing and sweet, very sweet.  Like the plain pear cider, this one has a jolly rancher taste to it as well.  Actually, I would liken it more to a Sierra Mists - the strawberry kiwi flavor.  I can barely tell that I'm drinking a cider, never mind the like of alcohol taste.  If I didn't know better I would say my husband grabbed a Sierra Mist and splashed some DragonBerry Rum in it.  The thing that is really striking is the color.  When you pour it over ice, it is a pink color reinforcing the strawberry flavor with its color.

Tidnab's sip:
Tidnab fell in love at first sip. He likened the taste to Fanta Strawberry and said it would be easy to drink lots of.
Scoring:
Sweetness: 10 - it's SWEET
Tartness: 2 - there really is no bite to this one
Smoothness: 8 - mostly from the sweetness
Fruit flavor: 2 on the apple taste, 5 on the lime (hint as an after note) but a 9 on the strawberry
Dryness: 3 - not dry at all really
Carbonation: 5 - not too bubble, but not flat, the carbonation isn't punchy in this one
Gluten free:
Alcohol content: 4%
Container & Size: 500ml bottle

Overall: I'd say an 8 if you are looking for a sweet cider that will taste good with most savory items or for sipping. I think it would pair well with salads during the summer also. Not for drinking with dessert unless you want to overdose on sweet. If you like your ciders dry, pass this one up - you will not be impressed.  

Thanks to YouTube, I present to you a two-year-old ad for Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime.