June 4th, 2003 / by Kevin
Sanpellegrino Aranciata
Man alive. People have been all at me to drink some Aranciata. The kids seem to love it. I was wary, because I’ve been burned by the good folks at San Pellegrino before. I don’t drink coffee or coffee-flavored beverages, but I like to hang out at a coffee shop as much as the next total loser. And every time I go to a coffee shop, I look at the beverages available for purchase and think “Hmm, what would be tasty and refreshing?” And because I have the memory retention of my grandfather (who’s dead), I’m always all “Limonata! Boy that looks awesome!” And it’s totally not. It’s probably the least refreshing drink on the market today. It’s sour and syrupy and totally…bad. (What’s a synonym for bad? Ah yes: wickedly bad.)
So I’d just as soon not get fooled again, but if nothing else, I’m a completist. So: I try the Aranciata. First of all, talk about poncey, have you seen the bottle this stuff comes in? Ar-NANCY-ata, more like! Hotcha!
(Please take a moment to finish laughing. When you have collected yourself, you may continue on to the next paragraph.)
I cannot front. My initial reaction was: HFC [Holy Fucking Crap --ed.] this shit is good! No complaints in the taste department. It’s light and airy. It’s not too sweet. The orange is dazzling and does pirouettes on your tongue like a little ballerina for minutes afterwards. And it’s actually thirst-quenching, which is weird for a carbonated beverage. If you were stranded in the desert and totally parched, well, I guess you should probably try to get your hands on some water. But say you only had access to a cream soda and an Aranciata, definitely go with the Aranciata. It’s like a very rich man’s Orangina, but therein lies the problem. I purchased it from two different locations. Both times it cost $1.35 for 6.5 fl oz’s! That is ridiculously expensive. For that kind of cash outlay there better be a genie in the bottle, and she better love to give handjobs.
Sadly that was not the case. Luckily I was able to administer my own, albeit with some difficulty.
10 Comments
February 22nd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
i was with you until the genie and the handjob…
June 9th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
[...] Top up with Aranciata. [...]
September 16th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Try mixing Aranciata with Breyer’s Natural Vanilla ice cream…it’s an expensive mix…
..but it will be the best orange ice cream float you will ever have…
September 20th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Hey, have they just changed the Aranciata formula?! It is used to be 12% OJ but now it is 18% and served in these dizzy light blue and orange cans. It does taste different, but I’m not sure I prefer it. It’s not so sharp, and has a leaden OJ syrup after taste. Any other opinions?
November 4th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I agree w. Jules - the good folks at San Pellegrino have decided that more juice and less sugar are what I need — I was hooked on Limonata (the lemon version), but also liked the ‘old’ Aranciata. Haven’t had the new Aranciata, but suspect that there is just as much to be disappointed about there…
Anyone know where to get the old version? Anyone prefer the new and want to trade for the old, original version??
January 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I have been drinking Aranciata for the last year or so and I was drinking it when they changed the can and increased the juice content. I have to say that I never noticed a change in taste, or the 6% increase in juice until I read this article. I personally choose this drink because it doesn’t contain high fructos corn syrup, and the fact that they’re so damn addicting. You could always buy a bottle of club soda and some frozen oj, and then add the oj to your taste. You’ll probably find a similar taste when you make your own. I also find that the Lemonada and Aranciata are GREAT for vodka drinks.
Thanks for your time.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
In addition, I’ve also heard two different pronunciations of Aranciata. One being Ah-ron-chatta, and the other being, Ah-ron-see-atta. Not sure where you’re getting the “Nancy” part as there is no N before A.
Cheers!
January 21st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I’m addicted to Aranciata, and prefer them in the curvy glass bottel rather the can.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I am also addicted! I have never thought it reasonable to spend one dollar on a single drink, much less drive to a convenience store JUST for that reason, UNTIL NOW! Where can I buy a bunch for less? Anyone?
April 5th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
To Kip - I bought a six-pack at Safeway for about $3.99 the other day, if that helps you on your quest.