Gourmet Sips: Oogavé

We all know and love Izze, the locally grown sparkling juice that was acquired by PepsiCo in 2006, but there’s a new beverage to keep your eye on. The brainchild of Denver’s Stephen Anson (former owner of the health-focused Wholly Tomato), Oogave is a soda sweetened with organic agave nectar. These drinks are made with four ingredients–agave nectar, carbonated water, citric acid, and natural flavors–and they contain fewer calories than regular sodas. We’ve tasted all six flavors, including the refreshing ginger ale (made with real ginger), the not-too-sweet watermelon cream, and the cola that, in our book, could easily replace Coke. Our favorite of the bunch, however, is the perfectly balanced root beer for its mild carbonation and clean flavors. Bonus: BevNET.com, a beverage industry authority, recently awarded Oogavé four out of five stars.