Since the creators of 7 UP Plus say this fortified soda is “an option for women who seek out small ways to enjoy the fun of carbonated beverages but want to make better choices for themselves and their families,” this month’s tasters are a mom and her 10-year-old twin daughters.

Soft drink-makers are hearkening back to their roots, when sodas were sold as elixirs from a traveling medicine man, with the latest spate of better-for-you soft drinks. Cadbury Schweppes added its own take on the trend late last month with the launch of 7 UP Plus. The “plus” means plus juice, calcium and vitamin C, and, like its namesake, no caffeine. The fortified soda is berry-flavored and colored, low-cal and Splenda- and Ace K-sweetened. A 12-ounce serving has 10 calories, 2 grams of carbs, and according to U.S. RDI guidelines, provides a good source of calcium and vitamin C.
7 UP Plus Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc., Plano, Texas
Telephone: 972/673-7500
Internet: 7 UP.com
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Carbonated water, apple juice from concentrate, less than 2 percent of: calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), natural flavors, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, fruit and vegetable juices, malic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium hexametaphosphate and calcium disodium EDTA.
This month’s contenders: Ana, office manager; Ashley & Nicole, fifth-grade students
Here’s the skinny…
Package: 
“I like the girly pink color.” — Nicole
“I like the pinkish color, the color makes the drink look yummy.” — Ashley
“Looks refreshing, the pinkish color looks like it might taste light and refreshing. The packaging is appealing.” — Ana
Flavor: 
“Smells really good, and it’s refreshing.” — Nicole
“It’s sparkling and tickles your tongue, I like it.” — Ashley
“Smells good, but it tastes like seltzer water, and I really do not care for seltzer water alone. Some punches I make with regular seltzer … would maybe substitute Mixed Berry 7 UP Plus.” — Ana

Would you buy it: 
“Yes, I really like it. It looks nice in the bottle and tastes good.” — Nicole
“Yes, I would ask my mom to buy it, but she doesn’t like us to have too much sugar.” — Ashley
“I would probably buy it as a mixer for drinks or punches. Maybe for teenage kids, since it has calcium and vitamin C.” — Ana

It “would be appealing to the older consumer trying to get calcium and vitamin C in their diet, while still drinking a pop.” — Ana