Ode To A Soft Drink

[Labyrinth]

The Land Of The Long White Cloud (New Zealand) has many wonderful and unique things. I must admit that the rose-tinted blur of nostalgia has long dropped before the 20-20 vision of hindsight when it comes to reviewing my time there, but one thing remains crystal clear.

A drink. And not just any drink. L&P.

For those who have never faced the enlightenment of this soft drink, proudly stated as "World famous in New Zealand" let me introduce you. L&P is the abbreviated title of Lemon and Paeroa. Originally made by combining lemon with soda water from the New Zealand town of Paeroa, Coca-Cola have since taken over and produce it on a much larger scale. In New Zealand, it's about as popular as Coke.

It also tastes really really good. I don't know quite what makes it so superior to all other soft drinks I've encountered (Nostalgia hasn't blurred that one.) but I have never found a substitute, and having not been to New Zealand in quite some time I miss it. Oh L&P, why did you leave me?

More to the point the lack of production outside of New Zealand renders it near impossible to get. I just don't understand why something so unbelievably awesome has failed to breach the international market just yet. A long time ago at the New Zealand scout Jamboree, a bunch of worldly visitors were introduced. Not one from the Australian contingent could understand why L&P hadn't managed to "hop the ditch" just yet so it could be enjoyed in the West Island too. A few people even brought bottles back with them out of spite for the shipping companies.

Oh, L&P, thy slightly tangy sweetness never ceases to be a point of much adoration. Please come back to me. Please.

On a final note, anyone in New Zealand for holidays should pick up a bottle and try it. Truly, it is the elixir of the Gods.


Image credit: http://i3.ediy.co.nz/

 

[Galletea]

I fell strangely compelled to try it now. I don't even like soft drinks that much.

I'll have to make a note of it next to "go to Australia and New Zealand" on my list of things to do during the next five years.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

At least it wasn't a lump of green putty I found under my armpit.

Good ode

 

[Pirate Pete]

...West Island...

I'm sorry, but we're actually a continent.
My totally random guess is that it'll taste like the pineapple flavoured soft drinks you can get. Because I find those to taste superior to just about everything.

 

[Nicolai]

If you happen to live in Australia, this delectable beverage is available at New Zealand Natural Ice Cream Stores, so there must be a way of importing it.

On another note, there is also an L&P Dry, if you haven't been back to Aotearoa for a while, as good as the original, just not as sweet for a different palate.

 

[Novajam]

Order online?

1.5 litre [http://productsfromnz.com/browse_1595] bottles. Shipping is dashed expensive, but you could aleviate that by buying many on one go.

Never tried it, but it sounds nice enough. They've got a crappy webpage [http://www.lp.co.nz/] design though.

Also, TIZER!

 

[Nivag the Owl]

That sounds insane. Doesn't look very appealing but... Lemon and Paeroa. I would give anything to try that right now. Maybe. I might be exaggerating a little.

 

[corporate_gamer]

I miss vanilla coke. That stuff was the bomb. An alcoholic version can be made with some plain coke and a double tot of galliano.

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

Ah, L&P. We had a brief thing back when i was working in the good ol' NZ. Interesting flavour. i was the only one in my apartment who liked it. It's so quintessentially kiwi, it's irresistible!