Passion Pop is like the Warwick Capper of booze options. It has become an icon in its field for pulling off ‘cheap and nasty’ in a way few can compete with. Typically associated with pov high school rebellion, non-recyclable plastic corks and vomits, Passion Pop to most people represents a symbol of days past: Getting shitfaced before school dances; awkwardly tonguing randoms on New Year’s; using a plastic sports drink bottle for a glass.
Like fashion, alcohol trends are cyclical. Over the last few years there has been a big resurgence of cider drinking in young adults. Similarly, the popularity of Mad Men has seen scotch whiskey on the rocks make its overdue return. In turn, it seems that we may soon be staring down the barrel of a Passion Pop renaissance because, after 30 years in its low-cost green bottle form, the iconic “flavoured sparkling” has been given a makeover.
Today a bag of the newly re-branded Passion Pop made its way into the Pedestrian office. Instead of the familiar 750ml bottles it now comes is a glamorous four-pack of Red Bull-sized purple tinnies sprinkled with gold stars and beatific affirmations such as “Go pop!” and “Share life”.
Nice.
Then it was time for the taste test.
We got Pedestrian’s resident boozer, Chris, to lend his expertise…
Excitement about new PP packaging:
Taking a swig:
Moment of truth:
Positive comments after the initial taste test were:
“It’s really good, actually.”
“Same original Passion Pop flavour like a fizzy passionfruit drink.”
“It does make you want to pash 16 year olds.”
Negative feedback included:
“It does make you want to pash 16 year olds.”
“Quite an acidy aftertaste.”
“It doesn’t taste as alcoholic as it used to be.”
“I’ve suddenly got a headache.”
Passion Pop has made the first steps toward making a comeback – from a drink stuck in our collective pasts, into a popular drop for the present. Would you be prepared to give it another go? If anything, it makes for a great afternoon of reminiscing.
Please share your most memorable / rock bottom PP experience of yore in the comments section.
*If midday Passion Pop sessions sound like your thing, maybe you should work at Pedestrian.
