Robinson's Double Concentrate Squash

When I was asked if I'd like to review some Robinson's Double Concentrate Squash, I was expecting to find a product that the kids liked but nothing particularly exciting. After all, it's squash - how innovative can they be ?

Well, I'm surprised to say, the answer is - very ! I have to admit, over the years, I've tended to swap over to the supermarket own-brand budget versions of the leading brand squashes. The kids drink it and don't say a word so why spend more for a brand-name ?

Since trying the Robinson's Double Concentrate Squash, I can definitely taste the difference though. It makes the cheapie alternatives taste like coloured water ! They don't taste of anything much, whereas the Robinson's is absolutely bursting with flavour. We received two bottles to try - Orange & Pineapple and Apple & Blackcurrant - but there are five flavours available in total, with Orange, Lemon and Summer Fruits completing the line-up.

The Orange & Pineapple one was really fruity and bursting with flavour - as much like the cheapie squash as comparing frozen burgers and chargrilled T-bone steak ! As soon as Juliette tasted the Apple & Blackcurrant one, she said "ooooh it's purple Fruit Shoots" and Sophie agreed that it's the same taste ! That's great news as the girls love Fruit Shoots but I always think they're quite expensive so keep them for special treats on days out. If you can get the same taste in a big bottle of squash, it will certainly work out a lot cheaper.

I was totally won over by the taste, even as a grown-up, but was convinced the new squash must be packed with sugar to get it tasting so good. Not so ! We've been trying the "no added sugar" ones with sweeteners and only about 7 calories per 250ml glass of diluted squash. I'm trying to cut back on sweet snacks so when I get a sugar-craving, I tend to head for a glass of diet coke. I know that too many fizzy drinks aren't good though so having a great-tasting, low-calorie, non-carbonated drink is also great news for me.

The fact that it's double concentrate means that a little goes a long way. As the bottles contain 1.25 or 1.75 litres, each bottle lasts for absolutely ages. The bottles are quite bulky so I thought they'd be difficult to handle but they have a really handy moulded "easy-grip" part in the bottle which makes it very easy and comfortable to pour. They've gone one step better and fitted a no-spill attachment into the neck of the bottle so even 6-year-old Juliette, who is at the stage where she desperately wants to pour out her own squash, manages to serve herself a glass without making a mess. That gets a HUGE bonus point from me as I don't spend the whole time cleaning up the sticky drips all over the worktop ! It also stops the squash from gushing out too quickly into the glass, making squash so strong it'll make your eyes water !

I think this would make delicious ice lollies too, which would be absolutely perfect for the sudden warm weather we're enjoying. I have to admit, I'll be bypassing the budget squash aisle from now on and buying Robinson's without a second's hesitation. But as a 1.25 litre bottle contains 50 servings and a 1.75 litre bottle contains 70 servings, I won't actually be buying any for a while anyway ! (That also means less plastic bottles which is better for the environment too - it just gets better and better !)

star rating : 5/5

RRP : £2.59 for 1.25l, £3.49 for 1.75l

for more information : http://www.robinsonsdrinks.com/

Other reviews you may be interested in :

bottlegreen Squeezy Squash

Ribena Juiced Up

Shloer Rosé