When I heard about soda-inspired chocolate, my mind definitely went places.
OLIPOP has already made a name for itself with its lineup of refreshing, prebiotic-packed sodas, from Classic Grape to Root Beer to Cream Soda. But chocolate is new territory for the better-for-you soda brand. Enter its first-ever collaboration with Compartés, a renowned name in handcrafted chocolate.
When I found out OLIPOP was dropping a new Pomegranate Sparkle flavor for the holidays, I was excited. And then, when I learned that the flavor would also be part of a limited-edition chocolate gift set from Compartés, I knew I had to try it.
The complete set draws inspiration from three OLIPOP favorites: Crisp Apple, Ginger Ale and the new addition, Pomegranate Sparkle, translating their signature flavor profiles into chocolate bar form.
Delivered in a stunning green gift box finished with gold foil, the set looks like an impressive, ready-to-give holiday gift. It even arrives on ice packs to help keep the chocolate fresh and prevent melting (and at $45 per set, this is the kind of service you might expect).
As far as the chocolate itself goes, these gluten-free bars promise to appeal to both soda lovers and chocolate lovers. According to the brand, the goal isn’t to replicate each soda exactly, but to draw inspiration from its distinctive flavors. Still, I had some questions.
Would it be fizzy? Poppy? Potentially way too sweet? I wasn’t sure how soda-inspired chocolate would stack up against a regular chocolate bar or whether these unexpected flavor combos could actually work.
But as soon as I placed it in my mouth, my worries quite literally melted away.
The chocolate is velvety and smooth, and each flavor strikes a satisfying balance. Pomegranate Sparkle has a little tang of fruitiness, Ginger Ale brings a subtle lime kick and the Crisp Apple flavor feels like a real holiday treat with a texture that is truly decadent.
The final verdict: the whole set feels novel and unexpected without going overboard on sweetness.
For OLIPOP Executive Chairman Ben Goodwin — who actually worked as a chocolatier in his teen years — the collaboration was all about exploring what happens when two different treats come together.
“We weren’t trying to recreate the sodas exactly, but rather play with some of the flavors and notes that make each one unique and see how they could come together with chocolate,” Goodwin shared. “It was really fun to see where our two worlds overlapped, and I think the result is a really delicious and unexpected holiday treat.”
If you’re looking for a gift that goes beyond the typical box of chocolates, this collab makes a pretty compelling case for thinking outside the box. It’s tasty, one-of-a-kind and beautifully packaged.
And if you’re not sold on the full set, you can also purchase each bar individually for $12 per piece.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
