The Olipop and SpongeBob collab might’ve changed my mind about probiotic sodas

It feels like just yesterday that I was reviewing the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger and Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, both part of the partnership between Wendy’s and SpongeBob. (It turns out that was somehow last October — and was only the ninth newsletter published for Snackology.)

While I was making the rounds at the grocery store on Friday, a familiar face caught my attention. I double backed with my cart to find a display of SpongeBob SquarePants faces staring back at me.

I had found Olipop Pineapple Paradise. Yes, this is another SpongeBob collaboration.

“Are ya ready, kids?” the back of the Pineapple Paradise can asks. “Skip into Bikini Bottom where the sun’s always shining and the bubbles sparkle with glee. With a burst of juicy pineapple’s special sweetness and a splash of mandarin, Pineapple Paradise is pure liquid JOY — just like SpongeBob SquarePants!”

The Wendy’s collaboration last fall made sense. SpongeBob has long worked for Mr. Krab at the Krusty Krab — why not sell a burger inspired by that dish? But a pineapple-flavored probiotic soda? (It’s not like Olipop is releasing Diet Dr Kelp.) Is it supposed to taste like SpongeBob’s house?

What it costs

A four-pack of Olipop Pineapple Paradise was on sale at my Harris Teeter for $8.99.

My thoughts

This is a fun crossover. The Pineapple Paradise flavor is available in five different designs, each with their own SpongeBob expression. (There’s even a SpongeBob wearing an eye patch!) With four cans in the case and five possible designs, I felt like the math was in my favor.

In reality, whoever is in charge of mixing the designs together over at the Olipop factory seems to have been asleep on the job when my case was being packed. As I pulled one can, then a second, then a third and finally a fourth out of the box, I realized that they were all the same. (I guess I won’t be winning any prizes in Olipop’s hunt for all five cans ...) In fairness, the back of the box does note that the “SpongeBob can design(s) in each pack may vary. It’s a surprise!”

But the soda, Bill? What about the soda?

To be completely honest with you, I went into this taste test fully expecting to give Pineapple Paradise — even with the adorable SpongeBob design — a poor snack score. I’ve had Olipop and other probiotic sodas before, and I wasn’t a fan of them.

Pouring a can of Pineapple Paradise into a glass, I was pleased by the pineapple scent. So far, so good. The fizz was a bit different from what I’m used to with a normal soda like Coke Zero, and there were also bits of sediment at the end of the pour. Olipop isn’t lying when they boast about the ingredients that go into their sodas.

To my surprise, I was hooked on this soda with the first sip.

Olipop Pineapple Paradise is a very good pineapple soda. If you’re worried about the specific after taste that comes with some of these probiotic sodas, I either didn’t taste it with this one or barely noticed it. (I now have a theory that the probiotic sodas that are trying to mimic classic flavors — colas, root beers, etc. —might have a harder time hitting those marks, while fruity flavors have less of an iconic profile to match.) There’s also the flavor and fizziness that you’d expect from a normal soda.

Snack score

🍪🍪🍪🍪 (4 out of 5 cookies)

Probiotic sodas are huge right now. Pepsi bought Poppi, a brand that my wife always keeps in our fridge. Up until now, I didn’t think they were my thing. But Olipop Pineapple Paradise has changed my mind. Thanks, SpongeBob.