Delicious Sparkling Temperance Drinks

Kristall Julmust

Sweden / USA

Kristall Julmust

12 oz. bottle

3.17 g sugar / oz.

 

History

Julmust was created by pharmacist Harry Roberts in 1910 in Örebro as a temperance beverage using a recipe including malt and hops. Over the years it has become a beloved and nostalgic Christmas holiday favorite in Sweden. In fact it is only sold during the winter months. At Easter it is also sold for a short time under a different label as "Påskmust".

Although Julmust is available from several different bottlers, the julmust syrup is still manufactured only by the small company founded by its inventor, Roberts AB. Each bottler adds its own sweeteners or additional ingredients which customizes the drink's flavor. Even today Göran Roberts, the grandson of its inventor, is the only one who knows the secret recipe of the Julmust syrup.

Review

I thought this would be sort of like a non-alcoholic glögg: like a fruity sangria-like mulled wine. But its more like a sugary Dr. Pepper. Actually there isn't a lot of flavor to it. Sugar, a little cola-like bitterness, but not much else. It isn't much like a malt soda either, despite the rumors of malt and hops in the ingredients. I'm not sure if this brand uses the original Julmust recipe or its own version.

Its not bad, actually thirst-quenching. Maybe you're supposed to drink it heated on a cold winter's day, like a hot Dr. Pepper. I bet that would be pretty good. I did not get around to drinking this until months after Christmas so perhaps its just too warm out today.

fizz 2

refreshment 4

score 3

sweetness 4

flavor 2

Ingredients

Sparkling water, fructose, imported natural and nature-identical flavors, caramel, citric acid, sodium benzoate.

Made by

Kristall Beverage Inc.,
Lexington MA 02173

www.julmust.com