Crook & Marker was a confounding one for the group. There was an audible gasp when one colleague discovered that rather than being clear like its peers, this drink was pink. Others were stuck on the word "quinoa" written in large block lettering on the can. What was this drink trying to be?
"I was SHOOK by CROOK. Why is it colored? I mean, good for them," wrote one especially befuddled taster.
"Strong flavor but not in a good way! Also, not really seltzer?" another wrote.
Upon further investigation, I discovered the reason for the difference is that Crook & Marker uses an alcoholic base made from non-traditional grains that include amaranth, millet, cassava root, and yes, quinoa.
Interesting? Perhaps. Tasty? No. The general consensus was that it tasted overly syrupy, despite boasting zero grams of sugar and using natural sweeteners.