McCafe Mango Pineapple Refresher short review

 

 (I wanted to post a picture of the actual drink instead of the generic one on McDonald's website, but my Airdrop is not working >___<)

This is the final Refresher from McDonald's/McCafé (same difference 😜) summer refresher lineup, and it is by far the most interesting of the three. It was also probably the most frustrating and yet enjoyable experience of the bunch (you'll see why below).

According to McDonald's, this drink is:

A match made in the McDonald’s kitchen: a refreshing lemonade beverage made with real lemon juice concentrate, with the sweet taste of mango and pineapple swirled in. Finished off with strawberry-flavoured popping pearls, this drink is like a dance party for your mouth.

Impressions:

• love the strawberry popping pearls!
• surprisingly difficult to get the popping pearls without a straw because of the ice
• any size straw works for sucking up the pearls
• the popping pearls completely steal the show
• mango and pineapple become secondary flavours to the strawberry pearls
• mango and pineapple are much weaker than expected compared to the strawberry

First off, I love the popping pearls. They were easily the highlight of the drink, and I thoroughly enjoyed the little "pop" sensation every time one burst in my mouth.

Ironically, the thing I loved most about the drink was also what frustrated me the most. The popping pearls settled at the bottom of the cup, while the ice sat on top, making them surprisingly difficult to reach without a straw. It almost defeated the "no straw" design of the cup because, at least initially, a straw made drinking the pearls so much easier.

Once the ice melted a bit, however, everything worked much better. The pearls became easier to drink without a straw, which I suspect was how the drink was intended to be enjoyed.

As for the flavour itself, I was expecting the mango and pineapple to be the stars, but the strawberry popping pearls completely took over the show. The strawberry flavour was sweeter, tangier, and much more intense than either the mango or pineapple. In comparison, the mango and pineapple were surprisingly subtle and mostly acted as a backdrop to the pearls.

Despite the minor frustration, this ended up being my favourite of the three Refreshers. I never thought I would prefer a mango-pineapple drink over the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, but the addition of the popping pearls made the experience much more fun and memorable.

This one isn't just a drink — it's a drink and a snack at the same time 😛.

Score: 9.5/10 🥭🍍🍓✨
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/mango-pineapple-refresher-medium.html

McCafe Blackberry PassionFruit Refresher short review

 (I wanted to post a picture of the actual drink instead of the generic one on McDonald's website, but my Airdrop is not working >___<)

This is the second drink I got to try from McDonald's/McCafé (same difference 😛) Summer Refresher lineup.

According to McDonald's, this drink is:

Turn your lemonade beverage all the way up to 100 with the sweet and tart taste of blackberry and passionfruit, and the undeniable refreshing flavour of real lemon juice concentrate. Now, push it to 200 with irresistible freeze-dried dragon fruit for an extra punch.

Impressions:

• sweet with chunks of dragon fruit
• tastes more like blackberry than passionfruit
• sweet rather than tangy
• lots of dragon fruit pieces in every sip

I liked this one — it was quite good — but it is still my second favourite compared to the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher.

I am not a huge fan of blackberry, but this drink actually helped me appreciate blackberry's unique flavour. Despite McDonald's describing it as a blackberry-passionfruit drink, I found the blackberry to be the dominant flavour, while the passionfruit was much more subtle and harder to detect.

I was also expecting it to be more tart because of the blackberry, passionfruit, and lemonade combination, but surprisingly, it leaned much more toward the sweet side than the tangy side.

What I enjoyed most were the dragon fruit chunks. They added a nice texture and made the drink more interesting to sip. If you've ever eaten dragon fruit before, you'll know it has those tiny edible seeds that create a texture similar to kiwi. McDonald's was quite generous with the dragon fruit pieces, so if you enjoy that texture, you'll probably love this drink. If you're not a fan of those little seedy bites, you may not enjoy it quite as much.

While it didn't beat the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher for me, it's still a refreshing and enjoyable drink that helped me see blackberry in a new light.

Score: 8.0/10 🐉🫐✨
website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/blackberry-passionfruit-refresher-medium.html

McCafe's Strawberry Watermelon Refresher Short Review

 

(I wanted to post a picture of the actual drink instead of the generic one on McDonald's website, but my Airdrop is not working >___<)

It’s that time of year again when McDonald's/McCafé (same difference 😛) introduces their Summer Refreshers! This year, they have three flavours, and I got to try the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher first! (The other two are: Black Passion Fruit and Mango Pineapple)

According to McDonald’s, this drink is:

“A refreshing lemonade beverage to quench your thirst, made with real lemon juice concentrate, and the sweet taste of strawberry and juicy watermelon. But the pièce de résistance? Freeze-dried strawberries for something a little fancy.”

Impressions:

• not too sweet
• more strawberry than watermelon
• nice tanginess
• huge strawberry chunks in every sip

I really liked it! Despite how it looks, it isn’t overly sweet at all — it has the perfect amount of sweetness, which I really appreciate (I hate overly sweet drinks).

There’s a reason strawberry comes before watermelon in the name, because the drink is mainly strawberry-forward, with the watermelon balancing it out so the strawberry flavour doesn’t become too intense.

I don’t usually like sour or tangy drinks, but this one has a really nice balance — not too tangy, but enough for me to enjoy it.

And what I liked most were the huge strawberry chunks in almost every sip! They’re soft, chewy, and honestly make the drink much more enjoyable and interesting to drink.


This is definitely off to a great start for McDonald’s summer refresher lineup!

Score: 9.2/10 🍓 
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/strawberry-watermelon-refresher-medium.html

Zero Sugar Drinks That Actually Taste Like the Original (My Ongoing List)

Some of the Zero Sugar drinks I have had

Last Updated: April 30, 2026

With so many zero sugar drinks on the market now, I’ve always wondered: which ones actually taste like the original? Some come surprisingly close, while others taste completely different. After trying quite a few over time, I decided to start keeping track of them here.

I was inspired by my Zero Sugar and Zero Caffeine Coke post, and I decided to document my Zero Sugar experiences in one place. The criteria are simple: the drink has to stay as close to the original sugar version as possible.

I’ll keep updating this list as I try more drinks, and I’ll note the date whenever I add something new.

My Zero Sugar Drink Log: The Good, The Okay, and The Bad

My favourites — the ones that stay true to the original:

• Canada Dry Ginger Ale
• Sprite
• Cherry Coke (Coca-Cola)
• Dr Pepper
• Nestea Iced Tea
• Fuze Iced Tea
• Fresca Grapefruit
• Tonic Water
• Canada Dry Cranberry Ginger Ale
• Canada Dry Mango Peach Ginger Ale
• Coca-Cola Vanilla Cream Soda (holiday limited edition)
• McDonald's Iced Coffee with sugar-free syrup* (depends on the McCafe that makes them)

Ones that are okay — somewhat close, but there is a noticeable difference in taste: 

• Coca-Cola Coke Zero 
• A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar Caffeine free
• McDonald's Iced Coffee with sugar-free syrup* (depends on the McCafe that makes them)
• Fanta Zero Sugar Zero Caffeine

Ones I don't like — they taste nothing like the original sugar version: 

• Pepsi Zero 
• Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Zero Caffeine

I’ll continue updating this list as I try more zero-sugar drinks. If you have any favourites that taste surprisingly close to the original, feel free to let me know — I’m always curious to try new ones!

Afterthought:
One thing I’ve noticed with these zero-sugar drinks is that they make me go to the bathroom a lot more often than the regular versions. I’m not sure if it’s the type of sugar substitutes used, but it’s something I’ve consistently experienced.

Clarins My Sweety Lip Balm review

Clarin's My Sweety Lip Balm

I’ve always had faith in Clarins products. Many of them are made in France (which already signals quality to me), their ingredients are usually meticulously sourced, and — most importantly — they work really well on my skin. This lip balm is pricier than your average drugstore option, but not by that much. It currently retails for $15 CAD ($11 USD) on the Clarins website, which I think is reasonable for what you’re getting.

According to Clarins, this is a sheer lip balm enriched with nourishing organic cacao butter that reacts to the pH of your lips to reveal your personal shade of rose. It’s designed to plump, comfort, and add shine, while offering a subtle mood boost with a fruity scent. The product is also vegan, contains organic ingredients, comes in an eco-friendly box, and is made with a fair supply chain, which I really appreciate.

contains an adequate amount of product

The first thing I noticed was that the formula is firmer than most lip balms I’m used to. It sits comfortably on the lips and doesn’t slide around or migrate the way softer balms often do. It gives that “your lips but healthier” look — slightly shinier with a natural pink tint — which makes it perfect for no-makeup days when you still want to look a little more awake and polished.

It moisturizes instantly. You get a sheer shine right away, and your lips start feeling softer almost immediately (as a lip balm should). What really sets this apart from drugstore balms — or even slightly more expensive ones — is how well it stays in place. I don’t feel the urge to constantly “play” with it or reapply, which honestly says a lot.

Can you see the subtle sheer on the left side? It is much more obvious in real life

Overall, I’m very happy I found this one from Clarins. Compared to luxury lip balms from brands like Prada or Dior that can run $50+, this feels like an excellent middle ground — elevated, effective, and still approachable at $15.

See it now? :) it is much more obvious in real life

Pros

• Light fruity scent (they say peach, but it smells more like guava to me — either way, it fades after a  few minutes)
• Moisturizes lips really well (and within a few hours)
• Took two days to fully moisturize my lips! (and revive them... not just temporary relief!)
• Firm formula that doesn’t shift, bleed, or move
• Light and thin formula
• No risk of overapplying
• “Your lips but healthier” effect (shinier and slightly pink-tinted)
• Wipes off cleanly with no staining (this can be a pro or a con)

Cons

• I hate the container — it’s extremely difficult to open and close
• The packaging is made of cardboard
• Could be slightly more tinted
• Only available online (via the Clarins website)
• No stain left behind when wiped off (again, pro or con depending on preference)
• Although it "moisturizes", you need to reapply to prevent drying because once everything gets absorbed, you will need extra protection to protect your newly moisturized lips.

very subtle tint, it is more obvious in real life

Conclusion:
Clarins My Sweet Lip Balm is one of those quietly impressive products — simple, well-formulated, and thoughtfully designed for everyday wear. It’s comfortable, flattering, and reliable, especially if you want something low-maintenance that still makes your lips look healthy and put-together. The packaging could definitely be better, but the formula itself more than makes up for it. For me, this is an easy staple and a near-perfect daily lip balm.

Score: 9.5/10 💄✨
Website: https://www.clarins.ca/en/my-sweety-balm/80070833.html

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Zero Caffeine Coke Short Review

 

It sounds like a dream… Coca-Cola with zero sugar (empty calories!) and zero caffeine (bye-bye, sleepless nights).

EXCEPT… the taste is very off.

I’ve had Coke Zero (Sugar), and I could live with that. The sugar substitute didn’t make me miss the classic Coca-Cola taste too much. But without caffeine? YIKES. It tastes very different — bland, watered down, and honestly kind of sad. OMG. And on top of all that… the fizz isn’t even as fizzy as your usual Coca-Cola. It’s not even comparable to Coke Zero’s fizz!

Who knew caffeine played such a huge role in Coca-Cola’s signature taste?

I’m sure there’s a niche crowd out there who enjoys less fizz, zero sugar, and zero caffeine — especially for people with insomnia, caffeine sensitivities, allergies, or who avoid caffeine for religious or health reasons. If that’s you, this might actually be perfect.

But for me? Definitely not. It loses what makes Coca-Cola… Coke.

I’m glad I tried it — now I know I don’t like it 😛
That said, if you’ve ever complained that regular Coke or Coke Zero is too fizzy, prefer zero sugar, and hate caffeine… this is absolutely the Coke for you! 🙂

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Score: 6.5/10 (for me)
Website: https://www.coca-cola.com/us/en/brands/coca-cola/products/zero#accordion-224c4dac45-item-f6ef055335

McDonald's Frank's RedHot Hot Honey Sauce short review

McDonald's Frank's RedHot Hot Honey Sauce

McDonald's has been hard-selling this new sauce — Frank’s RedHot Hot Honey Sauce. It’s everywhere: breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and even offered as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets.

It’s exactly what it sounds like — a hot honey sauce. It adds sweetness to hot sauce or adds spiciness to honey (both work 😛). I actually ordered it without realizing it was a hot sauce at all. I just saw it splashed all over the promotional banners and the McDonald’s app… so of course I had to try it.

It was good — but not as good as I thought it would be. I still prefer my usual favourite, the Spicy Habanero Sauce, especially for chicken nuggets.

That said, since I’m reviewing McDonald’s new Frank’s RedHot Hot Honey Sauce, here are my thoughts:

• I really like the balance between the RedHot heat and the honey sweetness

• It has a cayenne pepper base, which gives it that distinctively spicy, slightly sweet flavour with earthy undertones — spicy, but not aggressive

• It works well as a sweet-and-spicy sauce without overwhelming your taste buds or burning your mouth

• The sweetness makes it addictive, while the spice adds a gentle kick

• McDonald’s was right to put it on everything — it works well with nuggets and even surprisingly well with fries

One of the biggest strengths of this sauce is how versatile it is. Its flavour profile isn’t tied to any specific cuisine or regional taste, which means it can be added to pretty much anything without clashing. Sweet, spicy, familiar, and easy to like.

Conclusion:
While it didn’t dethrone my personal favourite nugget sauce, I can absolutely see why McDonald’s is pushing this so hard. Frank’s RedHot Hot Honey Sauce is balanced, approachable, and crowd-pleasing — sweet enough to draw you in, spicy enough to keep things interesting. It may not be my go-to, but it’s a solid, well-thought-out addition that works across the menu. Definitely worth trying at least once.

Score: 8.5/10
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/newsroom/article/We-Put-It-On-Everything--McDonald-s-Canada-Turns-Up-the-Heat-with-Frank-s-RedHot--.html