Feedback thread for Appletiser Product Test

[AnnMumsnet]

Many thanks for taking part in the Appletiser product test - please find below the questions that Appletiser would like you to answer. Please add your feedback once you've been able to try the drinks.

There are a number of questions as Appletiser are so keen to know what you think - please feel free to use these either as a prompt - telling us your overall views using these as a guide, or to answer each question individually.

If you have any other comments please add them below - they genuinely would like to know how they could improve on both the product and how it is promoted to both women such as yourself and to families.

Everyone who adds feedback to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky winner will win a £250 voucher for the store of their choice.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

[GlastonburyGoddess]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

In the supermarket near me it is situated along on the same shelf as squash, I tend to head directly for the squash drinks my children like and not take any notice of other drinks in that section.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

The best flavour by miles was the mandarin/mango and apple, it was lovely!

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

The apple was ok, the rasberry one was a little better but the pear one was horrid, I felt like it burned the back of my thoat as I drank it. The cost at my local supermarket is currently £2.40 per bottle, which I consider is a little steep for the plain apple/pear ones but I would pay that much a bottle for the more exotic mandarin/mango one.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Family gathering where people are driving/dont drink and want something a little drifferent than fizzy drinks.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

BBQs, salads, fish dishes

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

Partner tried mango one and agreed was very nice.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

Usually buy the morrisons the best sparkling drinks, because they have a wide range of flavours and are cheaper.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

perhaps try and get the drink situated in a different location in stores?
taste testing samples in stores as people shop, along with a money off coupon to encourage them to purchase the product on that day.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Advertising within bounty packs/baby magasines

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

I would recommend the range, although not the pear one personally!

[moonstorm]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

The cost - I have just bought the discount brand 100% juice instead.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

The fact that it's 100% juice, nothing else added, yet feels like much more of a 'treat' to drink. I liked the sweetness in the drinks, they could have been sweeter for me! I liked the overall look of the bottles.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

The cost put me off for the amount you get and compared to just normal fruit juice. Our joint least favourite flavour was the pomegranate one. Slightly too bitter. I am not too keen on the glass bottle, although it is recyclable, so maybe should see this as a positive...

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

As a treat. At a children's party/ served to non-alcohol drinking relatives. Definitely would drink it ice cold in a wine glass on a hot summer's day...

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

We drank it all alone, but could see it accompanying a meal - a savoury meal, not a dessert or pudding. Would go nicely with a salad

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

Husband tried it, son had some sips. They were both impressed. Husband would happily drink it instead of usual fizzy drinks if the cost was more comparable.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I much preferred Appletiser to the drinks I normally buy ('discount brand ' from Tesco- it tasted much less bitter, but the cost is still an issue for us and we might still be tempted to stay with the cheaper brand.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

More flavours would be great!! I like the design as it is. Could it be more readiy availble/ advertised in pubs as a refreshing alternative to alcohol or sugary pops?

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Promote the health aspects, but also advertise the fact that it still feels like a 'naughty' drink. I doesn't feel/ taste like a typical health drink, yet is is healthy. It helped quench my thirst yesterday when water just wasn't doing it for me!

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Yes I would definitely.

[mumoffourgirls]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

Havent had appletiser for quite a while as there are 6 people in the house and would be expensive to buy enough for everyone.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

They all taste delicious we dont have a favourite.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

Without the vouchers I dont think we could afford to buy it regularly as it can be a bit expensive.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

If i could afford it I would definately have it at christmas time for the children as this is when we would tend to buy schloer because it is usually on offer at this time of the year.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

We had ours with a barbeque and it was perfect

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

My family all tried a little bit of each and we loved them all, just wish the bottle was a bit bigger so we could have got a glass of each flavour each

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I definately prefer Appletiser To schloer as it seems much more refreshing.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

I would like to see bigger bottles, and maybe some more promotions for Appletiser and its other flavours.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

If I was in charge of selling I would promote the fact that Appletiser contributes to one of your 5 a day as I was not aware of this and im sure other people arent aware of it either.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

I will definately be recommending Appletiser to anyone who listens I really enjoyed getting to taste all the flavours they were all delicious. Thankyou Appletiser and mumsnet

[mavies]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

Never tried before - I hadn't realised the were pure fruit, thought they had added sugar.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?
The range is very well presented... bottles and labelling are appealing. And I loved loved LOVED the Pomegranate and Raspberry flavour.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?
I wasn't keen on the Mango variety, but thats because I can't stand mango - but my family loved it so I got the pomeg&rasp all to myself...! I wasn't sure about the pear flavour either, it took some getting used to. I have no idea what the price range is, so can't comment on that, but wouldn't want to spend more than a couple of quid maximum on a large bottle? Having glass bottles is a bit of a pain because they don't kerbside recycle glass here, but it wouldn't stop me buying this product.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?
Anytime - nice drink in the evening?

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?
I have no idea - I wouldn't particularly have a drink like this to 'accompany' a specific mea. It would be more for glugging, not for sipping sedately!

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?
Partner tried, as did his little boy. Both enjoyed. Particularly the pear and mango. Just goes to show that its horses for courses.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?
I like the Bottlegreen cordials, as you can make them 'long' with fizzy water. I might be inclined to do that with this range too.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?
I hadn't appreciated that it was 100% juice, so clearly marketing has failed there; maybe they need to up the 'natural' ante? Consider recyleable plastic over glass bottles, if that would reduce the price.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?
As I said, up the ante on the natural element/no added sugar. Plus, when really chilled, an alternative to a glass of vino.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?
Definitely!

[VJay]

Q1,I drank it when I was younger,but if I have a fizzy drink now it tends to be just lemonade.

Q2,The mandarin, apple and mango flavour was my favourite, closely followed by the pear. If I needed a non alcohol substitue I would consider one of those.

Q3,I wasn't keen on the pomegranate and raspberry flavour, I found it too sweet.

Q4, If I couldn't drink alcohol when out for the evening, or have it as a non alcohol choice at a party.

Q5, barbeques, pizza, salads, party foods...

Q6, the madarin, apple and mango one came out tops, with the pomegranate and raspberry last.

Q7, I suppose I would compare it to shloer (sp?), and I prefer the appletiser range.

Q8, The fruitiser bottles were a bit plain, they need jazzing up a bit. Cans would be good, or plastic to take on picnics. Market it alondside the non alcoholic alternatives too. Also a non fizzy version, might appeal to younger children more.

Q9, Market it as above, a non alcoholic alternative. Vouchers in bounty packs.

Q10, Yes

[elliemental]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

• it just hasn't really been on my radar. I have bought it for the children if we are out for a meal, as a treat rather than coke or lemonade.
  
  Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?
  

• My favourite flavour was pomegranite and raspberry, but i also really like the apple and the pear. The bottles are a nice shape and i like the fact there are no hidden nasties ingredient-wise. i often serve apple juice with sparlking water as a treat, but the Appletiser range is nice for adults too.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

• I found the mango and manderin didn't really taste of anything much. I love mango normally. Having said that the children liked it which surprised me as they usually prefer a stronger taste.

The price per size of bottle does put me off though. One small drink per family member doesn't really justify the price. While the glass bottles look grown up, I think a plastic option in addition would be good for picnics. I'd like to see a 1.5 or 2 litre option available.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?
Sunday dinner en famille, sat night family movie night, BBQs and for nights when I didn't want to drink alcohol. Would like a pint of it in a pub actually on a non-drinking day! I always feel like a 12-year-old asking for lemonade...and J20 is much too sweet for me.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with? Anything

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?
my husband and two children were also very happy with the drinks. my children are 12 and 9 and always want fizzy drinks which I usually limit to once a week (like Sunday dinner ) so this is a good alternative. My mum had some and is considering buying some now.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?
Compares very well. We like shloer, especially the elderflower ones. I think elderflower and apple would be divine, by the way. You should look into it! (copyright elliemental!)

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?
It is not very well promoted in supermarkets etc. Bigger bottle size choice should be available.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?
push the no-added ingredients bit.
Promote it as a grown up drink for those times when you don't want to drink.
(or conversely, stress how gorgeous it is as a mixer - vodka and appletiser is ver' nice...)

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?
- yes.

[elliemental]

meant to add - I don't actually like fizzy frinks very much - too sweet or revolting artificial sweeteners, but I genuinely enjoyed this.
And my elder son hasn't drunk apple juice since he was a toddler but really liked the apple one!

[glasgowlass]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

Havent had Appletiser for a number of years, mainly because of the price but also I wasnt aware it was pure fruit juice, I assumed there was added sugar.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

The bottle is lovely and I love the fact its glass, makes it seem a more "adult" drink than a fizzy fruit juice. The taste was superb, very refreshing and crisp but not too dry and certainly quenched my thirst. I especially enjoyed the Friutiser flavours.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

The only thing that would put me off really is the price...its expensive for such a small bottle and would love to see a larger "family" sized bottle on sale. On the whole we all really enjoyed the samples.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

With dinner instead of wine, at family functions again instead of wine/fruit juice. At BBQ's and as a drink on a hot day.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with? Anything

The Apple flavour with white meat, fish etc instead of wine.
The pear with a green salad.
The Friutiser would be great with pizza, pasta and salad.
All would be very suitable for BBQ's.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

My partner and son both had some of each and really enjoyed them all. My niece liked all except the pear. I really liked them all but especially the Pomegranite & Raspberry. Already have been asked to pick some up on next shopping trip!

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I think it compares very favourably to others like Schloer for example as its pure fruit, one of five a day and not too fizzy as the others can be and can make you feel bloated. Would definately be my first choice for drinks such as these.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

The product looks great and is packaged well though i would like to have the offer of larger bottle sizes. More emphasis on the alternative flavours to Apple as the name is misleading(makes it difficult to assume other flavours other than apple available). Have tasting sessions in supermarkets along with money off vouchers, more Tv and magazine coverage. perhaps even sponser a sporting event?
The pure fruit juice aspect need to be bigged up a little as I was unaware of this!

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Advertise as a healthy alternative to wine, fizzy drinks etc. Really put emphasis on antural ingredients with no others added.
Perhaps include small taster sample in bounty packs? Money off coupons in bounty packs and baby magazines(along the lines of tesco baby club etc)
Have stalls with tasting and coupons at baby events to raise awareness.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Already have and would do so again with no hesitation.

As a family we all really enjoyed this product(and all adore the box) and will have this as a mainstay in our fridge now.

[Kahuna]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

I used to have it as a child but as an adult I don't tend to drink a lot of fizzy soft drinks. I never bought it for my own child due to the price and not being aware that it did not contain any chemical additives until now. Also, didn?t know about it counting as a ?five a day?.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

My favourite flavour was the Peartiser followed by the Appletiser. DS liked the Mango, Mandarin and Apple flavour best. The bottle is nice if drinking as an alcohol substitute, but not too good for little hands to manage (too heavy and slippery)

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

The Pomegranate and Raspberry flavour was least liked by DS and me. Not as refreshing as the other flavours.
Cost ? not enough drink to £ ratio for my purse.
Would be good if there was a 2L platstic bottle version for a similar price.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Perhaps for DS and other non-alcohol drinking guests for Sunday/Christmas lunch.
If available in a smaller ?carry along? type bottle/pouch, they would be ideal for day trips and/or picnics.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

I can?t think of any foods they wouldn?t be good with TBH.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

My son, who is 7, drank most of every flavour ? he loved them.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

Depends on how you are targeting the brand:
If being marketed as a sophisticated adult alternative to wine, then it compares favourably to Shlöer on taste, but not on price.

If the pitch is a healthy alternative fizzy drink for children, then the packaging needs to be changed ? heavy glass bottles and small hands are not a good combination.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

See earlier comments re price, bottle type and size.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

More emphasis on the fact that it is just carbonated fruit juice, free from preservatives with no added sugar and one of your 5-a-day would be good.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find any soft drink that does not contain either a tonne of sugar or chemical sweeteners and I for one am happy to find another product to add to the minuscule list of natural drinks.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Yes I would. I really enjoyed my trip down memory lane.. (the first time I have had Appletise in about 25 years) and loved the new flavours too.

The sample packaging was a delight to receive ? though I do seem to be missing the promised money off vouchers.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Is there a date that feedback needs to be in by Ann? The sugar levels are so high that I just can't try mine during the pregnancy (have gestational diabetes) - I have 10 days to go until due (although likely to be late).

[MamaG]

.

[PfftTheMagicDragon]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

I have drunk it before, but not for a while. The children have never had it before. I tend not to drink it any more because it's relatively expensive compared to other soft drinks. I do like the standard Appletiser, but the fizzy nature of the drink means that I put it in the same category as cola etc when in a restaurant/supermarket and it is much more expensive.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

My favourite flavour was the standard apple. The small boy (4) liked the Raspberry one the best. The bottle doesn't look like you are going for the mainstream market, looks more specialised to me. The bottle seems heavy, so seems rather resource wasteful to me - it IS nice that it is glass rather than plastic, but it seems like a lot of glass for a relatively small bottle.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

I disliked both of the Fruitisers. I thought that they smelled very sweet (which makes me think that they contain sugar and additives which I know they don't) and they didn't really taste like what they were supposed to (they tasted like apple which was in fact the main ingredient of both.)

It annoyed me that the Raspberry and Pomegranate one was 90% apple and yet this was not stated as a flavour. The Raspberry and Pom content was so small. I thought that both of the Fruitisers tasted syrupy.

The pear one was nice - it smelled very pear like.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

I would drink them as a soft drink, when I might otherwise have a carbonated drink, or some juice.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

I do not see these drinks as a wine alternative. I don't see any of them as being particularly complementary in terms of food - they are strong flavours and the Fruitininis are very sweet tasting - not something you would want with food.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

The boy liked all of them. He expressed a preference for the Raspberry and Pomegranate flavour. My husband liked the apple flavour the best.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I always compare it to Schloer - simply because the packaging is similar, the price is similar and I think that they are both trying to be more than a casual soft drink. Though Schloer is vile. I tend not to drink fizzy drinks. I think that Appletiser is expensive compared to other soft drinks, but this is complicated by the fact that it isn't another soft drink - the fruit content knocks the price up, but then it's expensive even for fruit juice.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

I would be interested in seeing some sort of cordial product - something to be watered down with soda or fizzy water. We drink fruit cordials and like something not as syrupy as Appletiser - it felt like it should be watered down. Alternatively, non carbonated drinks would be good - I would be happy for DS to drink Appletiser in theory - but to him it's still a fizzy drink and he can't see the difference between it and Fanta.

I would like to see an Elderflower flavour.

I was quite repulsed by the marketing that came with the bottles - the "MUMS" aimed stuff centered around feeding your children good stuff I think has been done to death and rather patronising - not all parents here are mums and mums are not the only ones feeding their children.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

I would sell the fact that it is just fruit. I mean, I have always known that Appletiser is just apples and bubbles, but looking at Fruitiser on a shelf, I would still assume that it was sugary - it looks like it. I was not aware of the 5 a day thing.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Possibly.

[pop1973]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

I hadn't tried (original apple) Appletiser for a long time, the reasons are when it comes to shopping the price a bottle of Appletiser is costly to a weekly shop. I don't normally encourage the young children to drink fizzy drinks and purchase shops own label squash for price.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

We all liked the idea of the glass bottle, especially as we recycle glass. The best flavour was Fruitiser Pomegranate & Raspberry.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

The glass bottle was good with the Appletiser range. However, the labelling of the Fruitiser range looked a bit inferior, and looked although the labels were a bit lopsided. The label print of the Fruitiser range looked cheap and nasty. It did not look posh. The worst tasting flavour was Pear Appletiser.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Never, as we would normally purchase an alternative product for social events that looked more like a bottle of wine and looked better in appearance.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

We drank our samples after our dinner, they seem more summery drinks so probably good to have with a summer salad or outside for a barbecue.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

My husband - he thought the drinks were very sweet and didn't like the % of fruit etc. in the drinks - thought that the Pom and Raspberry drink should contain more Pom. He felt the % of fruits suggested in the title should be higher.

My little boy - he enjoyed the Mango and Mandarin - said it tasted very orangey.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

Don't normally purchase this range or look at this range. I usually look at BottleGreen/Schloer as it is often on offer.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

As before with the labelling, if you are going to spend that amount on Appletiser then please ensure that the labelling of a bottle looks nice. Perhaps advertise more often - I can't remember the last time I saw an advert on television for this product.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Offers on the product, especially in this current market. Mums and mums to be look at cost - it is a non-alcholic range but can often be a pricey range. If it was cheaper to purchase then more people would buy.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?
No

[Cammelia]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

A: I have always thought of it as a drink for children and also was unsure what the ingredients were.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

A: The bottle was nice; the ingredients surprised me in that there was no unnatural additives; my favourite flavour was the appletiser.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

A: The taste is generally too sweet for my liking, I prefer a "dry" taste, and the flavour I didn't like was the mango,mandarin,apple one - too many strong flavours fighting each other; the cost is more expensive than other similar products.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

A:When looking for an alcohol-free drink at an event possibly.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

A: Apple and Pear with summer salads; the other 2 flavours probably as drink on their own as too strong to go with food.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

A: My husband agreed that the mango,mandarin, apple one was too sweet but quite liked the others. My daughter preferred the apple and pear ones.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

A: Appletiser tastes sweeter than other similar products. My daughter prefers elderflower drinks eg. Duchy.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

A: Price could be more competitive. Packaging is attractive.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

A: I would emphasise the lack of added ingredients; no extra sugar added; the fruit base.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?
A: Yes

[meep]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?
A: THought it would be full of sugar/too many calories

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?
A: bottle hasn't changed much - likethe new flavour bottles. All tasted good - not too sweet so a good alternative if you're not drinking. Was also surprised by how healthy the ingredients were.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?
A: not so keen on teh pear one - but didn't dislike it

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?
A: instead of wine at a bbq/dinner/lunch

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?
A: most foods as they weren't too sweet

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?
A: 3yo thought they were all "yummy bizzy juice"

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?
A: have always tended to go for sparkling fruit water - but full of sweetenrs which I'm now trying to avoid and don't like giving to my daughters

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?
A: big up the lack of sugar and additives/sweetners

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?
A: see answer 8

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?
A: have already bought a bottle to take round to a friends for lunch today!

[dizietsma]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

Recently tried it.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

Pomegranate and raspberry was out favourite flavour.

Ingredients are natural, so that was the best.

Tasted like pomegranates and raspberries, like actual fruit not flavourings.

Not bothered about the bottle, makes it look like there's more than there is which is annoying.

Slightly pricey normally.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

Peartiser was our least favourite. DH thought it was bitter, and not very pearlike. I thought the flavour was a bit off.

Bottles aren't big enough, Schloer bottles are more the right size.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Friends round, when out at restuarant.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

Summery salady stuff.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

A friend, and DH tried it. My friend was very fond of the Mandarin + Mango, but DH and I definitely preferred the Pomegranate and raspberry.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I do prefer Appletiser, but it's too expensive to buy regularly

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

Bigger bottles, cheaper!

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Highlight that it's carbonated pure fruit juice, I actually didn't know that before this test.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Yes, definitely the pomegranate and raspberry.

[AnnMumsnet]

CantSleepWontSleep - as yet no deadline - suspect we'll do the prize draw in a couple of weeks though so you may be ok!

[MrsTittleMouse]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

I had it as a child, but hadn't really thought about it as an adult drink.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

We have only tried the pear so far - which was lovely. The bottle and design are good - more upmarket than a lot of other drinks. The best things are the lower level of carbonation (I hate massive amounts of fizz) and the fact that they are 100% fruit juice with no added sugar.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

I wouldn't have it all the time, as I limit fruit juice for dental reasons. It's also more expensive than regular juice - but that's understandable as it's carbonated and in a glass bottle - so more processing and delivery costs.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Designated driver, pregnant, breastfeeding, special treat with meals for children.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

Sandwiches, picnics, party teas.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

My Mum loved it, and thought it was very refreshing. Elder daughter (3) had to be persuaded to eat her dinner and not drink peartiser for all the mealtime! Younger daughter (1) wasn't keen.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I usually drink J2O at pubs, because I know that they'll have it and it tastes nice. It does have sugar in it, though, and isn't 100% juice.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

I could barely remember it existed until I tried it for this test! So obviously more marketing needed.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

Whoever said on this thread that it needs to be marketed as alcohol-free cider substitute is a genius and you should employ her. It needs to be in more pubs and family-friendly restaurants. If you could do a deal with someone like Pizza Express you could really up your profile with families.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Yes.

All the answers above that relate to taste are about Peartiser only, I'll put in notes about the other flavours as we try them.

[Bobbalina]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons? I thought of it as a "pub" drink for adults and assumed it had a lot of additives in it. I had no idea it came in an exciting flavour range.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour? The smell and taste is the most important thing. I liked Mango the best. The drinks all smell exciting before you drink them.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on? I found Peartiser a bit sharp.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range? As an everyday drink and to offer to friends

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with? Puddings/ desserts

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think? Dd and dp both liked the Peartiser best and we will buy again

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why? I buy a lot of bottle green / Ame and similar products especially since giving up alcohol!! Its a bit of a treat. As long as the bottle costs less than a bottle of wine I am happy to pay for a good product.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing? I would have bought this product before had it been marketed to me as either a healthy drink for kids or an exciting non-alcoholic drink for adults.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser? I would do supermarket tastings, vouchers for money off trials for mums and donate a crate of appletise to all school fairs and playgroup fundraisers, to be raffled off.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends? Yes

[Bobbalina]

If you want to market at kids then the froot shoot style plastic unspillable bottle would be a selling point.

There really are 2 different potential markets - kids and adults - and it will be hard to market to both of them imo.

[Lotkinsgonecurly]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

Don't really think to buy it. Normally drink diet coke / orangina.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?

Really liked the range of flavours and the names. Bottles looked good, quite classy and wine like. The children thought they were wine so were impressed when they could taste them. Like the fact it was fizzy juice, pear was my favourite flavour.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?

Cost seemed ok, think there should be bigger bottles 1L would make sense.
Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?

Would take Appletiser range to a party as a soft drink or as an alternative at lunchtime to water / other fizzy drinks. Likely to be enjoyed by most members of the family young and old.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

Think the drinks would be good for summer meals, outdoor dining, barbeques, picnics and
salads.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

My parents and children also tried the range. Son liked all of them especially the one with the mango in which is his favourite fruit. My Dad thought the pear flavour was quite champagne like .
Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

Don't really buy other drinks in the range. We do drink orangina as it reminds us of french holidays. We often water it down, half and half and have done that with the appletiser too to make it go furthur!

8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing? Think the bottles could be bigger, also didn't realise it was really still running. Maybe could also do a still version as my daughter doesn't like fizzy drinks.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

I would include it in baby magazine advertising, or in NCT catalogues and promote it as a healthy alternative during pregnancy, breast feeding and beyond.

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

I'd definately recommend it to friends and family. I've just purchased a bottle of peartiser for my father for fathers day. Which before this trial session I wouldn't have done. He thought it was great and was really pleased with it as a great alternative to toffees!

[madrush]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?
I had forgotten about it really. I don't drink fizzy drinks often and my older daughter is just getting the taste for them.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour?
I like the fact it's a glass bottle for recycling, we enjoyed each flavour and I am swayed towards the range because it doesn't have added sugar - so rare in a fizzy drink. My favourite was the original flavour, but liked them all.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on?
The fact that it's morphed into appletiser, I liked appletise! Least favourite flavour was pear.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range?
Perhaps as something different at the weekend/Christmas/holidays for the children. For the designated driver on social occasions.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with? They tasted quite fruity and summery so salads spring to mind.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?
My husband and older daughter liked them all but they're too fizzy for my 4 year old's taste.

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?
It's a good alternative soft drink.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?
Make it more obvious in the supermarkets, tends to be hidden away on a low shelf.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?
Tasters and special offers in the supermarkets?

Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?
I don't often go around recommending food and drink products to friends but if it came up then yes.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

1. I used to drink Appletiser regularly at work as it was sold in the canteen (school). It was banned from the canteen and replaced by some vile flavoured water. I just forgot it existed after that.

1. The pear was the best flavour by far. I would probably buy Peartiser. I liked the look of the bottles but one of them had leaked in my box so not really practical for picnics etc.

1. I didn't like the mango flavour at all. As already mentioned one of the bottles had leaked.

1. These drinks are best suited to summer afternoons in the garden, but with different packaging would be nice to drink on the go.

1. I don't think that they really complement food as they are very sweet.

1. In this household only I have tried them.

1. I think that the packaging is similar to Schloer, but these drinks are much sweeter/fruitier and more like the San Pellegrino drinks.

1. I would be more likely to buy this product if it was in individual plastic bottles.

1. Money off vouchers.

10. I would recommend the pear flavour.

[isthatporridgeinyourhair]

Q1 If you haven't tried Appletiser before, or for a long time, what are the reasons?

I like Appletiser but I think it went off my shopping radar for some reason.

Q2 What was the best thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which was your favourite flavour? The fact that it is natural is a strong selling point. Peartiser was Dh's favourite, DS1 and I really liked the mango. Packaging was good - it looked a bit like mineral water packaging which underlined the "natural" credentials of the brand.

Q3 What was the worst thing about the Appletiser range (including the taste, the bottle, ingredients, cost etc)? Which flavour(s) weren?t you so keen on? The colour of the Appletiser one is a bit lurid and looked artificial. The rasperry one was a bit medicinal.

Q4 On what occasions would you typically drink a product from the Appletiser range? Evening out (usually driving),or with family at dinner.

Q5 What foods do you think the different Appletiser flavours would be good with?

I have Appletiser with pork the other day and it was very nice.

Q6 Did anyone else in your family, your children, or any of your friends try it? What did they think?

Yes Dsis remembered why she liked Appletise, DH liked Peartiser best and DS1 (6) liked the "pink" ones best,

Q7 How does the Appletiser range compare to other similar drinks? Is there a brand you prefer? If so why?

I buy elderflower cordial sometimes but the brand doesn't bother me.

Q8 What do you think Appletiser the company do to improve the product, packaging or marketing?

I wasn't aware that it didn't have additives etc. I would buy it because of that.

Q9 If you were in charge of selling Appletiser how would you try to encourage more mums, or mums to be, to buy Appletiser?

See Q8 - it's a drink the whole family can have and it has no additives.
Q10 Lastly, do you think you would recommend the Appletiser range to your friends?

Yes I would.