The Origin of the Bing Cherry Flavor
Before diving into the full range of flavors, it’s important to understand the inspiration behind the flagship product. The Bing beverage company was founded in 2007 by a husband-and-wife team in Lakewood, Colorado, after discovering a black Bing cherry cider. The founders, inspired by the robust flavor of the black Bing cherry, set out to create a low-calorie, vitamin-enhanced beverage that captured its authentic taste.
The Original: Bing Cherry
The original Bing is made with black cherry juice, a nod to the fruit that inspired the entire brand. Unlike artificial cherry flavors that can be overly sweet or medicinal, the Bing Cherry is known for a more complex and authentic profile. It provides a balance of tartness and sweetness, creating a clean and refreshing finish that is highly palatable. The use of actual fruit juice is a key differentiator that loyal customers often praise.
Expanding the Flavor Profile
Following the success of the original, the Bing Beverage Company expanded its lineup to include several other fruit-forward options. Each new flavor maintains the brand's commitment to real fruit juice and a balanced taste profile.
- Bing Black™: This flavor is a proprietary mix of real blackberry juice with a hint of cherry. It delivers a vibrant, tart burst with each sip, creating a complex and satisfying taste sensation.
- Bing Raz®: Combining powerful raspberry juice cut with cherry juice, Bing Raz achieves a perfect balance between compelling flavor and drinkability. The result is a fun and thirst-quenching beverage that leaves you craving more.
- Bing Crisp®: Made with a blend of apple and cherry juice, this flavor evokes the bold, honest taste of biting into a fresh green apple. It’s a powerful, crisp flavor with a subtle cherry undertone.
- Bing Blu®: Pairing the bright flavor of ripe blueberries with boysenberries, Bing Blu offers a tangy and juicy taste profile. It's a robust and invigorating flavor experience.
- Bing Citrus: As one of the newer additions, Bing Citrus features a tantalizing blend of grapefruit, lime, and cherry juices. This flavor offers a punchy, juicy, and refreshing taste profile.
The Historical UK Soft Drink
For some, the name “Bing” might trigger a different memory entirely. An older soft drink, also called Bing, was once produced by the Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in Kent, UK. This drink was dark orange in color and had a distinctive cherryade quality. Production was limited to Kent, London, and Essex, and the company was liquidated in 2013, making this a separate and largely historical beverage. While the UK soft drink is an interesting piece of beverage history, the modern American energy drink is the product most people are referring to when they ask, "what flavour is bing?"
Comparison of Bing Drinks
| Feature | Bing (Energy Drink - US) | Bing (Soft Drink - UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Flavor | Original Black Cherry, with other fruit varieties available | A cherryade quality, often compared to original Tizer |
| Product Type | Lightly carbonated, low-calorie, vitamin-enhanced juice beverage | Soft drink/soda |
| Caffeine Content | Contains caffeine (e.g., 120mg in Cherry) | Non-caffeinated soda |
| Current Status | Widely available in the US and can be purchased online | Discontinued since 2013, unclear current status |
| Market Focus | Health-conscious consumers looking for a fruity pick-me-up | Niche regional soft drink market (historically) |
Conclusion: The Modern Bing Experience
In summary, the defining flavor for modern Bing is an authentic, balanced, and refreshingly tart black cherry derived from real fruit juice. The brand has successfully expanded its offerings to include other delicious fruit combinations, such as blackberry, raspberry, and citrus. This expansion ensures a broader appeal while remaining true to the fruit-forward, low-calorie ethos of the original. While the Bing name also recalls a discontinued UK soft drink, today's market association with Bing overwhelmingly points to the popular American energy drink. If you're looking for a lightly carbonated, moderately caffeinated, and highly delicious fruit beverage, the original black cherry Bing is the place to start. For more information on the current range, visit the official Bing Beverage website at bingbeverage.com.
