Bionade Review

Now that summer is here (in Australia) I find myself looking for that sweet something during the hot afternoon to quench my thirst. The only problem is I am also conscious of sugary drinks. Not just because of the calories but everything else that might be in there too. The biggest problem I find is my children. When they hear a can of soft drink crack open they come running like the wind to see what they are missing out on. I don’t want my children sipping on Lemonade and definitely not Cola so it’s only fair that I don’t drink it. I do not share the same value on chocolate. I admit right here right now, that at night when they are in bed I eat chocolate without them and I LOVE it and I don’t feel guilty. I only hope that one day when they are older and have children of their own that they too can find a little chocolate to sneak at night to keep them sane.

When I opened up my review case of Bionade I was a little apprehensive as the first one I pulled out was called “Herbs”. My taste buds receded to the back of my mouth in fear at just the thought of a “Herbal soda”. After coaxing them back at the promise of a chilled cold drink I took my first sip. It was literally a WOW moment (they are not paying me to say that). I was like wow this is not gross at all 🙂

Lychee and Herbs are actually my favorite and the kids basically love all of them. My mum who can not drink alcohol due to medication also really enjoyed the tastes. They are like cider without the wobbly legs and only around 100 calories.

I could and probably should go into all the details of how it is brewed (like beer) and all the organics and stuff but the main thing any of us care about is how it tastes right? Well we loved it. From $79.95 per carton of 24. (depending on flavors)

100% certified organic in two ways: raw material and production
No added sugar, low in calories. Not sweet, but tangy and fruity.
Brewed like beer, but non-alcoholic. Similiar to German purity law
No colourants! No preservatives! No artificial flavours!
Gluten free. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

I’m completely smitten with the idea of Dubai-style desserts — elegant, a touch exotic, and somehow always Instagram-ready. I haven’t made it to Dubai (yet), but these chocolate-dipped dates bring that luxe, golden glow right into my kitchen. They’re the kind of treat that looks like you spent hours making them, but really, you’re done in under twenty minutes.

They’re sweet, sticky, nutty, and just the right amount of fancy. Perfect for gifting, nibbling with coffee, or impressing that friend who thinks “homemade” means complicated.

Ingredients

12 Medjool dates, pitted
¼ cup pistachios or almonds (to stuff inside)
100g dark chocolate (or milk chocolate if you prefer it sweet)
1 tsp coconut oil (optional, for smoother chocolate)
Crushed pistachios, shredded coconut, or edible gold flakes for decoration

Instructions

Prep the Dates:
Slice each date along one side to remove the pit, keeping the date mostly intact. Fill the cavity with a whole almond or a few chopped pistachios. Gently close the date back up.
Melt the Chocolate:
Place chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
Dip and Decorate:
Dip each stuffed date halfway into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off. Lay them on a parchment-lined tray. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with crushed pistachios, coconut, or a pinch of edible gold flakes for that Dubai sparkle.
Chill and Serve:
Pop the tray into the fridge for about 10–15 minutes, just until the chocolate firms up. Serve on a pretty platter or package them in small gift boxes.

Optional Flavor Twists

Rose Touch: Add a drop of rose water to the melted chocolate for a floral note.
Saffron Luxe: Dust the top with crushed saffron threads before chilling.
Coffee Kick: Dip in mocha-flavored chocolate for a bolder bite.

Why You’ll Love These

They’re everything Dubai desserts stand for — rich, refined, and effortlessly elegant. A little old-world tradition wrapped in modern chocolate bliss. Keep a few in the fridge for when you need something sweet but can’t be bothered to turn on the oven.

Have you read?

Ingredients

Instructions

Optional Flavor Twists

Why You’ll Love These

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