Jones Soda Co. has debuted a limited-release Poutine flavour exclusively for the Canadian market which it is touting as “poutine without the guilt — 0 calories, 0 carbs, all the flavour.”

In the decade since the Seattle-based company issued a Turkey & Gravy soft drink, it’s become known for wacky flavours, such as Gingerbread, Green Bean Casserole, Bacon and Candy Cane.

Those novelty editions represent a minor share of the beverage firm’s revenue and are promotional tools, said Eric Chastain, the company’s vice president of operations.

“These programs we do for fun,” he said. “It doesn’t take a lot of resources and there’s a lot of marketing value in doing them. It certainly reinforces the awareness of the company and it gives us a chance when we have this attention paid to these fun flavours to remind people about the other flavours that we have that you can drink everyday.”

Jones’s top sellers include Green Apple, Cream Soda, Orange & Cream and Root Bear, he said.

The unusual flavours strengthen the bond with consumers.

“Consumers will actually come in off the street and give us their ideas and their feedback. We take all that into consideration anytime we’re coming up with anything new. (Poutine) came from a Canadian partner that we work with and we thought the idea was great.”

The drink, described as “a nice balance of rich, savory gravy over a starchy potato base, and accented with those fatty, cheesy notes you expect in a plate of poutine,” is also a nod to the heritage of the company, which was founded by Canadians in Vancouver in the mid-‘90s prior to relocating to the U.S. in 2000.

With only “several thousand bottles” of the “liquid version of this undisputedly Canadian delicacy” available at select stores in Quebec, Ontario and B.C., poutine soda is going to be hard to find.

But judging by comments and videos posted on the firm’s Facebook page, it requires a committed palate.

“It just smells really salty,” said one woman sniffing an open bottle. Her braver friend tasted the beverage which she pronounced “gross” after being at first speechless, then gagging.

Another video showed a pair of Quebec men running for the bathroom after a sip.