Companies aren't giving consumers enough credit in this regard. For example, I opened my new tub of Raspberry Lemonade Alphamine today and it just adds a hazy off-white touch to the 16 oz of water I have it in here on my desk. I eat with my eyes, and my informed brain that is receiving signals from my eyes is really liking this....I think my ears are even getting in on the action, they love the stark silence of Alphamine suspended in the watery mixture. The touch of the drink when it hits my lips, the feel of the tub, the tiny little scooper. Ahhhhh, feels good man.
Anyway, the last Alphamine I had was fruit punch and it was a light pink color where most companies would have opted for a deep nasty red that leaves you looking like a little kid that just polished off a couple popsicles. I've got meetings to go to and presentations to give, so thanks PES for keeping it real. I think my Watermelon Hemavol is a similar acceptable color. I love both of these products, and there are whole heaps of people echoing that affection right here on this very discussion forum.
These are products for adults, dipping into the Fruit by the Foot color stock isn't a value added experience for the target audience. With a little tweak, Raspberry Lemonade Alphamine could resemble a sauvignon blanc, push a little further and you've got what could appear to be a quality scotch. Honey, which you'll find in a whole spectrum of colors, seems to illicit a natural hunger response. Apple juice, pineapple juice, pink grapefruit juice, white zinfandel, you get the idea. For the toys-r-us kids that don't want to grow up, how about something inspired by White Mystery Airheads? You might be right that stagnant pond water coloring may not have a natural appeal, but we could learn to enjoy it just like we most certainly did with "toxic waste" bright green.