I drink it straight in about a 1/4 cup water. No problem at all with the taste. To me it tastes good, just as good as protein powder or metamucil powder. You guys should try drinking liquid potassium or volumen some time. There are many far more vile substances that those of us with IBD must consume. VSL#3 DS is a vanilla milkshake compared to lots of stuff.
I firmly believe that it's mental in your head. I took a first date out for sushi a few weeks ago- she never had it before, and it was her idea - and watching her try to get down a piece of tekka maki was really something else, a total comedy show. The stuff is the bomb, raw tuna you know, and very, very high grade, but she looked like she had swallowed a large dose of cyanide. It's 100% mental, in your head, between the ears. Stop fighting it! Just rear back and let it fly down your throat like a shot of Fireball.