Rockstar Energy Cola

A few days ago I was in my local 7/11 and came across the Rockstar Energy Cola. What really caught my attention was the unique can treatment. The can has a jet black top and a matte black outer surface. This made the drink really stand out next to all the other drinks on the shelf. A similar treatment was on another Rockstar drink that I will review next Friday.

Judging by the word ‘cola’ in the drink name, I think it is safe to assume that drink is going to be somewhat comparable to other drinks, say Coca-cola or Pepsi. Place your bets now: Coke or Pepsi, which will it be like more.

Pop the top and it smells more like citrus than cola. This threw me off a bit. Pouring the drink into my glass shows a liquid that closely resembles cola; same dark brown color. One thing I notice is the lack of carbonation. This drink to taste more like flat cola than anything else. there is an odd discoloration floating on top, it looks like there was an oil spill in my glass.

Did you pick sides yet? Coke or Pepsi. If you guessed Pepsi, you’re right. This energy drink is very sweet and reminds me of Pepsi, only sweeter. The flatness and the sweetness actually makes this drink a little hard to go down. My throat feels like its drying out.

As far as an energy buzz goes, I’m not noticing anything like a rush, though I am awake for a longer period. I would classify this drink as an extender, not a booster. It extends your alertness, but doesn’t do much to give you a sudden rush.

In the end this drink receives an average rating. The taste is nothing spectacular and is not something I enjoy much. The caffeine will keep you going without putting you into a caffeine buzz which is always a bonus.

Caffeine: 160mg per 473ml
Taste: 3 out of 5
Buzz: 3 out of 5
Verdict: Average, you might like it.

p.s. I don’t have anything to say here today.

Monster Assault

Monster Assault and I go way back. In fact, Monster Assault was my original drink of choice. It has since been replaced but we will talk about the replacement some time in the future. This week is all about the assault.

The can art features a sort of ‘digital’ camo look. Originally it was all camouflage but they have done a bit of a redesign to make it look more pixilated… or digital as it has been called.

The drink it’s self is a deep red color. At first the smell seems strong, but rest assured the drink is not as strong as it smells.

The taste is very sweet. I can’t pinpoint what the taste reminds me of but its almost like candy. It’s sweet sweet nectar.

As for the buzz scale, this drink provides quite the kick. It kicks in within a few minutes and you can feel you hands moving quicker. Unfortunately as your hands increase in speed, the number of spelling istakes mistakes also uncreases increases. But that’s not the drink’s problem, that’s the drinkers problem.

I have never notice any significant crash with Monster Assault except this one time when I drank an entire 473ml can in a minute. I was buzzing so much for a good hour and half then BAM I was down for the count. But if you drink it like a normal person everything’s great.

Caffeine: 164mg per 473ml
Taste: 4 out of 5
Buzz: 4 out of 5
Verdict: Buy it, Try it.

p.s. yarg.
p.p.s. I finally added the pictures.

Inked Energy: Druidic

What is a Druidic and why do I even want it in my mouth? I have no idea. This drink also calls it’s self ‘Euro Citrus’… What is Euro Citrus… I’m about to find out.

Pop the can and what do I smell? Nerds. Yes, Nerds candy. This drink smells exactly like those little sugary lumps of candy. I’m pretty excited at this point.

Despite the can being a prominent green color, the drink it’s self is golden. Reminds me of Red Bull.

After taking my first sip, I start to realize what ‘Euro Citrus’ is: Awesome. Just as it smells, Druidic tastes like candy. It’s tough to find a drink that is this easy to drink, mind you this is not a drink for chugging. The carbonation can get a bit tough at times on the throat, but the drink is defiantly refreshing.

As I drink more and more the taste is getting less appealing. I’m starting to notice a bit of a sourness to it, but it’s nothing terrible. I actually enjoy the sourness.

So far, my expectations have already been passed. Now it’s all up to the energy buzz I get. The back of the can states there is 80mg of caffeine in 475ml. This energy drink is on the low side of caffeine content. A small sized Red Bull can has 80mg of caffeine and it is nerarly half the size.

I am starting to think this drink is more for the flavor than the kick. So far any caffeine effects are minimal. I feel like my hands are moving faster but my brain is not. I think it’s safe to say the buzz effect is minimal.

Inked Druidic is a value energy drink. They are sold exclusively at 7-11 stores for around $2.50 for 2 cans. For that price they are not a bad deal at all. There are a few other flavors to try, I’ll get on those in the coming weeks.

Caffeine: 80mg per 473ml
Taste: 4 out of 5
Buzz: 2 out of 5
Verdict: Not a bad taste and it’s really cheap. It’s worth the 2 pack special at 7-11

p.s. I have decided to put up pictures of how the drink looks in a clear glass every week from now on.

Lost: Five-O

This is one of those drinks that makes me scratch my head and wonder who decided this drink would be fit to sell in stores.

My friends have generally had positive experiences with energy drinks with juice. Myself on the other hand tend to stray away from juicy caffeinated beverages as much as possible; I just don’t tend to like them. I decided it was time to do a true review of a juicy beverage, I think I picked the wrong drink.

Upon cracking open the can, I am greeted with a distinct chemical smell. You know, the usual caffeine drink smell. I started to think that maybe this drink will be alright because you learn quickly that the chemical smell usually means a strong caffeine buzz later on.

So next I pour Lost: Five-O into a clear glass and notice the drink is a really murky orange tangerine color. It looks disgusting. I don’t like it when my drinks are orange and murky (except orange juice, that stuffs cool). With my hopes for the drink a little bit hurt I take the first sip.

Disgusting. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it. I think there is, in-fact, juice somewhere in there; but there is also a strong and primitive caffeine taste. It’s like original Monster Energy mixed with a nasty tangerine juice.

At about this point my attention is directed at the bottom of my glass. What the hell is floating at the bottom of my drink? As if I wasn’t already having a hard enough time drinking this chore, I now have to worry about thick particles entering my mouth. Wonderful.

At this time the drink has been drunk and now I await for the caffeine to kick in. I continue to sit with a bad taste in my mouth when I start to feel the minimal effects kick in. This drink is not a booster, its an extender. You don’t feel a big boost, but you do feel awake longer. Sadly this drink also comes with a fairly large crash (which I am experiencing right now). Man, I haven’t had a crash this bad in a long time.

In both aspects, taste and buzz, this drink falls flat. I would not recommend it to anyone.

Caffeine: 160mg per 473ml
Taste: 1 out of 5
Buzz: 2 out of 5
Verdict: Tastes like ass, and has a large crash afterwords. Avoid.

p.s. I feel like a zombie now.

Amp Energy Shot: Jackfruit Citrus

As a follow up to last week, I decided to try out the smaller, shot version of Amp Energy.

I have never been a fan of these shot versions of caffeine drinks. They take away from the enjoyment of drinking an energy drink and compress them into a concentrated, eye-watering experience while still promising the same effects (some even say there is no crash). I have always found it to be all hype and no show. I guess today will put my complaints to the test.

I always pour my energy drinks out of the can or bottle into a clear glass to experience the color and the smells. This drink had something else to offer rather then just sights and smells, the drink was noticeably thicker. That’s right, the liquid was thicker than any other drink I had seen before. you can even see some of the liquid sticking to the side of the glass when you move it around. Creepy.

Since this drink is advertised as a shot, I suppose I’ll take it like a shot. Ready?
3…
2…
1…

I’m not sure what to say. It has a really nasty taste, but then it’s followed by apples. Unfortunately just as quick as the apples arrive, the nasty chemical taste returns.

I can honestly say I did not enjoy that drink, but it was over quick enough. Now it’s time to see if it delivered on alertness.

I don’t feel anything different. My arms feel a bit wobbly, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the drink.

Update: 9:30am. I am still awake. Seems like this drink doesnt give you a boos as much as it just keeps you awake. Not bad if you need extra endurance.

Caffeine: 80mg per 59ml
Taste: 1 out of 5
Buzz: 3 out of 5
Verdict: Tastes like ass, but keeps you going. Might be good if you’re looking for a steady upkeep.

p.s. I’m hungry.

Amp Energy

I have always had a thing for Mountain Dew, so what I have with me today is the Amp energy drink.

Pop open the can and you are greeted with a wonderful and crisp citrus smell that can only be described as ‘Dew’. The color of the drink is even similar to the regular Dew, except it’s a bit more vibrant.

The drink is sweet and smooth, very easy to down. Much more carbonated than the regular soft drink but its refreshing, nothing harsh.

I am starting to feel a bit of a kick from the caffeine but I don’t have the jitters; which is a good thing. It seems like this drink elevates your awareness just enough to keep you going, but not enough to overload your system.

Overall this is a solid drink, very refreshing and something I would recommend to new caffeine drinkers and veterans alike.

Caffeine: 142mg per 473ml
Taste: 5 out of 5
Buzz: 3 out of 5
Verdict: Great taste, solid boost. Buy it.

p.s. It’s 3:33am and I don’t think I’m sleeping anytime soon.

Nuclear: Red Alert

As a continuance of last week I have with me Nuclear: Red Alert energy drink.

When I cracked open the can I was met with a familiar smell. It smelled like un-chilled raspberry Jello. That’s right. Jello mix.

The drink’s color is a light red (or dark pink if you want to look at it that way).

It tastes just as it smells. Un-chilled Jello mix.

Have you ever had un-chilled Jello? It’s pretty nasty.

The drink is bitter with a very faint taste of fruit punch. I actually think thats what they were trying to achieve, but failed along the way. The drink is too fizzy (just like last week) and burns the throat if you drink too much at once.

And just like last week, caffeine information is nowhere to be found.

The buzz factor is the exact same as last week. Nothing too noticeable. Nothing to write home about.

Caffeine: Unknown
Taste: 2 out of 5
Buzz: 2 out of 5
Verdict: Don’t buy

P.S. If I die in the next few days, blame this drink. I have no idea whats in it.

Nuclear: Green Machine

Welcome to week three of Caffeine Wises’ ongoing energy drink reviews.

This week I have more of an unknown, convenience store brand called “Nuclear”. Nuclear has a few different flavors to choose from. Today I will be enjoying the Green Machine.

Upon cracking open the can I am greeted with a very, very citrusy smell. Reminds me of Red Bull, just much stronger.

So far the Green Machine is off to an ok start.

The drink it’s self is a strong, but bright, lime green color (unlike Red Bull). Taking the first sip proved that this drink is very heavily carbonated. The fizz is almost too much to handle.

A few more sips and it’s decided: this drink is not chug-able. The fizz is just too much. It burns the throat on it’s way down if you drink it too fast. Make sure you have enough time to drink this can because it’s going to take a while.

This drink is also very sweet. I would say too sweet for some.

And for the caffeine in this drink? Well… I’m not entirely sure because the can has no information about caffeine content; but I can tell you that caffeine effects are minimal. I guess the label on the can that states “Extreme Caffeine” is a bit of an overstatement.

Caffeine: Unknown
Taste: 3 out of 5
Buzz: 2 out of 5
Verdict: Don’t buy

Monster Energy (Original Green)

For a second benchmark I decided the original green Monster Energy was just the drink for the job. It has all the attributes of a fine energy drink but adds its own little quirks. Additionally it also has a large lineup of different flavors which I would love to review some time.

Cracking open the can offers a smell that reminds me of last weeks drink. There is a strong, sweet and slightly citrus smell wafting up from the opening in the can. Pouring the Monster Energy drink into a glass shows that this beverage is a light golden color and has some nice carbonation going on.

As for the taste, it seems like the generic harsh energy drink taste. It is a bit stronger than last weeks taste, but nothing too terrible. I think this is a taste that people need to become acustomed to, but because I have had so many of them in the past I think it’s great.

The energy buzz I get about a half an hour later make me feel slightly more energetic. I have having no problem focusing on the work at hand. Turns out when I have a good caffeine buzz I really get into whatever music I am listening to.

Overall the Monster Energy in the green can is a solid drink. If you are looking for the origins of energy drinks then give this one a try. It is the true OG.

Caffeine: 164mg per 473ml
Taste: 3 out of 5
Buzz: 4 out of 5
Verdict: Give it a try

p.s. Don’t go in there.

Red Bull

For my first review I decided to do something that would set the standards. Something that everyone knows exactly what you are talking about when you mention it’s name. Red Bull.

Red Bull is known world wide and has even found it’s self in feature length movies like Yes Man (Jim Carrey drinks a bit much of the bull during a night of raving).

All of the brand publicity aside, the drink is actually a solid energy drink. Many people tell me they don’t like energy drinks because of that harsh acidic taste that this genre of drink has been known for. Red Bull is no exception. This drink does spot the usual energy taste, but it is presented in such a way that it is enjoyable. If need be, it can be chugged.

Red Bull sports a light, golden color and is moderately carbonated.The taste is refreshing and provides a significant boost to energy. Unfortunately Red Bull is a culprit in the infamous caffeine crash that some people experience. I have only noticed this effect when I’m exhausted or when I have had more than the recommended daily dose. Maybe I should listen to what the back of the can has to say.

Caffeine: 80mg per 250ml
Taste: 4 out of 5
Buzz: 4 out of 5
Verdict: Buy

p.s. Happy New Year.