It makes me feel old knowing that the original Mtn Dew Code Red is over 20 years old. It’s been on shelves for so long that I can type the following: The new Mtn Dew Energy Code Red is not your father’s Mtn Dew Code Red.
I feel like it was just yesterday when my mind was blown seeing another Dew flavor next to the original. At the time, the way the original green Mountain Dew and Code Red looked on the shelf together made it seem like Mtn Dew was celebrating Christmas.
Mtn Dew Energy Code Red is the latest flavor in the Energy Drink Formerly Known As Mtn Dew Rise Line. It’s also the flavor with the damn best looking can of the bunch. It features 180 milligrams of caffeine, vitamin C and zinc for immune support, has five percent juice, and zero grams of added sugar like all the Mtn Dew Energy flavors in less eye-catching cans.
With the first sip, it’s recognizable as the Dew with a rush of cherry flavor. But if you’re hoping for a taste that’s a carbon copy of the original Mtn Dew Code Red, thanks to the artificial sweeteners, you won’t get that. I guess it’s more like the Zero Sugar version. Although this isn’t completely sugar free. There’s a little bit from the five percent of white grape juice in it, which does a little to hide the sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. As someone who is used to energy drinks with artificial sweeteners from Monster, some of which are hard to tell if they’re sugar free, I don’t mind that this doesn’t have the same sugary bite as the original.
Despite being one of my favorite Dew flavors, it’s been a while since I’ve had a Mtn Dew Code Red, so it was nice to revisit it in this energy drink form. Although its flavor is not unique in the Mtn Dew Universe, this might be my favorite in the Mtn Dew Energy line, slightly edging out Tropical Sunrise.
Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 170 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar (including 0 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.
Huh, I was about to say I can’t believe they came out with this before Code Red Zero and just saw apparently Code Red Zero exists. Weird, I’ve seen Zero variants for all of the new flavors but I’ve never once seen Code Red Zero at any of the grocery stores or Wal-mart around here.
The original Code Red Zero has always been around and was an old favourite of mine. (IMHO the best Mtn Dew variant.) Don’t know if there is a zero version of this energy version? Also…why does Mtn Dew make specific “energy” drinks? It’s always baffled me since all along they were known as the highest caffeine pop out there anyways. Oh yeah…today’s popular culture. To each their own though if you jive with these!
Not true. Code red zero came out recently, either this year or last then distribution stopped. Diet code red has “always” been available in select markets
holding hands with you on this one brother!! finally found it and yeah — this one and tropical are the two standouts!!
Thanks so much for this review! I was going to snag a can to try out today, as I love me some Code Red, but now knowing it has aspartame in it you saved me a day of being extremely ill from what that sweetener does to my digestive system.