Red Bull says its new Winter Edition Iced Vanilla Berry combines the taste of blueberry, vanilla, and “icy-fresh” notes of eucalyptus. So koalas everywhere must be ecstatic about this flavor. Also, the mini bears could use some Red Bull because every time I’ve been to a zoo with koalas, they’re always sleeping.

There are many similarities between Red Bull’s Iced Vanilla Berry and 2020’s Winter Edition Arctic Berry. Let’s start with the can. Both mainly feature a light blue color, but the older one had a dark blue bull, while this can has a silver one. Inside both are beverages that look like what would happen if Gargamel finally got his hands on some Smurfs and made soup stock.

But the similarities don’t stop with looks. After tasting this new Winter Edition and rereading my Arctic Berry review, I can’t help but think Iced Vanilla Berry might just be a slight tweak of the older one.

First off, this has a wonderful cotton candy aroma, which I also experienced with Arctic Berry, and it made me believe I was about to treat my taste buds to a great-tasting energy drink. However, that smell didn’t translate into the beverage’s flavor. Instead, I got a tart blueberry taste that reminded me of the initial sips I took of Arctic Berry. If you didn’t read the review of the older Winter Edition, it’s supposed to be blue raspberry, which I eventually did taste, but at first, I thought I was drinking a blueberry-flavored beverage.

As for the vanilla, it’s not entirely noticeable. It’s like the vanilla you’d taste with Vanilla Coke, but not as strong, which is disappointing. If it had a more intense flavor, I think this would’ve been better than it was. Also, the berry and vanilla don’t stick around throughout every sip. When they fade, they’re replaced by that sour, medicinal finish that reminds me of regular Red Bull.

Red Bull Winter Edition Iced Vanilla Berry could’ve been a great flavor if it tasted as delicious as it smelled, but it’s a bit mid. It’s slightly better than Arctic Berry but less enjoyable than the most recent Winter Editions. But there’s one thing I can say about this newest version that I can’t say about any previous ones, and that’s if you’re a sleepy koala who’s looking for a sugar-free version of Iced Vanilla Berry, Red Bull has got you covered like a marsupial’s pouch.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 12 fl oz can
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 38 grams of sugar (including 38 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 114 milligrams of caffeine.