Tag: Energy Drink

REVIEW: Ghost Cherry Limeade Energy Drink

Sean 2 Comments

What is it?

As GHOST Energy continues to rise, starting to pop up in huge chains like Walmart, the brand has set its sights on making Shirley Temple smile, with a bubbly twist on Cherry Limeade — chockfull of 200 milligrams of natural caffeine and focus ingredients.

How is it?

It’s good. It’s quite good, and it’ll grow on ya! It took me multiple cans to figure out how I felt about this one (I know, I’m an addict). The flavoring here isn’t quite as strong and punchy as I’ve come to expect from GHOST Energy. I’m used to being walloped over the head with flavor, and while this is still pretty strong, it isn’t as intense, especially when compared with the WarHeads and Sour Patch Kids candy collabs.

The flavor is nearly a 50/50 split of cherry and lime, with a touch more lime than I expected. That sharp citrusy lime keeps the drink from getting too sweet, and while I wouldn’t have opposed a bolder sugary cherry flavor, the balance also helps prevent it from tasting medicinal. It’s a super smooth sip that goes down easily, thanks to some tight and not too aggressive effervescence. As a big time supporter of Shirley Temples and Cherry 7Up (and Dirty Shirleys when I’m feeling wild), this one ends up really hitting the spot.

Anything else you need to know?

The first time GHOST made a cherry limeade flavor, it was a collaboration with Sonic for its powdered Legend pre-workout line. It’s still available and co-branded with Sonic, but that endorsement doesn’t come with the Ready-To-Drink canned version for whatever reason. I’ve had the pre-workout in the past, and the flavor is denser and more intense. But carbonation typically changes the experience, and I’m not certain whether this is the same or an entirely new formula for the profile.

Conclusion:

This drink is only held back by how unbelievably elite a lot of the other releases from GHOST Energy have been. In the grand scheme of energy drinks, this is probably a 9 out of 10 and the best cherry limeade on the market — certainly better than Reign and Alani Nu. But when graded and curved against the other straight slam dunks from GHOST, it might be closer to a 7, which lands me very comfortably at a median of 8, and a damn fine one at that.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 oz can
Purchased at: GNC
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 10 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates,0 gram of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Red Bull Blue Edition Ocean Blast Energy Drink (Japan)

Marvo 4 Comments

Red Bull Blue Edition Ocean Blast Energy Drink Can

Blue Edition?

I know Red Bull is supposed to give you wings, but I think Red Bull Japan was a different kind of high when it named this energy drink. You see, this Red Bull Ocean Blast is lychee flavored, and nothing about the fruit brings blue to mind.

If you’re unfamiliar with it, it looks like a strawberry covered with outies, and under that red skin is a white, sweet, and slightly floral flesh that I will rip off with abandon because it’s delicious. Under the flesh is a dark brown seed that annoys me when they’re too big because that almost always means less of that succulent fruit flesh.

Note that of all the colors I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I didn’t mention blue. So it’s a bit confusing that this is the Blue Edition. Look, I get it. The blue relates to the Ocean Blast name. But Red Bull has a long history of pairing whatever Edition color with a fruit that’s actually that color. Here in the US, Watermelon is the Red Edition, Tropical is the Yellow Edition, and Blueberry is the Blue Edition. In Japan, the Purple Edition is grape, the Ruby Edition is mangosteen, and the White Edition is white peach.

Well, at least the color of the beverage itself reminds me of what’s under a lychee’s skin.

Red Bull Blue Edition Ocean Blast Energy Drink Glass with Cloudy Liquid

Odd naming aside, this Red Bull has flown up to the top of my favorite Red Bull flavor list. Although, I might be a bit bias because lychee is my favorite fruit in the whole wide world. Opening the can brought out an aroma that’s similar to what rises from a freshly peeled lychee. Its flavor wavers between a sweet lychee and a slightly tart overripe one. I guess it’s hard to fully hide the flavors of the underlying Red Bull. The aftertaste that lingers in my mouth is like what flavors remain in my mouth after eating lychee. From beginning to end, it’s a wonderful experience, if you’re into the fruit as much as I am.

While I love this flavor, it might be awhile before I’m able to drink it again since it’s only available in Japan at the moment. If you happen to see it at a Japanese grocer in the US, I’d definitely recommend picking it up. If you want to buy it from one of the many online Japanese snack shops based in Japan, expect to pay a lot for quick shipping or to wait a lot if you decide to get it shipped via the cheapest option (I waited two months for mine, and I’m closer to Japan than 99 percent of y’all).

But I want more people to try this and I want to drink it regularly. So this is my plea to the powers that be to bring a lychee-flavored Red Bull to the States. I don’t care what color or season Edition it becomes. Even if it’s the Brown Edition, just make it happen.

Purchased Price: $5.99 (plus shipping)
Size: 250 ml can
Purchased at: NapaJapan
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (100 ml) 45 kcal, 0 grams of fat, 0.14 grams of sodium, 10.7 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and 32 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Monster Energy Ultra Strawberry Dreams

Marvo 3 Comments

If you’re into strawberries and Monster energy drinks, it’s an exciting time for you. The company recently launched a Kiwi Strawberry flavor for its Reserve line, and the red berry headlines this year’s Monster Energy Ultra release — Strawberry Dreams.

Every time I see or think of this beverage’s name, one of two songs play in my head — Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by the 80s band Eurythmics and These Dreams by the 80s band Heart. And after typing the previous sentence, I’ve probably dated myself.

I picked up a few “slim” 12-ounce cans from my favorite eBay energy drink seller, but Ultra Strawberry Dreams is also available in regular 16-ounce cans.

Here’s what the can has to say about the flavor:

Some people swear that strawberries are aphrodisiacs. They say if you share a double strawberry with someone then they’ll catch feelings for you. All we know is the flavor of the heart-shaped fruit is perfect for our new zero sugar Ultra. Wonderfully sweet while slightly tart, this easy-drinking Ultra tastes like a dream. Passionately crafted with the Monster energy blend you crave, take one sip and you’ll be crazy for Ultra Strawberry Dreams.

A Valentine’s energy drink? Well, to be honest, if I got a dozen of these, I’d be thrilled. It’s practical, lasts longer than a dozen roses in a vase, has more caffeine than a box of chocolates, makes my heart beat faster than receiving a Valentine’s surprise from my special someone, and these smell better too.

Its aroma is sweet artificial strawberry, and its flavor is also easily recognizable as the, ahem, heart-shaped fruit. Since this is a zero sugar Ultra drink, it’s not as sugary as the Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry, but there are some similarities in their artificial flavor. While I definitely taste the red berry, there’s also a bit of tropicalness with every sip. The tartness might be messing with my taste buds, but I notice a guava-like flavor. However, there’s no mention of tropical fruits on the can or hints in the can’s strawberry-heavy graphics.

Will Monster Energy Ultra Strawberry Dreams be a recurring purchase? Periodically, yes. It’s another excellent tasting addition to the Monster Ultra line. The only thing that’ll recur repeatedly is the image of those strawberries popping out of a skull’s eye sockets in my dreams.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 12 fl oz
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 5 calories, 0 grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 110 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Monster Energy Nitro Cosmic Peach

Marvo 1 Comment

If you enjoy Monster’s Ultra Peachy Keen Energy Drink that came out about a year ago but wonder what it would taste like sweetened with sugar and not an artificial sweetener cocktail, Monster’s new Nitro Cosmic Peach Energy Drink will let your taste buds experience that.

It has a great flavor similar to Ultra Peachy Keen in that it tastes like peach gummy rings. But now that I’ve tried both, I wouldn’t swap the 50 grams of sugar this has with the zero sugar of the older energy drink. (There’s some Sucralose in this, but it’s far down the ingredient list.)

When I reviewed Ultra Peachy Keen, one of the things I noted was how some folks might find it to be too sweet. If that’s you, this Nitro Cosmic Peach will make your teeth ache and your mouth question if it’s snowing sugar and you’re sticking out your tongue to catch some. But you won’t be alone. I find this a bit too sweet, making it harder to consume than the zero sugar one.

According to Monster Energy, adding nitrogen (hence its name) creates a smooth and creamy texture (and a foam head if you pour it into a glass). The nitrogen is mixed into the beverage and not dispersed from an infuser after opening the can, like with Nitro Pepsi or Starbucks’ canned Nitro Cold Brew. Thanks to the tiny bubbles from the nitrogen, it’s definitely smooth, but I wouldn’t consider it creamy. Usually, being a smooth beverage makes it easier to drink, but this being overly sweet makes it less so.

Overall, Monster’s Nitro Cosmic Peach and its gummy rings flavor is good. But, again, I wouldn’t pick it over Ultra Peachy Keen, which has the same flavor profile and amount of caffeine without the sugar. If there wasn’t that option, it might be a different story. They don’t taste exactly alike, but I don’t find this to be better tasting.

But if you don’t care for Monster’s Ultra line, this is a peachy way to get Monster’s energy blend into your body.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 210 calories, 0 grams of fat, 400 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 50 grams of sugar (including 50 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink

Marvo

Monster Energy has rolled out a new addition to its Reserve Energy Drink line — Kiwi Strawberry. It follows Watermelon, White Pineapple, and Orange Dreamsicle. Also, I almost posted this review with every “Kiwi Strawberry” reference with “Strawberry Kiwi.” Thank goodness for Find and Replace.

That would’ve been embarrassing, but I don’t think I’ve seen “kiwi strawberry” before, and Google will probably prove me wrong. Yup, it did — lots of kiwi strawberry-flavored beverages. But what I’m not wrong about is how delightful tasting this Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink is.

If you’re unfamiliar with Monster’s Reserve lineup, they’re fruity takes on the original Monster Energy Drink. You could think of it as how Mtn Dew describes its flavors. You know, a Dew with a blast of (insert fruit name here) or a Dew charged with (insert fruit name here). This is Monster Energy with a jolt of kiwi strawberry.

I’ve only had the Orange Dreamsicle flavor, and the issue I had with it was its artificial sweetener-enhanced aftertaste that reminded me of orange medicine tablets. With this one, there were no such issues. Its syrupy strawberry aroma is inviting, and its flavor is also red-berry-heavy. As I consumed it, I thought it tasted similar to another energy drink or soda, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. As for the kiwi part, I’m unsure if the tanginess I’m noticing is from the strawberry or kiwi flavoring. I also, and this might only be my taste buds, occasionally get a slight cotton candy vibe from this that’s probably from the strawberry.

Monster’s Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink is the best tasting flavor I’ve had from this Reserve line. Granted, I’ve only had two of the four. But if you enjoy kiwi strawberry or strawberry kiwi beverages and need a kick of caffeine, this is a tasty option.

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) 120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 250 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 28 grams of sugar (including 28 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.