Cocaine Sale

Ok, the title may be a little misleading... What I am referring to it the Cocaine Energy Drink being on sale this summer. Check out the newsletter below from Redux Beverages:

"First things first, we are running a summer special for both Cocaine and Brawndo. You can purchase cases of Cocaine Energy and Brawndo from our official web store for $22.00 per case plus shipping; no coupon needed. This is our best price offering ever. Do not miss out on this deal. You can get your own case of Cocaine or Brawndo from http://www.reduxdirect.com/"

Energy Shots - A Evolution or De-Evolution?

So in the last couple months, maybe almost a year, energy shots have experienced an unbelievable growth similar to how the Energy Drink Market exploded several years ago. You had several innovators paving the way for new and improved drinks, flavors and sizes (8 ounce, 16 ounce, 24 ounce) at any given time, but after awhile the copy cats came along and after that there really seemed to be a lack of creativity. Sure you have your niche energy drinks targeting select demographics like the Go Girl Energy Drink targeted at the female population. Don't get me wrong, there are still new drinks being introduced all the time, but only a handful seem to be worth reviewing. Has the same thing happened to the energy shot category or will the market continue to innovate?



To me it seems to be following the same trend (but I have been wrong before one or two times now). We started out with the standard size... a 2 ounce energy shot. We also started with a pretty general flavor or at least one that happened to be pretty medicinal tasting. From here, the flavors were expanded and improved to appeal to all sorts or people. The energy shot gradually got more potent... more caffeine, vitamins, extra strength, etc. Both of these (IMHO) were positive aspects in the evolution of energy shots. But where has the energy shot gone since then?

The shots are now toying with different sizes. You have larger ones like the Nitro2Go Mega Shot which comes in at 4 ounces. You also have smaller ones like the "world's smallest energy shot" by DynaPep Micro Energy Shot. I can't wait for the 8 ounce mega shot.... Copycats also seem to be on the prowl as well. 5-Hour Energy has been around for quite some time, but then you had 6 Hour, 7 Hour, 8 Hour and now 14 Hour energy. In fact 5-Hour actually noticed this and wrote a pretty funny blog article, Blowing 5-Hour Energy Right Out of the Water, based on a funny "There's Something About Mary" sketch. You also have a plethora of niche energy shots like the Cougar Energy Shot. So the question comes up again... a Evolution or De-Evolution?

To me shots seem to be following the same trend as the drinks did. Again, don't get me wrong. I don't think I could ask for a better gig than reviewing shots and drinks. But after 400 or so reviews, the lack of innovation seems to be upon us. But then again, I love having the opportunity to try new drinks/shots almost every day. I just wish there was a little more variation at times. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts below in the comments section.

Rockstar Punched Energy Drink Review

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, Gingko, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.7
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rockstar Punched Energy Drink Review:
So the Rockstar Energy Drink has been in the news lately so I figured I would run down to the store and see if they have any new flavors. I know the last one I reviewed was the Rockstar Energy Shot and I was far from impressed. Being as it has been awhile since I actually tried a full sized energy drink, I thought I would skip reviewing the other shot flavor and try out Rockstar Punched. When I got to the store I had a decision to make... Should I get the 16 ounce can or the giant 24 ounce resealable can (copied from Jolt? When considering I didn't want to be sucking on the same energy drink all day I opted for the 16 ounce Rockstar punched. Let's see how it performs in the taste and kick categories.

16 Pack - Rockstar Punched Energy Drink Tropical Punch Flavor - 16 Ounce

Rockstar Punched Energy Drink Review: Taste
I vaguely remember trying the citrus version, but reading my review, I see I wasn't the biggest fan of the taste which is probably from my lack of liking most citrus based energy drinks. Regardless the new Rockstar Punched actually had a pretty solid tropical flavor (even though I thought it would have a more berry flavor). Overall it was one of the better Rockstar's that I have tried and it definitely did a much better job at masking the medicinal aftertaste from the energy ingredients than the original. Taste Rating - 8.8

Rockstar Punched Energy Drink Review: Kick
The 16 ounce Rockstar Punched uses the same energy formula as the original. So the ingredients are as follows (all 16 ounces or both servings): 2000 milligrams of taurine, 240 milligrams of caffeine, 50 milligrams of guarana extract, 50 milligrams of Panax Ginseng, 300 milligrams of Ginkgo Biloba topped off with a decent amount of b-vitamins. Overall the kick did last for several hours, but even after 300 + reviews I still get a crash from all the sugars in these drinks (62 milligrams or 20% of your daily allowance). Kick Rating - 8.7

Rockstar Punched Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
One of the better tasting Rockstar drinks on the market. The kick is decent but I would like more options from Rockstar in the sugar free categories. They currently have a zero carb and sugar free, the zero carb version being the best in my opinion. Final Judgment - 8.8

Diet Turbo Tea Review

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.11
Active Ingredients:Caffeine (caffeine, tea, guarana)
Taste Rating:8.2
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Diet Turbo Tea Review:
I know what some of you may be thinking... Diet Turbo Tea is not exactly your typical Energy Drink that you would see reviewed here. However, I have in the past, and continue to review all sorts of caffeinated products. As long as they supply energy, they are fair game. Also, I am pretty adamant about my workout routine which is another reason I am a little excited to review Diet Turbo Tea which is made by American Body Building Products. Diet Turbo Tea comes in a resealable 18 ounce plastic bottle. It comes in four different flavors, Raspberry Tea, Green Tea, Lemon Tea and Peach Tea. It has no calories, no carbs or sugar. It is also designed to enhance your performance, be it at the gym or some other physical activity. Diet Turbo Tea is also made for enhanced alertness, thermogenesis (weight loss) and hydration (via electrolytes). Now I won't be able to evaluate the thermogenesis aspect, but let's put the rest of the claims to the test... starting with taste.

Diet Turbo Tea Review: Taste
Now usually when I think of teas I cringe ever so slightly as the taste is really not quite up my ally. Add in the fact that there are no calories or carbs, it's sugar free and is also designed for working out and you have what most reviewers would be afraid to try. However, I tried two different flavors (out of four). First I drank a half a bottle of Raspberry Tea because I thought I would like that one the best. Then I followed that up by drinking a peach flavored tea throughout the rest of my workout. To my surprise I Was actually pleased with both. You can tell that they are artificially flavored and that they are made for enhanced performance, but they really were actually very well received by this reviewer. As far as a workout energy drinks go, both flavors that I tried were very good. Taste Rating - 8.2

Diet Turbo Tea Review: Kick
For a drink designed to enhance your workout, the taste was well received. Now to measure the "turbo" aspect of the drink. Looks like the energy is derived from 90 milligrams of caffeine (caffeine, tea and guarana), making this a pretty light drink in the kick category. However, the addition of electrolytes makes this drink more lucrative, especially for those that work out hard in the gym. It won't give you that off the wall kick like some hardcore energy drinks, but as far as I am concerned it is more than enough to get me through an intense workout. Besides, no one likes cramping up because of too much caffeine in the middle of a workout. If you are looking for something more intense, American Body Builiding offers several other products. Stay tuned for those reviews as well. Kick Rating - 8.5


Diet Turbo Tea Review: Final Judgment
If you are not used to these types of drinks, then they are probably not for you... just stick to the normal sugar laden energy drinks you can buy at convenience stores. If you are looking for a drink to boost you through your workouts without making you crash or cramp up, then definitely check these out. Remember there are four different flavors you can try out. Oh and did I mention you can get a case (24 18 ounce bottles) for $48.00! Final Judgment - 8.5

5-Hour Energy Featured Fan Contest

Well in the spirit of giving free stuff away... Here is another contest being run by 5-Hour Energy They are giving away 72 bottles of 5-Hour Energy!! Full contest details are below. Good Luck and don't forget to enter my Make Your Own Private Label Energy Drink contest as well!

5-Hour Energy is hosting yet another contest! The "Become a Featured Fan" contest has 5-Hour Energy fans submitting their photo and story of 400 words or less to the 5-Hour Energy team to showcase why they are one of 5-Hour Energy’s biggest fans. The winner will be featured on the 5-Hour Energy Web site with their story and will win 72 bottles of 5-Hour Energy shots. All you have to do is write about how 5-Hour Energy has made a positive impact on your life. Was it the key to finishing that marathon? Does it help motivate you to work out? Or is it the one thing you count on to make it through a long day of work? You get the opportunity to showcase any experience that you choose where a 5-Hour Energy shot has made a difference in your performance. You get the chance to show off your experiences, talents, or abilities in this story and potentially share it with the world! Essentially, you get your moment in the spotlight!

Check out the rules and conditions and then submit your story by July 10, 2009. It is super easy and only takes a few minutes to enter! You can find the information on the details and enter at the 5-Hour Energy site's contest page.