Vuka Energy Drink Review

Cost: $2.98 - $3.49
Cost Per Ounce:$0.19 - $0.22
Active Ingredients:Caffeine (natural), Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:8.7
Final Judgment Rating:9.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Vuka Intelligent Energy Drink Review:
So about a month ago I got a package of what looked to be some really interesting Energy Drinks which actually got me a little excited. The package turned out to be a variety of Vuka Intelligent Energy Drinks that came in 16 ounce resealable aluminum can. Upon further reading all the materials that came with the samples it turns out Vuka actually means "wake up" in Zulu. Upon even further reading of the materials it seemed that Vuka Intelligent Energy is really more for the slightly older demographic, you know the one that cares a little bit more about what they put in their body and what they get out of a beverage. Anyways, the Vuka Energy Drinks come in four flavors that offer all different functions. Below I will give you a quick synopsis of all four drinks... if you need further info I suggest you check out their website, it is actually pretty cool. The only thing I regret is not being able to try the light versions of these drinks which it looks like they just came out with.

Energy Drink Review: Taste
So with four flavors comes four distinct tastes (they also offer light versions of these drinks which I have yet to have a chance to review). Below is a quick review of how each one of the four flavors did in the taste review. Remember, taste may be subjective, but I know what I am talking about (no really I do).

Vuka Awaken - This is pretty much the morning version of intelligent energy that has an unbelievable orange juice taste to it. It actually puts any other morning energy drink to shame that I have tried whether it be Kaboom or Rumba... The orange taste is smooth and delicious and has NO bitter aftertaste what so ever. Far superior to anything else I have tried for a morning energy drink. Taste Rating - 9.5

Vuka Renew - Is basically your everyday replenishment drink... Take it at any time. However, you have to enjoy the somewhat exotic flavor of mango peach first. Now I readily admit that these sorts of blends are far from my favorite, but this one did seem a little smoother than the other's I have tried. Either way, not a big fan of Mango / Peach. But taste can be subjective. Taste Rating - 8.5

Vuka Workout - Lightly carbonated, super smooth, even for a lemonade based energy drink. Add a hint of tea and you have a very, very refreshing drink. The tea is actually Rooibos tea (African redbush). Extra potassium is added to help with your workout. Taste Rating - 9.0

Vuka Think - Again lightly carbonated with a big taste of pomegranate followed by lychee. What is lychee? I had no idea either but upon looking up Lychee on Wikipedia I found out that it was basically a tropical and sweet berry... Which may have given Vuka Think that extra sweet taste. Or maybe that is how they named it "Think".... try to think of what a Lychee is... Taste Rating - 8.9

Overall the Vuka Intelligent Energy lineup brings a much more sophisticated taste than what most people are used to finding in the c-store fridge. If you are sick of the same old same old you see at the c-store or you just want to taste something original, then give one of the Vuka flavors a try. Average Taste Rating - 9.0


Vuka Intelligent Energy Drink Review: Kick
So I was more than pleased with all four flavors of Vuka Energy and hope the light versions keep the same great taste. But how does this sophisticated drink perform in the kick category? Well all four flavors pretty much have the same kick ingredients which include (for a full 16 ounce bottle) 160 milligrams of caffeine, 2000 milligrams of taurine, d-ribose, niacin and a bunch of b-vitamins. Overall the kick seems to be pretty much industry standard. No more or no less than what you would typically find in a c-store fridge from the likes of Monster Energy. Kick Rating - 8.7


Vuka Intelligent Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Great sophisticated taste with plenty of kick to keep you going... whether it be through a workout, cramming for an exam or just a substitute for your coffee. Vuka hasn't been around for that long, but I think this is one player that will stay a long time in the energy game. Final Judgment - 9.0

AMP Energy Juice Review

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.17
Active Ingredients:Caffeine
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

AMP Energy Juice Review:
So it has been awhile since I have reviewed anything from the AMP Energy Drink lineup, maybe because they haven't released a new drink or been in the headlines for awhile. Well, outside of the Facebook app they got attention for anyways. Regardless, I received a care package from them recently that had two new 100% juice drinks. My first impression was that, WOW, AMP seems to be a little behind the game here when it comes to energy juices as they have been out for some time. Maybe because they were focusing on their morning java line? Who knows, maybe they had their reasons for waiting until now to release two new 12 ounce resealable Energy Juices. Let's see how they perform in the taste and kick tests.

AMP Energy Juice Review: Taste
So first off these 100% Energy Juice drinks come in two flavors orange and mixed berry. I know what some of you may be thinking... wow such original flavors (end sarcasm). However, I definitely agree with AMP's flavor selection as it seems they are going after the breakfast drink market... Especially with taglines like "AMP Energy Juice is the spark that ignites and kick-starts the day. Consider this your wake up call!" Anyways, as I said before there are two flavors. I will do both taste reviews here.

AMP - Orange: So this one is probably about the easiest drink I have ever had to describe the taste for... Have you ever had a glass of Orange Juice (no pulp)? Well if you have and you like it, then you should have no problem enjoying the new AMP Orange 100% energy juice. I mean, it tastes EXACTLY like orange juice. No, medicinal aftertaste WHATSOEVER. I loved it!

AMP - Mixed Berry: Now, this one may be a little harder to describe then the previous, but nonetheless I was more than happy with the initial taste. To me it seemed like a generic juice flavor that you would get at a Denny's or something. You know, that pitcher that has the mystery juice in it... I am no way implying that it's a bad thing, that is just what I am associating the taste with. Regardless it was again a good taste. I preferred the Orange, but to each their own.

Taste Rating - 9.0


AMP Energy Juice Review: Kick
So both flavors were superb, but will AMP Energy Juice actually get you going in the morning? Well the main energy ingredient seems to be caffeine, but there is no exact amount listed on the bottle and I could not find any information listed on their site either. However, if the new AMP juice's hold true to the other flavors then my guess is that there is roughly 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounce serving or about 120 milligrams of caffeine per12 ounce bottle. This packs more bang than a Red Bull, but it is not one of the strongest drinks available on the market. Either way, I received an AMPle kick... Any more and I probably would have been to jittery and agitated for the morning commute. Kick Rating - 8.5


AMP Energy Juice Review: Final Judgment
So now I know I have an idea of why it took AMP so long to release a juice... They took their time to do it right! The taste was by far the best I have ever had for any kind of juice energy drink. So thank you AMP for waiting and releasing a great tasting alternative to a morning coffee. Final Judgment - 8.8