Energy Drink Ratings

Rockstar Energy Drink Sale

2012-02-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

Just a heads up for all you Rockstar Energy Drink fans out there...

Rockstar Energy Shop is offering 25% off Your Entire Order when you enter coupon code THANKYOU. Shipping is also FREE.

Not sure how long this will last, but at $36 for a 24-pack with free shipping this brings the price per can down to $1.50 / per 16 ounce can. It looks like it also works for apparel as well.

I think I will be ordering the new Rockstar XDurance or the Rockstar Coconut Water to see what all the buzz is about. Cheers and happy hunting.

GungHo Energy Gel Shot Review

2012-01-20T13:06:00.001-08:00

Cost: $3.99 (cheaper in bulk)
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Lot Going On Here
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:9.1
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

GungHo Energy Gel Shot Review:
Well I first heard about the GungHo Energy Gel Shot (Gung Ho in Chinese means “Work in Harmony”) a little over a month ago when I was contacted by the co-founder Danny Mason. My first impressions without even seeing the website or the product were very good. If GungHo was anywhere near as passionate or exciting as Danny, I knew I would be in for a treat. He immediately presented me with a white paper backing up their claims of increased focus, memory recall, and brain health... so when used several days in a row there should be an increase in physical and mental energy all without the crash. He went so far as to even offer to put me in touch with the author of the white paper Dr. Perry Renshaw who has an impressive bio to say the least. While I was tempted to take him up on that offer, I figured I would test the GungHo Energy Gel just as I did during my 400 + other reviews; I would try it out for a couple days and then relay my humble thoughts to you guys. While I am no longer in their core demographic (college and/or gamer) I am still a guy who goes to work...plays hard and could use all the energy and focus (ask my girlfriend about that focus part) that I can get. So without further adieu onto the review of the .75 ounce energy gel with Ninja like focus :)

GungHo Energy Gel Shot Review: Taste
As I said earlier I need all the focus I can get. I had high hopes based on my emails to Danny. Now the recommended dose is two packets per day with meals and you are not to exceed four per day. So my first test for Gungho was at breakfast before work. Being a gel and going by the recommended method of tearing the packet and downing the 0.75 ounce gel, I was more than pleasantly surprised. I thought about the flavor as I swallowed it. Then I immediately looked down at the packet... my first thoughts were no way. All these medicinal type ingredients and the flavor I get is orange with a nice hint of vanilla. I know I shouldn't have been surprised based on my initial conversations with Danny, but after doing 400 + reviews and hearing it all before I never really know until I try something. Anyways, pleasantly surprised with the taste and how smooth it went down just drinking it out of the packet. Now as I stated earlier, I am really not a gamer nor am I in college anymore but I do workout, bike, run etc (Did the Tough Mudder this summer) so I thought I would mix in Gungho into one of my favorite sports drinks. After all, it does say consume one packet as desired right on the package. My sports drink of choice was orange flavored (no need to mention brand) and mixing Gungho in was I have to say a stellar decision on my part. The hint of vanilla was definitely a nice touch. Overall, for a shot this size, having only four calories and being this concentrated I was very impressed. Taste Rating - 9.0

GungHo Energy Gel Shot Review: Kick
Now for the important part... the kick review. How does it stack up against the mountains of competition in both the energy drink and energy shot market? Well according to Dr. Perry Renshaw and of course Danny, I was in for a sustained treat of energy and focus. As I stated earlier, I tried tested this over several days and mixed in with other drinks (none had caffeine). The first day I tried one packet in the morning only. The energy I got was not immediate and by immediate I mean I didn't feel jittery like I would after drinking a hardcore energy drink. The second day I took one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Definitely noticed that I had two. The third day I just went all out and consumed four of them (two in the a.m. and two in the late afternoon). I mean, I have been drinking and reviewing energy products for years, so what's the harm. Well, with four I definitely crossed my happy medium of energy that I had on day two. Overall I think two in the morning and one in the late afternoon would have sufficed... and let me get to sleep at an earlier time. Either way, after three days I felt more energized for sure. Normally I touch on the ingredient in this section as well but I think it would be easier to send you to their Official Website to take a closer look at their 790 mg proprietary energy blend, or if you want refer back to the white paper link I posted above. The kick rating is a nice 8.8. Not over the top like some drinks which is exactly what Gungho seems to be going for... a nice kick that gets you going and keeps you focused. I think they accomplished this nicely. Kick Rating - 8.8

GungHo Energy Gel Shot Review: Final Judgment
Well what can I say... it has been quite some time since I have written a review, but I am glad that the first one I did in awhile was Gungho. The co-founder was enthusiastic (and rightfully so)... the science behind it seems solid and the product accomplished what it told me it would on the packet. As I said earlier, you can Get a Free Sample just pay shipping or you can take advantage of some of their other current offers like buy one 12-pack get one free for $29.99 with free shipping. They also have a "dojo" which is like a loyalty club where you get monthly shipments at a discounted price of 30% as well as incentives to refer friends and get rewards. Final Judgment - 9.1 (taste, value and kick are all present, hence the extra points).

GungHo Energy - Official Site

Cocaine Energy Drink - Cyber Monday

2011-11-28T10:26:00.000-08:00

Looks like the Cocaine Energy Drink is offering a free 6-pack on Cyber Monday with purchase of a case of Cocaine Energy, or until the first 1000 six packs are given away. You can pick up the deal at their online store although it is really not very apparent as how to claim it. This offer brings the cost per can down to $1.33 (which includes free shipping). Not too bad of a deal.

That's really all the details that I have now. If anyone has tried this and been successful please chime in below.

5-hour ENERGY - Free Samples at Black Friday Bonanza

2011-11-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well Thanksgiving is almost upon us. I know I have a lot to be thankful for this year, but in keeping with the site's theme I won't talk about all my personal triumphs and tribulations. Instead I will focus on what thousands of other websites are focusing on. Yes, I am going to talk about Black Friday.

No I am not going to be discussing the latest deals on LCD Televisions, Cameras or Laptops. Nor am I going to talk Black Friday strategy on getting the best deals. Besides, you won't catch me up later tonight participating in the madness. But for those of you who do, I imagine an Energy Drink would come in handy. Whether you are standing in line tonight or getting up really early, I imagine one would come in handy. Now if I was participating in the Black Friday madness I would opt for an Energy Shot... that way my bargain hunting self wouldn't have to miss a great deal because of a potty break.

Well, apparently Living Essentials, the makers of 5-hour Energy have the same idea. They are running a sampling event at participating Walmarts starting at 10:00 p.m on Thanksgiving Evening (11/24).

Here are the full details of the 5-hour Energy Black Friday Bonanza. But looks like, besides giving away thousands of countless energy shots to weary Walmart shoppers, they are also holding a contest where you can take a picture of yourself with a 5-hour Energy shot and submit it along with a short message describing your shopping experience for a chance to win a $50 Walmart gift card as well as even more free 5-hour product! Looks like they have the deal up on their Facebook Page as well.

Anyways, if you are crazy enough to venture out Black Friday, don't forget to at least score your free sample to help you power through.

Diet Turbo Lemonade Review

2011-10-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.11
Active Ingredients:Caffeine (caffeine, tea, guarana)
Taste Rating:7.8
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.4
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Diet Turbo Lemonade Review:
So about two years ago I did a review of another Energy Drink from ABB (American Bodybuilding) called Diet Turbo Tea. Overall I was quite pleased with the offering and it looks like others have been pretty excited about it as well since ABB has released two more flavors, Diet Turbo Lemonade and Diet Turbo Punch. If you are unfamiliar with ABB's Energy Drinks I do suggest you try at least one. While they are not your typical ED that you would find in the grocery store or your C-store cooler, they definitely do the trick. You can check out some of my past review of ABB products or continue reading for my review of their latest offering...

Buy Diet Turbo Lemonade - $40 for a Case

Diet Turbo Lemonade Review: Taste
The packaging is pretty much the same as the past Diet Turbo Tea products from ABB. Same 18 ounce resealable plastic bottle and same design. Only thing missing is the word "tea" which may have scared off some consumers (even though I thoroughly enjoyed it) in the past. Anyways onto the taste... I popped the cap 20 minutes prior to my workout (per recommended use) and drank throughout my cardio workout which was 7.5 miles on treadmill at 7.5 mph. Nothing too strenuous, just nice easy pace. Now the drink has zero calories and zero sugar, so needless to say artificial sweetners. Now to me, these type of drinks are perfectly suited for a workout as the taste just triggers something in my head that gets me motivated. Like I said above, it's not your typical Energy Drink, it's more along the lines of something you would see a gym rat drinking. Nonetheless, the taste to me is actually pretty good. Again, I attribute the taste to getting something in my body to get me moving. That in itself gets me through the fairly strong artificial lemon flavor. If you only like Monster's and Rockstar's then this drink is probably not for you. Taste Rating - 7.8

Diet Turbo Lemonade Review: Kick
For a drink designed to enhance your workout, the taste was pretty well received. Now, will the turbo on the lemonade work as well as it has in the past. I sure hope it does as the old version was great! When looking at the ingredient list, the energy kick is derived from 90 milligrams of caffeine (caffeine, tea and guarana), making this a pretty light drink in the kick category and keeping on par with some of ABB's last drinks. 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 without any cramping/gut wrenching feeling. If you are looking for something more intense, American Body Building offers several other products that would do the trick, but if you are just looking for a bit of extra edge to get you through the workout then this should do the trick. 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, they will at least taste better. But if you are looking for a drink to boost you through your workouts, maybe something you can sip on the entire time, then definitely check these out. Remember there are two different flavors you can try out (Lemonade and Punch).

Buy Diet Turbo Lemonade - $40 for a Case

Hydrive Energy Drink Extra Strength - Black Cherry

2011-09-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.17
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.9
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Hydrive Energy Drink Extra Strength Review
Well I have reviewed several flavors of the Hydrive Energy Drinks as well as their chews. From all the reviews and flavors of hydrive that I have tried I have come to the same general consensus on all of them. They are very refreshing to drink. The only room for improvement was maybe a slight increase in the "kick" factor of the drink. All of the flavors come in a slim 15.5 ounce plastic resealable bottle, have only 30 calories total and are made with fresh spring water. The flavors are all nutritionally enhanced with either vitamins, antioxidants or electrolytes and are supposed to supply hydration and energy (a trend (hydration) that you have seen in both Monster Energy Drinks and Rockstar Energy Drinks. The thing is, that Hydrive has been doing this longer, and in my opinion much better. So let's check out the new Extra Strength Hydrive and see what it has up it's sleeve.

Hydrive Energy Drink Extra Strength Review: Taste
Ok, I did ask for an increase in energy ingredients in my prior Hydrive reviews, mainly more caffeine. But, when a brand/company changes the energy ingredients of their drinks, that does tend to have an effect on taste. So even though I asked for it, I was a bit pessimistic that Hydrive would mess with a good refreshing taste. But, to my delight the new black cherry taste is just as refreshing as the other flavors, it doesn't taste artificially flavored AND it has only 30 calories in the entire 15.5 ounce bottle. Taste Rating - 8.8

Hydrive Energy Drink Extra Strength Review: Kick
The low cal / low sugar extra strength black cherry taste is quite refreshing, yet will it provide that elusive pick me up you are looking for? Well the normal Hydrive's have 145 milligrams of caffeine (except the caffeine free version) and they delivered a pretty decent kick. But after each review, I was always wanting a bit more... Well, ask and you shall receive I guess. (Although I doubt they increased the energy formula just for me, I will let my ego believe that is the reason.) The new Extra Strength formula boasts almost a 35% increase in caffeine brining the level up to 195 milligrams per bottle. Combine this with the other powerful ingredients like Yerba Mate and B-vitamins and you have a very competitive (yet still refreshing) kick. Kick Rating - 8.9

Hydrive Energy Drink Extra Strength Review: Final Judgment
It has been quite a few years since I first heard of Hydrive. In the years following my initial review they have only gotten better with more flavor offerings, increased kick and a strong nationwide presence. If you don't like my three reasons to like/try Hyrdrive then check out their Facebook page as they have a humorous "top 10" list you may like. Final Judgment 8.9

But don't take my word for it... go out there and try it yourself. Feel free to leave your thoughts on Hydrive below in the comments section. (comments are moderated, so don't waste your time with spam)

Demolishing the Land Speed Record - Calling All Energy Drink Manufacturers

2011-08-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Some friends are looking to demolish the land speed record with a 50,000 Horse E J-79 turbo-jet engine driven by none other than Leslie Porterfield (who is already the world's fastest woman on two wheels). They need some help. So all you Energy Drink and Energy Shot aficionadas need to get on the horn and tell your favorite or best energy drink manufacturers to help these guys out. Hit them up on Facebook and Twitter and let them know about this rare opportunity to sponsor the fastest woman on earth. Don't disappoint!

From the Press Release: It is rare that an opportunity comes along where millions of people around the world will be following a series of events and one company can have exclusive sponsorship to these events and have its name associated with these records for the rest of time. You can check out the full article here.

Monster Energy Rehab Review

2011-04-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Cost:$2.39
Cost Per Ounce:$0.20
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, Guarana
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monster Rehab:
Normally I start out a Monster Energy Drink review with it has been awhile (since I last tried one)... However, last time I tried the Extra Strength Monster I was fairly impressed. Albeit left with a question as to "Where does the Extra Strength Come In?" Anyways, last time I was at my local Kwik Trip (c-store), as always I meandered over to the Energy Shots and Energy Drinks section and took a look. Low and behold, another drink from Monster that seemed intriguing. A 15.5 ounce Monster Rehab with only 10 calories (per serving) and claims of rehydration. Being intrigued I bought the Monster Rehab for a somewhat reasonable $2.39. Anyways, enough fluff, onto the review.

Monster Rehab: Taste
So as I previously mentioned there are only 10 calories per serving (20 total) which comes from 3 grams of sugar. The drink also contains 5% juice, which to be honest, most seem to include somewhere on the label. Anyways this non-carbonated Monster Energy Drink has a very refreshing lemonade flavor with a hint of sweet tea flavoring. I know what a lot of you readers are thinking... he said refreshing and Monster in the same sentence. Yes, I actually did. In this reviewers humble opinion, this is Monster's best tasting drink to date (taste is subjective though). They have come a long way since the original Monster Energy Drink. I also like the fact that they have a non-carbonated offering that tastes great and that is refreshing. Taste Rating - 9.0

Monster Rehab: Kick
This particular creation from Monster seems to have one of the larger Energy Blends (at least from Monster). The Original Monster has a 2500 milligram (per serving) energy blend where as Rehab has 3227.5 milligrams(per serving). So where does the extra energy come from? The only real difference seems to be coming from the addition of Black Tea Extract which does have a pretty decent amount of caffeine in it. So what's the actual amount of caffeine in Monster Rehab? No idea, but the original has 80 milligrams (per serving), so I would GUESS that Rehab has slightly more, maybe 100 milligrams (per serving). Regardless, I was not only pleasantly suprised with the taste, but the kick lasted several hours as well. The fact that there are only 20 total calories, hence, almost no sugar, there was no sugar induced crash after. And where does the "rehydrate" come into play you may ask. Well after looking though the ingredient list, it looks like the "rehydrate claim" is coming from the fact that it contains potassium and coconut water, both of which are good for rehydration. But I am not a doctor, so consult your doctor before taking my advice on the rehydration claims. Kick Rating - 8.8

Monster Rehab: Final Judgment
I am starting to change my mind about offerings from Monster. They have come a long way since their first drink hit the shelves. The latest one I tested, Rehab performed well in both the taste and kick categories. I guess I should keep Monster a little closer on my radar and check in with them more often. Final Judgment - 8.9

iShot Energy Potion Review

2011-03-30T13:03:00.001-07:00

Cost:$2
Cost Per Ounce:$1.00
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

iShot Energy Potion Review:
So looks like we have a relatively new entrant to the Energy Shot Market that hails from across the pond and is from All Day Energy Ltd. So as I have ranted before, more and more shots enter the market, but nothing really distinguishes them from the Original 5-hour Energy Shot or from the countless imitators. However, it appears iShot Energy is marketing both their original energy shot as well as a love potion and iShot Skinny which is marketed as a "slim potion." So right from the start they are trying to expand product appeal. But how will the Original iShot perform in the taste and kick categories?

iShot Energy Potion Review: Taste
Well first off the iShot Original does not mention any hint of flavor at all on the package or on the website - they do offer a acai berry version though. So I was a little intrigued and the fact that the 60 milliliter bottle was quite a bit larger than the 60 milliliter bottle that I am used to. Anyways, the packaging is sleek, the bottle opens quite easily and the first smell coming out was pretty much indistinguishable. The liquid in side did almost seem to be growing bright red and my first sip that went past my lips was actually very pleasant. It was a sweet berry/punch flavor that did seem to be a tad watered down (probably because it has only 15 calories) however; there was really no bitter aftertaste. So overall the taste was quite smooth. Taste Rating - 8.7

iShot Energy Potion Review: Kick
Now I have seen far fewer energy shots hailing from the U.K (it could be because I live in the United States) but to me it seems that the market is still a year or two behind the U.S energy shot market. The first sign to me was that the caffeine content (although decent at 120 milligrams) seemed to lag behind the majority of products offered in the U.S where they typical shot contains 160-200 milligrams of caffeine. Regardless, the other energy ingredients (Taurine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucuronolactone, L-Carnitine ,Siberian Ginseng, Maltodextrin and b-vitamins) in iShot seemed to pull their weight quite well. The kick I received lasted several hours with no resulting crash. Very pleased and one of the better energy shots I have seen come from over seas. Kick Rating - 8.5

iShot Energy Potion Review: Final Judgment
Cool new shot with a sleek bottle, smooth taste, decent kick and competitive price ($2/shot or cheaper in bulk). Overall one of the better energy shots that I have seen come from across the pond. However, I would love for them to offer an "Extra Strength" version for a bit more pick me up. I also look forward to giving their two other potions "Love Potion" and "Slim Potion" a shot. So stay tuned for a review of those two products. In the meantime feel free to leave comments on the taste and kick of this product. Final Judgment - 8.6

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice Review

2011-03-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Cost:$2.39
Cost Per Ounce:$0.20
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, Guarana
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice:
Well long time no review of a Monster Energy, but looks like they have substantially revamped their lineup of Energy Drinks since last time I checked in with them. I am speaking specifically of Monster Energy's new "Extra Strength" Nitrous lineup. The 12 ounce Monster Nitrous lineup has four flavors; Super Dry, Anti-Gravity, Killer B and Black Ice. Now I will be totally honest, I have never really been a huge fan of any of the Monster Energy Drinks, but every once in awhile they do surprise me... and I am hoping that is the case with the new Extra Strength version.

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice: Taste
So first off this drink has zero calories and zero sugar... also it is HIGHLY carbonated. I picked one of these up at a local c-store, put it in my car and drove to work. I let it settle for 5 minutes before opening. Upon opening, there was a loud pop (similar to the Jolt Energy Drinks) followed shortly after by an over flow of foam. I don't know if this is unique to the Black Ice "flavor" or if this is the case for all Monster Nitrous products... either way I could do with a little less carbonation so I don't have to waste any of the $2.39 I just spent on a 12 ounce drink. Anyways, taste... So again not exactly sure where they go the name "black ice" as it really has more of a sour berry/passion flavor which is reminiscent of the original Kronik Energy Drink. For zero sugar and zero calories the drink was actually pretty good. Flavors end up being a tad sour, but there is only a slight medicinal after taste. Pretty good actually, elbeit taste is subjective. Taste Rating - 8.5

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice: Kick
Taste is decent, but will the extra strength provide an impressive kick? Well according to the 12 ounce can (12 ounce single serving) there is 2600 milligrams of Energy Blend which includes; Taurine, Panax Ginseng, L-Carnitine, Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucronolactone and Maltodextrin. So they don't list exact caffeine amounts, but let's compare this Extra Strength to an Original Monster. An Original Monster (8 ounce single serving) has 2500 milligrams in it's energy blend which includes L-Carnitine, Glucose, Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucronolactone and Maltodextrin. Taurine and Ginseng is listed outside the Energy Blend on the original. In an ingredient list, they usually list ingredients by quantity... so the more of something present the higher up the list. Well, the lists of the Original and Extra Strength Monster are almost identical... Original has 2500 milligram energy blend (Plus taurine and panax ginseng listed separately) whereas the extra strength has 2600 milligrams? Big kicker is that the Original Blend is for 8 ounce whereas the extra strength is for 12 ounces. That just doesn't seem right. To ME, it seems like the original has more bang for your buck in terms of ENERGY INGREDIENTS... And after drinking it I can conclude. Don't get me wrong, the kick was pretty good. But there is nothing Extra Strength about this Monster. Kick Rating - 8.5

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice: Final Judgment
So taste was good... low calories and zero sugar are also a plus. But the confusing aspect for me is the "extra strength" label. I am not seeing anything extra about this either on the can ingredient list or IMHO during the review. I am confused, so maybe someone at Monster could weigh in on this so I don't misinform my 40,000 monthly readers? To me, the better value is by far the Original Monster, both price wise and energy wise... Final Judgment - 8.0

Feel Good 7 Energy Shot Review

2011-02-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.99 (cheaper in bulk)
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:caffeine, taurine, malic acid, guarana extract, b-vitamins
Taste Rating:9.8
Kick Rating:7.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Feel Good 7 Energy Shot Review:
So most energy shots tout the effectiveness of their energy blend while also touching on taste. Well a couple weeks ago I received some samples from Feel Good 7. They have 3 shots currently available appropriately named, Energy (Euphoria), Hangover (Recovery), Sleep (Serenity)... (which sounds like a typical weekend). At first I thought this is just another energy shot copycatting 5-Hour Energy... you know 6-Hour Power, Redline 7 Hour Energy Shot, or even 8-Hour Energy. I mean they do have a "7" distinctly in the label. However, upon further review of their Website I see no mention or claims of lasting for 7 hours. Instead, I see "taste matters." Which to me is quite intriguing, an energy shot focusing on taste instead of energy. You don't hear that too much. However, Feel Good 7 Energy Shot was going to be reviewed... and if taste matters, it better perform in that category! On to the review to find out.

Feel Good 7 Energy Shot Review: Taste
So no waiting what so ever... straight to the taste review. Now I have reviewed quite a few Energy Shots over the years and it's safe to say I have some favorites in both the kick and taste categories. But after trying all of them, none of them really got a.. "wow" I wish I could drink another, these taste spectacular. That is until now. To FeelGood 7 Energy, taste must matter because even with Green Tea Extract high up on the ingredient list, the little 2 ounce shot tasted great. A blend of fruity and berry flavors went down the hatch easily. No bitter aftertaste whatsever... I mean NONE at all. Great tasting! Taste Rating - 9.8

Feel Good 7 Energy Shot Review: Kick
So it tastes good, just like their marketing materials stated. But it's still an energy shot, so it better give me energy. Well the energy blend consists of 1731 milligrams of the following: Taurine, Malic Acid, Caffeine, Green Tea Extract and then your typical long words... Notice that caffeine is 3rd on this list and notice that the energy blend is pretty much typical of your standard energy shot. No it's not in the hardcore energy shots/drinks category and I would have to say it really is not in the extra strength category either. It's basically on par with your typical shot. Kick Rating - 7.5

Feel Good 7 Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
Awesome taste, average kick. If you are a caffeine junkie like me, then this may not be for you. If you your normal energy shot suffices to get you going in the morning, then by all means drink one that tastes good. Oh and if you drink one of these too close to bed time, they offer a "sleep" version as well. And if you have a hangover, they have you covered their as well. To see their full lineup visit their Website. Final Judgment - 8.5

More Efficient with Energy Shots?

2011-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

So it's 2011 and most of the people who made New Year's resolutions have already given up on them. Turns out, only about 8% of New Year's resolutions survive for an entire year. Why are you telling me this you might ask? I mean, this is an Energy Drink Review Site not a self help site. Well this is 100% true but let me elaborate...

You see, I had two resolutions this year. One was fairly simple... Be more efficient with my time. I have tons of energy thanks to all the Energy Shots I have accumulated, but I am not always the most efficient with time. By combining the focus of my website and the goal of my resolution together... i.e. two birds with one stone, I think I have a time saving solution that serves both purposes.

To start off, my idea actually came from a commercial I saw on TV from 5-Hour Energy. The concept seemed so simple. Avoid the hassle, save time... skip the coffee. If you have not seen the commercial yet from 5-Hour Energy, you will. It's all over TV, Radio and Internet. I think they may have even purchased a media buy in my dreams... If you are curious I below is one of the video's in question, they have other's available on their YouTube Page.

Now I know what you are thinking... you review energy drinks, how dare you drink coffee too? Well, truth be told, I live in Wisconsin. It's freakin cold... and I love energy. So coffee gets the job done, especially on cold days. But I wanted to see if I could actually save a bit of time by skipping my morning cup of Joe.

Before I saw the Commercial from 5-Hour Energy I had never given any thought to how much time I spent each morning making my own coffee. So as an experiment, I decided to spend a week calculating how much time I spent getting my energy from coffee.

Here are my results using a regular coffee machine and making two cups of morning coffee. The results are for a seven day time period.

1) Prepping to Make Coffee (Getting Coffee Pot/Coffee Cup Out, Add Filter, Add Water, Turn On) - 21 Minutes
2) Waiting for Coffee to Be Made - 14 Minutes
3) Pouring Coffee and Adding a bit of Stevia - 5 Minutes
3) Waiting for Coffee to Cool (I like hot coffee, but don't want any McDonalds incidents) - 14 Minutes
4) Putting Away, Cleaning Coffee, Pot, Coffee Mug - 7 Minutes (Im a guy, rinsing and air drying is my idea of cleaning. Would be more time consuming if I was thorough)

***I did not count drive time to purchase coffee/filters etc, as the same amount of time would factor into the equation of getting my fix from energy drinks/shots anyways***

Grand Total for One Week of Getting My Energy From Coffee - 61 Minutes or About 9 Minutes a Day.

So I know what you are thinking, there is No Way it takes almost 9 minutes a day to make a cup of Joe. I didn't think so either. But, when you factor in all the stuff you don't think about like filling, washing, cooling, waiting it ends up being quite a hassle... Oh and don't forget that it's early in the morning... I don't know about you, but I am in semi-slow motion until I get some energy in me.

Now normally I wouldn't be standing with a stop watch timing myself when making coffee. I would be multi-tasking, but nonetheless, making coffee is far more time consuming than I thought. Even if 9 Minutes a Day does not sound like a lot to you, do the math and see what it adds up to... If you spend 9 minutes a day over the course of a year making your own coffee then guess what... About 3,180 minutes or just over 53 Hours a Year are spent making coffee. And I personally only have coffee in the morning... so if you make coffee over lunch or after work, there's even more time spent making coffee.

For me those 3,180 minutes would be better spent on helping me accomplish my other New Year's resolution... Training for a Marathon. That extra 9 minutes is at least an extra mile I can run on the road (or treadmill when it's too cold out, which has been pretty much most of the year so far).

End Result... regardless of the warming effects coffee seems to have on me, I think energy shots and drinks are the way to go.

Spike Shooter - Quila Lime Energy Drink Review

2010-12-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.24
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, B-Vitamins, Proprietary Blend
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:10
Final Judgment Rating:9.3
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Spike Shooter - Quila Lime Energy Drink Review
So it has really been quite some time since I have had the opportunity to review a hardcore energy drink and it has been even longer since I reviewed a product from Spike Energy Drink. But, I have had several requests to review the 8.4 ounce QuilaLime Flavor, so I figured I might as well pick a couple up. If you have never had a Spike Shooter before, then make sure you read ALL ingredients and pay close attention the the very LARGE label on the top of the can... The warning is there for a reason as Spike Shooter is not for your everyday Red Bull drinkers...they are for serious caffeine junkies, and I may or may not fall into that category. And when these shooters first came out, there was quite a bit of Hoopla and Buzz (pardon the pun) around them. Anyways, enough fluff and onto the review of the QuilaLime Flavor.

Spike Shooter - Quila Lime Energy Drink Review: Taste
As I was in the reviewe of the original, I was a little apprehensive about the taste of this one as well. I mean, if you cram all that energy goodness into the can, the taste can't be that great... or can it? Well, just as I was with the original fruit punch flavor, I was quite pleased with the newer QuilaLime. Although the flavor did seem a bit syrupy, the strong lime flavor was pretty solid... I definitely didn't make a bitter beer face or cringe like I would after a shot of cheap tequilla. So, its your basic lime flavored with a small hint of medicinal aftertaste energy drink packed full of a Quila supply of energy. I prefer the original, but have not problem settling for one of these. Taste Rating - 8.5

Spike Shooter - Quila Lime Energy Drink Review: Kick
There was far less hoopla with the release of the QuilaLime flavor then when the original came out... Maybe because the media is more concerned with the hot alcohol and energy drinks story.. Nonetheless, with 300 milligrams of caffeine stuffed into a tiny 8.4 ounce can, Spike Shooter is one of the strongest energy drinks on the planet. So get to the point already... I know. How was the kick? As I did in the original review, I decided to drink the whole can... And the kick was pretty intense, even for a seasoned energy drink junkie. I got a fairly quick huge boost of energy that lasted several hours. Best part is, it's sugar free, meaning that I had no crash after consuming. But I have tried well over 400 energy drinks so again I recommend that you follow the directions and pay attention to the warnings on the can before you consume Spike. Specifically don't drink this if you are under 16, pregnant or have allergic reactions to caffeine. There are more warnings on the can so just read them before consuming. They also recommend that you start off by trying a half a can to determine tolerance and do not have more than one can a day. If you use this before or during a workout like I did make sure you drink a lot of water to keep hydrated. Drinking one can of this is equivalent to drinking almost 4 Red Bulls at once. Kick Rating - 10

Spike Shooter - Quila Lime Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Super strong kick in a small can with a fairly strong yet decent lime taste. Even after 400 reviews, Spike is not the strongest energy drink I have tried, but it is VERY high up on the list. Top it off with the fact that the price is also equivalent to a Red Bull ($2.00) and we have a winner! Stay tuned for the review of the Orange Gold flavor! Final Judgment - 9.3

Bazi Energy Drink - Buy One Get One Free

2010-11-22T13:23:00.001-08:00

So I have yet to review any of the Bazi Energy Drinks, but I am assured my samples are on the way. Either way, I am a big proponent of free stuff, and an even bigger proponent of free Energy Drinks and Energy Shots so I thought I would pass the below info from Bazi Energy on to my loyal readers. Straight from the mouth of Bazi...

Black Friday is so last year. Tomorrow is the big day. BAZI is giving thanks to all of our customers by throwing a 12 Hour: Buy one 12-Pack get a 12-Pack free Flash Sale on Tuesday 11/23 — http://bit.ly/BAZI12Pac

Pre-game for the Thursday feast and the Black Friday madness by participating in BAZI’s flash sale tomorrow. Simply go to this link at 6:00 AM PST http://bit.ly/BAZI12Pack for your buy-one-get-one BAZI Energy Shot 12-Pack.

BAZI’s No-Bull shot will keep your ready to go throughout the Holidays — http://bit.ly/BAZI12Pack

Shark Energy Drink Review

2010-11-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Cost:$1.50
Cost Per Ounce:$0.18
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana Extract
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.4
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Shark Energy Drink Review:
I know this is my first Energy Drink Review in quite some time, so a lot of you might be expecting some new cutting edge drink to be reviewed. However, I have had the Shark Energy Drink sitting in my pantry for quite some time, so I thought I would put the review out there. I did review the Sugar Free Shark about a year and a half ago and was pleasantly pleased, so who knows, the original might even up the anti. Anyways, Shark Energy claims to be the original energy drink... or at least the original energy drink imported from Thailand. Either way, I seem to remember hearing that claim being made before. Read more about the History of Shark if you want to look into their claim. Enough fluff... let's see who this drink performs in the taste and kick category.

Shark Energy Drink Review: Taste
Looks like the drink is only offered in the 8.4 ounce slim cans (at least in the United States). The drink is also lightly carbonated and claims to have a high caffeine content (more on that later). As with the Sugar Free version of Shark, the original version had a quite familiar taste which most of you would recognize. Although it is a tad sweeter, the drink basically tastes like a Red Bull without the aftertaste. Instead, you get the fairly sweet bubble gum after taste, which in itself is not all that bad, albeit less than original. But if you are the "Original Energy Drink" then I guess the taste is original. Either way, pretty standard for today's drinks. Taste Rating - 8.8

Shark Energy Drink Review: Kick
I was intrigued by the "high caffeine" content claims on the website. But after researching a little further I see that you actually only get about 32 milligrams per serving which puts Shark on the same page as your average Energy Drink with 80 milligrams of caffeine (entire 8.4 ounce can). With the caffeine comes Taurine and Guarana extract along with 35 milligrams of sugar which is on the high end. So the claim of high caffeine content may of held true when it was originally created a long time ago, but in today's market it is a little lackluster, even if they had a 16 ounce version for you to buy. Kick Rating - 8.0

Shark Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
If this is truly the original energy drink, then at one time it was cutting edge. But with the plethora of drinks and shots available on the market today, the energy formula of Shark is a little out dated. It may be good for those used to drinking a Red Bull (actually it's a tastier and cheaper alternative), but for those that need a bit more get up and go, Shark needs to introduce an extra strength version. Final Judgment 8.4

Back in the Energy Drinks Game after a Brief Absence

2010-11-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Well I have been away from the energy drinks game for a bit as I have been busy building my first house and because I had some website issues. I would like to say thanks to all the energy drink companies that have sent me their products over the years because boy did they EVER come in handy. Being my own general contractor on top of working 10 hour days, going to the gym and trying to have a life can really take a toll on a fella... Anyways a couple noticeable things since I posted my last Energy Drink Review a couple months ago.

First off it appears that 5-Hour Energy, of which I have claimed to be madly in love with in the past and one of my favorite Energy Shots has decided to go International... Looks like their first steps across the pond are to include ventures into the UK , Ireland and Nederlands. This is great for me because the last time I went to Ireland I could only bring a couple shots due to the liquid carry on regulations from the TSA. Check out their new sites below:

United Kingdom and Ireland - 5-Hour Energy Available Now

Nederlands - 5-Hour Energy Available Now

Energy Drinks and Alcohol, a subject I had touched on back in 2007, still seems to be a hot button issue. Looks like both Michigan and Washington State have decided to ban the sale of energy drinks that contain alcohol. CNN has picked up the story here.

In other news Monster and Rockstar have unleashed a plethora of new drinks to the market, all of which I will try and review shortly. Normally, I really wouldn't pay too much heed to the new offerings and would focus my efforts on the more obscure and occult drinks, but over the years both Monster and Rockstar have added some pretty good products.

Since my last review there have been at least another 100 energy products released into the market. So even though I have reviewed almost 400 different energy related products now, I have what seems a never ending supply to keep me occupied. So cheers to all those that have read my reviews in the past and cheers to the next 400!!! Enjoy the weekend and stay tuned for the newest review shortly!

Monavie EMV Lite Energy Drink Review

2010-07-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Cost: $MLM
Cost Per Ounce:$MLM
Active Ingredients:Guarana, Yerba, Maco, Ginseng, Green Tea (extracts)
Taste Rating:8.1
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.3
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monavie EMV Lite Energy Drink Review:
Wow what a crazy summer!!! So as you may have noticed it has been far too long since I have done any sort of Energy Drink or Energy Shot review. What's my excuse? Well it's summer man and you have to get out there and enjoy it as much as possible. And I am thankful I have enough drinks and shots to get me through at full speed. Did my first Triathlon, Training for a Half Marathon, Built a House, did the Warrior Dash and went on a couple mini-vacations... So yeah I have been busy, sorry. Anyways, enough fluff, no one really cares what I am up to so let's move on to the review of Monavie Lite Energy Drink. Some of you may remember from my last review of Monavie Original, I requested a lighter version. Don't get me wrong, the drink was good, I just didn't want all the calories. Well I asked for it and it was delivered. So let's check out it out now.

Monavie EMV Lite Energy Drink Review: Taste
So as I said in my last review, the original Monavie had too many calories for my liking and the fruit juice blend was just a little bit too bitter for me. However, upon cracking the 8.4 ounce lite version with only 75 calories and taking a sip I was very surprised. The lite version still has a rich antioxidant blend of fruit as well as acai berry (20% juice blend). Only this time the acai berry blend had a much lighter and crisper berry taste than the original. Out of the 8-10 MLM drinks I have tried throughout my illustrious reviewing career, the new EMV Lite takes the cake. It has fewer calories than the original and according to their literature, seems to be a healthier alternative to your mainstream over the counter energy drinks (sweetened with stevia). Taste Rating - 8.1

Monavie EMV Lite Energy Drink Review: Kick
Now Monavie Lite does not make any claims that their drink will send you bouncing off the walls... nor does it promise extreme energy. What they are promising is sustained energy which is delivered in the form of natural ingredients like guarana, green tea and yerba mate. Upon drinking first thing in the morning, there was no quick initial kick, or quick wake up, but after an hour I have to say that I felt energized... and the feeling seemed to last the rest of the workday. Again, no bouncing off the wall feelings and no crash (associated from sugar). Palatinose seems to be another sources of energy for Monavie. I won't go in depth about it, but it seems to be a natural sugar replacement that provides an energy benefit in the form of glucose (Check it out at Wikipedia Kick Rating - 8.5

Monavie Light Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
My only complaint last time was the amount of calories in the drink... Since the lite version has trimmed the calories down from 170 to 75 per 8.4 ounce can, I am a much happier camper. The sustained energy was well received and the taste was a somewhat sweet acai berry flavor. If you want to get a hold of one of these to try yourself you will have to find a distributor (MLM) or become one yourself. Final Judgment - 8.3

Advertise to Potential Monavie Customers On this Blog

5-Hour Energy Become a Featured Fan

2010-07-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like my favorite Energy Shot is giving away prizes yet again. There last prize was a year's supply of energy drinks for playing a quiz game. Now, it looks like 5-Hour Energy is at it again... this time giving away 3 month supply of energy shots to the fans. This is at least the second time they did this, so if you missed the last iteration of their Contest I suggest you hit this one up for some free stuff. Last time they picked 20 featured fans as winners and gave away almost 1500 shots... Pretty sweet deal since all you have to do is tell 5 Hour Energy why you like them so much. ENTER NOW :)

World Cup Fever - FIXX Extreme Special

2010-06-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

In celebrating the start of the World Cup, FIXX Extreme, World's Strongest Energy Shot is offering a 20% off discount for the next two days (June 11 and 120). Just use the promo code and link listed below.

World Cup Fever
Did you know soccer in the United States is an extremely popular sport with kids? But as they get older, the love fades. However, when the world cup comes along, there's that special awaking that occurs inside. For those of you that have your country in the World Cup, the excitement is unlike no other sport. There's a reason why football (aka soccer) is the most popular sport in the WORLD.

To express our excitement, FIXX Extreme is offering a 20% discount on all FIXX Extreme orders today (June 11) and tomorrow (June 12). Act soon as this offer expires tomorrow, Friday June 12 at 1159pm EST

Promo Code: worldcup2010
Order Fixx Extreme Here

Wave Energy Drink Review

2010-05-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Cost:$2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, Inositol, Choline , L-Lysine, B vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.3
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Wave Energy Drink Review:
So today's Energy Drink Review comes from a relatively new player in the market, albeit one that looks completely legit... I mean they sponsored a NASCAR team right out of the gate. Anyways the Wave Energy Drink was founded in 2009 and comes in both a regular and sugar free version available in 16 ounces cans. The slogan... "Taste the Wave" is nothing really unique, but it is very fitting, especially with the new sleek design of the cans. Wave does have a decent web presence with active Facebook, Twitter and Youtube accounts, but I am not sure about their web site. They seem to be marketing one URL that redirects to another... Anyways, that shouldn't affect the taste or kick of this drink, so on with the review.

Wave Energy Drink Review: Taste
As I stated above, Wave Energy Drink comes in both regular and sugar free, both of which are suppose to have all natural flavoring... This beverage is also being toted as a healthier alternative. Regardless, upon popping the top I get the typical old school energy drink aroma rolling out of the can. Upon first taste I get a variety of flavors including grape, apple and berry which all blend seamlessly together. Instead of the old school medicinal aftertaste I get more of a semi-sweet bubble gum aftertaste. For what seemed like a old school energy drink from the beginning turned out to be a very pleasant new school flavor... especially the lack of medicinal aftertaste. And the best part is the "sugar free" version tasted almost identical. Taste Rating - 8.8

Wave Energy Drink Review: Kick
The taste was great and from reading the can and marketing literature I know not to expect a giant kick from Wave as they bill themselves as a lower caffeine alternative. Since not everyone looking for energy wants 300+ milligrams of caffeine in their drinks, I think Wave might be able to capture a decent part of the market. There is no set caffeine number, but the energy ingredients include the following; Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, Inositol, Choline , L-Lysine and a pretty decent amount of B vitamins. The kick was not jittery, but it was noticeable. I would have to say that at least for a caffeine junkie like me, the kick was slightly less than average. However, I consume a lot of caffeine throughout the day and have built a pretty decent tolerance so the kick should be right on par for most people. Even with the tolerance I could feel it kick in and the energy lasted for several hours. If I had to guess, the caffeine content would be similar to a Redbull as that is about equivalent to how I felt in terms of kick. Overall not to shabby. Kick Rating - 8.3

Wave Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Go ahead and "Taste the Wave." I doubt you will be disappointed as the taste and kick are both good. I know I look forward to seeing and hearing more from this brand in the future. The drinks are not readily available everywhere yet, but it looks like they are moving fast on expanding distribution. If you want one and you need it now I suggest checking out their website. Or if you want a little fun visit their Facebook or Twitter page.

Mountain Dew - Dewmocracy

2010-04-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

While not exactly an Energy Drink per se, I have heard several arguments pertaining to Mountain Dew either being the original energy drink, or one of the driving factors for the creation of the energy category. Either way, I thought I would spread the news on the latest Dewmocracy campaign to choose the next Mountain Dew Flavor.

The campaign actually dates back to 2007, when the results of the Democracy voting gave us Voltage. The next round of Dewmocracy took place in 2009 where fans were not only asked to pick the newest member of Dew, but also to pick the names as well as the advertising campaigns. The campaign proved to be hugely successful, which leads us to the 2010 Dewmocracy campaign where we see three new flavors pitted against each other.

The three new flavors are:
1) Mountain Dew Typhoon - Dew flavor with a twist of tropical flavor
2) Mountain Dew Distortion - Dew with a blast of lime flavoring
3) Mountain Dew White Out - Dew with a smooth citrus flavor

All three of these flavors were created from start to finish by consumers and are available on store shelves from now until June 14th. If you would like to learn more about how the three final flavors came about and how consumers decided on everything from the names, flavors, colors, label designs and even television ads you can visit: www.dewmocracymediahub.com.

Or you can go directly to voting for your favorite flavor. The official voting site is Dewmocracy.com or you can go directly to Voting.... and don't forget to vote for which new flavor you would like to see released as a diet flavor.

I know I have my favorite, but I won't let my vast influence hamper the campaign

Advocare Spark Energy Drink Review

2010-04-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Cost:Varies
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, b-vitamins
Taste Rating:7.8
Kick Rating:7.7
Final Judgment Rating:7.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Advocare Spark Energy Drink Review:
Today I will be reviewing the Advocare Spark Energy Drink...not to be confused with the alcoholic energy drink Sparks. The two in fact are complete opposites as today's review comes from a pretty well known health and wellness company that has hundreds of other products and is designed to give you a mental boost as well as long lasting energy. Which, I guess if you argued correctly the alcoholic Sparks might do as well... Anyways, Advocare Spark comes in packet form (15grams) and can be purchased on the Advocare site or through one of the many independent business associates. Anyways, let's check out the taste and kick.

Buy AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink

Advocare Spark Energy Drink Review: Taste
So you have normal Energy Drinks, Energy Shots as well as mints, gums, candies, etc... But you also have on the go packets which seem to be an increasingly popular form of delivering energy... and this is exactly the form Advocare Spark comes in. Albeit it a quite large packet. Regardless the flavor is citrus based which has a pretty noticeable orange flavoring. Directions say to use 8 ounces of water, but previous experience with packet based energy drinks like this made me use almost 12 ounces to dilute the taste a little bit. Overall, as far as a packet based drink, I have to say Advocare did a great job... probably one of the better tasting MLM type drinks on the market. Taste Rating - 7.8

Advocare Spark Energy Drink Review: Kick
In past experiences with "business opportunity" based drinks, I have found the kick pretty much lackluster. But upon perusing the energy drink ingredient list of Advocare Sparks, I was pretty impressed as there is 120 milligrams of caffeine, 200 milligrams of taurine and a bunch of b-vitamins coupled with several other ingredients. No, 120 milligrams is not a ton of caffeine, it is actually a little below what seems to be the industry average, but overall the kick was refreshing. Definitely not a bounce off the walls jittery feeling, but enough to get me through the afternoon lull. Kick Rating - 7.7

Advocare Spark Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Overall not a bad drink, especially when you consider the price tag which hovers around $1.00 per pouch. Final Judgment - 7.7

Buy AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink

ABB Speed Stack Pumped N.O Energy Drink Review

2010-04-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99 (cheaper in bulk)
Cost Per Ounce:$0.14
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Arginine and Glycerol
Taste Rating:7.5
Kick Rating:9.7
Final Judgment Rating:9.2
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

ABB Speed Stack Pumped N.O. Energy Drink Review:
So everyonce in awhile I get to review a Hardcore Energy Drink that is not for your everyday activities. They are meant for those hardcore athletes and gym rats to take it to the next level. Well today I will be reviewing one of the ABB Energy Drinks that is focused on just that... the hardcore athlete. ABB Speed Stack Pumped N.O. (Nitric Oxide) comes in a 22 ounce plastic bottle and two flavors Grape and Fruit Punch. These bad boys are manufactured by American Bodybuilding Products. The complete lineup (as of right now) of ABB Energy Drinks include: Speed Stack (original), Ripped Force, Diet Turbo Tea, Adrenalyn Shot and Speed Shot Intensity. They are all high performance energy drinks... What else would you expect from ABB? Anyways, enough fluff and onto the review.

American Body Building (ABB) Speed Stack Pumped NO Fruit Punch 20 x 22 Oz

ABB Speed Stack Pumped N.O. Energy Drink Review: Taste
So first off I would like to distinguish the taste of these hardcore drinks from your everyday energy drinks. They are more based on performance and are really not for the casual enthusiast. That being said, both the grape and fruit punch flavors have a medicinal aftertaste. By no means is it hard to drink, it is actually very well put together for a hardcore drink, it just does not have as smooth a taste as most people would be used to. Anyways, when I consume a hardcore drink to get that extra pump at the gym I want to know what I drink is working... And so far, the entire lineup of ABB Energy Drinks have not disappointed in the kick category. Taste Rating - 7.5

ABB Speed Stack Pumped N.O. Energy Drink Review: Kick
The kick category for this drink carries more weight than the taste category. That being said, how did the Speed Stack Pumped N.O. perform at the gym? Well I followed the directions and drank 1/2 the bottle prior to exercising. And let me tell you the rush was intense and I was hitting the weights in no time. The Nitric Oxide version of this drink also contains arginine and glycerol which is where you get that pumped up feeling from... 30 Minutes into my training session I was still feeling quite pumped... Nonetheless I decided to drink the other half of the bottle to see what would happen. All I have to say is WOW. Definitely one of the strongest energy drinks I have had. Probably not "the" strongest, but it definitely ranks high on my list. So what's all in this bad boy? Well the drink itself (22 ounces) contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, 500 milligrams of taurine as well as arginine and glycerol for extra pump. So yeah, it is chalked full of energy. Now since I decided to drink the whole bottle I offset it by drinking a ton of water throughout my hour and a half workout. I would have to say that I consumed roughly 40-60 ounces of water in that time period... Which coincidentally led to two bathroom breaks. Even after the grueling workout, I was pumped and ready to keep rocking. Unfortunately, this was an after work gym session, so the energy carried on late into the night. Next time I use an ABB Energy Drink I think I will use it during my morning session. Kick Rating - 9.7

ABB Speed Stack Pumped N.O. Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
POWERFUL kick and a better than average taste for a drink of this caliber. If you are looking for that supplement to get you to the next level you may want to give this one a try. The energy I received was immense! Just remember, there is a lot of caffeine in here, so drink lots of water and consult your doctor when using for intense training. The suggested retail of these is about $2.99 each, or you can buy in bulk for around $55 for 20 bottles. However, right now Amazon has a special for $28.60 for 20 bottles bringing the cost down to less than $1.50 each, which to me seems like a sweet deal. Final Judgment - 9.2

Rockstar Recovery Energy Drink Review

2010-04-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Electrolytes
Taste Rating:9.3
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:9.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rockstar Recovery Energy Drink Review:
So it really has been a looong time since I have reviewed a Rockstar Energy Drink... not because they haven't had anything new, but usually I prefer to review energy drinks that are not quite mainstream. However, last time I was at the gas station checking out the new offerings, I couldn't resist the bright yellow 16 ounce Rockstar Recovery drink. This new drink is touted as being a recovery drink... mainly offering energy and hydration which basically means high caffeine and some electrolytes. Now I am not sure what Rockstar meant by "recovery"??? Was it from physical activity or a hangover? So not knowing I decided to test its effects on a class A hangover... Meaning happy hour until bar close. Yeah I haven't pulled one of these class "a" benders in quite some time so this energy/recovery drink definitely has its work cut out for it... Enough fluff and onto the review.

Rockstar Recovery Energy Drink Review: Taste
So the 16 ounce can is bright yellow with a black pop top... But it tastes nothing like the Rockstar drinks you are probably familiar with. Recovery is non-carbonated and has a very smooth lemonade taste. I should emphasize the "very" part as it really is smooth and has NO medicinal aftertaste at all. This drink (in terms of taste) and IMHO (which is never wrong) is far above the rest of Rockstar's offerings. Now taste may be subjective, but pretty much everyone can enjoy a nice crisp refreshing lemonade at some point. And that's exactly what I did. Taste Rating - 9.3

Rockstar Recovery Energy Drink Review: Kick
So by far my favorite tasting Rockstar... but will Rockstar Recovery give me energy and help with a hangover? Well they did combine my two favorite things... caffeine and electrolytes (you know those things found in sports drinks) and they did a pretty good job of it as well. The claims of "high caffeine" on the can are not 100% accurate as there is 160 milligrams in the entire can which makes it pretty much standard in that category. However the other energy ingredients like taurine, ginseng and b-vitamins combined with the recovery aspects of electrolytes (potassium) definitely did the trick of helping me function the next day after my binder. Now I was far from jumping off the walls but I could function and my eyes were not fighting to roll back into my head like normally after a bender. Kick Rating - 8.5

Rockstar Recovery Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Great taste and average kick. Combined with electrolytes I think this new offering is pretty solid. I don't think Rockstar was looking to blow people away with caffeine content here, they were looking to combine two solid beverages... energy drinks and sports drinks... And I think they did a pretty good job of doing it. I would for sure recommend grabbing one of these bad boys out of the cooler when you see one at a c-store. Final Judgment - 9.0

Vuka Energy Drink Review

2010-03-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-08T09:33:00.001-08:00

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

AMP Energy Juice Contest

2010-02-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

So we have contests galore going on right now... Well not really, there's two in the last week or so. This one is from AMP Energy Drink and is designed to promote their new lineup of 100% juice energy drinks. I have yet to try them (samples are on the way) but I can give you a little bit of teaser information. The new AMP Energy Juice Drinks come in single serve resealable plastic bottles. They are supposed to have all the power of a normal AMP but contain 100% juice. That's pretty much all I know until I try one of the two available AMP Energy Juice Flavors - Orange and Mixed Berry.

AMP Up Energy Juice Contest
Follow Energy Drink Ratings on Twitter and Win some free AMP Energy Swag! That's right just follow me on twitter and you could win a prize pack (see pic below) that includes some of the new AMP Energy Juice product and a branded beanie with built in speakers for YOUR iPod/MP3 player. Come on every body likes free stuff. So what are you waiting for... follow me.

Winner - The winner of the AMP Swag/Product will be randomly selected by me on March 5, 2010. I will contact you via twitter to get your address so the samples can be shipped to you (no P.O Boxes... the stuff won't get delivered). I will also announce the winner on twitter.

Win a Free Year's Supply of 5-Hour Energy!

2010-02-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

Do you want to win a year's supply of 5-Hour Energy? Well turns out all you have to do is take a simple Men's Fitness Workout Challenge Quiz. The quiz is only 18 questions... You have to get them all right in 5 minutes and 55 seconds and you are automatically entered to win a year's supply of 5-Hour!!!! One of the best offers I have seen to date from any of the Energy Shots on the market.

But that's not all. Looks like the contest goes even further by offering you, the fan a chance to be featured in an upcoming 5-Hour T.V Commercial. Here is a commericial from one of their latest featured fan winners:

Pretty good start to 2010 for 5-Hour. Looks like they are really rewarding their fans on a continual basis. I hope 5-Hour as long as all the other energy drink companies continue to give free product and swag!

If any other energy drink companies want to let their fans know about contests and give aways please let me know. I would be more than happy to post the information!

Contact Me Here for Contest Info

Crunk Mango Peach Energy Drink Review

2010-02-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$.024
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, Green Tea and Some Horny Goat Weed
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Crunk Mango Peach Energy Drink Review:
So the people from Crunk, or maybe the King of Crunk himself has introduced a new flavor of Crunk Energy Drink... that flavor is Mango Peach. The new flavor completes the other four offerings which include: Grape Acai, Citrus, Crunk Sugar Free and Original. The new flavor as well as the others all come in 16 ounce cans (some flavors still available in 8 ounce cans). Crunk has been around since 2004, and to date, I have enjoyed all the flavors. Let's see if the new Crunk Mango Peach does the trick.

Crunk Mango Peach Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off I want to say that taste is subjective... People enjoy different flavors more than others and they also have different taste palates. For me, I am not the biggest fan of sweet energy drinks, but again to each their own. Regardless, the Mango flavor has enjoyed huge growth in the energy category over the last couples years and it looks like Crunk is poised to take advantage of this. So what does it taste like? Well, Mango Peach is true to the other flavors in that it is highly carbonated, which IMHO takes a little bitter of the sweetness and bitterness away... a good thing. Upon first taste, you get a instant rush of sweet mango flavor, followed by a rush of a subtle yet sweet peach flavor. Again I am not normally a fan of sweet drinks, but this new concoction by Crunk was not over the top sweet, but it was refreshing. There was no medicinal aftertaste whatsoever as the first rush of mango quelled any notions of bitterness. To sum up, I had no problem finishing all 16 ounces in a couple short minutes. While not my favorite in the Crunk lineup, the new Mango Peach flavor is a great addition to the family. Taste Rating - 8.8

Crunk Mango Peach Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the new concoction is sweet and was thoroughly enjoyed by this reviewer. But did it give me the get up and go I needed to get me through the afternoon lull? Well the energy ingredients seem to stay true to the rest of the lineup... meaning there is 192 milligrams of caffeine, green tea, guarana extract (natural caffeine) as well as Horny Goat weed, N Acetyl L-Cysteine, Ginkgo Biloba (leaves), Panax Ginseng (root), Grape seed extract, Skull Cap (whole plant), White Willow (bark), Ashwagandha (Root), Milk Thistle (seed). So yeah it does the trick of keeping a fella awake. Where does it fall in terms of the competition? Right in the middle of the pack. It is far from weak, but seems to stick to the normal industry standards of around 200 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounces. Kick Rating - 8.6

Crunk Mango Peach Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
After all is said and done, the new Crunk Mango Peach makes a nice addition to the family. You can pick up the 16 ounce variations at most convenience stores as well as purchase in bulk online. The cost for one of these is the standard $2.00. If you want to see where the nearest location is to buy any Crunk flavors, the official web site has a nice Crunk Locator that will point you in the right direction. Final Judgment - 8.8

Generator Energy Shot Review

2010-02-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$1.00
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Amino Acids....
Taste Rating:7.7
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Generator Energy Shot Review:
So completely exhausted this morning after being sick the past couple days... which makes it a perfect time to review another Energy Shot. So today's victim, I mean shot is the Generator Energy Shot from Rhino Mike. Who is Rhino Mike? Well I researched their site, but I was not able to figure it out? Maybe they are talking about the MMA Fighter? If anyone knows please feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Anyways, back to the review... When I was researching the Generator Energy Shot I saw statements such as "The Perfect Energy Drink" and "14 cutting edge energy supplements" and "Generator fans have reported up to 12 hours of increased energy." Well, this little 2 ounce shot is a prime candidate for review. So let's put it to the test.

Generator Energy Shot Review: Taste
To me a perfect Energy Drink has to at least have a decent taste. Albeit not the deciding factor for me... it does help. So the label on the 2 ounce Generator shot bottle says "tropical blend." I may have to disagree with this statement. Although there is a blend, it did not taste tropical. There were fruity and somewhat tasty hints of flavoring, but there was a pretty strong medicinal aftertaste. The aftertaste was not so bitter where I wouldn't consider drinking one of these shots everyday... at least as long as it performed good in the kick category. Taste Rating - 7.7

Generator Energy Shot Review: Kick
So the taste was less than stellar, but will the kick "powered by 14 cutting edge supplements" be what I am looking for? Will it keep me pumped up for 12 hours as it did for other Generator Fans? Well, I am still pretty groggy from being sick the last couple days, so Generator has an uphill battle. Regardless the 14 "cutting edge supplements" include somewhat standard energy shot ingredients. The complete list of energy ingredients is: Acetyl L-Carnitine, B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6, B12, Beta-Alanine, Caffeine, Glucuronolactone, Inositol, Niacin, L-Arginine, L-Phenylalanine, N-Acetyl L Tyrosine, Panax Ginseng and Taurine. Although a lot of these ingredients are somewhat standard, I don't think I have seen them all present in a single energy shot before. So was the little 2 ounce Generator Shot able to pick my lazy sick ass out of bed and keep me motivated at work? You bet it was. The kick was fast and furious and lasted for several hours. Now I didn't experience 12 hours of energy, but I am probably far from your typical user as I pump myself full of caffeine in pretty much any form I can get it. Still, a great kick. Kick Rating - 9.0

Generator Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
Well it may not be the perfect energy drink for me as I was not the biggest fan of the taste (albeit, taste is subjective). Nonetheless it performed in the category that counts the most... kick. Besides online, I am not sure where you can pick these up. Through the Generator store, you can pick up a 12 pack for $28 shipped to your door. So that equates to a little over $2 per bottle which seems to be pretty standard nowadays when buying in bulk. If you know where else you can get this shot feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.7

Wake The Fu*k Up Coffee Review

2010-01-25T10:01:00.000-08:00

Cost: $10/per pound
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine
Taste Rating:NA
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Wake The Fu*k Up Coffee Review:
Alright I normally strictly stick to Energy Drinks and Shots but every once in awhile I will vary and do a Coffee Review. Now they are few and far between but some argue that coffee is really the first mainstream energy drink. Couple that with the name of Wake the Fu*k Up Coffee and their funny slogans ("Sleep is for the Dead" and "This is clearly a better option than the Caffeine IV Drip" and you have what should be an interesting review. A little background perhaps... Wake the Fu*K Up Coffee was founded by a group of Creative and gutsy entrepreneurs with backgrounds in the Food, and Beverage Industry and Media. The coffee comes in a normal and a censored version (keeps the f bomb out of the packaging in case you have children or just not a fan of the f bomb). They currently come in one pound packs for $10.

Wake The Fu*k Up Coffee Review: Taste
So I am far from a coffee guru, but I do like to have a morning cup of coffee on occasion. When I do have this coffee I don't add sugar, cream, cinnamon or any of that other girly crap. I'll take my coffee black please... Anyways, the coffee beans seem rich and full and give you a dark blend, but the taste seems on par with most mass market middle end coffee blends (Think Folgers / Hills Brothers) you get in the supermarket. Anyways, the majority of the people probably are not buying this for the taste, but for the nice packaging. Which brings us to the question... Is this a novelty or is this the real deal? To me if they meet the claims of being an "extra strong" coffee than Wake The Fu*k Up Coffee may go above and beyond a novelty. So let's move on to the kick review. Taste Rating - Average (Energy Drink/Shot Rating Does Not Really Apply)

Wake The Fu*k Up Coffee Review: Kick
So is this an extra strong coffee? How does it compare to normal coffee or even energy drink or shots for that matter? Again not being a coffee guru and not having a ton of other coffee's to compare to (so yeah it's my opinion), I feel that Wake the Fu*k Up delivered a more than substantial kick. After two cups of coffee I was wide awake and alert at 6 a.m. I was a tad more spry that when drinking my normal cups of coffee (Im not even brand loyal), but I wasn't bouncing off the walls. Regardless it did give me more than the wake up I was looking for... so yes, it packed more of punch than your typical cup of coffee. In terms of comparing it to an energy drink, I think two cups of Wake The Fu*k Up would be about as strong as a 16 Ounce Monster Energy Drink. Kick Rating - 8.5

Wake The Fu*k Up Coffee Review: Final Judgment
Yeah it is stronger than your typical cup of coffee, but the price is a tad higher as well. I don't believe this is purely a novelty product as it does what it is told... However, the Gift Set they sell on their website for $30 would be perfect for someone who loves coffee and has a sense of humor. The WTFU Coffee Mug is a nice touch. So for a decent taste and an above average kick WTFU gets a final judgment rating of 8.0.

Monster Energy - Nitrous Anti-Gravity Review

2010-01-19T10:06:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$.17
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:9.4
Kick Rating:8.9
Final Judgment Rating:9.3
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monster Energy - Nitrous Anti-Gravity Review:
In the past I had shied away from the more Mainstream Energy Drinks as I felt they received enough coverage as is. But with an every expanding (and improving?) lineup I made a promise to start reviewing and providing more coverage of these Mainstream Drinks in the future. So today is the day as I work on expanding my reviews of Monster Energy Drinks. And to start I will pick Monster Anti-Gravity from their Nitrous lineup which also has Super Dry and Killer B. So let's see how the Monster Anti-Gravity Energy Drink performs in the taste and kick test.

Or take a look at the other reviews from Monster
Monster Hitman - Energy Shooter
Khaos
M-80
Assault
Monster Energy Drink - Original
Lo-Carb

Monster Energy - Nitrous Anti-Gravity Review: Taste
To be honest it has been quite some time since I reviewed anything from Monster. It's not for the lack of product, as they have a ton to choose from, it's more along the lines of me being swamped with review requests from start-ups and other small time drinks. Regardless, in the past I was not the most impressed with the taste of these drinks. However, starting with new flavors (now several years old) like Khaos and M-80, I started to appreciate Monster a little more. And with the new Anti-Gravity Monster Energy Drink, I think they have improved even more. Anti-Gravity is part of Monster's Nitrous lineup... all of which include a combination of Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide and come in Monster's new battery type can's. So what does Anti-Gravity with Nitrous and Carbon Dioxide taste like? Well the flavor itself is kind of fruity and tropical, which IMHO is the best so far I have tasted from Monster. The combination of Nitrous and Carbon Dioxide seem to give off a highly carbonated vibe, but without the effects of normal highly carbonated drinks (and by this I mean bloated and burping all the time). So to sum up the taste is very well received, especially as it seems to have any medicinal aftertaste at all, which to me is huge. Kudos to Monster on this one! Taste Rating - 9.4

Monster Energy Anti-Gravity Review: Kick
So sure this is the highest taste review any Monster Drinks have received from me in the past, but how will this new Anti-Gravity perform in the most important category (kick)? Will the Nitrous lineup prove more powerful than the original lineup even though it is only 12 ounces vs the normal 16 ounces??? Well the total energy blend is 5000 milligrams which is the same as a normal 16 ounce Monster Energy (2500 milligrams per serving). But remember, Anti-Gravity only comes in a 12 ounce can... so in essence you are getting a bunch more energy ingredients per ounce in the Anti-Gravity compared to the original lineups... You get roughly 312.5 milligrams of energy blend per ounce in a normal 16 ounce Monster. In the new Anti-Gravity Nitrous lineup you get roughly 417 milligrams of energy blend per ounce. That's nothing to be shy of and IMHO is a nice increase, which I definitely felt. Kick Rating - 8.9

Monster Energy - Nitrous Anti-Gravity Review: Final Judgment
Well Anti-Gravity, my first review from Monster's Nitrous lineup was more than positive and is definitely my most favorable review yet pertaining to Monster. Not only was the taste delicious, but the energy blend was increased (per ounce) making the kick that much better. So if you have yet to try one of Monster's New Nitrous drinks, I suggest you give them a try. They turned this cynic into a believer... Final Judgment - 9.3

Penthouse Energy Drink Review - Wild Berry

2010-01-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Cost: $
Cost Per Ounce:$
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Xian Cao
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Penthouse Energy Drink Review - Wild Berry
I want to start off by apologizing to all the loyal followers of this site... I know it has been awhile since I reviewed any Energy Drinks. However, it's a new year so I promise to plug away and review as many as I can (while still getting SOME sleep). Anyways, the first review of 2010 will be the Penthouse Energy Drink (Wild Berry). The 12 ounce Penthouse Energy Drinks also come in lemon lime, citrus punch and sugar free, all of which I will review at some point in time. Penthouse is toting these new drinks as both for the active athlete (hence the low calorie count) and as mixers (just plan old penthouse style...). I have to say, that I am a little excited... I mean aroused... I mean I can't wait to give it a try. Enough fluff let's check this new drink out.

Penthouse Energy Drink Review - Wild Berry Taste
First off I would like to say that the can is actually very stylish. At first I was a little disappointed that there was no nudity on the can, but then I realized I don't think Penthouse is going for a novelty energy drink. Instead the cool artwork leads to a more sophisticated looking can. Anyways back to the taste review. As the 12 ounce carbonated can says, it has a distinct wild berry taste. However, unlike berry energy drinks of old that had syrupy bitter tastes, Penthouse Wild Berry was far from it. You could almost say Penthouse was pure (as in taste). The carbonation was not overwhelming, although I don't know if I would consume before a workout... but as a mixer this would be great. And all of this with only 75 calories for the entire 12 ounce can. Taste Rating - 8.7

Penthouse Energy Drink Review - Wild Berry Kick
Pure Wild Berry taste, but will Penthouse deliver the "rise" I am looking for. Well at 150 milligrams of caffeine, 1125 milligrams of taurine, a plethora of b-vitamins and 25 milligrams of Xian Cao (Ginseng) I got the energy I was looking for. It was not over the top or even close to over the top for that matter, but I don't think that is what Penthouse Clear is going for. The energy ingredients pretty much put this drink in the middle of the pack, which is more than enough to provide sustained energy for most of the population. And with only 18 grams of sugar (compared to 75 + in normal energy drinks), the crash effect was pretty much non-existent... as the can says... clearly stimulating! Kick Rating - 8.5

Penthouse Energy Drink Review - Wild Berry Final Judgment
I have to say that when I first heard of this energy drink, I figured that it would be just another novelty product.... But nothing is farther from the truth. With a sophisticated design, great taste and a kick that is clearly stimulating, Penthouse Clear is the real deal. I don't know where they are available yet, but on their website it states that you can purchase them online. If anyone knows feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.6

Krank'd Body Fuel Review

2009-12-28T08:24:00.001-08:00

Cost: $2.49
Cost Per Ounce:$0.15
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, B-Vitamins, Tri-Carb blend
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Krank'd Body Fuel Review:
So it has been a couple weeks since my last Energy Drinks review as I have been buys with the holidays and I have been providing some cool contest information. I have also been overwhelmed by Energy Shot Review requests. Anyways, enough excuses, let's talk about the Krank'd body fuel line up. Now although not technically an energy drink per se, it does mainly consist of the same traits, albeit Krank'd seems to be formulated more for the active lifestyle than the gamer type. Krank'd Body Fuel comes in a 16.9 ounce resealable bottle which contains 37 calories. The tagline of Krank'd which is "7 in 1" refers to the drinks body fuel blend which consists of:

1) B-Vitamins
2) Minerals
3) Electrolytes
4) Antioxidants
5) L-Glutamine
6) Reverse Osmosis Water
7) Tri-Carb Blend

To try Krank'd I think I am going to put it to the test in the gym. Let's see what the kick and taste results are.

Krank'd Body Fuel Review: Taste
Now normally I review each flavor individually, but because I am swamped and because Krank'd offers 4 flavors which include Fruit Punch, Grape, Orange and Peach Tea, I am going to just do a general review of the flavors. I can tell you that all four flavors are non-carbonated and I can give you a general idea of the taste. It's like a cross between a energy drink and a gatorade/powerade flavor. You can distinguish the flavors, but the lack of carbonation makes Krank'd feel less like an energy drink and more like a sports drink, which in itself is not bad. And with only 37 calories and no carbonation, Krank'd makes for an excellent choice for a pre or post workout drink. Taste Rating - 8.5

Krank'd Body Fuel Review: Kick
Krank'd again is not your typical energy drink as you are not going to find ton's of caffeine to get you up and moving. While there is caffeine present, Krank'd gets is kick from a more traditional energy ingredient in the form of carbs and b-vitamins. The b-vitamins and tri-carb blend (dextrose, maltodextrin, dextro-pentose) are great for "time released" energy. While you won't get the large initial boost many of you are used to with traditional energy drinks, you will get a nice dose of sustained energy which is great for the active lifestyle. The addition of glutamine and electrolytes again make Krank'd a pretty good choice for that pre or post workout drink. Kick Rating - 8.4

Krank'd Body Fuel Review: Final Judgment
Although Krank'd is not your typical energy drink, the hyrbrid aspects of krank'd make it a great choice for people with an active lifestyle. The "7 in 1" bodyfuel is sure to please in more ways than one. You can get the 16.9 ounce drink at Giant and Martin's food stores or it is available for purchase in bulk online. Final Judgment - 8.5

Zizzazz Energy Free 14 Day Trial

2009-12-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the holidays looks like Zizzazz Energy Drinks are also offering a free trial if you pay shipping and handling. Looks like this free trial includes a 14 day supply of Zizzazz Energy Packets. To find out more info on the free trial click on the banner below. Also, in case you don't want to continue your free trial, below is the cancellation information that I dug up of the Zizzazz site:

NOTE: You are not obligated to purchase after you receive your free* trial and you can cancel at anytime, you can do this easily within the 14 day period, by calling us at 1-866-949-9290 to request cancellation from the Free* Trial Offer.

Guru Energy Drink - Buy One Get One Free

2009-12-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Looks like Guru Energy Drink is offering a buy one get one free on mixed 12 packs and 24 packs for first time buyers. This deal also includes free shipping! When all is said and done you can save $27 on a 12 pack and $47 on a 24 pack! So thanks Guru Energy for spreading the holiday cheer. To get the deal, which expires December 31, 2009, follow these steps:

1) Go to www.guruenergy.com
2) Select Two Guru Energy Drink Mixed 12 or 24 Packs
3) At Check Out, in step 2 of 3 enter Coupon Code XMAS12 if you selected to mixed 12 packs or XMAS24 if you selected two mixed 24 packs.
4) Click "apply coupon" for discount to be applied to your total order. Remember Free Shipping as Well!

5-Hour Energy Featured Fan Contest - Round Two!

2009-12-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

5-Hour Energy has been going to town on contests lately. They have a 5-Hour Commercial Video Contest goin on right now where you can win $5,555 and a ton of energy shots.

I also just got a notice that they are going to be running the featured fan contest again. Last time they ran it they picked 10 winners, all of which received 36 bottles of 5-Hour along with celebrity status in the Featured Fan Section. Looks like they will be doing the same thing again. Details below. Good Luck!

Featured Fan Contest
5-Hour Energy kicked off the summer right with The Search for 5-Hour Energy's A-List, and after a staggering response, the team at 5-Hour Energy is hosting yet another Featured Fan Contest. Winners will receive a 3-month supply of 5-Hour Energy Shots and a personal Web page in the 5-Hour Energy Fan Zone.

To Enter the Featured Fan Contest all you need to do is submit a photo and your story of 400 words or less explaining the when, where, why and how of your enthusiasm for 5-Hour Energy. The team at 5-Hour Energy reminds you to keep it clean.

Nerd Focus & Energy Drink - Zero Calorie Review

2009-11-20T08:40:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.17
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Guarana
Taste Rating:9.5
Kick Rating:8.2
Final Judgment Rating:9.1
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Nerd Focus & Energy Drink - Zero Calorie Review:
Now I get sent Energy Drink Samples on a weekly basis. Normally upon receiving the sample it takes anywhere’s from 3-6 weeks for me to get the review out. Not only am I busy, but I normally review in the order that I receive. However, for Nerd Zero Calorie, I will be reviewing right away. Now I just got the sample two days ago, but I will be reviewing today. Why the change? Well my last experience with Nerd was delightful. The original Nerd was great tasting and fell just shy of making my Best Energy Drink list and since it has been well over a year since I had one... I couldn't wait to try the new zero calorie version. Here's a little background on Nerd in case you missed my original review. The 12 ounce drink was invented by a former college student (Vinicio Montes) with the purpose of enhancing memory retention and increasing energy. So basically, this drink was created for college students by college students. Let's see if this drink holds up to the original.

Nerd Focus & Energy Drink - Zero Calorie Review: Taste
As I have said more than once already, I enjoyed the original because of the unique taste. I enjoyed it so I had high expectations for the zero calorie version. And let me tell you, my expectations were met. By using stevia in lieu of sugar they were able to remove the calories all the while keeping the great carbonated flavor which can only be described as tasting like a Green Ecto Cooler Drink from Hi-C which can best be described by me as a citrus cooler taste that has hints of lime, orange and other flavors.. Yes, it brought back memories of my childhood and yes I love it! Taste Rating - 9.5

Nerd Focus & Energy Drink - Zero Calorie Review: Kick
Now I reviewed the original well over a year ago and the bar has been raised on kick in that time. The original review received a kick rating of 8.5, which was slightly above average at that time. The zero calorie version of Nerd has the same energy ingredients which include (entire 12 ounce can): 120 milligrams of caffeine, 1500 milligrams of taurine, 37.5 milligrams of guarana extract and a very nice helping of B-Vitamins. So back then, when compared to a Red Bull with 80 milligrams of caffeine, Nerd performed pretty well. But the standard nowadays seems to be at least 200 milligrams in a 16 ounce drink. Now Nerd zero calorie is only 12 ounces, but it still falls a bit below the standard competition in terms of energy ingredients. Nonetheless, it still delivers a nice kick without any jitters. Which in fact, was probably what they were going for in the first place since the drink is to help increase energy and focus. And when increasing focus, you don't want tons of caffeine in you as there is no way you will be able to concentrate (IMHO). Kick Rating - 8.2

Nerd Focus & Energy Drink - Zero Calorie Review: Final Judgment
Still one of my favorite tasting energy drinks. The kick is decent and the price is competitive. Now in my original review I had two quips about Nerd. First one was that they should introduce a sugar free / low calorie version which they did. Now I would like to think that this was because of me, but I am doubting it, but hey, you never know. My second quip was that they should up the size or at least introduce a 16 ounce version. Who knows... maybe a year from now I they will do just that. But in the meantime, both the original and zero calorie 12 ounce versions are just fine. I wish they were easier to buy because this is one of the drinks I would actually pick up from time to time. Right now the only place I know where you can pick one of these up is at their Web store. If anyone has seen these on a shelf somewhere feel free to chime in below in the comment section. Final Judgment - 9.1 (love the taste)

5-Hour Energy: Commercial Contest

2009-11-18T08:25:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would pass along the info from the 5-Hour Energy Web site and let you know that they are running a huge commercial contests. According to the blog winners will receive:

The first place winners, as judged by the 5-Hour Energy team, its partners and online voters, will receive $5,555.00, 555 bottles of 5-Hour Energy shots and the possibility to have their commercial used as a real television advertisement. 5-Hour Energy will also donate $5,555 to the contest winner’s college/university along with product samples on campus. The second and third place winners will both receive 555 bottles of 5-Hour Energy.

You can find out full information here: 5-Hour Energy Commercial Contest

Hardcore Energize Bullet - Black Rush Review

2009-11-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:L-Tyrosine, Caffeine, Glucoronolactone, Panax Ginseng, Theobromine, Policosinol
Taste Rating:8.6
Kick Rating:9.5
Final Judgment Rating:
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Hardcore Energize Bullet - Black Rush Review:
So you wanna go hardcore? Well then the lineup of Harcore Energize Bullets may just be the 2.9 ounce shots you have been looking for. These Energy Shots are made by isatori Technologies which also manufacturers and distributes other workout and performance related products. So the bullet comes in a rather large bullet shaped 2.9 ounce test tube/ vial. I say rather large because it is at least twice as big as your typical shot (about 6 inches tall). Really not to much other general information about Hardcore, except to read over the multiple warnings on the drink "Warning: Extremely Poten" "Do Not Exceed Recommended Dosage." Ok, I read some of the warnings (believe me there are quite a few), now I want to try to see if it is actually hardcore!

Hardcore Energize Bullet - Black Rush Review: Taste
Before I even drink the shot, I am a little worried about the taste. It's supposed to be "hardcore" meaning potent in the kick category and it's a shot, both of which are usually detrimental to a drink in my taste review. Well only one thing left to do and that's unscrew the giant red cap and take a swig to see how it tastes... Well, no cringe or bitter energy shot face which is a good thing. To me, Black Rush tastes pretty much like Black Cherry, albeit a little sweet for my taste. Like most shots, Hardcore Energize uses artifical sweetner which is where the "really sweet" taste comes from. However, I would rather have an overly sweet drink then one that was laced with medicinal aftertaste. Taste Rating - 8.6

Hardcore Energize Bullet - Black Rush Review: Kick
So the shot was pretty good tasting and was not a problem doing in two quick swigs. But will this "hardcore" energy shot with all the warning labels provide me with the kick I need? Well I was expecting big things as I read the ingredient label before consuming (which I do all the time now after consuming an energy drink with 500 milligrams of caffeine in 5 minutes). The energy ingredients include 769 milligrams of the following proprietary formula: L-Tyrosine, Caffeine, Glucoronolactone, Panax Ginseng, Theobromine, Policosinol and Rhodia Rosea.... Wheh that was a mouthful and a handful of energy to boot. Easily lasted 5 hours, which I can understand as the total amount of caffeine is 300 milligrams... not to bad for a tiny 2.9 ounce shot. The bullet is definitely one of the strongest shots I have had to date! Kick Rating - 9.5

Hardcore Energize Bullet - Black Rush Review: Final Judgment
Pretty good tasting shot, especially considering the amount of energy one of these bullets packs!!! Just make sure you head all the warnings before trying one of these bad boys. I didn't see any information on where you can buy these except for on the iSatori web site. If you have seen it in any brick and mortars stores, feel free to list them below in the comments section.

Ubershot Energy Drink Review

2009-11-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.00
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins...
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:9.3
Final Judgment Rating:9.2
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Ubershot Energy Drink Review:
Well as I have stated many times before, reviewing Energy Drinks and Shots is a pretty gravy job and it affords me the opportunity to try stuff that is not even available in the United States. Today I will be reviewing the Ubershot which is made by Uber Drinks Ltd across the pond in the London. I was over in Europe a couple months ago (although not in London) and I noticed a very limited selection of energy drinks and even fewer energy shots when compared to the US market. Needless to say I was not to impressed with the overseas selection. However, Ubershot may change my mind. There is only one way to find out, so on to the taste and kick reviews!

Ubershot Energy Drink Review: Taste
After first sipping the tiny 58 milliliter (2 ounce) shot, I really could not pinpoint the taste. To me it seemed like there was a hint of orange, maybe a passion fruit taste as well. I did notice that there was no medicinal aftertaste at all which was surprising to me knowing the amount of energy ingredients included and knowing that it was sugar free and only containing 5 calories. Anyways, the taste was above and beyond what most of the drinks in the United States offered so it did not take me long to slam the rest of the shot. Taste Rating - 9.0

Ubershot Energy Drink Review: Kick
As I stated above, the taste was amazing considering the amount of energy ingredients. The Ubershot actually has more caffeine than the likes of the Rockstar Energy Shot and Monster Hitman Energy Shooter, both of which in my opinion tasted less than stellar because of the medicinal aftertaste. Anyways I digress... The energy ingredients of the Ubershot include 210 milligrams of caffeine, 1050 milligrams of taurine, b-vitamins, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, L-carnitine and Malic Acid. Anyways, the energy blend from overseas was more than enough to get this reviewer hyped up for several hours. Kick Rating - 9.3

Ubershot Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Now I have only reviewed a handful of drinks/shots from overseas, but so far the Ubershot is hands down the best one I have tried. The taste was excellent and medicinal free and the kick was above and beyond what you will find in most readily available shot in the United States. To sum up, I hope Uber Drinks makes it big overseas so they can start distributing here in the U.S. If you are really itching for one, check out their Web site, they sell in bulk... just not sure how much the shipping would cost you. Final Judgment - 9.2

VIV Energy Drink Review

2009-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Cost: Free Trial - $5.95 shipping
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Schizandra,
Taste Rating:8.3
Kick Rating:8.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.2
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

VIV Energy Drink Review:
Alright, so there are more and more types of Energy Drinks and Shots entering the market every day. Personally, I am a fan of the hardcore sugar free energy drinks and shots like 5-Hour Energy and Diet Turbo Tea. However, there are a growing number of people not only avoiding energy drinks, but caffeine in general. So every now and again I like to review caffeine free alternative energy boosters. For example, VIV Energy Drink is all natural and caffeine free and it contains anti-oxidants. Viv Energy drink, according to the company web Site, is also supposed to help increase metabolism, improve mental focus and help the body feel more refreshed. Well, I really have no need to increase my metabolism as I am fortunate enough to burn calories pretty quick, so I am just going to stick to reviewing the kick and taste of the Viv Energy Drink.

Free Month Trial - Just Pay $5.95 Shipping

VIV Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off, VIV comes in a nice handy ready to mix packet. So just add water. Personally, I have been seeing more and more of these ready to mix packets entering the market, and to me they are kind of handy. However, with VIV, I was a little apprehensive at first about the combination of being all natural, sugar free and coming in a packet as with my experience the taste is usually not the greatest. However, with VIV, it was actually very well received by this reviewer. The powder blended nicely and the distinct berry taste was pretty good. Since this is all natural and no artificial sweetners, I believe the berry taste was contrived from one of the main ingredients... the Goji berry, which is supposed to promote kidney and liver functions and plays a large part in the energy ingredients. Overall, very well received by this reviewer in the taste category for an all natural sugar free energy drink. Taste Rating - 8.3

VIV Energy Drink Review: Kick
So Viv was able to pull off a pretty good taste even with an all natural energy drink. But will they be able to provide this reviewer a good kick without the caffeine? Well, I was less than optimistic, as I have tried over 400 energy drinks to date, most of which have had caffeine (Some as much as 500 milligrams of caffeine) and caffeine is usually what gets me going. However, I was thoroughly surprised by the Viv energy drink. Now, it did not send me bouncing off the walls as if I had consumed a bunch of coffee or caffeine, but I did feel a nice boost in energy after leaving the gym. I would say it took about 30 minutes to kick in, but after that I was full of energy for several hours... and since it is sugar free, NO CRASH!! So I was a little confused as to how I could get a bunch of energy with out using caffeine, so upon further research it looks like Viv provides energy from the following forms: Schizandra, Rhodiola and Goji. So even after years of consuming normal and hardcore energy drinks, I still got a decent kick! Kick Rating - 8.0

VIV Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
A good taste and a nice all natural kick. Now, Viv may not be for me as I prefer a caffeine kick (even though it's probably not as healthy) but for those looking for an all natural, caffeine free kick at a pretty decent price than give it a try. I know that Viv is currently offering a 28 day free trial where all you have to pay is shipping and handling which equates to $5.95. So a month's enegy for $5.95 seems like a pretty decent deal.

Vital Energy Drink Review - Acai Blueberry

2009-10-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.10
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.7
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Vital Energy Drink Review - Acai Blueberry:
Right from the start I could tell that Vital Energy from Enertia Beverages, was not your typical Energy Drink. This one is a vitamin enhanced energy drink, similar to Vitamin Water + energy... with the exception of a lot more kick! According to Enertia, "Vital Energy is formulated to help active people perform better and live healthier, more refreshed lifestyles. We are the ideal beverage for those long study sessions, morning pick me ups, or whenever you need an added healthy boost." So let's put Vital Energy to the test in the taste and kick reviews.

Vital Energy Drink Review - Acai Blueberry: Taste
Now, I have only tried one or two other Vitamin based energy drinks, and neither one has performed very well in the taste or kick categories (remember taste is subjective). So, I was a little apprehensive at first, but after giving the 20 ounce Acai Blueberry Vital Energy a try, I was more than satisfied. It was crisp, non carbonated and it did not taste sugary, which to me personally, is a big plus (There are only 32.5 grams of sugar in a 20 ounce serving compared to your typical 65-70 grams in a 16 ounce energy drink). Vital Energy tasted more along the lines of a sports drink...albeit with slightly more flavoring. To me, this beverage represented a nice before and after for use at the gym. Taste Rating - 8.8

Vital Energy Drink Review - Acai Blueberry: Kick
It was crisp and refreshing, but will it deliver a kick worthy of an energy drink? Well your typical energy drink contains around 150-200 milligrams of caffeine as well as some other energy ingredients... making Vital Energy a nice comparable alternative as there are 150 milligrams of caffeine, a bunch of b-vitamins and just enough taurine. So it is a nice comparison in terms of initial energy, but Vital takes the cake in terms of having little to no crash effect. As mentioned above, your typical energy drink has 65-70 milligrams of sugar, whereas Vital Energy has half the amount. The amount of sugar plays a large part in the crash effect. Kick Rating - 8.7

Vital Energy Drink Review - Acai Blueberry: Final Judgment
Crisp and refreshing, low in sugar and a nice kick makes Vital Energy from Enertia Beverage a great alternative to your typical energy drink. Now as I stated above, I have only tried one or two other Vitamin based energy drinks from Vitamin Water... but Vital Energy definitely has a leg up on them in terms of kick and taste. Distribution seems to currently consist of New York, but you can purchase them online through their website for about $2.00 a piece. Final Judgment - 8.8

FireStar Energy Booster Review

2009-10-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Cost: £7.50 for 5 Sachets
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:CAFFEINE
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

FireStar Energy Booster Review:
So as I have said in the past... this isn't a bad gig. I get the luxury or reviewing Energy Drinks and Energy Shots from all over... And today is not an exception as I am delighted to give a new energy product from across the pond a try. Firestar Energy Booster is actually making waves across the pond, but I had not heard of it hear until I was contacted and asked if I would like samples. Of course I said YES. But honestly I was not sure what I was getting until a couple tiny 3 gram packets arrived at my door. And yes, 3 grams is correct and yes they are pretty tiny. Probably a bit smaller than a condom wrapper making them quite convenient to carry around (Firestar that is). Anyways enough fluff about FireStar Energy Booster... let's see what this bad boy from the U.K is made of.

Buy Firestar Energy Booster

FireStar Energy Booster Review: Taste
Upon opening the packet I see what looks like a bunch of tiny white powder, which at first makes me cringe, thinking how can these taste good at all? Well considering this gig is not bad and that I occasionally get a product I can't stand, I decide to untangle my panties and throw some of this powder into my mouth. And my gig still rocks. The taste was actually pretty sweet, almost as if it had been made for children, kind of like Fun Dip, you know that candy where you would lick the stick and dip it into the sweet goodness. Anyways, I digress... In FireStar Energy Booster tasted great and came in a sweet, but not too sweet lemon flavor. Taste Rating - 8.8

FireStar Energy Booster Review: Kick
From past experiences with out of state energy products, I have yet to find one that delivered a good kick. However, I was more than ready for a good kick from Firestar as right on the package it states "High Caffeine." 200 milligrams of caffeine to be exact which is right on par with the likes of the United States most popular 16 ounce energy beverages like Monster Energy Drink and Rockstar albeit in 3 grams vs 16 ounces. It took me all of five minutes to finish the packet and to enjoy a rush of energy which in deed lasted several hours just as the packet said. The fact that there are only 2 grams of sugar (vs 60 + grams in most energy beverages) meant that I could enjoy the kick without crashing. Kick Rating - 9.0

FireStar Energy Booster Review: Final Judgment
A fast kick and decent taste combined with condom sized portability makes Firestar a great choice for a quick pick me up (at least in this reviewers opinion). Although Firestar is not available in US stores, you can purchase them on the FireStar site in packs of 5 for a decent site. Also, shipping won't ding you like it would with liquid drinks as these are quite small. Final Judgment - 8.9

Buy Firestar Energy Booster

Protegy - Protein Energy Drink Review

2009-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$2.99
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Whey Protein, Ginseng, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.4
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Protegy - Protein Energy Drink Review:
I have to say I was more than thrilled to find out that there is another Energy Drink packed with protein now available on the market. Protegy, comes in a 12 ounce can, has zero carbs, zero sugar and zero fat. It contains 110 calories (still less than your typical energy drink), but 100 of these calories come from the 25 grams of protein packed into the can. Now I have to say, that I am a huge fan of both whey protein and energy drinks, so when they combine the two, it not only saves me time, it saves me money as well as I no longer have to buy both, I just have to pickup one. The only problem that I had in the past with these protein packed energy drinks, is that they were hard to come by as there was only one other option on the market. Now that Protegy is here and gaining momentum, hopefully they will be more readily available to me and the rest of the general public.

Protegy - Protein Energy Drink Review: Taste
For those of you who have tried whey protein, you know the taste is not always the greatest. You also know that not all energy drinks are the best tasting things... Combining the two seems like a disastrously bad idea when it comes to taste. However, Protegy does seem to hide any medicinal or poor tasting whey protein aftertastes (for the most part). The berry taste does have a slight bite to it, but it is not that noticeable. In fact, I would have to say that Protegy does this better than a lot of "normal energy drinks" on the market, even with the added 25 grams of protein. Taste Rating - 8.4

Protegy - Protein Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the taste is pretty good, considering the extra benefit from 25 grams of whey. But does Protegy provide ample kick? Well, I took this about 30 minutes prior to going to the gym after a full day of work. This did two things for me, it gave me a nice energy kick as well as curbing my appetite from not eating for the last five hours. The actual energy ingredients include 80 milligrams of caffeine, a bunch of b-vitamins and ginseng. No, Protegy will not blow you out of the water with energy but it will give you plenty to get you through a workout. And if you are like me, I don't enjoy downing a ton of caffeine right before a workout as it just seems to dehydrate me to fast. Kick Rating - 8.5

Protegy - Protein Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
As I state above, I am a huge fan of Protein Energy Drinks, so I hope I was not too biased on this particular review. If you workout our exercise on a daily basis, I suggest giving one of these a try. Looks like they are starting to pick up distribution at 711 and GNC's across the country. If you have seen these anywhere else, feel free to let us know in the comment section below. Final Judgment - 8.5

5-Hour Energy - Grape Review

2009-10-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:9.5
Final Judgment Rating:9.4
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

5-Hour Energy - Grape Review:
Now I have reviewed all of the past 5-Hour Energy flavors, berry (original), orange, lemon lime as well as the extra strength and Decaf versions which is why I am extremely excited about the new 5-Hour Energy grape flavor.... oh and did I mention it is probably my favorite energy shot on the market. I take these tiny sugar free 2 ounce shots with me wherever I go...the gym, backpacking (watch out they freeze in the winter...yet still taste fine frozen), Euro Trips...etc To tell you the truth, I use them a lot and they are my go to shot of choice (that is when I am not reviewing another new Energy Drink for this site). But, I was a little disappointed when I didn't win the 5-Hour Energy Featured Fan Contest because it would have been nice to get a free one year supply of 5-Hour. Anyways, enough fluff, let's see how the new grape shot tastes and if it still has that great kick.

UpdateLooks like 5-Hour has two contests going on right now where you can win a free year's supply of 5-Hour Energy.
1) Maximize Your Energy Contest - offering two chances to win a year's supply of 5-Hour Energy.
2) Men's Fitness - Release Your Inner Superman - offering 3 chances to win a year's supply of 5-Hour Energy, including the featured fan contest which I am going to try for again!!!

5-Hour Energy - Grape Review: Taste
Although, 5-Hour has been innovative in the past and still continues to be the market leader in shots, it has been awhile since they came out with a new flavor. In the meantime several other energy shot brands have came out with grape flavored shots, giving me a good benchmark for the grape 5-Hour. Most of these shots in the past, had a grape kool aid flavor that tasted a little watered down topped off with a distinct medicinal aftertaste. Now taste is subjective, but to me, the 5-Hour Energy grape shot had a superb taste. The grape did not taste watered down and the medicinal aftertaste was far less prevalent. Don't get me wrong, there was a slight aftertaste, but that is usually expected when you cram a bunch of energy into a tiny two ounce shot. Taste Rating - 8.8

5-Hour Energy - Grape Review: Kick
Since I normally use energy shots during some sort of physical activity, I thought I would put 5-Hour to the test on the treadmill. Recently, I decided to train for a marathon. Now I am very active, but by no means am I a long distance runner and I usually cap my treadmill runs at about 5 miles, well short of the 26.2 required to finish a marathon. I know I have a long way to go, which is why I thought I would push myself today with the new grape 5-Hour. Since the Energy Ingredients are the same as the past flavors, I knew what to expect. A great kick that really helped boost my workout. Not only did it provide extra energy to help me run an extra two miles, but it also gave me the focus to do so because running on the treadmill is not my idea of fun, but it is more convenient than driving out to the nearest trail. Kick Rating 9.5

5-Hour Energy - Grape Review: Final Judgment
To sum up... glad they came out with a new flavor. Grape provide a great taste when compared to similar offerings by competitors along with the expected great kick. You can usually find these for $2.99, but you can get them at places like Wal-Mart for 2 for $5.00. Also, It looks like 5-Hour has a store where you can buy them in bulk for a little cheaper... and it is more convenient. I can't wait until the next flavor comes out! Final Judgment - 9.4

Jolt Energy Shot Review

2009-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, B-Vitamins, Taurine, Ginseng
Taste Rating:8.0
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Jolt Energy Shot Review:
I am pretty sure I have tried all of the Jolt Energy Drink offerings to date and I have to say that I have enjoyed most of them. I also have to say that Jolt was very inventive when they released the cool battery looking cans. So even though Jolt was extremely late to the Energy Shot game, I had high hopes for the new Jolt Endurance shot as they had shown creativity in the past. So let's see if the new 2 ounce Wild Grape Jolt Energy Shot can perform in the taste and kick categories.

Jolt Energy Shot Review: Taste
Upon first sip of the tiny two ounce shot, I noticed quite a departure from what I was used to from the Jolt Energy drinks that I enjoyed in the past... No carbonation. Don't get me wrong, I am usually not a fan of highly carbonated energy drinks, but I think Jolt had pulled it off in the past, especially with their caps that just seem to explode right off! Anyways, the shot, with no carbonation (and I should add zero sugar) seemed quite lackluster. Sure, you could tell it was grape flavored... but it was far from Wild. I would describe it as a watered down grape flavor. You know, the flavor you get after mixing Kool Aid with too much water. Sure it's not bad, but if you wouldn't have been in such a hurry and added too much water it would have been a lot more enjoyable. Taste Rating - 8.0

Jolt Energy Shot Review: Kick
Alright, taste is usually not the thing you are looking for from a shot anyways. You want your energy quick. Well does the Jolt shot deliver? Well with a 2200 milligrams energy blend, which contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, you get a 16 ounce's worth of energy delivered in a tiny two ounce shot. And yes it does work. It's not the strongest or Best Energy Drink I have ever had, but the shot works, and it is available pretty much everywhere. Kick Rating - 9.0

Jolt Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
For the kick factor alone I recommend you give the Jolt Endurance shot a try. The flavoring could use some improvement, but it is there first energy shot offering and you have to remember neither Monster nor Rockstar delivered a good tasting drink on their first effort. Final Judgment - 8.5

Opta Organic Energy Drink Review - Berry

2009-09-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

Cost: $??
Cost Per Ounce:$??
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana Extract, B-Vitamins,
Taste Rating:8.4
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Opta Organic Energy Drink Review - Berry:
Well this is one of the few Organic Energy Drinks that I have reviewed to date and I have to say so far I have been pretty impressed with all of them. Opta Energy, from Sunopta comes in two flavors, berry and passionate orange. The 16 ounce drink is USDA Organic which I have to say I really don't know too much about as far as qualifications go but if you want to read up about it the USDA would probably be the best place to do it. The can itself is pretty plain and simplistic, but that seems to be the standard marketing practice for anything organic at the moment. Other than those basic facts I really don't know where you can pick one up as the Sunopta Website does not even list the product. So the only thing left to do is put it to a taste and kick test...

Opta Organic Energy Drink Review - Berry: Taste
Well I know a lot of you probably think bland taste when you are thinking organic... and I used to be in the same boat. But Opta Energy as well as the few other organic drinks I have tried seem to have the taste aspect figured out. Opta Energy has a distinct Pomegranate, Raspberry and Green Tea taste to it and the blend seems to work out pretty good. The green tea flavoring does seem to add a little tartness to the overall effect, but the drink still goes down pretty smooth. I would have to say the pomegranate flavor seems to be the one that overwhelms, which in itself is not bad. Taste Rating - 8.4

Opta Organic Energy Drink Review - Berry: Kick
This 16 ounce Energy Drink has a decent blend of energy ingredients including 75 milligrams of caffeine per serving (150 milligrams total) as well as a host of b-vitamins, organic green tea extract and organic guarana. So overall it creates a nice buzz for an organic drink, one that is comparable to your original Monster Energy Drink. It has the same kick as well as similar sugar content. Albeit the sugar in Opta Energy is from organic cane juice... Nonetheless a sugar which brings this reviewer down after a couple hours. So good initial kick, but slight crash from sugar effect. Kick Rating - 8.6

Opta Organic Energy Drink Review - Berry: Final Judgment
I wish I could tell you more about the product, at least where you could pick up a sample and the MSRP, because at the very least it is worth trying once. However, with no information on the company website all I can tell you is that it has a nice berry taste with a bit of a bite and delivers a pretty decent kick. If anyone knows where you can pick one of these up online, or know of a c-store where you can buy, then feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.5

9-2-5 Energy Shot Sponsors Two-Time Defending Champion English Rugby Team and Expands Distribution to Belgium

2009-08-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

News Release

9-2-5 (“Nine-to-Five”) Energy Shot Sponsors Two-Time Defending Champion English Rugby Team and Expands Distribution to Belgium

North Somerset, England, August 25th, 2009 – Enerbev is proud to announce a key supply agreement with the Gloucester Rugby Club.

After extensive testing by the coaching staff, Enerbev was asked to supply 9-2-5 Energy shot to the team for this season to boost energy and focus during their intense matches.

Gloucester Rugby Club was established in 1873 and is regarded as one of the top teams in the United Kingdom having won the Premiership back to back in both the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons.

In addition to the sponsorship news, Enerbev is also product to announce that 9-2-5 Energy Shot is now giving Belgium more energy. Following successful trials in the Spring of 2009, 925 Energy Shot is now being rolled out throughout Belgium. Robert Dortu, the 925 distributor, said “the reaction has been amazing; the early trials in gas stations and independent stores shows the Belgian public just love 925 and can not get enough of it. Plus of course with the strategic location of Belgium, just about every truck movement in Europe goes through our country at some point so we are bound to spread the word all over Europe very quickly.”

Enerbev is now active in the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Belgium and is shortly launching in Germany. 925 was launched in the UK in the Summer of 2008 as the first “energy shot” in the UK and Europe. Since that time, Enerbev’s 9-2-5 energy shot became the first energy shot to be produced in Europe, and Enerbev has led the way in developing this exciting new concept in the European market.

In addition to its own brands (9-2-5 and Player-Aid), Enerbev is also working with a number of leading energy drink brand owners to facilitate their entry into the shot sector.

For more information on 9-2-5 Energy Shot, please visit www.925energy.com. For information on ordering product in Belgium, please contact Robert Dortu, Rodosa bvba, Tel: 00 32 474 89 3221.

For distribution, sales, artwork, consulting, or additional information, please contact either of the following:

1) Europe = Mark Todd +44 1934 835002 mark@925energy.com

2) USA = Kevin Gardner 972-818-6025 Ext. 101 kevin@925energy.com

Heat E.S.P Energy Drink Review

2009-08-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.37
Active Ingredients:Caffeine(from green tea and coffee bean), Yohimbine, Maca, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Heat E.S.P Energy Drink Review:
So you want to get your heat on? Well the newest Energy Drink up for review says it will do just that. Heat E.S.P, which stands for Energy, Stimulation, Performance and Health is a relatively new entry into the market that from the looks of it (and IMHO as a reviewer) shows some promise. It comes in an 8 ounce resealable plastic bottle, has only 35 calories and is all natural. The drinks unique blend of ingredients promises to:

1) Energize for up to seven hours with a unique energy blend.
2) Stimulate (meaning socially and sexually which I will not be reviewing unless there are any female volunteers)
3) Performance via a replenishment of amino acids and electrolytes
4) Health via antioxidants from the acai berry and pomegranate (which in the scope of one review I can not do).

In the review I will test out the energy and performance sections at the gym as well as give my opinion on the taste. So enough background and fluff...

Heat E.S.P Energy Drink Review: Taste
This drink has Acai Berry and Pomegranate listed as ingredients, which is clearly evident in the taste. You get a distinct berry flavor upon your first drink followed by an aftertaste of apple. That's right, I said aftertaste of apple, which is far better than most energy drinks medicinal aftertaste. To be honest, I was fairly surprised that the taste was this good. The packaging (which is similar to hardcore energy drinks you would see at a GNC) lead me to believe that there would be a bitter aftertaste, which was far from the truth. Taste Rating - 8.8

Heat E.S.P Energy Drink Review: Kick
It only took me about 2 minutes to drink this on the way to the gym in the morning, which gave Heat ESP about 15 minutes to kick in. And I have to say it did it's job. There was no initial superman burst of energy, but I definitely felt energized throughout the course of my hour long workout. The drink even lasted several hours after as well, albeit I don't think it lasted the entire 7 hours as stated on the package...but you have to take into account I am somewhat of an energy junky now. The energy ingredients (all natural) include 90 milligrams of Caffeine(from green tea and coffee bean), Yohimbine, Maca, Horny Goat Weed, L-Arginine ,Tyrosine, Taurine, and B Vitamins which equate to a pretty decent blend IMHO. Oh, and the electrolytes did seem to help out as I did not feel like my body was going to cramp up from the intense workout. Kick Rating - 9.0

Heat E.S.P Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
This is probably the only drink that I have reviewed that has less than 90 milligrams of total caffeine yet still got a score of 9 in the kick review. The drink just worked for me... maybe it fed off the adrenaline my body was creating from the workout, or maybe the energy ingredients were done just right. The only place I know of where you can currently get it is on their website. You can get a 12 pack for $24.99. Final Judgment - 8.9

Arizona AM Awake Fast Shot Review

2009-08-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Cost:$2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.20
Active Ingredients:Green Tea Extract, Guarana Extract
Taste Rating:7.5
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Arizona AM Awake Fast Shot Review:
It has been quite some time since I have reviewed any energy drinks from this company and it will be my first Energy Shot that I have reviewed by them. Of course, this is there first lineup of shots that I have come across... Anyways AM Awake Fast Shot has a tall and slim 2 ounce bottle with pretty cool graphics and you can notice the Arizona Branding on the side as well. Nutritionist OZ Garcia, who I had not heard of previously, played a large part in the scientific blend of this drink. Oz Garcia is a nutritionist and life extension specialist. So enough background let's see if AM Awake Fast shot can perform in the taste and kick categories.

Arizona AM Awake Fast Shot Review: Taste
As stated above, this was blended by a nutritionist, and from my experience in the past, taste is usually not the biggest factor to them... it is usually all about performance and well being. That being said, I would have to say that I was still a bit surprised when trying this. I tried it warm, which most energy shot consumers will end up doing. That being said, it was far from the best tasting shot on the market, but you could notice a nice touch of honey and a bit of fruit flavoring (maybe apple). However, it was followed by a decent medicinal flavoring, which upon looking at the large list of ingredients , I could see why. This thing is packed with ingredients! Taste Rating 7.5

Arizona AM Awake Fast Shot Review: Kick
So it was not the best tasting shot on the market, but it is only 2.5 ounces and my main criteria for shots is usually how well they perform in the kick category. The ingredient list states that this shot is comparable to 2 cups of brewed coffee, so about 160 milligrams of caffeine. However, caffeine is not actually on the ingredient list. Instead the caffeine comes from natural ingredients including brewed green tea and guarana extract. There is a plethora of other energy ingredients on as well, most of which I have not heard of, nor will I get into. It all comes down to how it performed. And I have to say it performed wonderfully. I took this at about 6:30 in the morning after a limited amount of sleep the night before. At first I was a little disappointed because it did not kick in instantly. However, after about a half an hour or so I started to feel alert and the sensation kept growing. After several hours the kick was still going. All in all, great concoction for sustained and growing energy. Kick Rating - 8.8

Arizona AM Awake Fast Shot Review: Final Judgment
Not the best tasting and didn't provide (me) an instant kick, but in the end it delivered a smooth flow of energy. Being the first shot I tried from Arizona I am excited to try the rest of their lineup as well. Oh, did I mention that they also have an anti energy shot, PM Relax Fast shot. Not sure if I will review that one, but stay tuned for the rest of the lineup. Final Judgment - 8.5

Monavie Energy Drink Review

2009-08-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

Cost: $MLM
Cost Per Ounce:$MLM
Active Ingredients:Guarana, Yerba, Maco, Ginseng, Green Tea (extracts)
Taste Rating:7
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monavie Energy Drink Review:
Today I will be reviewing another energy drink that is joining the ever growing list of drinks supported at the MLM level. Past drinks include: A.C.T, bHIP, eFusjon, XS Energy and several others... As in the past when an MLM Energy Drink was being reviewed, I will stay away from any sort of promotion, bashing or listing pros and cons of Multi Level Marketing (MLM) in general. Instead I will stick to the product in hand. In this case it is the 8.4 ounce Monavie Energy Drink, which is being promoted as a healthy energy supplement. Monavie is supposed to "recharge your body and mind" and provide you a boost of sustained energy all the while being a rich source of antioxidants. So let's see how the Monavie Energy Drink performs in the taste and kick categories.

Monavie Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off, this little 8.4 ounce can has 170 calories making it one of the most calorie ridden drinks per ounce that I have reviewed (yes even trumping the infamously sugar laden original Rockstar Energy Drink. Granted the majority of the calories come from carbs, but more than half come from sugar. To me this is not the greatest start for a "healthy energy drink." Now the actual taste of this lightly carbonated drink was not that bad, but not great. It is one of the better tasting drinks that the MLM category has to offer, but it still has a bitter taste to it which is likely attributed to the antioxidant rich blend of fruit. However, I did notice Acai as being a main ingredient, and with my experience, Acai usually adds a light and crisp berry taste, but that was not the case with the Monavie Energy Drink. Don't get me wrong, it was FAR from unbearable, but it was a little bitter for my taste. But, taste is subjective, so to each their own. Taste Rating - 7.0

Monavie Energy Drink Review: Kick
So to test the "sustained" energy claims I put Monavie to the test right away in the morning. Now I have to say, I did not get the greatest sleep the night before (maybe 4 true hours at most) so the task at hand for Monavie would not be easy. Nonetheless, I have to say that it did do the trick. There was no initial kick, or quick wake me up, but after an hour or so I have to say that I definitely felt energized... and the feeling seemed to last the rest of the workday. The ingredient list does not contain specific amounts of energy blends, but the list does include guarana (natural caffeine) and green tea extract, yerba mate, ginseng and maco extract. The combination of these and the carbs (from fruit extracts) gave a nice sustained boost. Kick Rating - 8.5

Monavie Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
I am a little disappointed at the amount of calories in the drink... 170 is a lot for 8.4 ounces (even if the sugar source supposedly comes "from fruit"). Nonetheless, the sustained energy was well received. If you want to get a hold of one of these to try yourself you will have to find a distributor (MLM) or become one yourself...becoming one should help lower the cost of the drink and put a little money in your pocket. Final Judgment - 8.0

Advertise to Potential Monavie Customers On this Blog

Full Power Energy Shots - Grape Explosion

2009-08-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Cost: $NA
Cost Per Ounce:$NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:9
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Full Power Energy Shots - Grape Explosion:
This will be me second Energy Shot review from the full power lineup. My last review of Full Power was more than delightful so I am looking forward to trying out the Grape Explosion flavor... Ohh and stay tuned for the Electric Lime review sometime in the near future as well! So a little background before we begin... Full Power is still a fairly new
new energy shot company so there is not a ton of information out there on them. As I just stated above, the last review was great, especially the taste which is no coincidence as the owner of Full Power also has his hand in a Winery in California, so his taste palate should be pretty good. Besides that I can only tell you that it is a 2 ounce energy shot with zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbs. The label on the shot also states that that it lasts five to seven hours. So let's put the second flavor to the test.

Official Site: Full Power Energy

Full Power Energy Shots - Grape Explosion: Taste
SO will the wine maker be able to go two for two when designing a smooth tasting energy shot? Well I have tried over 50 or so shots now and I have to say there are still only a handful that actually have a good taste as cramming all those energy ingredients into a tiny 2, 2.5 or 3 ounce shot can be tough. But I have to say, the Grape Explosion flavor was as well received as the berry blast flavor. Well, almost... I think I am a little more partial to the berry flavor, but taste is subjective anyways... The Grape Explosion from Full Power has a smooth taste, no sediment, no medicinal aftertaste AT ALL. The Berry Blast, at least to me, had a very which I rather enjoyed. It was actually even a little sweet! Taste Rating - 9

Full Power Energy Shots - Grape Explosion: Kick
Alright, the wine maker went two for two in taste, so he can make a great shot. And it turns out the kick is not too shabby either. The same energy ingredients that were used in Berry Blast are also used in Grape Explosion. These ingredients include an energy blend that consists of 2125 milligrams of the following ingredients (again very similar to what you will find from the big 3): Taurine, Malic Acid, Caffeine, Glucoronolactone, N-Acetyl, L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalane as well as a nice helping of B-Vitamins. So what does all this mean? It delivers the kick it promises or at least close to it. The kick lasted about 4 hours for me, shorter than the 5 to 7 hours they are promising, but then again you have to take in to affect that I am a pretty much now a legitimate caffeine junky! So for most people the claim should hold true. Kick Rating - 8.4

Full Power Energy Shots - Grape Explosion: Final Judgment
For a new company they sure hit the nail on the head with this one. I know they are still looking for distributors and I am not exactly sure where you can buy them yet, but I count myself blessed (most of the time) having a job that let's me keep sampling the latest concoctions. If anyone knows, or if the wine maker himself wants to let us know where to purchase them, feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.6

Official Site: Full Power Energy

Win a Free Year's Supply of 5-Hour Energy!

2009-07-31T08:51:00.001-07:00

Im not lying at all, the headline is correct. The folks at 5-Hour Energy are giving away a free year's supply of 5-Hour shots!!! The best part is that there is no catch... all you have to do is play a game or two and basically have some fun. You can read the press release below or just click on the banner to enter the contest!

Press Release
Farmington Hills, MI (PRWEB) July 23, 2009 – 5-Hour Energy has joined Maxim Magazine in challenging readers to take the next step to maximizing energy and focus at the office, gym, lecture hall and every where else an extra boost is needed.

Together the Maxim and 5-Hour Energy duo will pit canned energy drinks against the 5-Hour Energy shot in the Energy Drink Showdown. The faceoff lets readers draw their own conclusions as to why 3.2 million people choose 5-Hour Energy shots every week.

The Maxim audience is of the competitive nature, and to keep with the Showdown theme readers can become contenders and battle it out in the newest 5-Hour Energy challenges and win prizes, including 5-Hour Energy swag and even a year’s supply of 5-Hour Energy shots.

The first challenge is the 5-Hour 100m Dash which lets you control the 5-Hour Energy Guy as he sprints to the finish line. Seems simple enough, right? But to break the record times you’re going to need an extra boost without the crash that only 5-Hour Energy shots can give you. Snatch a 5-Hour energy shot and you’ll be at full-stride, stumble on a sugary canned energy drink and you’ll lag behind the competition.

The 5-Hour Scavenger Hunt will take you through the 5-Hour Energy Web site in search of the special 5-Hour Energy Guy token and hidden codes. With the increased focus and spark of vigor from a 5-Hour Energy shot, this game will test how keen you can be. You have to look everywhere, including other places the 5-Hour Energy Guy hangs out like Twitter. Grab your entry form, add in the codes as you find them and a one-year supply of 5-Hour Energy shots could be yours.

The 5-Hour Energy Quiz challenges you to know the difference between a canned energy drink, the 5-Hour Energy shot and a ferret. If you can answer all ten questions correctly, you can enter to win more 5-Hour Energy swag and, of course, free energy shots.

FUEL Energy Drink Review

2009-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.12
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarna Extract, Ginkgo, Ginseng
Taste Rating:9.1
Kick Rating:8.2
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

FUEL Energy Drink Review:
It's been awhile since I have reviewed any actual energy drinks as I have been focusing on the Private Label Contest as well as compiling a list of Energy Shots Reviewed. But now I am back to the grindstone and am going to introduce all you readers to FUEL Energy Drink (Fire Up Energy Levels) which was formulated to provide a healthy alternative for everyday beverage consumers. Meaning FUEL Energy Drink is a natural product... containing no artificial flavors, colors, dyes or preservatives. FUEL was launched in Northern California about 8 months ago and is currently available in select locations including, Raley's, Bel-Air and Nugget Markets and are poised for distribution. SO lets see if this natural energy drink can hold up to the taste and kick tests....

FUEL Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off, everytime I hear natural, whether it comes to a beverage or food, I am prepared for the worst. Every once in awhile I am surprised though... and that just happened to be the case with FUEL. Natural flavors including fruit and vegetable juice combined with natural pure sugar cane make this lightly carbonated drink a pleasure to consume. The fruit punch flavor was more than adaquete in covering up any energy ingredients or medicinal flavoring normally associated with energy beverages. I do have to say well done! - Taste Rating 9.1

FUEL Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the natural fruit punch tastes great, but will FUEL deliver what the name (FIre Up Energy Levels) promises? Well the energy ingredients for a full 16 ounce serving include 160 milligrams of caffeine, 2000 milligrams of taurine, 50 milligrams of guarana extract, Panax Ginseng, Inosistol, Ginkgo Biloba and a large serving of b-vitamins. The energy ingredients are far from over the top, but they are in line with your typical Rockstar and Monster Energy Drink. It's not going to make you bounce off the walls, but it will do what it's supposed to... Fire up Energy Levels. Kick Rating - 8.2

FUEL Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
I get tons of requests to review new drinks all the time from start up companies. Sure, I will try them all, but I am pleased when I find one that is actually well done. You can tell FIRE had a lot of thought and testing put into it as the taste and natural ingredients were both well received. Final Judgment - 8.8

List of Energy Shots - Reviewed

2009-07-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well I keep getting emails to the Energy Drink Ratings Blog asking me to compile a list of all the energy shots that I have reviewed so far. I actually have been meaning to put a list together of all the energy shots that I have reviewed, but I have not gotten around to it until now. I suppose later is better than never, especially with the market for energy shots skyrocketing in the last year or so. I think I actually get more requests to review new energy shots than I do energy drinks now... and probably by a two to one margin!!! I actually wrote an article about the growth of the shot segment - Energy Shots, A Evolution or De-Evolution. Oh, and if you are interested in a list that pertains to energy shots and drinks then check my list of Best Energy Drinks and Shots Here.

Ok, enough blah, blah, blah, here is the list that you actually came here to read (if I am missing any, let me know and I will add them):

In no particular order:

1) 5 Hour Energy - Berry

2) 5 Hour Extra Strength

3)9-2-5 Energy Shot

4)Ammo Blu Razz

5)Ammo Red Punch

6)BooKoo Citrus

7)BooKoo Wildberry

8)Cougar - Double Shot

9)Crakshot

10)5-Hour Energy - Decaf

11)Cougar - Regular

12)DynaPep - Micro Energy Shot

13)Fixx Extreme Energy Shot

14)Fuel Cell

15)Zipfizz - Orange

16)XO - Citrus

17)5-Hour Energy Orange

18)Full Power Energy Shot - Berry Blast

19)Jitsu Energ Shot - Apple

20)Mamajuana Energy Shot

21)Mini Thin Rush - Original

22)Zipfizz - Mango Lemon Lime

23)5-Hour Energy Lemon Lime

24)Mini Thin Rush A.M.

25)Mini Thin Rush Extreme

26)Monster Hitman

27)OC Energy Shot

28)OnGo - Berry Blast

29)OnGo - Lemon Lime

30)OnGo - Mandarin Orange

31)Redline Power Rush

32)Rocket Shot

33)Rockstar Energy Shot

34)Stacker 2 - Sinful Citrus

35)Xfuel for Gamers

36)XO2 - Diet

37)XO2 - Original

38)XO5 - Berry

39)XO - Grape

40)XO - Peach

41)XO - Vanilla

42)Zantrex 3 - Insta Shot

43)Zenedge - Original

44)Zenedge - Berry

45)Zenedge - Lemon Lime

46)Zipfizz Energy Shot

47) Full Power Energy Shot
48) Jolt Endurance Shot

As I stated above, this might not be the complete list, but it should be pretty close. Let me know if I am missing any or if there are any you would like me to review! Just post in the comments section or pop me an email.

Private Label Contest - Final 3

2009-07-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

So the Make Your Own Private Label Energy Drink contest is over. There were quite a few interesting Energy Drinks proposed. Thank you everyone that submitted, I definitely got a few laughs out of some. I have selected a three finalists for the rest of you readers to vote on. Just vote for the one you like best.

The winner, again selected by you voters, will recieve a free 12 pack of energy shots and a free 12 pack of energy drinks.

There are two ways to vote.

1) Email your vote to: energydrinkratings@gmail.com

2) Vote below in the comment section

The voting will last until the end of the month (July 31, 2009). I will then announce the winner on site and send them their prizes!

And the Entries Are:

1) Get the Phuk Up

Taste: Watermelon and Lemon

Kick: 400 mg of caffeine and a Phuk load of Vitamin B6 and B12 (16 ounces)

Style: The can will be easily seen... The glowing arrow will glow when cold so if (For example) you see it at 7-11 it will be the first one to be seen...The taste also goes with the color red wings, green lettering ( Watermelon) Yellow lettering (lemon)

2) 1:07 Raw

Taste: would have many layers. First noticed would be the warm, smooth flow of a Rockstar but sweeter and more acidic (acidic meaning zingy like a Red bull.) As the primary flavor fades, the mellow and smooth and light fruity flavor of an Amp would begin to show.

Kick: 150mg of caffeine, 1200mg of Taurine, 35mg of Guarana Seed Extract, 35mg of L-Carnitine, 45mg of Ginseng Extract (per 8 ounce serving)

Style: 1:07 represents 1:07 AM because the energy kick is enough to keep you up all night. It would be offered in 16 & 28 oz cans. 28oz cans would be resealable such as some Monster and Rockstar cans.

3) Epic Energy - "Suave not Scream"

Taste: All-natural energy Earl Grey tea with a more sophisticated image

Kick: Not available

Style: The energy drink concept I developed is called Epic. It is an all-natural energy Earl Grey tea with a more sophisticated image. It is cheeky, yet subtle in its personality and in the boost it gives. The sleek and silver bottle design takes cues from James Bond's weapons arsenal and the Euro simplicity of the product makes it stand out from the Monsters and Rockstars. The tag line for Epic is "Suave not scream."

Cocaine Sale

2009-07-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-07-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-12T10:01:00.001-07:00

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.

Mountain Dew Game Fuel Re-Release and Giveaways

2009-06-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

June continues to be a month of contests and giveaways here on Energy Drink Ratings!!!!

I wanted to let you readers know about the recent partnership between Mountain Dew Game Fuel and World of Warcraft for the re-release of Game Fuel - a favorite among Mtn Dew fans and gamers alike that was originally released for Halo 3

Mountain Dew Game Fuel is teaming up with folks over at World of Warcraft to release two brand new flavors, Alliance Blue and Horde Red. They're available for a limited time only, so they’re sure to be collectibles as well.

In addition, Mountain Dew Game Fuel and WOW have created an interactive microsite where you can earn points to win gaming gear, product and trial memberships to WOW. They’re giving away a prize every 15 minutes! And as an extra thanks to you readers of Energy Drink Ratings, you will get an additional 25 tokens per day! Use the following link to redeem your Mountain Dew Game Fuel extra points: http://bit.ly/u1DBp.

A little Synopsis of the Giveaway

1) Mountain Dew is proud to introduce Game Fuel, two limited-time-only flavors inspired by the hit video game World of Warcraft.

2) Choose Your Side with Alliance Blue (Mountain Dew with a punch of wild fruit flavor), or Horde Red (Mountain Dew with a blast of citrus cherry flavor).

3) Visit WARCRAFT.COM/DEW to register for your chance win great gaming prizes every 15 minutes, including Alienware notebooks, Razer peripherals and cool World of Warcraft gear.

4) Only from Mountain Dew Game Fuel, get a free 14-day-trial of World of Warcraft, or an in-game battlebot pet. Log onto WARCRAFT.COM/DEW to experience the world of Azeroth.

You don’t even have to be a gamer to like free stuff!!!

Contest - Make Your Own Private Label Energy Drink

2009-06-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

Alright, I thought I would sidestep from my normal Energy Drink Reviews and throw out a contest for all you loyal energy enthusiasts. The contest is to design or make your own private label energy drink...something fun to see if you guys can be more creative than the big boys (Monster Energy and Rockstar Energy Drink).

Contest has ended. Pick the winners by July 31, 2009 Here

What's In it for me you ask?
As I said above, the contest will just be for fun, but I will still award prizes to the most creative concept. Now I am not a rich man by any means, so the prize is not going to be over the top. But for the person that comes up with the best idea to make their own private label energy drink will be rewarded with a free 12 pack of energy shots and a free 12 pack of energy drinks. The free 12 packs will be totally random, but if you look through my site you will see a bunch of really interesting drinks that you probably can't get anywhere else. So in essence, a variety pack of shots and drinks.

Contest Details for Making Your Own Private Label Energy Drink

1) Energy Drink Name - you are going to need a name. I know a lot of good names have already been taken, but there has to be something catchy still left. And remember, your name is going to be one of the most important parts of the contest. Not only will your name be your brand, but it you get something catchy and unique enough, you just might get some publicity out of it (i.e. Cocaine Energy Drink).

2) Ingredients - What would you put in it? What trend will you follow... will you make it healthy by adding vitamins, acai, or some other health crazed ingredient? Will you go over the top with caffeine, substitute guarana, would you include taurine? How about sugar...sugar free, natural sugar, real sugar or substitute?

3) Taste - What would your drink taste like? Please don't suggest another Red Bull knockoff flavor.

4) Label (optional but brownie points if you do) - Come up with a catchy label design, incorporate your name (duh) and off the wall tag line or catch phrase. Remember, there are tons of energy drinks on the shelves these days... since you are not going to have a huge marketing budget, what's going to catch the eye of a potential consumer. Oh, and remember, you do want to sell these, so no naked chicks... you won't sell any.

How to Enter Make Your Own Private Label Energy Drink Contest

1) Send me the name of your energy drink, ingredients you would use, what the drink would taste like and label design (optional).

2) Include your - Email Address, Name and Age (must be at least 16 to enter).

3) Contest Entries to be emailed to me by July 10, 2009.

How will the winner be selected?
I will pick the top 3 entrants. Then I will post their concepts on the website and from here I will let, you the readers decide who the winner is. That's it. There is nothing else to it. Have fun and be creative and send over as many entries as you like.

Email Your Entries To: energydrinkratings@gmail.com

Contest has ended. Pick the winners by July 31, 2009 Here

9-2-5 Energy Shot Review

2009-06-02T14:50:00.001-07:00

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$1.00
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Yerba Mate, B-Vitamins, Green Tea Extract
Taste Rating:9.6
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

9-2-5 Energy Shot Review:
You know the Energy Drinks market has come a long way when the likes of Monster Energy Drink and Red Bull have come out with their own concoctions. The trend has also been seen on this blog as more and more shots get reviewed compared to drinks and sometimes I get sick of reviewing just the shots. However, ever now and again a energy shot comes out that is actually quite good. This just happened to be the case with the two ounce 9-2-5 Energy Shot from Energy Beverages Worldwide. Just check out the 9-2-5 Energy review below to see what I mean.

Official Site: 9-2-5 Energy

9-2-5 Energy Shot Review: Taste
To be blunt, in the beginning, a lot of energy shots just tasted like crap. The main objective was to cram what was normally (at least back then) packaged in 8.4 ounces into 2 ounces. Little attention seemed to be given to the actual taste. Thankfully beverage companies (well at least most of them) paid heed to consumer and blogger :) complaints and started to remedy this. Well with the absolutely stunningly smooth black cherry flavor from 9-2-5 Energy Shots, taste seems to have been taken to another. That's right, I personally think that 9-2-5 should be considered one of the Best Energy Drink or Shots on the market in terms of taste. Now taste is subjective, but try it yourself and I think you might agree. Taste Rating - 9.6

9-2-5 Energy Shot Review: Kick
Alright, 9-2-5 sailed through the taste test, but will it deliver energy for a full nine to five workday? Well, to put it to the test that is what I actually did. I drank it when I got to work (yes I do have a real job) at nine to see if it lasted all day. Well the energy ingredient list includes 120 milligrams of caffeine (1.5 times a 8.3 ounce Red Bull), Yerba Mate, Green Tea Extract, B-Vitamins and Ginseng. So for me, it did not last all day. But you have to remember, I am a bit of a caffeine junkie. For your typical coffee drinkers who are looking for a quicker pick me up without all the calories 9-2-5 should do the trick. Kick Rating - 8.4

9-2-5 Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
Great taste and a pretty good kick to boot. If you are looking for a pick me up to get you through work that won't add to your waistline and that you don't have to choke down, then give this little bugger a try. It looks like you can only get it online at the moment, but if anyone knows where else to get it, feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 9.0

Official Site: 9-2-5 Energy

Red Bull Cocaine?

2009-05-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

The Red Bull Energy Drink is usually in the news quite a bit; however, it is usually for some outrageous sporting event, event sponsorship or celebrity endorsement... That is until today when Red Bull was found to have trace amounts of cocaine in it by officials in Germany from the federal ministry of consumer protection. Now from experience, I know that Red Bull doesn't give the strongest kick on the market nor do I believe it is the Best Energy Drink on the market... combine that with the fact that they have been lagging behind the competition for quite some time... but Red Bull cocaine? I think they maybe could have added a bit more caffeine, or maybe just come out with a new flavor or something. I mean that makes more sense to me than Red Bull cocaine. Some people might enjoy it a bit more..ehh hem.. Winehouse? Anyways, onto the actual story.

Red Bull responded by saying they have always been up front with the ingredients in their Cola and that the coca leaves are used for natural flavoring and that the illegal property alkaloid is removed. They also go on to say that this type of natural flavoring is used worldwide.

Other experts have chimed in on the situation saying that the ingredients used are really not similar to cocaine as they have not been put through the intesive process needed... basically its not active... and the amounts found are so small it should not be an issues.

So because of the cocaine in Red Bull, the drink was banned in six German states, and they will be recommending a nation wide ban. Apparently it's not harmful unless you drink 12,000 liters of Red Bull Cola... Now come on, that's quite a bit of Red Bull. I have had quite a few Energy Drinks in my day but I haven't even had that many.

In my personal opinion the only thing this Red Bull Cola cocaine ban will accomplish is bringing a little attention to the lackluster product. I can just see the legend growing in middle schools now. Hey timmy, did you hear that Red Bull Cola has cocaine in it? Timmy... no way. Where do we get our hands on some of that stuff?

Ok, that might not actually be the case, but you never know. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts below in the comments section.

Ongo Energy Shot Review: Berry Blast

2009-05-26T14:54:00.001-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:9.1
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Ongo Energy Shot Review: Berry Blast:
So I have reviewed several other Energy Drinks from Ongo in the past including my favorite from them the Ongo Lemon Lime. Although it has been while since my last review of an Ongo product I still remember enjoying the kick I received from the tiny two ounce shots not to mention a pleasant taste, especially for an energy shot. So let's see if the latest flavor, Ongo Berry Blast, follows the same high standards as the previous concoctions!!!

Ongo Energy Shot Review: Berry Blast: Taste
I know a lot of you are thinking, Berry blast... everyone has a berry flavor, why not something a little more original? Well berry blast was just added to the lineup to support the original lemon lime flavor and exotic mandarin orange flavor. Since it a a popular flavor, it makes sense. And if you are looking for something a little more exotic check out the mandarin orange flavor. Anyways, back to the berry blast review... No carbonation, no artificial sweetener in a tiny two ounce shot sounds like a recipe for a horrible aftertaste. However, that's far from the truth as berry blast gave a nice smooth taste, nothing over the top and not too sweet with a slight hint of medicinal aftertaste. I still prefer the lemon lime, but if you are a fan of berry and want a smooth taste then check this one out. Taste Rating - 8.7

Ongo Energy Shot Review: Berry Blast: Kick
So the berry blast flavor makes a nice addition to the ever growing Ongo lineup of shots, but does it adhere to the same energy pleasing formula as the previous flavors? Well the two ounce shot contains tons of B-Vitamins and an 1870 milligram energy blend containing caffeine, taurine and a bunch of other energy ingredients that seem to do the trick. So yeah, the formula holds true to the original which means the kick was above average which I am more than pleased about. Kick Rating - 9.1

Ongo Energy Shot Review: Berry Blast: Final Judgment
A strong yet smooth berry flavor makes a nice addition to the current lineup and the kick holds true to the original potent energy formula. And at $2.99 the shot is comparable to the competition price wise. So if you were a fan of Ongo in the past the berry blast should not disappoint. Final Judgment - 8.9

eFusjon Energy Drink Review: Edge

2009-05-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.50
Cost Per Ounce:$.030
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Vitamins, Acai
Taste Rating:8.3
Kick Rating:7.9
Final Judgment Rating:
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

efusjon Energy Drink Review:
Joining the ranks of other MLM based Energy Drinks like A.C.T Energy and bHIP is the new eFusjon Energy Drink which is poised to hop in to the healthy energy drink market with their two current products eFusjon raw (caffeine free) and eFusjon edge which I will be reviewing today. Both of these promote the Acai berry as a spotlight ingredient. It also looks like they have two new products on the horizon called Dawn and Breeze. So today I will do the taste and kick review for eFusjon Edge. Remember these are my opinions, if you have a different opinion feel free to comment below. Just don't plug your MLM website or post your contact details... you will be wasting your time as they will never go live because as I just stated I am doing a review of taste and kick so I won't cover the MLM aspect at all.

eFusjon Energy Drink Review: Edge Taste
So one of the main ingredients of eFusjon Edge is the Acai berry, which along with bringing health benefits also adds a fairly sweet berry flavor to the mix that is both light and refreshing. It is not overly sweet, not like your typical energy drinks you will find in gas stations or supermarkets, but rather a light mix of several berry flavors followed by a hint of apple blended together in a 8.3 ounce carbonated can. Not too bad at all but there does seem to be a slight medicinal aftertaste to the drink. Overall, one of the better tasting MLM style drinks on the market (in my opinion) but not one of the Best Energy Drinks taste wise... None the less not too bad. Taste Rating - 8.3

eFusjon Energy Drink Review: Edge Kick
As I stated above, there is a slight medicinal aftertaste which probably stems from all the vitamins. There is only 60 milligrams of caffeine in here, but this is supposed to be offset by all these vitamins as well as the acai berry antioxidant. To me the kick was a little lackluster. However, to get the full effects you probably have to utilize a daily regimen of these as your body needs to adapt to all the vitamins/minerals that you are probably not used to getting on daily basis. Not bad, I can see this appealing to the health segment as it does give a kick while providing a plethora of vitamins and minerals. Kick Rating - 7.5

eFusjon Energy Drink Review: Edge Final Judgment
I said I will stay away from the MLM aspect and I will. Based solely on my opinion of taste and kick I would rate this as an decent energy drink. However, the price tag of about $2.50 per 8.4 ounce drink is pretty steep (Associates have to pay $30/12pack so you will probably have to pay more buying through them) The taste is light and refreshing but the kick was only average. And remember what I said in the intro... don't waste your time trying to plug your MLM affiliate link in the comments section, it will just be removed as spam. If you have something productive to add to the review feel free. Final Judgment - 7.9

Check out the Efusjon Dream Team Web site for further info on Edge.

Revive Energy Mints Review

2009-05-19T09:06:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99 (for 8 mints)
Cost Per Ounce:$NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Revive Energy Mints Review:
Well the latest craze in the Energy Drinks market is not the mass influx of more energy drinks...instead everything seems to be getting smaller. Now I am not talking about energy shots in this case, but instead today I will be reviewing Revive Energy Mints which are being toted as "nature's energy mints" and are supposed to revive your body and your mind. The reason these Revive Energy Mints are being toted as nature's energy mint is the fact that they contain some of the world's most powerful antioxidants (sometimes known as Super Foods) in the form of Acai, Mangosteen, and Goji. Well I will not really be raving or reviewing the super foods aspect, I will be scrutinizing the claim on the package that one mint is equal to a normal 8 ounce Energy Drink.

Revive Mints

Revive Energy Mints Review: Taste
As I state above one mint is supposed to be equivalent to one 8 ounce energy drink. Considering the mint was about the size of a nickel, is only 1.7 grams and has only 4 calories I was a little apprehensive about trying them as I feared they would be nothing but a chalky caffeine concoction. Boy was I wrong. Right after I put the tiny mint in my mouth I felt a nice chilling ice cold effect take place. The mints were extremely refreshing. Even though this is the first "energy mint" that I have tried, I find it hard to believe that another will come close to offering such a great taste while providing a rich source of antioxidants. Taste Rating - 8.7

Revive Energy Mints Review: Kick
The strong refreshing mint taste was better than I expected so I feared the worst for the claim on the package that one mint was equivalent to an 8.4 ounce energy drink. Upon further inspection I noticed the energy ingredient list included a 101 milligram blend of the following: Caffeine, Guarana (natural caffeine), Green Tea, Ginseng, Acai, Mangosteen and Gji. 85 milligrams of the 101 milligram energy blend comes from caffeine which is about the same as an 8.4 ounce energy drink (about the same as a Red Bull Energy Drink. So the statistics on the package are accurate and I have to say the refreshing taste combined with the stimulating effects from the energy blend led to a healthy kick. Not the strongest on the planet, but definitely noticeable. Kick Rating - 8.4

Revive Energy Mints Review: Final Judgment
Overall the taste and kick were both more than sufficient. The kick could have been a little stronger for this reviewer but then again, not everyone ingests as much caffeine as I do. Besides, at about $2.99 for an 8 pack of mints (or about $0.37 a mint), you really can't go wrong. Final Judgment - 8.5

Revive Mints

Hydrive Energy Chews Review - Orange Burst

2009-05-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.49
Cost Per Ounce:$NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.6
Kick Rating:8.7
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Hydrive Energy Chews Review - Orange Burst:
Well it looks like Hydrive, the makers of one of my favorite Energy Drinks have come out with a line of nutrient enhanced soft energy chews. The first flavor of the energy chews to be released by Hydrive is Orange Burst. Each pack costs $2.49 and comes with 4 chews. A serving size is 2 chews, so it looks like you get about 2 servings for the price of one energy drink. So immediately I liked the price of the new Hydrive Energy Chews, let's see if I like the taste and kick of the chews.

Hydrive Energy Chews Review - Orange Burst: Taste
A lot of times when Energy Drinks are stuffed into tiny chews the taste suffers as the medicinal aftertaste ends up being overwhelmingly bad. However, after popping one of the 20 calorie Hydrive energy chews into my mouth I realized that this stereotype does not seem to apply to all energy chews. In fact, the Orange Burst from Hydrive reminded me more of a Starburst then anything energy related. After a minute I had the first chew done and I did not hesitate popping in the second 20 calorie chew to get the same slow orange release flavor (2 chews are a serving size). Overall I was pleased with the flavor. I mean, it was exactly what it said on the package and I was not stuck running for a bottle of what to get rid of a crummy aftertaste. Taste Rating - 8.6

Hydrive Energy Chews Review - Orange Burst: Kick
So the Orange burst flavor was pleasing, but will Hydrive deliver a "Rapid Release" as stated on the package? Well, elapsed time for me to consume two energy chews (a serving size) was about 3 minutes. Consumption was faster than your normal energy drinks, but I think a energy shot would have been faster. Either way, the convenience factor of these chews does seem to beat out the energy shot. Anyways... back to the kick. The energy ingredients of two chews (one serving) is 160 milligrams of caffeine, 132 milligrams of taurine and 200% of your daily allowance of various b-vitamins. Overall, not bad at all considering the size and price. Two chews gave me an ample kick, but I was still dragging from the weekend so I decided to pop the other two as well. Definitely a huge boost of energy and at $2.49 for all 4 chews it was still a good deal. Kick Rating (2 chews/one serving) - 8.7

Hydrive Energy Chews Review - Orange Burst: Final Judgment
Quick, convenient, good tasting and strong, definitely a good example of what an energy chew should taste like. At $2.49 for 2 servings it is also a pretty decent price and it gives you the option to pick how much caffeine you want at one time. Oh and did I mention that 1 chew gives you 100% of your daily allowance of vitamin C! Not too shabby... Final Judgment - 8.7

Lightning Rods Energy Beef Sticks Review

2009-05-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

Cost: $1.69
Cost Per Ounce:$1.69
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Protein, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:7.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Lightning Rods Energy Beef Sticks Review:
So I normally stick to reviewing Energy Drinks or Shots but every once in awhile something unique comes along where I just have to try it. In the past I have reviewed things like energy patches, caffeinated breath spray, energy strips... you get the idea. So when I heard about the Lightning Rods Energy Beef Sticks I had to get a hold of some samples. With a Minotaur as a mascot the one ounce 60 calorie sticks seem to be a decent deal at $1.69 per stick or even less when bought in bulk. I guess there is only one way to find out if these power charged meat sticks are the real deal...

Buy Lightning Rods Here

Lightning Rods Energy Beef Sticks Review: Taste
Obviously, the taste review is not going to be like my normal Energy Drink Reviews; however, I along with a ton of other people have tried beef sticks, or maybe even a Slim Jim or two, so I will base the review on how close it tastes to an actual beef stick. That being said, the taste of these Lightning Rods are very similar to your normal Slim Jim style beef stick. The only difference seems to be that there is a bit of medicinal aftertaste, albeit it is not that noticeable. As for me personally I like spicy beef sticks, so I wouldn't mind if Power Hungry foods spiced them up a bit as they were a tad mild for me. Nonetheless, if you like Slim Jim style beef sticks and want a little bit of extra energy to boot, give one of these a try. Taste Rating - 8.5

Lightning Rods Energy Beef Sticks Review: Kick
Tastes like a beef stick (no shit right), but will it give the kick promised on the package. Well the energy ingredients includes 60 milligrams of caffeine (about 3/4th of a typical energy drink) as well as proteins/amino acids and b-vitamins. The delivery method (via digestion) does seem to be a little slower than a typical energy drink (maybe 30-45 minutes); however, the sustained effects where quite nice. The energy ingredients are not the strongest, but by no means was I disappointed as Lightning Rods not only supply you with energy, they also are a nice snack. Kick Rating - 7.5

Lightning Rods Energy Beef Sticks Review: Final Judgment
Similar taste to your typical beef stick with energy to boot. If your looking for energy and a snack to boot, look no further. Besides, at $1.69 they are priced almost identical to you normal beef stick... and you get a pick me up as well.
Two birds with one stone... Final Judgment - 8.0

Buy Lightning Rods Here

Mini Thin Xtreme Energy Rush - Energy Shot Review

2009-04-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:9.2
Final Judgment Rating:
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Mini Thin Xtreme Energy Rush - Energy Shot Review:
Due to popular demand, many Energy Drink manufacturers have been pushing the envelope with new and stronger concoctions. The makers of the original Mini Thin Rush and Mini Thin Rush A.M have heard the market demand for a stronger energy shot and have released the 2 ounce Xtreme Energy Rush. The new Xtreme energy rush promotes instant energy, mental alertness, zero carbs and no sugar and promises Triple Strength! Well I have become a little weary of these promises from some energy shot makers, but I will give Mini Thin the benefit of the doubt since I have reviewed two of their past shots and liked them both. So let's put it to the taste and kick test!

Mini Thin Xtreme Energy Rush - Energy Shot Review: Taste
After easily twisting off the cap of the little 2 ounce energy shot, I notice a pink liquid with a tint of red along with a pretty strong aroma for an energy shot. The aroma as well as the taste is a distinct mango flavor that seems just a tad sweet, but overall does a great job masking any medicinal aftertaste that energy shots so commonly have. Although, personally I am not a huge fan of the Mango flavor in general, I think Mini Thin pulled this off quite nicely. If you are looking for an exotic flavored energy shot, than this one might be right up your ally. Taste Rating - 8.5

Mini Thin Xtreme Energy Rush - Energy Shot Review: Kick
So does this new extreme version of the Mini Thin shot have an amped up kick? Well I did notice that there is 250 milligrams of caffeine (50 milligrams more than the original) as well as 200 milligrams of taurine and a bunch of b-vitamins. So it is similar to the original with the exception that it has 20% more caffeine and trust me 250 milligrams of caffeine is a lot for a tiny energy shot. As for the "triple strength" wording on the top of the bottle, I believe they are referring to the average energy shot which usually contains about 80 milligrams of caffeine. Nonetheless, this little mini thin packed a nice kick! Kick Rating - 9.5

Mini Thin Xtreme Energy Rush - Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
Mini Thin keeps introducing new shots and I keep drinking them... so far I have enjoyed every one of them. Although mango was not my favorite flavor and it was also a little sweet for a shot, but I do enjoy the extra caffeine that was added. Mini Thin keeps putting out great products that offer an ample kick, so I hope they stick around for awhile in the crowded market. Oh, I almost forgot to mention... then new extreme shot is the same price as the original. So for $2.99 pick up an extreme version and get yourselves a bigger boost! Final Judgment - 9.0

Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot Review

2009-04-06T10:32:00.001-07:00

Cost: $3.00 - cheaper in bulk
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:CAFFEINE - 400 milligrams
Taste Rating:7.8
Kick Rating:10
Final Judgment Rating:9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot Review:
Well Fixx has been pushing the boundaries for quite some time now as there last Energy Drink, which is now discontinued, had 500 milligrams of caffeine. However, Fixx has come out with a new product called the Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot which comes in a tiny foil like package with 5 milliliters of liquid. This is the first time in almost 400 reviews that I have seen this type of packaging being used, but then again Fixx has pushed the boundaries in the past, so why not continue that trend with the new Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot...So let's see if this super concentrated energy shot can live up to the label of "ultra shot."

Buy Fixx Extreme - World's Strongest Energy Shot - Here

Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot Review: Taste
Fixx Extreme clearly states on the label that it is cappuccino flavored, so I thought the best time to try this bad boy would be right when I woke up and after I ate breakfast. So I opened up the tiny package and found a dark black liquid, or possibly gel. It seemed a cross between both. It smelled like cappuccino and sure enough it tasted like it. I proceeded to squeeze the entire package of the dark black gooey liquid gel into my mouth. I was inherently surprised (as I knew the ingredients in the package before hand), the taste was actually quite good and had no medicinal aftertaste. Which again is quite surprising since this is basically ALL energy as I will discuss later in the kick review. However, since it was somewhat of a gel, I did find it useful to get a drink of water after consuming. All in all I thought it was actually a decent taste, although I doubt that is what people will be buying this ultra energy shot for. Taste Rating - 7.8

Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot Review: Kick
I keep mentioning phrases like ultra shot and super concentrated... well I am doing this for a reason as this tiny, tiny energy shot contains an unheard of 400 milligrams of caffeine. More than I have ever had before, or have even heard of in this sized package. In fact I can only think of two other energy drinks that deliver more caffeine, but they require you to drink 24 ounce of liquid... On top of the 400 milligrams of caffeine there is also several other energy ingredients including; B12, Taurine, Glucuronolactone, L-Arginine, N-acetyl-tyrosine. So what was the end result? Well the energy hit within 5 minutes and lasted a long, long time. To add to the excitement I got all this energy with no calories, sugar, or carbs. I love it, the kick was HUGE, but this amount of energy is not for everyone, so make sure you read the label first before consuming. If you are used to regular energy drinks like Monster or Rockstar, then I suggest you only use half the packet your first time. Kick Rating - 10

Fixx Extreme Ultra Shot Review: Final Judgment
Well the claim of "strongest energy drink per milliliter" is definitely spot on. At 400 milligrams of caffeine combined with a plethora of other energy ingredients, wrapped in unique, convenient packaging and delivering a pretty decent taste, Fixx Extreme has pushed the boundaries again. Just remember, hydrate and eat when consuming this shot. Also, read ALL warnings on the package as this is not intended for those under 18 years old, sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing.... Yeah the list goes on, so make sure you read it yourself. Just because I can handle the intense affects does not mean you can. Final Judgment - 9

Buy Fixx Extreme - World's Strongest Energy Shot - Here

Xfuel Energy Shot Review

2009-04-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Xfuel Energy Shot Review:
So there have been Energy Drinks that have focused on gamers in the past; however, I have yet to hear of an energy shot that is made specifically for gamers. That is until the Xfuel energy shot entered the market. Xfuel energy shots is the creation of Alex and Austin Gere along with their friend Nick Panes and is made by AboutMe Labs. With a name like Xfuel and a slogan like "Take it to the Next Level" this shot is designed specifically for gamers. Now I am definitely not a hard core gamer, but I have no problem putting the Xfuel energy shot to a taste and kick test. So let's move on with the review...

Buy Xfuel for Gamers Here

Xfuel Energy Shot Review: Taste
The little 2 ounce energy shot has only 4 calories and comes in a nicely designed package, albeit was a little hard to open. But once I got it open the flavor was excellent, especially for an energy shot. The delivery was smooth and there was no medicinal aftertaste. My only problem with the Xfuel energy shot is that I could not pinpoint the taste!!! I thought I tasted hints of apple, yet it almost seemed to be followed by grape. Regardless of my inadequacies in pinpointing the taste I thoroughly enjoyed it. So my taste review is probably not a big help, but if you have tried it feel free to chime in below in the comments section with your take on the taste. Taste Rating - 8.8

Xfuel Energy Shot Review: Kick
So I am not a hardcore gamer, but since Xfuel is supposed to help take you to the next level, I thought I would put it to use at the gym. Waking up nice and early at 5:30... after a happy hour that lasted a little too long... I hoped that Xfuel would provide me with the get up and go that I was looking for at the gym. With Energy Ingredients like L-Taurine, Caffeine (about the amount in a premium cup of coffee - so around 80-120 milligrams I am guessing), Glucorono, Lactone, N Acetyl L Tyrosine,, L-Phenylanine, Malic Cid as well as a bunch of B-Vitamins, the kick was well received. No the strongest drink I have ever tried, but then again, the last thing you want is to be all jittery when jamming out to Guitar Hero. Kick Rating - 8.5

Xfuel Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
A well rounded shot delivering an excellent flavor and above average kick. Xfuel targets a unique market (strictly gamers) that has really not been fully capitalized on yet (at least to my knowledge). And with substantial prizes being awarded for top gamers these days, having that extra edge to "take you to the next level" can be nothing but beneficial in my opinion. Final Judgment - 8.6

Buy Xfuel for Gamers Here

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee - Cinnamon Dulce

2009-03-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Cost: $2.29
Cost Per Ounce:$0.15
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, B-Vitamins, Bunch of other stuff
Taste Rating:8.9
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee - Cinnamon Dulce:
Continuing on with yet another Energy Drink Review, I will be giving the Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee - Cinnamon Dulce flavor a try. As I have previously mentioned a handful of times (probably every time I review a coffee flavored energy drink), I am not the biggest fan of coffee flavored energy drinks. However, every now and then I get a nice surprise and enjoy one and the Starbucks energy drinks have so far been on par with my taste buds. I have reviewed a couple of their drinks in the past, but never fully completed their entire lineup of flavors when all of the sudden out of nowhere (actually via UPS Parcel Post) I was sent their newest flavors, Cinnamon Dulce being one of them. Since I am already behind on the rest of their lineup, I might as well skip to the newest flavors, in hopes they send me more of their 15 ounce Premium Coffee Drinks upon conception. Anyways, enough fluff let's try this bad boy out.

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee - Cinnamon Dulce: Taste
Considering the last Starbucks Energy Drink I tried was back in August of 2008, I could barely remember how one tasted. That is until I cracked open the 15 ounce Ready to Drink can and caught a whiff of Cinnamon. Yup, the previous flavors I tried all had a distinct aroma as well and Starbucks Cinnamon Dulce was no exception. Upon taking my first sip of the light brown drink I could immediately taste a nice light coffee flavor, followed by a hint of Dulce (kind of a brown sugar) then I was hit with a Cinnamon swirl. All in all, I actually really enjoyed the flavor as it was far from the dark blend of coffee that I have come to dislike. In fact it was fairly light and quite tasty as the Cinnamon Dulce flavor almost made the coffee flavor non-existent. I say almost, as it would not be a coffee energy drink without the coffee flavor. For this reviewer, who is not the biggest fan of coffee, Starbucks Cinnamon Dulce was right up my ally. Taste Rating - 8.9

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee - Cinnamon Dulce: Kick
So I was pleased yet again by a Starbucks Energy Drink in the taste category, but would the kick be to my liking? Considering Starbucks makes a pretty potent blend of coffee (when compared to others) I would have to say my chances were good. Upon inspection of the ingredients I found Starbucks to contain the following: 2000 mg of maltodextrin, 1800 mg of Taurine, 450 mg of L-Carnatine, 180 mg of Inositol, 325 mg of Panax Ginseng, 90 mg of Guarana Seed Extract and a decent amount of B vitamins. However, I was unable to find any information on caffeine content on the label, but further inspection of the Starbucks website gave me the answer I was looking for... 146 milligrams of caffeine in the entire 15 ounce can, similar to their other flavors. While the caffeine content is not that big on it's own, when combined with the other energy ingredients Starbucks Cinnamon Dulce does pack a nice kick and with only 28 grams of sugar (about 40% of a normal energy drink), you won't have an overload making you cringe on your office floor craving more sugar. Kick Rating - 8.6

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee - Cinnamon Dulce: Final Judgment
For a person who does not really like coffee, I am amazed at how well I get along with the Starbucks energy drinks. They pack a nice punch, have a great mix of exotic flavors and coffee and are relatively healthy when looking at other ED's. Sure, they have the same amount of calories as the others, but at least the calories are not all coming from sugar, at least some are coming from Protein (skim milk). Overall, from a company that focuses mostly on coffee, they seem to have carved themselves a nice niche within the ED's industry with a well thought out product. Final Judgment - 8.7

Crunk Energy Drink Review - Berry

2009-03-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, B-Vitamins, Green Tea Extract
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Crunk Energy Drink Review - Berry:
Alright... it has been quite some time since I have tried one of the Crunk Energy Drinks, so I guess it is about time to let you in on the new flavor which has been out for a couple months now. The previous Energy Drinks from Crunk include Citrus, Sugar Free - Original as well as the original Pomegranite flavor. Now Crunk has added a Berry flavor to their growing lineup. As with all other flavors the new Crunk Berry Energy drink will be available in 16 and 8 ounce varieties. For the purpose of today's review, I will be trying the 16 ounce version. So enough fluff, let's see if Crunk can continue to build on the their delicious lineup.

Crunk Energy Drink Review - Berry: Taste
As I stated above, I have enjoyed all the other offerings from Crunk, especially the Original (pomegranate flavor). When all is said and done, Crunk stays pretty true to what is on the label. It's grape, but it is a lighter concoction than what you would normally think of a grape drink as the Acai berry definitely lightens the taste as well as helps to hide any medicinal aftertaste. So it is not bitter, but it is a little tart for my liking. I still think the Original is the best energy drink taste wise in the Crunk lineup. However, to each their own in the taste category. Taste Rating - 8.7

Crunk Energy Drink Review - Berry: Kick
Now the original Crunk had about 100 milligrams of caffeine in an 8.3 ounce can, but I could not distinguish how much caffeine is in the 16 ounce varieties. My assumption would be roughly 200 milligrams (no shit right) which would pretty much fall in line with the 16 ounce industry "standards." And by standard, I mean what everybody else seems to be putting in a 16 ounce energy drink now-a-days. The other energy ingredients include green tea, guarana and b-vitamins. So the caffeine is pretty standard, the overall energy blend seems to do the trick as I enjoyed several hours of energy! Kick Rating - 8.6

Crunk Energy Drink Review - Berry: Final Judgment
Crunk energy drinks continue to impress me, especially with the attention to detail in the flavor department. The berry is not my personal favorite, but I would highly recommend a try to anyone out their who is a grape fan. Looks like the best place to buy in bulk is at the Crunk Website. If you are a Crunk addict, they have a refill club designed just for you so check it out. And Lil Jon, keep em coming! Final Judgment - 8.7

Mountain Dew Voltage Review

2009-03-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

Cost: $1.29
Cost Per Ounce:$0.06
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Ginseng
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:7.0
Final Judgment Rating:7.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Mountain Dew Voltage Review:
I know what you are thinking, why is Mountain Dew Voltage being reviewed on a site dedicated to Energy Drinks? Well some would argue that Mountain Dew is somewhat the original energy drink as it is one of the highest caffeinated and most popular mass produced carbonated beverages on the market. Another reason is that Mountain Dew Voltage ran a very interesting marketing promotion called DEWmocracy where the public got to vote for the new Dew (taste, name and color). Apparently over 250,000 people participated, making Mountain Dew Voltage an ideal candidate for a review. So enough fluff, let's see if the general public knows how to make a drink by reviewing the 20 Ounce Voltage.

Mountain Dew Voltage Review: Taste
So 250,000 people voted to make the color a light/nuclear blue so I was originally thinking a purely berry flavor. However, I was slightly mistaken as there are still elements of the original Citrus flavoring from Mountain Dew present. The citrus coupled with a Raspberry flavor made for a somewhat sweeter than average Dew followed up by a jolt of Ginseng. But overall the distinct berry flavor wins out and the sweet taste is reminiscent of a Jolly Rancher candy. I would have to say that 250,000 or so people made a pretty decent flavor, although it was a tad sweet for me. Taste Rating - 8.5

Mountain Dew Voltage Review: Kick
The energy ingredients seem to be almost identical to your normal everyday Dew. In a 20 ounce bottle you get about 90 milligrams of caffeine (more than Red Bull) as well as some Ginseng. So basically it is the original formula with a little added ginseng. Now it doesn't compare to a lot of today's energy drinks, but Voltage still packs 90 milligrams of caffeine, which is very similar to Red Bull (minus the taurine, b-vitamins)... so the kick is still noteworthy, especially when compared on price. Kick Rating - 7.0

Mountain Dew Voltage Review: Final Judgment
The promotion run by Dew seemed to be fairly popular and 250,000 people collectively made a pretty good new Dew. Again, not going to be my everyday drink, as I am used to a bit more caffeine, but for those that need a little pick me up, a refreshing drink, or already enjoy Dew, then I suggest you give it a try. I have seen the new flavor in stores for $1.29 so that's not a bad deal either. Final Judgment - 7.5

Red Light Energy Drink Review - Original Seduction

2009-03-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.29
Cost Per Ounce:$0.19
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Panax Ginseng
Taste Rating:9.5
Kick Rating:7.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Red Light Energy Drink Review:
Lately I have been reviewing tons of energy shots and candies and have not actually reviewed an Energy Drink in quite some time. I know the competition is not as fierce in the energy shot segment, but I was more than happy when the Red Light Energy Drink showed up on my door step. I was even more delighted when I saw that the Kosher certified 12 ounce energy drinks (they offer a sugar free version as well) came in sleek and sexy packaging. Probably one of the best designed bottles I have seen in quite some time. The Red Light Energy drinks are both seem like they are tailored as cocktail mixers with a sexy appeal. Alright enough fluff, let's see how the Red Light Original Seduction Energy Drink performs in the taste and kick reviews!

Red Light Energy Drink Review: Taste
With a name like "Original Seduction" I was expecting quite a bit from my taste test... and I was far from disappointed. I drank the first 6 ounces alone with no mixer and the taste could only be described as a magic elixir of goodness. No seriously, this is easily one of the best tasting energy drinks that I have tried as the lightly carbonated citrus berry flavor goes down smooth. The berry flavor stood out the most and the medicinal aftertaste... was not present at all. My next test was as a mixer. Absolute Red Light special please... Sounds complicated but it's just vodka mixed with Red Light. Even though it's a basic mixed drink, the flavor Red Light added was pleasant, making me feel like I had just whipped up one of the world's greatest concoctions. If the sugar free version tastes this great I might have a new favorite energy mixer on my hands. Taste Rating - 9.5

Red Light Energy Drink Review: Kick
Since this drink is primarily meant as a mixer, although it is great as a standalone, I was not expecting tons of energy. I mean, who want's to be bouncing off the walls like you are at a rave after having one or two mixers? That being said each Red Light contains 90 milligrams of caffeine (similar to a Red Bull) as well as Panax Ginseng, Taurine and B-vitamins. So know the kick was not off the walls, but a couple of these mixers and you should be good for the night (just don't drive). Kick Rating - 7.5

Red Light Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Love the sex appeal vibe coming from the bottle, the flavor was great and the price tag of $2.29 is actually cheap for a high end energy mixer. Combine that with the taste and we have ourselves a winner here! I am not entirely sure where you can get it at brick and mortar stores, but I know you can purchase this stuff online at the Red Light store. If anyone knows where you can pick this stuff up besides online, feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.5

UpdateRED LIGHT can be found in 300 locations around the country and growing. You can check their website out as it has a store locator.

Do You Want $100 in Free Energy Drink Swag?

2009-03-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

No Fear Energy Drink, has launched its first-ever under the tab code promotion — Earn Some Cred. You crack open specially marked cans of No Fear Energy drink, find the code under the tab, enter that code at earnsomecred.com and start earning cred for No Fear gear or if you’re super lucky, instantly win the VIP Credentials for 1 of 8 once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a trip to a Mixed Martial Arts event, Hawaiian surf getaway, a Motocross event, or to a stop on the No Fear Energy Music Tour featuring the metal band Lamb of God.

In honor of the promotion from No Fear Energy, The Energy Drink Ratings Blog is giving away a free Swag Gift pack valued at $100!

This gift pack, again valued at $100, will get you the following items of Swag:

2 – No Fear Hoodies
2 – No Fear T-shirts (one of each style)
1 – No Fear Bloodshot Hat
1 – 12-pack of the new No Fear Bloodshot Energy Drink
1 – Lamb of God’s latest CD “Wrath” releasing on Feb. 24
1 – Sticky Bumps Surf Wax

All you have to do to participate is Email Me your:

1) Name
2) Full Address
3) Age

Your information will not be sold to any third party, it will be used to randomly select the contest winner. And if you win, I am going to need your address so I can ship you all that great Swag! Hurry up, the contest ends on March 17, 2009!

So Email Me your info by March 17, 2009 for your chance to win!

Full Power Energy Shots - Berry Blast Review

2009-02-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.49
Cost Per Ounce:$1.25
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:9.2
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Full Power Energy Shots - Berry Blast Review:
Even in the economy, the Energy Drinks segment continues to grow, especially the energy shots category. So to coincide with that trend I will be reviewing the Berry Blast Full Power Energy Shot today. This is a fairly new energy drink company so there is not a ton of information out there on them. However, I do know that the owner also has a winery, so I am looking forward to a good smooth clean taste from the Full Power Energy Shots. Besides that I can only tell you that it is a 2 ounce energy shot with zero calories, zero sugar, and zero sugar. The label on the shot also states that that it lasts five to seven hours. So let's put it to the test.

Official Site: Full Power Energy

Full Power Energy Shots - Berry Blast Review: Taste
SO will the wine maker be able to design a smooth tasting energy shot? Well I must have tried 50 or so shots by now and I have to say there are only a handful that actually have a good taste. And the Berry Blast from Full Power is definitely one of them! Smooth taste, no sediment, no medicinal aftertaste AT ALL. The Berry Blast, at least to me, had a very distinct cherry taste to it which I rather enjoyed. So at least in my opinion this is closer to a cherry flavored energy shot than a berry blend... but hey, everyone's taste palates are slightly different. Taste Rating - 9.2

Full Power Energy Shots - Berry Blast Review: Kick
Alright, it's got a smooth cherry taste with no medicinal aftertaste... so does this mean it has no kick? Well Full Power has an energy blend that consists of 2125 milligrams of the following ingredients (by the way this is very similar to what you will find from the big 3): Taurine, Malic Acid, Caffeine, Glucoronolactone, N-Acetyl, L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalane as well as a nice helping of B-Vitamins. So what does all this mean? It delivers the kick it promises or at least close to it. The kick lasted about 4 hours for me, shorter than the 5 to 7 hours they are promising, but then again you have to take in to affect that I am a caffeine junky! So for most people the claim should hold true. Kick Rating - 8.4

Full Power Energy Shots - Berry Blast Review: Final Judgment
For a new company they sure hit the nail on the head with this one. They actually have done a better job than most of the big names that have recently released their own shots and they are cheaper - $2.50! I know there website says they are looking for distributors, but I am not exactly sure where you can buy them yet. If anyone knows feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.7

Official Site: Full Power Energy

UpdateFound out a little bit more about how to get a hold of Full Power from the Manufacturer: "Found out a little bit more about Full Power: "We’re taking orders at Tiger Distributing LLC 614-837-5552. We ship the same day. It would be a great opportunity for Distributor to get in and tie up there areas, At Full Power Energy Shot we understand Loyalty and Profitability. That is why our Distributors are getting sizable territories. This cut down on inter competition between distributors. "

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast

2009-02-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

Cost: $0.50 / for one chew
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Panax Ginseng
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast:
So I have been focusing on Energy Drinks and the ever competitive and growing energy shots segments and I have been neglecting other energy products. So for today's review I will be focusing on KickBrix Energy Chews. These chews come in two flavors berry & citrus and have a suggested retail price of $3.99 for a pack of 5 chews or about $0.80/chew. You can pick them up cheaper (as little as $0.45/chew) by buying them in bulk online. It also looks like their website is currently offering a free sample. Alright, enough fluff, let's see if these Kick Brix Energy chews can compete with conventional energy drinks and shots.

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast: Taste
As I mentioned above, they come in two flavors - Berry Blast and Citrus. It doesn't matter if you prefer one over the other as both flavors come in the same pack. The flavor of these chews is actually not that bad and is comparable to a similar flavored Starburst, with one exception, there is a little more of a bite. This bite can be attributed to the chews packed with a plethora of energy ingredients. Of the energy chews and even energy gums that I have tried, Kick Brix definitely stands out as the best tasting to date. Taste Rating - 8.7

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast: Kick
The taste is pretty good but is the kick in "KickBrix" worth it? Well their taglines suggest that the kick will be comparable if not better than your typical energy drink. Some examples of taglines: "A monster kick without the bull" and "more punch less price." To tell you the truth I would have to agree. For $0.50, the price of one chew, you get 150 milligrams of energy blend which consists of 90 milligrams of caffeine couple with taurine and panax ginseng. Not too shabby for $0.50. I ate two chews and had enough energy to last for a couple hours... Oh and the chews are sugar free, so no energy crash either. Kick Rating - 8.8 (based on 2 chews)

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast: Final Judgment
For 1/4 the price of your typical energy beverage you can get a pretty similar kick without the calories. If Kick Brix can pick up shelf and or counter space in the over crowded energy segment, then I think we might have a winner on our hands. I know I enjoyed it, but don't take my word for it, go to their site and try out a free sample. If you disagree with me, feel free to flame me in the comments section below. Final Judgment - 8.7

Spot On Energy Patch Review

2009-02-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.99 (for 4 patches)
Cost Per Ounce:Does Not Apply
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Glucoronolactone, Green Tea Extract, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:No Taste
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Spot On Energy Patch Review:
I think I may have seen it all now with Energy Drinks. I have seen energy shots shrink in size, caffeinated gum, mints, chocolates, candy, chips, energy strips, caffeinated soap, sunflower seeds, breath spray and the list goes on and on. Check out my complete list of Outrageous Energy Products Here. At the end of that post I made a prediction that we would some day have caffeinated air. While I have yet to hear of caffeinated air, we do have another crazy caffeine concoction to add to the list.... the Spot on Energy Patch. That's right you heard me correctly, a patch that is applied directly to your skin, meant to supply you with energy minus the calories and bad taste. The Spot On Energy patches have a suggested retail price of $2.99 and each pack comes with four patches.

Spot On Energy Patch Review: Taste
This is applied to your skin and it is not meant to eat or drink. So don't eat or drink it, if you do you have issues.

Spot On Energy Patch Review: Kick
As I stated above each pack of Spot On Energy contains 4 patches for a suggested retail price of $2.99. Each individual patch contains the following ingredients: 20 milligrams of caffeine, 5 milligrams of taurine, 4 milligrams of green tea extract, and a bunch of b-vitamins. I know what you are thinking, 20 milligrams of caffeine, that's it? Well that was the same thing I was thinking and believe me I was tempted to put all four patches on and see what happened, but I restrained and only put two patches on (the max recommended dosage at one time - you can use up to 4 patches throughout the day, just not at once). I put one patch on each of my biceps... Within a minute or two I definitely felt a little tingle of the skin, nothing annoying or irritating but I could feel something. (I was also tempted to "Apply Directly to Forehead" but then I realized that was the wrong product!!!) Spot On Energy was hard to compare to your normal everyday energy drinks and shots, but within 20 minutes I definitely felt more energized and my energy level was sustained for a good 2-3 hours. So to sum up this seemed like a good value to me. You get 4 patches that you can apply throughout the day that should give you about 4-6 hours of energy without the crash all for $2.99 which seems like a better deal than your normal 16 ounce energy drinks. Kick Rating - 8.6

Spot On Energy Patch Review: Final Judgment
So this is definitely a unique energy product, but the fact is it worked. The suggested retail price of $2.99 seems like a bargain considering you get 4 patches. The portability and ease of these was quite well received by this reviewer. Also, the fact that there were zero calories was also a plus. Although it was not the strongest energy product I have tried, in my opinion this would make for an excellent study aid for those late night cram sessions. Anyways the final judgment on this will be slightly different that normal. It won't be based on taste and kick (because there was no taste). Instead I will base it on kick (rating - 8.6) and I will give it a couple extra points for creativeness and price. Final Judgment - 8.8

FYI - If you go to their website they are offering a free trial

5 Hour Energy Site Updates, Contests and Social Revolution

2009-02-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

I always try to keep an eye on what's going on in the world of Energy Drinks and it looks like this blogger's favorite energy shot 5 Hour Energy has updated their site and joined the social media revolution with a new blog, MySpace and YouTube page. They also have a new "quirky" Ask the Energy guy section along with a cool new fan zone section that allows fans to submit stories, photos and video of their experiences with 5-Hour.

Why are you telling me this, you may ask? Well, 5-Hour Energy has all sorts of new features and contests that allow you to win free 5-Hour Energy Shots! Currently there are two contests going on.

"Name the Energy Guy Contest" is a contest to name the infamous running guy found on the logo of all 5-Hour shots. The winner of this contest gets a free 12 pack of the flavor of your choice! My vote is for "Van Slam the Energy Man!" Yeah I know it's a little long but if you don't like it go suggest your own name for the running guy.

"Become a 5-Hour MySpace Friend Contest" - is a contest promoting 5-Hour's new social platform on MySpace. I love this contest, no thinking involved whatsoever! All you have to do is become a friend of 5-Hour on MySpace and you are entered to win a free 12 pack of the flavor of your choice!

Besides these contests where you can win free product, it looks like 5-Hour Energy has created a "fan zone" specifically for the energy lover! So far my favorite page in the fan zone is the "Ask the Energy Guy" section. Check out the question and answer section it's down right hilarious.

Rockstar Energy Drinks - Punched Citrus Review

2009-01-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Cost: $2.29
Cost Per Ounce:$0.14
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, Taurine, Ginkgo, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.7
Final Judgment Rating:8.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rockstar Energy Drinks - Punched Citrus Review:
Well it has been quite some time since I have reviewed one of Rockstar Energy Drinks products, especially since I tend to shy away from actually purchasing any Energy Drinks myself since I have been inundated with so many requests for reviews. However, I could not resist buying the new bright green can of Rockstar Punched Citrus. So I shoveled out the $2.29 for the 16 ounce version (also available in 24 ounces if you can handle it) and went to doing what I do best. Since I don't really want to get into what I do best, I guess I can skip that part and just tell you my thoughts on the newest Rockstar Juiced product...

Rockstar Energy Drinks - Punched Citrus Review: Taste
Well first off the Rockstar Energy Drink states right on the can that it is citrus flavored but it also states on the can that it has the flavor of acai berries as well. My first taste definitely showed me the rather tart tasting lemon flavoring, maybe comparable to a "tartier" Mountain Dew. But the aftertaste was followed up with a somewhat juicy punch flavor which was by all means better than being followed up by a medicinal aftertaste. But with 31 grams of sugar per serving (62 grams total in a 16 ounce can) there should be no reason not to be able to hide any medicinal aftertaste. And to be honest I could really not pinpoint the acai berry taste and upon looking further into the ingredient list "acai berry" is listed as the last ingredient. So this really leads me to believe that Rockstar is just trying to take advantage of the health craze associated with Acai Berries. But I guess even without the acai taste, I did rather enjoy this drink, which is odd since I am typically not a fan of citrus flavored Energy Drinks. Taste Rating - 8.7

Rockstar Energy Drinks - Punched Citrus Review: Kick
The new taste was very well received and I believe the kick shall be as well as Rockstar Punched Citrus is supposed to contain 50% more caffeine than original Rockstar. This means in a 16 ounce serving you are getting 240 milligrams of caffeine, 2000 milligrams of taurine, 50 milligrams of Guarana Seed Extract (natural caffeine), 300 milligrams of Ginkgo Biloba extract and a ton of b-vitamins. So yeah I would have to say that the kick was definitely stepped up quite a bit from the original. It lasted along the lines of 3-4 hours, but there was a noticeable crash from all 62 grams of sugar. However, sugar might affect me more than others as outside of energy drinks it is really not a staple in my diet. Kick Rating - 8.7

Rockstar Energy Drinks - Punched Citrus Review: Final Judgment
Rockstar Punched Citrus is a nice addition to the lineup. The flavor was good and the increased kick over the original was appreciated by this reviewer. The price tag of $2.29 for a 16 ounce was not bad at all. I guess my only complaint was the amount of sugar, but fortunately for me and others that are not a fan of sugar, Rockstar does offer alternative sugar free beverages. Feel free to comment below if you have tried the new drink. Final Judgment - 8.7

Guru Energy Drink: Iced Tea Master of the Universe Video

2009-01-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

I have reviewed several of the Guru Energy Drinks on my site, but I have yet to see one of their wacky videos until now. Check out the wacky You Tube video talking up the Guru Green Tea Honey Lemon Energy Drink and feel free to comment on it below.

Core Fast Energy Drink Review

2009-01-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

Cost: $??
Cost Per Ounce:$??
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana Extract, D-Ribose, B-Vitamins....
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:9.9
Final Judgment Rating:9.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Core Fast Energy Drink Review:
Today's Energy Drink is the Core Fast Energy Drink, a fairly new drink from Go Fast Sports (makers of Go Fast and Go Fast Light, two if I may say so exceptional energy drinks that are designed with the athlete in mind. So when I heard Go Fast was releasing a new drink I was behaving like a giddy girl texting away on her new cell phone. Ok, I may be exaggerating a bit, but the past lineup of Go Fast Energy Drinks was right up my ally and it looks like the new Core Fast Drink is as well. I mean, look at the can... it has warning labels plastered ALL OVER. Some of the warnings include "read entire can before drinking," "Never Exceed One Can Per Day," "Keep Out of the Reach of Children," "Not for the Use by Those Under 18 Years of Age" and the warnings and cautions go on... Why you might ask? Well this tiny little 8.4 ounce can contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, or the equivalent of almost 4 Red Bulls. Presumably it's pretty strong. So let's put that and the taste to the test.

Core Fast Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off I would like to say that when I drink a "hardcore energy drink" of this caliber, or one with tons of energy ingredients, I like to consume them shortly after eating. I would also like to say that I did not heed the "start with half a can" warning. I drank the entire 8.4 ounce Core Fast in one sitting. Core fast is sugar free and when you combine sugar free with tons of energy ingredients you typically get a bitter aftertaste. However, this was not the case with Core Fast as it has a familiar honey with a hint of strawberry taste to it, making it fairly similar to the original. The can itself says it is enhanced with the power and "flavor" of acai, but I really did not sense the taste of acai. Either way, for a can with that many energy ingredients the taste far exceeded my expectations. Taste Rating - 8.8

Core Fast Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the "athletes" energy drink kept a well rounded taste, but how will the new "hardcore" version perform. Well I would have to say that the combination of 300 milligrams of caffeine, D-Ribose (used to fight fatigue), Taurine, Ginseng Extract, Guarana Extract, Green Tea B-Vitamins, and Inositol provided me with a whopping kick. I mean it was incredible. I ate breakfast at 6:30 a.m, drank the entire can at 7:00 a.m, and then hit the gym at 7:45 for an intense lower body workout. I mean I was busting out squats like a giddy little girl texting on her new cell phone. Enough said, it's potent stuff! Just make sure you read and heed all the warnings on the can. I also suggest drinking plenty of water if you are going to workout after consuming. Kick Rating 9.9

Core Fast Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Great taste, intense kick. Go Fast really one upped there original formula and came out with an incredible new "hardcore energy drink." Again, just make sure you read and heed all warnings on the can. This 8.4 ounce beverage is not for the lighthearted. I am not really sure where you can pick these up yet, but if anybody knows feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 9.5

Jitsu Energy Shot Review - Apple

2009-01-08T14:01:00.001-08:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, taurine, b-vitamins
Taste Rating:8.2
Kick Rating:9
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Jitsu Energy Shot Review - Apple:
This Jitsu Energy Shots are geared towards MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters and other people who work out to the extreme. This is right up my ally, so as you can imagine I expected it to pack quite a punch. With a plethora of b-vitamins and a good dose of caffeine it definitely should. The Jitsu energy shots comes in three flavors; apple, grape, and fruit punch as well as a citrus flavored double shot. On the website it states that children under 13 and pregnant women should not have this product. It also says not to have more than two shots in one day. Enough background lets drink a shot!!!

Jitsu Energy Shot Review - Apple: Taste
Today I will be sampling the apple flavored Jitsu Energy shot. Well I have too say, not being a fan of apple flavored energy drinks this one wasn't bad. The initial taste is slightly tart, but that is to be expected with apple. There was a hint of medicinal flavor in the aftertaste. That being said, the Jitsu Energy Shot has a laundry list of energy ingredients, so it’s is no surprise the tiny 2 ounce energy shot has a little bite. I have definitely tasted far worse apple drinks than this one and have no doubt that the other flavors will better suit my taste. Taste Rating 8.2

Jitsu Energy Shot Review - Apple: Kick
Well I have to say this is how to start a morning! This shot was a breath of fresh air. No doubt about it Jitsu does give you a kick! The mix of b-vitamins, caffeine, taurine, and the enzyme blend definitely do the trick. I drink a lot of energy shots and this one rates right up there. The website claims the shot has about as much caffeine as two cups of very strong coffee (at least 160 milligrams of caffeine) and I thank them for that. When you need a quick start without the big crash associated with a large dose of sugar then this is your ticket. The kick lasted well through the morning and into the afternoon. Kick Rating 9

Jitsu Energy Shot Review - Apple: Final Judgment
To sum it all up Jitsu Energy gets the job done. Even though the apple flavor wasn’t my favorite it was still pretty good. The energy kick definitely makes up for what I consider a tart flavor. Then again taste is subject to opinion. Anytime I need a little boost a Jitsu would be very sufficient. The kick is very comparable to 5 hour energy shots and tastes similar (as far as artificial flavoring not necessarily the apple flavor). With two more original flavors and a double shot to test I am looking forward to what they offer. Final Judgement 8.6

PepPod Effervescent Energy Drink Review

2009-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Cost: $1.49 (cheaper in bulk)
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:8.3
Final Judgment Rating:8.4
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

PepPod Effervescent Energy Drink Review:
Well it has been a whole year since I have reviewed any Energy Drinks or at least I have yet to review one this year. Since I have some personal New Year's resolutions to take care of that involve my overall health and well being, I figured I would start the New Year with a review of a rather healthy energy drink... PepPod Effervescent. This drink has only 1 calorie, 1 carb and no sugar and it even contains some electrolytes. So basically, the PepPod Effervescent energy drink is supposed to be a healthier alternative to your normal everyday sugar laden ED's. So let's see how it performs in the taste and kick categories.

PepPod Effervescent Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off this is basically a Pod (or effervescent dissolvable tablet) that you mix in water. You can tailor the taste to your liking by mixing it with more or less water (8 to 16 ounces). I chose to mix it with 8 ounces of water... After dropping the Pod in I had to wait about 2 minutes for it to completely dissolve. The first drink gave me a not too bad orange citrus taste followed up by what can be described as a grapefruit taste. I know this doesn't sound like the best taste concoction on the market, but to my surprise I actually liked it (usually I am not a huge fan of citrus drinks). It was a little bitter, but I don't believe it was from any medicinal aftertaste. I think the slight bitterness came from the grapefruit flavoring. Either way I was quite pleased and I think PepPod Effervescent would make a great addition to my breakfast menu. Taste Rating - 8.5

PepPod Effervescent Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the taste was pretty solid, but will this tiny pod give off any energy? Well with energy ingredients like caffeine (more than a typical cup of coffee, so probably slightly more than 80 milligrams), 200 milligrams of taurine and a pretty substantial amount of b-vitamins the PepPod Effervescent Energy Drink gave me a nice wakeup call. I would compare it to maybe a 12 ounce RedBull. Not the strongest on the market, but it gave a nice jitter free kick that lasted several hours without any crash at the end. The best part is it only has one calorie! Kick Rating - 8.3

PepPod Effervescent Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
So I started the new year with a healthier alternative (PepPod contains vitamins and antioxidants) to your normal everyday ED and I was pleased. The kick was adequate and the taste was actually quite refreshing. The portability is a nice feature as well. The only place I know of where you can currently get them is online. If anyone knows where else you can get them, feel free to chime in below in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.4

DynaPep Micro Energy Shot Review

2008-12-22T13:40:00.001-08:00

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:6.2
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:8.4
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

DynaPep Micro Energy Shot Review:
After reviewing countless Energy Drinks and Shots, I have come across another first with the DynaPep micro energy shot. This is the world's first supercharged energy micro shot weighing in at only 4 tiny milliliters. To put that in perspective a normal energy shot has about 60 milliliters of liquid... so about 15 DynaPep Micro shots would be needed to fill one normal 2 ounce energy shot. Yeah, it's that small. DynaPep is manufactured and distributed by Intocell Inc. and costs about $3.00. If you buy in bulk you can save quite a bit of money. Anyways, enough fluff... let's see how DynaPep, the world's first micro energy shot performs in the taste and kick categories.

DynaPep Micro Energy Shot Review: Taste
Well first off, you have the choice of either adding this micro shot to water, or just consuming straight. I went for the latter to get a better idea of the taste. Now there is a hint of berry flavoring in DynaPep, but after that the flavor is pretty much straight medicinal. So no, the taste was not the greatest, but what do you expect from a micro shot weighing in at just a tiny 4 milliliters? Even though the medicinal ingredient taste was pretty prevalant, it doesn't take long to consume. One tiny squirt of the bottle and you are done. I would imagine that DynaPep would taste a lot better when blended into your favorite drink, but for the purpose of this review I just took it straight up. To sum up... doesn't taste that great, but the taste is quick and pretty much painless. If it performs in the Kick category, then I wouldn't worry about it. Taste Rating - 6.2

Taste Rating Up Date: DynaPep is now available in 3 new flavors: Cinnamon, Berry and Mint. I will post a review after trying the new flavors.

DynaPep Micro Energy Shot Review: Kick
So we have established the taste is not the greatest, but what do you expect from a tiny 4 milliliter shot with 2 calories? The performance in the kick category is where this drink should score all it's points.... and it certainly did! With energy ingredients including; 80 milligrams of caffeine (same as Red Bull) 6000% of your daily b-12 and some things I can't pronounce and really don't feel like typing. Whatever, the combination of the "staple" energy ingredients and the unpronounceables really gave me a nice "time released" kick that kept me moving for several hours. Basically the kick more than makes up for the taste! Kick Rating - 9.0

DynaPep Micro Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
The world's first micro energy shot doesn't taste the best, but it definitely performs in the kick category as good if not better than most energy shots and drinks. The only place I know that you can currently pick up one of these is at the DynaPep website. If you have seen them anywhere else feel free to chime in with the location and price in the comments section. Final Judgment - 8.4

Update - DynaPep can be currently found in several thousand c-stores Nationally and numerous retail chains have picked us up for 2009.