REVIEW OF FUGA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 135 MILLIGRAMS PER 12 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 6.6 OUT OF 10. 

     We're back. After a period of not being able to find any products to review, I have located several different drinks that I can evaluate. One of which was that Monster Ultra Blue, and another is this drink called Fuga. There isn't really anything too special about this drink, at least at first glance. Let's see if it can change my mind.

     The 12 ounce can is a nice touch, but the packaging is average at best. Of course, not only is packaging design subjective, but it doesn't affect the flavor of the beverage. Speaking of flavor, there isn't one listed on the can, so I expected yet another Red Bull clone. I cracked open the can and was relieved to see that the color inside was a pinkish-red. This was an immediate indication that this wasn't another Red Bull clone I was getting into. As a matter of fact, I found the flavor to be sweet, light, and fruity. I believe strawberry is the fruit I'm looking for. Anyway, I'm extremely happy that they decided to use a different flavor besides Red Bull.

     This drink also has a pretty nice blend as well. It's definitely a lot better than your basic blend of b vitamins, caffeine, taurine, and inositol. It has 29 percent daily value of riboflavin, 150 percent daily value of niacin, 375 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 150 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 150 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 135 milligrams of caffeine, 1,500 milligrams of taurine, 37.5 milligrams of panax ginseng, 150 milligrams of prickly pear extract, 900 milligrams of yerba mate, 15 milligrams of acai extract, 112.5 milligrams of glucuronolactone, 300 milligrams of gingko biloba extract, and 112.5 milligrams of milk thistle extract.

     While the energy blend is certainly better than the average energy drink, the caffeine content is very similar to a Red Bull. Granted it is slightly higher, but that wouldn't make too much of a difference. I only received a very mild increase in energy, but it should have a greater effect on people who haven't been trying energy drinks for over 4 years.

     I began this review by making an assumption that Fuga is an average energy drink. My assumption was partially right. Yes, it does have ingredients that you are included in some energy drinks, but for the most part are not ubiquitous across the energy drink industry. And while the flavor isn't Red Bull (thank God), it still isn't immaculate. So no, this energy drink isn't average. It's minutely above it.

REVIEW OF MONSTER ULTRA BLUE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 140 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.8 OUT OF 10. 

     Is Monster Energy ever satisfied with how many drinks it has? There are currently 13 Monster Energy drinks, 7 Java Monsters, 3 Muscle Monsters, 3 Extra Strengths, 6 Monster Rehabs, and 2 Monster Dub Editions. In total, that's 34 different varieties of Monster Energy. Today I'll be reviewing the 22nd Monster drink on this website: Monster Ultra Blue.

     This is the sister drink to Monster Zero Ultra, which is a smooth and light flavored energy drink. Ultra Blue has that same textured can, except this one is obviously blue. Sure enough, the liquid inside is also blue, and after taking a sip, I noticed that the flavor was smooth, sweet, and delectable. It reminded me of blue cotton candy in a way, but nevertheless it was pretty tasty. I've always found Monster drinks to be pretty tasty beverages.

     Another area that Monster consistently performs well at is the energy blend. This one has 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b5, and a Monster Energy Blend of taurine, panax ginseng extract, l-carnitine, caffeine, glucuronolactone, guarana extract, and inositol. The energy blend should be around 5,000 milligrams, but it is not indicated on the can. The caffeine content is 140 milligrams.


     That amount of caffeine should give an adequate uplift to the average consumer, and it certainly gave me a very slight boost. It's really nothing to run home about, but then again, this drink isn't made to knock your socks off.

     With 34 flavors, there truly is something for everybody at Monster Energy. Monster Ultra Blue is just another solid drink from them. It's very sweet and smooth on the palate, and the energy blend is pretty decent. The effect is a bit lackluster, but you can expect that with a lower caffeine content. Overall, I'd definitely buy this one again.

REVIEW OF MONSTER ZERO ULTRA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 140 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.6 OUT OF 10. 

     Monster is just one of those companies that is constantly coming out with new drinks. Unfortunately, about 50 of those are variants of Monster Lo-Carb, just like this one here. It's called Zero Ultra and I'm sure you've tried it before, or at least heard of it. It has one of the most unique can designs I've seen in awhile, so let's see how it performs.

     As I said, the can design is incredible. It's a white can with an intricate silver design on it. The design gives the can a rough texture, which I found to be very unique. What's even more impressive is that it tastes as good as it looks. As soon as I took a sip, the flavor instantly reminded me of Sprite. Not in the sense that it is lemon-lime flavored, but it has that same refreshing crispness that Sprite has. Not even artificial sweeteners can hinder the flavor of this beverage. Once again, Monster delivers well on flavor.

     One of the other categories that Monster seems to always deliver on is energy blend. Let's see how they do this time. We have 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6. 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and an undisclosed amount of taurine, panax ginseng extract, l-carnitine, glucuronolactone, inositol, and guarana extract. There are 140 milligrams of caffeine inside each can of Monster Zero Ultra. Overall, it's not a bad blend but I've seen better from Monster Energy.

     This does have slightly less caffeine than your standard Monster, so naturally you should expect a slightly weaker effect. I noticed an adequate increase in alertness and focus that lasted for a few hours. Not bad considering my high tolerance to caffeine.

     Despite the fact that this is yet another variation of Monster Lo-Carb, I am very impressed with Zero Ultra. The smooth, crisp flavor is definitely the drink's strong point, and the effect isn't too far behind. The energy blend could use a very slight bit of work however, but it's nothing major. Oh, and let's not forget about that intricately designed can!

REVIEW OF XYIENCE XENERGY + TEA HONEY GINSENG

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 155 MILLIGRAMS PER 15.5 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 7.5 OUT OF 10. 

     I'm not a very excitable person. That's just the way I am. But when Xyience gave me the opportunity to be one of the first people to try their new Xenergy+ products, I jumped out of my chair. Being one of the first to try any product is a humbling experience in itself, and being able to review it is even more spectacular. Being an avid fan of tea, I decided to consume the Xenergy + tea with honey ginseng first.

     The can design and labels are just about identical to any other Xyience beverage. The only notable difference is the lengthier warning label that explicitly states that individuals under 18 should not consume this beverage. This drink is also non carbonated, so expect a smooth texture when you're drinking this. You should also be aware that this drink is very tasty. The base flavor is a sweet green tea, with compliments of honey. The honey brings sweetness and life into the beverage, while the tea adds a hint of bitterness. It's a flavor profile that is too easy to pass up, so I recommend you give this a try.

     It's time to find out what energy ingredients Xyience put into this drink. First of all, we have 193.75 percent daily value of niacin, 484.375 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 155 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 968.75 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. It also contains 155 milligrams of caffeine, and undisclosed amounts of taurine, guarana, ginseng, l-carnitine, and inositol.

     This drink does have less caffeine than a carbonated Xyience, by about 45 milligrams, so you should expect the effects to equivalent to that of a Monster. I personally received an adequate increase in my energy levels, which I definitely needed after only 4 hours of sleep. If you're looking for a decent pick-me-up, this drink should do the trick.

     I still have yet to try the other Xenergy+ flavors, but so far I like where Xyience is headed. I've always been a sucker for non-carbonated drinks, and this one lived up to my expectations. The honey compliments the green tea very nicely and the whole package looks very professional. If you like, you can currently purchase these drinks at Xyience's website.

REVIEW OF MOUNTAIN DEW KICKSTART FRUIT PUNCH

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 92 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.4 OUT OF 10.

     If you have so much as glanced through an article on this website, you're probably familiar with a brand of soda called Mountain Dew. Mountain Dew has almost always been marketed to be somewhat of a cross between a soda and an energy drink. Personally, I have never been the greatest fan of the beverage and prefer a smooth root beer for a soda. So what has Mountain Dew crafted in their laboratories? It's basically Mountain Dew in a 16 ounce can with some added caffeine, vitamin c, and different flavors.

     Right off the bat, you will notice the large "Kickstart" text running vertically along the can. This particular flavor is fruit punch, so naturally the can is colored a vibrant red. Being a fan of sweet flavors such as fruit punch, I eagerly cracked open the can and took a few sips. My taste buds were  immediately hit with a sweet and sticky fruit punch flavor. Since this drink has 5 percent juice and only 19 grams of sugar, the flavor didn't seem as artificial as other fruit punch drinks. On the whole, this beverage has a solid flavor profile.

     Inside each can of Mountain Dew Kickstart we have 80 percent daily value of niacin, 80 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 60 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, and 92 milligrams of caffeine. It also contains 100 percent daily value of vitamin c for some added health benefits. For what it is, this isn't a bad blend by any means. The addition of vitamin c is why this is marketed to be a breakfast drink.

     Kickstart actually has the same caffeine content as a 20 ounce Mountain Dew, so it would be logical to expect the same amount of effectiveness. I happened to notice a mediocre boost in my alertness levels, but it was nothing too spectacular. If you're really searching for a powerful drink, look elsewhere.

     Mountain Dew Kickstart is a bit of a confusing beverage. The drink is not actually marketed to be an energy drink, despite having 92 milligrams of caffeine. I also don't fully comprehend the promotional strategy behind this. A soda for breakfast? That doesn't sound very appetizing. My advice would be to ignore what Pepsi says and just drink this like you would a soda. After all, the flavor is the highlight of this beverage.

REVIEW OF DOUBLE KICK HOT SAUCE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 12 MILLIGRAMS PER TABLESPOON.

Courtesy of Double Kick Hot Sauce

RATING: 5.1 OUT OF 10. 

     For a while I thought I'd never see a caffeinated hot sauce. That was until I stumbled onto Doublekick. As one of the unique products that I love being able to try, I was able to crack a smile when they agreed to send me samples for our review. Lets see how my first caffeinated hot sauce fairs.

     This sauce is thicker than most of the hat sauce than I am accustomed to seeing. Pouring it onto a spoon to try it straight, it comes out in a goopy kind of mess. Putting it into my mouth, I must say I was impressed. It has some heat, though not overbearing, and the overall taste is good. It works well on various foods as well, such as tacos and pork chops. Very solid hot sauce.

     The disappointing part is the kick. 12 mgs per every tbsp is hardly worth my time to review on an energy blog. The only reason it gets to be reviewed is because the bottle claims it to be 'Energizing'. Caffeine being the only ingredient, you'd have to have around 7 tbsp to get more caffeine than the average low budget energy drink.

     Despite the weak kick, Doublekick is a solid hot sauce that works well with your meal. I would only buy it just for the purpose of eating it with my meal. Other than that, it is not worth your time. I do appreciate the caffeinated hot sauce idea though, but wish I could find some of the other things I'd like to see caffeinated, such as whipped cream and doughnuts. Maybe in the future.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF COYOTE TAMARINDO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.3 OUT OF 10. 
 
     I've gotten pretty lazy lately. I've gotten my reviews stacked up. One of the ones I have put off for quite some time is the tamarind flavor in the Coyote line. My previous encounters with their flavors were good, and I can say the same for this one.

     The taste isn't like my previous encounter with tamarind flavored beverages. The sodas I had bought from my local latino grocery store had a bit more profound taste compared to this Coyote drink. This one had a good taste however, but I wasn't sure how to feel about the apple taste I got with the tamarind. My least favorite tasting out of the three.

     The 200 mgs of caffeine here were well received when I chugged it down. I was drowsy and in a rush, and the blend it hit me and kept me going long enough to get through my hectic evening. The rest of the blend consists of 1250 mgs of taurine, ginseng, inositol, l-carnitine, and glucoronolactone.

     The Coyote line as a whole was a solid one. The Jamaica drink, which sadly wont be able to be reviewed in this go round, was the best of the three, followed by the mango, and this beverage. This Tamarindo flavor was a good one, and is easily worth the buy.


Reviewed By Dylan.

REVIEW OF ROCKSTAR SUPERSOURS BUBBLEBERRY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 240 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 8.5 OUT OF 10.
 
     If I had to choose which company makes the best energy drinks, Monster or Rockstar, I would have an extremely tough time making that decision. Currently, my favorite energy drink is Monster Rehab Original, but the Rockstar variant of that drink received the  Addicted 2 Energy award for energy drink of the year. For every drink one company creates, the other company feels the need to create a rival product. However, I would be surprised to see Monster replicate a drink like Rockstar SuperSours. When I first laid eyes on this drink in the supermarket, I had more questions than answers.

     My first question was, "is this drink marketed toward kids?" The packaging would have me saying "yes", but the caffeine content wouldn't. Let's just hope that Rockstar isn't irresponsible enough to market a highly-caffeinated energy drink towards children. My next question focuses on the flavor profile. They call it SuperSours, so does that mean the drink is sour? As it turns out, it isn't sour at all. Thankfully. The flavor is described as bubbleberry, or rather a mixture of bubblegum and berry. That kind of combination just screams "too sweet", but that just wasn't the case. This drink is smooth and sweet, and the bubblegum flavor is noticeable, yet subtle enough to let the berry flavor come through. All things considered, I think Rockstar did a fantastic job with such a unique flavor profile.

     Similar to their energy drink rival, Rockstar is also known for their potent energy blends. For this drink, we have 200 percent daily value of niacin, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 200 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 2,000 milligrams of taurine, 240 milligrams of caffeine, 50 milligrams of panax ginseng root extract, 50 milligrams of guarana seed extract, 50 milligrams of l-carnitine, 50 milligrams of inositol, and 40 milligrams of milk thistle extract. Your classic Rockstar blend with 50 percent more caffeine. Can't go wrong with that.

     I may have a high tolerance for caffeine, but even 240 milligrams is enough to get me moving. This drink actually gave me a noticeable increase in energy, which is always wonderful. This is equivalent to drinking 3 Red Bulls, so make sure you drink this responsibly.

     This energy drink would easily get the award for "Surprise Energy Drink of the Year" if such a thing existed. I honestly thought that the flavor of this drink was going to be completely unpalatable and overly sweet. It still has 260 calories and 64 grams of sugar, so don't expect this to be too kind on your waistline. In any case, just make sure you don't feed your children this drink. Regardless if it is marketed to them or not.

REVIEW OF RED BULL RED EDITION

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 7.2 OUT OF 10. 

     Finally, my homework is completed and ready to be turned in on Monday, and what better way than to reward myself than to compose a review of another Red Bull flavor. Yesterday, I reviewed the Blue Edition, which I found to be very pleasing on the taste buds. The Red Edition is cranberry flavored, and I am certainly not the biggest fan of cranberry flavored drinks. Can Red Bull change my mind?

     Once again, we have the sleek and sophisticate packaging that we saw in the Blue Edition, expect this one is obviously red. As I mentioned previously, this edition boasts a cranberry flavor, so naturally I was curious to see how well they pulled it off. Pouring some out in a glass, this beverage has a vibrant and deep red color, just what I would expect. When I took my first sip, I realized that Red Bull had done it again. This cranberry flavored beverage has the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, mixed with an adequate level of carbonation. Despite not being a big fan of cranberry, I have to admit that this one is just as good if not better than the Blue Edition. So far, Red Bull is 2 for 2 on the flavor aspect of these drinks.

     There is nothing new here in terms of the energy blend. You still have 100 percent daily value of niacin, 250 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 80 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 50 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 80 milligrams of caffeine, and an undisclosed amount of taurine, glucuronolactone, and inositol.

     As I mentioned in my previous review, you should expect the exact same effect as you would get from any other Red Bull flavor. For most consumers, 80 milligrams of caffeine is enough to get them going, but for me it just doesn't cut the mustard. But I wouldn't drink these for the effect. The taste alone can satisfy me.

     In that case, what do I think is better, the Red Edition or the Blue Edition? This is an extremely tough call as both flavors are immaculate and very well-made. On one hand, the blueberry flavor is fruity and smooth. On the other hand, the cranberry edition has that perfect balance of tart and sweet. While the Blue Edition is very excellent indeed, I would have to give the edge to the Red Edition for being such an impeccable cranberry drink. I truly cannot wait to give the Silver Edition a try.

REVIEW OF RED BULL BLUE EDITION

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7 OUT OF 10.

     Red Bull. It's the most popular energy drink in the world, selling 5.2 billion cans in 2012. Its main rivals try to keep up, but it is almost impossible to surpass Red Bull's sales. No matter where you are, even if you're in a place that shouldn't sell beverages, you'll find Red Bull. What's even more miraculous is that they have stayed at the top with only three flavors: Original, Sugar Free, and Total Zero. A few months ago, that all changed. Red Bull introduced three new flavors, named Blue Edition, Red Edition, and Silver Edition. I decided to go with the Blue Edition first. 

     Red Bull Blue Edition comes in a sleek, blue 8.4 ounce aluminum can. I found the packaging to have a simple, yet sophisticated design, and the rich blue will capture the eyes of the consumer. As indicated by the back of the can, the Blue Edition is supposed to be blueberry flavored. I poured some in a glass and out came a deep, blueish purple colored liquid. I took a sip and was instantaneously surprised at how delicious this tasted. The blueberry flavor is smooth and easy on the palate, and there is absolutely no hint of the old Red Bull flavor. The fruitiness is so present in this that I am surprised it doesn't have any juice in it. In any case, the Blue Edition is a lovely start to the new Red Bull line-up. 

     Ah, the classic Red Bull energy blend. It's what started it all. Once again, here's the list: 100 percent daily value of niacin, 250 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 80 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 50 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 80 milligrams of caffeine, and an undisclosed amount of taurine, glucuronolactone, and inositol. What can I say, this energy blend is the epitome of average. 

     In my opinion, Red Bull isn't an energy drink you would reach for if you want a massive increase in energy. However, it should provide you an adequate increase in alertness and focus, just don't expect to be bouncing off the walls. Personally, I didn't feel much of an effect from this drink, but that didn't surprise me. 

     Red Bull really, really took their time in developing new flavors, and judging by this Blue Edition our patience has been well-awarded. I'm also quite pleased that they didn't mess with the drink's energy formula. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. With that said, I am greatly looking forward to reviewing the other two flavors on Addicted 2 Energy.