REVIEW OF SCHECKTER'S ORGANIC - 350TH REVIEW

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 135 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.8 OUT OF 10.

     When I started this site back in March 2009, I had absolutely no idea where it would end up. Now it seems like I have the answer. This review will mark the 350th product ever reviewed on Addicted 2 Energy, which I believe is an incredible accomplishment. Now that the celebration is over, let's dive into this review. Under the review microscope this time is Scheckter's Organic Energy, which is comparable to drinks like Guru and Verve. Let's hope Scheckter's can deliver in all three categories.

     Scheckter's Organic Energy is packaged in a surprisingly thin 8.4 ounce aluminum can. It also has a textured can design, reminiscent of Rockstar Recovery. When a drink is advertised as being organic, the flavor is usually not up to par. Fortunately, that wasn't even slightly accurate with Scheckter's Organic Energy. The flavor is a lightly carbonated amalgam of miscellaneous fruit flavors, with pomegranate being the most pronounced. I found the flavor to be quite refreshing and the minimal carbonation helps it go down smoothly. All in all, I would say this is a winning formula.

   Scheckter's prides itself on delivering all natural ingredients, so the energy blend is pure and simple.  Inside each can of Scheckter's Organic Energy, organic ginseng, organic guarana, green tea, and raw green coffee bean. The total caffeine content is a highly respectable 135 milligrams per 8.4 ounce can. I must admit, I was expecting an energy blend that was filled to the brim with nearly unpronounceable herbs and plant extracts. On the plus side, this drink is certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture, which is something you don't see very often in the energy drink business.

     An 8.4 ounce Red Bull contains 80 milligrams of caffeine, which is considered to be a modest amount. Scheckter's Organic Energy contains nearly 69 percent more caffeine than Red Bull in the same size container. Based on caffeine per ounce, this drink would rate up there with NOS, which has 260 milligrams of caffeine in its 16 ounce package. With that in mind, you can expect a nice little pick-me-up from this earth friendly energy drink. I personally received a nice increase in my alertness that lasted for a couple hours. All things considered, this beverage can deliver a nice effect.

     You don't see very many organic energy drinks on the market, and I start to question why. Scheckter's Organic Energy is a perfect example of an organic energy drink done right. Even the light energy blend is not seen as a major flaw, because the company intended to have a simplistic ingredient list. Overall, a fruity flavor, simple energy blend, and nice effectiveness makes this a pretty solid beverage.

REVIEW OF XS CLASSIC BLAST

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 118 MILLIGRAMS PER 12 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7 OUT OF 10.

     I have always admired XS Energy's ability to develop new and original flavors to add to their lineup. Most energy drink companies will simply ditto the flavor of Red Bull and put it on sale, but XS avoids this cliche. However, this is still one problem I have with the XS lineup. I wonder, what is their original flavor? Do they actually have a flavor that would be described as "a basic energy drink flavor"? Well, there's only one way to find out. So without further ado, let's dive into a review of XS Classic Blast.

     This particularly variety of XS comes in a 12 ounce, silver aluminum can with the classic XS logo. With a name like Classic Blast, I was expecting a Red Bull clone. More specifically, I was expecting a sugar-free Red Bull clone, due to the beverage's lack of sugar. To my surprise, my prediction was only partially accurate. XS Energy manages to incorporate a crisp, citrus undertone to the flavor that helped Red Bull become the leader in energy drinks. Despite being sugar free, I would still choose this drink over the original Red Bull, because the flavor is light and delicate on the palate. In short, it's the classic energy drink flavor with a welcomed twist.

     Not only does XS Energy always have unique and delicious flavors, they also have a unique energy blend with a multitude of herbs including eleutherococcus senticosus, panax ginseng, panax quinquefolium, schisandra, astragalus, and reishi. It also contains 150 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 150 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 450 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 7,500 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Finally, it contains approximately 118 milligrams of caffeine per can and undisclosed amounts of taurine and inositol. For the most part, this is a basic energy blend, but the herbs give it a unique twist.

     You can expect this drink to give you an adequate increase in alertness, focus, and all the other perks that go along with drinking energy drinks. For me personally, this amount of caffeine isn't enough to really get my wheels turning, but I could notice some slight effects.

     The question I proposed at the introduction of this review was, "Do they actually have a flavor that would be described as "a basic energy drink flavor." The answer is no. The term "unoriginal" isn't in the vernacular of XS Energy, Limited Liability Company. This company strives to produce flavors that are tasty and original. And that's one thing I love about this company.

REVIEW OF WEST COAST CHILL

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE.

RATING: 5.6 OUT OF 10. 

     As a reviewer, I get to try some pretty cool products. West Coast Chill is one of those. It comes in a self-chilling container, one designed to drop the temperature by thirty degrees in minutes. The drink is caffeine free, much to my disappointment; though I'm sure it has some kick, right?

The most common of all energy drink flavors. Red Bull. And that is what West Coast Chill emulates. It is a pleasurable taste nonetheless, though hardly creative. It has a candy like taste to it as well, with some gumminess to it. It is a small disappointment, but I kind of expected this. No real aftertaste, so this drink is solidly average.

     No caffeine. Usually, I prefer not to touch these, but I really wanted to try this drink so I stepped out on the limb. It has a proprietary blend of 2,350 mgs. Taurine, ginseng, l-carnitine, and B vitamins highlight the group, while creatine, ginkgo, and others make up the rest. I waited for a while after consuming, and never felt a kick. How disappointing. I'm going to assume this is because of my being used to caffeine heavy drinks, and not its weak blend.

     The self-chill device is effective. I flipped it over and pressed the button, to what I expected to be a 'gentle hissing sound', though it was a bit louder than that. I had to wait a little longer than anticipated for the hissing to die out, though I'm not complaining. I cracked the lid, and of course the drink was cold. It wasn't as cold as I expected, but I guess I over exaggerated that part in my head. Overall, it was chilled nicely and was very refreshing.

     West Coast Chill has a nice thing here. It needs some work though. The flavor is generic and overused, and their kick is below average. The can design isn't that great either. That being said, I feel this company can turn things around and make a killing off of this. It is a cool product, and people will be interested in it.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF XS SUMMIT BLAST

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 118 MILLIGRAMS PER 12 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.7 OUT OF 10.

   I've always been a bit overwhelmed as to how many flavors of XS Energy there are. I have already reviewed 12 different varieties, including caffeine free, and I still have a few more reviews on the way. Being short on products to review, I had no choice but to evaluate a drink that tries to replicate one of my favorite sodas. Enter XS Summit Blast.

     If you're clever, you've already figured out which famous soda this drink is trying to replicate. If you're a bit slow, allow me to share an excerpt from the can. "Summit Blast contains mountains of B12 with a dewy blend of herbs, caffeine, and vitamins that will help you climb to new heights." If you haven't figured it out by now, XS Summit Blast is being marketed as an alternative to Mountain Dew, specifically the diet version. Being that I love Mountain Dew, I was eager to take a sip. Unfortunately, my expectations fell a bit short. I was hoping for a flavor that was nearly identical to Diet Mountain Dew, but that wasn't the case. XS Summit Blast has a light, crisp citrus flavor that is overwhelmed by acesulfame potassium and sucralose. As for as flavor is concerned, I'll stick with my Mountain Dew.

     XS Energy is known for its healthy dose of b vitamins and herbs. In this drink, it contains 150 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 150 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 450 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 7,500 percent daily value of vitamin b12. It also contains taurine, eleutherococcus senticosus, panax ginseng, panax quinquefolium, schisandra, astragalus, and reishi. I'm not entirely sure what those unpronounceable herbs do for me, or even if they are necessary, but they are certainly unique to the XS brand.

     Each 12 ounce can of XS Summit Blast contains approximately 118 milligrams of caffeine, which puts it right on par with a 12 ounce Red Bull. This means that the effects are very similar, and both drinks should provide you with an adequate increase in energy. As for me, I noticed a mild uplift in my energy levels that lasted for a couple hours.

     XS Summit Blast is not my favorite XS flavor, but not because it doesn't taste anything like Mountain Dew. It's because it doesn't have a great flavor profile at all. It could have worked as a light citrus drink, but the artificial sweeteners ruined it. Sometimes, it's best to just add a heap of sugar.

REVIEW OF ROARING LION

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 152 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.7 OUT OF 10. 

     When a company replicates the flavor of Red Bull, it is usually because their product development team is too lazy to come up with any other flavor. This is not the case with Roaring Lion Energy Drink. As a matter of fact, Roaring Lion is supposed to taste identical to Red Bull because it is marketed as a Red Bull alternative. Even the name is relatively similar, with an adjective followed by the name of an animal. Although I must admit, I like the name Roaring Lion better.

    Roaring Lion is packaged in a blue 16 ounce aluminum can with minimal text. Roaring Lion pulls off this clean look without making the can look naked. As far as flavor goes, I knew exactly what I was getting into. The only question was, how close is it to Red Bull? Actually, it is quite close, but certainly not an exact replica. Roaring Lion has more gumminess to it, making you more susceptible to cotton mouth. If I had to pick one solely based on taste, Red Bull would win in a photo finish.

     Inside each can of Roaring Lion, you will find 180 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 90 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 400 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 140 percent daily value of vitamin b12. You also get 152 milligrams of sweet caffeine and an undisclosed amount of taurine, glucuronolactone, and inositol. Compared with Red Bull's energy blend, this takes the top spot.

     152 milligrams of caffeine is just 8 milligrams under the industry average, so the difference is basically negligible. You can still expect to receive a moderate increase in alertness and wakefulness. I personally did not notice a hefty increase in energy, but my caffeine tolerance may have something to do with that. Bottom line, this will probably give you the same effect as the 16 ounce version of Red Bull.

     I suppose the obvious question now is, which is better? Roaring Lion or Red Bull? Well, for flavor, I prefer Red Bull's smoothness over Roaring Lion's excess gumminess. On the energy blend side of things, Roaring Lion takes the cake with more b vitamins. Both drinks have basically an identical level of effectiveness, albeit Roaring Lion has 2 milligrams of caffeine more than Red Bull's 16 ounce version. Finally, there's price. Without getting into the details, Roaring Lion is much less expensive than its identical twin. All things considered, the price is the deciding factor in this match up, and Roaring Lion pulls off the victory.

REVIEW OF MOUNTAIN DEW GAME FUEL HALO 4

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 121 MILLIGRAMS PER 20 OUNCE BOTTLE.

RATING: 6.6 OUT OF 10. 

     I suppose I wouldn't consider myself an avid player of first person shooter games like Halo or Call of Duty, but I have always been a fan of Mountain Dew Game Fuel. And why wouldn't I? It's essentially Mountain Dew with a little more caffeine, perfect for an energy drink connoisseur such as myself. If my memory is correct, their have been a total of three Mountain Dew Game Fuels. The original promoted Halo and the second drink advertised World of Warcraft. They have recently come out a new version of Game Fuel that promotes Halo 4. So without further ado, let's see if this drink "pwns" the competition.

     Not only do Mountain Dew Game Fuels have extra caffeine, they also have their own flavor profile. This particular flavor is described as citrus cherry with other natural flavors. Naturally curious, I twisted off the cap and took a generous swig. My palate detected a sweet cherry flavor mixed with the lemon-orange flavor profile of Mountain Dew. It's an interesting combination and I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed it.

     A normal 20 ounce bottle of Mountain Dew contains approximately 91 milligrams of caffeine. A bottle of Mountain Dew Game Fuel contains nearly 33 percent more caffeine per 20 ounce bottle, boosting the total to 121 milligrams. This amount of caffeine puts it right in between Red Bull and Monster. Other than caffeine, the only ingredient that may give you an increase in energy is the 15.4 teaspoons of sugar.

     While 121 milligrams of delicious caffeine may be enough to help most individuals easily pwn noobs on Halo 4, it had little effect on me. However, keep in mind that my tolerance level is very high, so I suggest you try the drink yourself. Besides, I would probably drink this based on flavor alone. Come to think of it, I would drink any Mountain Dew based on flavor alone.

     As I mentioned previously, I do not consider myself an avid fan of Halo or Call of Duty. However, I do consider myself an avid fan of Mountain Dew, and this new Game Fuel is just one of the many reasons why I enjoy the brand so much. The flavor profile of citrus mixed with cherry easily managed to satisfy my taste buds, and the extra caffeine is always a plus. In short, I suggest give this drink a try. You never know if it might boost your kill/death ratio.

REVIEW OF 51 FIFTY EXTREME

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 300 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.8 OUT OF 10. 

     The first of these drinks I tried was disappointing for me, and the second I never got to try due to UPS and its incompetence. The third, unlike the first, was a bit of a bright spot. With no real flavor variation, the buzz carried this drink to a better mark. 300 mgs of caffeine is impressive in comparison to similar drinks I have had in the best, and sets the bar high for the future.

     The taste, much to my expectations, was a bitterer variant of the original. With that being stated, I did find it more enjoyable, as it had more character than the original, despite being a Red Bull like beverage. For the general public, the taste would likely be a miss, unfortunately, but this is definitely the most solid overall of the two I was privileged to review.

     Why is it the most solid? Does 300 mgs of caffeine sound like a sufficient reason? I thought so. Besting my expectations by a long shot, 51 Fifty Extreme provides the caffeine addict with a pretty great blend. The caffeine, along with their specials herbs in Astagalus and MACA roots combined with the usual suspects will surely have an effect and leave you energized.

    From a general perspective, while the flavor is bitter, and the packaging bland, the buzz is great, which is the one aspect that makes this a worthy buy. I was very critical of this company, but they got some of my respect back here. 51 Fifty Extreme is a very solid beverage.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF MONSTER UBERMONSTER

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16.9 OUNCE BOTTLE.

Courtesy of The Energy Drink Resource

DYLAN'S RATING: 7.5 OUT OF 10. 
AVERY'S RATING: 8 OUT OF 10.

Dylan's Review:

     After initially reading a negative review of this, I was a bit worried that my taste buds were in for punishment. Fortunately, Ubermonster exceeded expectations in flavor, though it still falls short there as well. It already met and exceeded expectations in kick and packaging respectively, so the face that I like the flavor helps its cause.

     Not to say it is a step in any direction away from the original. If any real difference is there, I don't see it. That being said, I do like the original Monster flavor very much, so from my perspective, this sits just mine with me. On a creative level, it was a bust. Fortunately for Monster, all the pre-pubescent kids who fuel their reputation wont be bothered by that fact.

     If you've had a Monster product before, you'll be familiar with their usual buzz. Ubermonster really has nothing Uber about it, other than the package. 160 mgs of caffeine, 1000 mgs of taurine, 200 mgs of ginseng, and all of the other usual suspects keep it to the point. Solid, but nothing new.

     Average is about the only word capable of describing the drink as a whole. All it manages to do is look pretty on a shelf with its cool glass bottle, but for someone who is as picky as I am, that doesn't help as much. I do like the drink, but there is no doubt this is a disappointment.

AVERY'S REVIEW:

     Today I figured I'd try something I've never done previously on this site: a double review. I recently found Monster Ubermonster in a local convenience store, so I figured it would be best to express my thoughts on the beverage in order to compare and contrast it to Dylan's review. So without any further time to waste, here's my take on this brewed Monster. 

     First things first, this packaging is outstanding. Absolutely unbelievable. The only issue is that the cap is of a very large diameter, so I had difficulties opening the bottle in an expedient manner. When I did finally get it open, I took a big gulp and was surprised by how similar this tasted to regular Monster. I suppose I was expecting some sort of weird beer-ish flavor mixed with Monster, but instead it tasted like a smoother version of Monster Original. Nevertheless, it's still a smooth and tasty beverage that anybody can enjoy. 

     My colleague briefly spoke about the energy ingredients present in this beverage, but just in case you care, here's the full list. 211.25 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 211.25 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 211.25 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 211.25 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 2,112.5 milligrams of taurine, 422.5 milligrams of panax ginseng, and a 5,281.25 milligrams blend of glucose, l-carnitine, caffeine, inositol, glucuronolactone, guarana, resveratrol, quercetin, and maltodextrin. 

     The caffeine content is the same as pretty much every single other Monster variety: 160 milligrams. This will easily provide the average consumer with a great uplift in energy and alertness. I personally noticed a decent effect from this drink that lasted for a few hours. 

     While I realize that this drink isn't amazing by any means, I must disagree with my colleague that this drink is a disappointment. I enjoyed the smooth, Monster flavor and I like their idea of a brewed energy drink. The only major setback is the price. A bottle of Monster Ubermonster sells for a wallet-emptying $4.99. 

REVIEW OF SPEED UNLEADED

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 186 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN. 

Courtesy of Edjunkie

RATING: 7.5 OUT OF 10.

     If you follow our reviews, you may have noticed that I (Dylan) have been inactive. I am sorry for this. I have a hectic schedule. That being said, I am preparing a fairly large number of reviews out of my notes for the coming week, so be on the look out. Today's drink is Speed Unleaded, the second variety I'll be reviewing, 3rd for A2E. This drinks fills the void of a low carb drink, but will it fair well?

     This drink was a bit of a bland flavor for me. The flavor resembles pomegranate in a way, but I could be mistaken. No discernible aftertaste, and a solid flavor, but I was expecting more as a follow up to Ethanol, but this didn't hit the nail on the head. I found it to be pleasing nonetheless, but 2 friends of mine who tried it had negative remarks to make on it. Those remarks are a bit vulgar to quote completely, and I don't like censorship, so we'll carry on. Taking into consideration their opinions plus mine, I give it a 6 on a 1 to 10 basis. I feel as if I was a bit generous though.

     Solid kick. The 186 mgs of caffeine is average when compared to other drinks, and the rest of the blend, with ginseng, taurine, guarana, and b-vitamins included, makes up for the sub par performance in taste, but not by a lot.

     Speed Unleaded was a bit underwhelming to me, but to be honest, I would be it if I saw it in a store. While I wasn't big on the taste, the buzz was good enough for me to consider shelling out a few dollars for. I'll give it a positive recommendation. I'll have another review up tomorrow of Ubermonster, so be on the look out for that!

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF RED BULL TOTAL ZERO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 6.6 OUT OF 10. 


     Although I am completely aware that Red Bull has recently released three new flavors, I haven't been able to locate any of them. Fortunately, I did manage to find Red Bull Total Zero, which is essentially just a modified version of Red Bull Sugar Free. Nonetheless, I've never reviewed sugar free Red Bull, so I figured this would be an appropriate substitute. So without further ado, here's Red Bull Total Zero.

     It doesn't take an energy drink connoisseur to spot the original Red Bull from a mile away, with its signature blue and silver can design. However, Total Zero could be accurately described as dull and boring, with its gray and silver scheme. Packaging aside, I was eager to take my first sip of this somewhat new beverage. A friend of mine described the taste as a watered down Red Bull, and as soon as the liquid hit my palate, I had no choice but to agree with him. Red Bull Total Zero does remind me of a watered down Red Bull, but I also noticed the flavor from three artificial sweeteners. All in all, this concoction isn't terrible, but I will take the original Red Bull nine times out of ten.

     The Red Bull energy blend is something that has been duplicated by other energy drink companies for several years. Inside each can, you'll find 100 percent daily value of niacin, 250 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 80 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 50 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. You also get 80 milligrams of caffeine, 1,000 milligrams of taurine, and an undisclosed amount of glucuronolactone and inositol. Although this energy blend is the epitome of average, you still can't go wrong with the Red Bull formula.

     With 80 milligrams of caffeine, you should expect the effectiveness to be identical to any other Red Bull flavor. I personally happened to notice a slight, yet adequate uplift in my wakefulness and alertness that lasted for a couple hours. It's nothing too spectacular, but I don't expect much effectiveness from a Red Bull.

     I have spoken with a plethora of individuals regarding their favorite energy drink, and they will always say Red Bull or Monster. I am perfectly content with those energy drinks as your favorites, but I  implore you to explore other energy drinks within your area and tell me what you think. Red Bull Total Zero is simply not a fabulous energy drink. It's just your basic, standard calorie free energy drink from the most successful energy drink company in the world. Their energy drinks may only be average in my opinion, but I must admit, their formula one team is immaculate. 

REVIEW OF LOADED

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 7.9 OUT OF 10. 

     Any time I arrive at the grocery store, the first place I check is the energy drink isle. Typically, I will find an inordinate amount of Monster and Red Bull along with a few other high end brands. This time, however, I was lucky enough to not only find a drink that I had never tried, but one that I had never even heard of. This drink is called Loaded, and it just happened to be voted the best tasting energy drink at International Beverage. With an award like that, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this drink.

     The packaging on this is simple, yet sleek. It comes in a black, 16 ounce aluminum can with a design on it that is reminiscent of the Jack Daniels label. There is no flavor written on the can, so I had no idea what I was getting into. At first I thought it would be a Monster clone, but that aforementioned award told me otherwise. When I took my first sip, I noticed a sweet lemon cherry flavor up front, then the cherry flavor faded leaving a sour lemon note at the end. It's sweet, sour, smooth, and deserving of the award it received. I enjoyed the lovely mixture of the initial cherry and the aftertaste of lemon. Overall, it's a refreshing energy drink that I would recommend to anybody.

     Now it's time to find out if Loaded energy drink is loaded with firepower. Starting with the b vitamins, we have 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 10,000 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Then it has 2,000 milligrams of taurine, 200 milligrams of guarana, 50 milligrams of inositol, 50 milligrams of l-carnitine, 50 milligrams of l-glutamine, 50 milligrams of panax ginseng, and 160 milligrams of caffeine. I really enjoy the fact that they have quantifiable information on each of the energy ingredients. I really wish more companies used this approach.

     160 milligrams of caffeine is identical to what you may find in a can of Monster, and you can expect the effects to be very similar. I noticed an adequate increase in wakefulness that lasted a few hours. If you're looking for a solid uplift, this drink should be sufficient.

     While it is seldom that I locate a drink that I have never heard of, there is usually a reason for it. Either the drink is so awful that their sales are atrocious, or they haven't been able to market the drink properly. This is clearly not the case for Loaded energy drink. This beverage has a lovely mix of sweet and sour flavors, accompanied by a solid energy blend. The effects are also well received. If you happen to find this drink in your area, put down the Monster you were looking at earlier and purchase this instead. Unless that Monster you were holding was Monster Rehab.

REVIEW OF WIRED WAFFLES

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER WAFFLE. 

RATING: 7.6 OUT OF 10.

     Since its installation in 2009, Addicted 2 Energy has reviewed some very unique products. We've tried caffeinated almonds, caffeinated cookies, caffeinated gum, and a plethora of other miscellaneous caffeinated goods. However, we have never had the pleasure of consuming a caffeinated waffle. That is all about to change today with this review of Wired Waffles. Wired Waffles are waffles that are laced with 200 milligrams of caffeine, perfect for someone like myself. So without further ado, let's check out this sugary treat.

     These waffles are about the size of a coaster and are individually wrapped in plastic. After speaking with someone from Wired Waffles, I was notified that these waffles taste best when microwaved. Therefore, I stuck one of these in the microwave for 45 seconds and it came out very warm and moist. After wiping off the excess moisture from being frozen, I was ready to take my first bite. First of all, these waffles aren't like ordinary waffles. They actually have maple flavor and bacon salt baked right in. This sounds fantastic on paper, but when I took my first bite I found that the waffle was much too dense. It did taste good and was easily palatable, but the density level was just too great. They would be better off making a caffeinated pancake/waffle batter so that the consumer could create their own waffle. If you're going to eat this waffle purely for its taste, you might want to grab an Eggo instead.

     Of course, and Eggo waffle isn't packed with 200 milligrams of good ol' caffeine. Not to mention, it also has 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 5,000 percent daily value of vitamin b12. With b vitamins, and as much caffeine as 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength, you really are getting an energy shot in a waffle. And in case your wondering, each waffle contains 200 calories, 5 grams of total fat, and 17 grams of sugar.

     While it may not taste all that great and be extremely dense for a waffle, it certainly does work. After consuming this coaster sized waffle, I noticed a medium increase in alertness and wakefulness. I suppose if you really want to eat a waffle to get your caffeine fix, Wired Waffles are the best (and only) way to go.

     Wired Waffles is a product that has its highlights and downfalls. I admire their fortitude to create a waffle with maple flavor baked in, but it isn't great. No, it isn't disgusting and unpalatable, but the density of the waffle is much too high for my taste. The caffeine content is beyond acceptable, and they even throw in a large amount of b vitamins. If you really want to try a caffeinated waffle, please try this product. It's actually the only caffeinated waffle that exists. Go figure.

REVIEW OF ETERNAL ENERGY BERRY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 222 MILLIGRAMS PER 1.93 OUNCE BOTTLE.

RATING: 8.4 OUT OF 10. 

     Two days ago, I took a closer examination of the Michigan-based company, Eternal Energy. In that review, I decided to test out the grape variety and was not disappointed with the results. Today, I'm going to put the berry flavor under the reviewing microscope. It seems as if every energy shot company has a berry flavored drink, so let's see if Eternal Energy can pull it off.

     This particular flavor of Eternal Energy comes in a blue and black 1.93 ounce plastic bottle that is identical to just about every single energy shot on the market. I must admit, I do prefer this color combination over the grape flavor I recently reviewed. After I gave it a few shakes, I twisted the bottle open and gulped down the contents inside. The flavor is a sweet and smooth amalgamation of berries, and as always, it was impossible to discern which berries I was tasting. I will say that this flavor isn't nearly as harsh on the palate as the grape version. Overall, this is a solid berry flavored energy shot from Eternal Energy.

     As I explained in my last review of Eternal Energy, this is one of the best energy blends I've seen on an energy shot. To begin, it has 166.67 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 2,020 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 101 percent daily value of folic acid, and 8,416 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Then you have this massive energy blend worth 2,100 milligrams. This consists of taurine, caffeine, l-theanine, quercetin, maltodextrin, green tea extract, d-glucuronolactone, guarana extract, elderberry extract, d-calcium pantothenate, n-acetyl l-tyrosine, garcinia combogia, grape seed extract, yerba mate extract, beta alanine, dl-phenylalanine, l-phenylalanine, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. My only complaint, and it is an infinitesimally small one, is that they don't give the amounts on every ingredient. Other than that, this is an impeccable energy blend.

     Each bottle of Eternal Energy contains 222 milligrams of caffeine, which is approximately the same as putting 2.75 Red Bull's worth of caffeine into a bottle less than 2 ounces. This indicates that this product should definitely provide you with a solid increase in energy and alertness. When I tried the grape flavor, I didn't receive much of a boost, but thankfully this flavor had a better result. I noticed an adequate increase in focus and alertness that lasted for a few hours and tapered off without a crash.

     Even though I still have 3 more flavors of Eternal Energy left to review, this version definitely takes the top spot of my favorite flavor. The berry flavor is sweet, smooth, and easy on the palate and throat. The energy blend, as I have already mentioned, is one of the best I have seen on an energy shot, and the hefty amount of caffeine provides a nice amount of energy. I must admit, I am extremely eager to review those other 3 flavors.

REVIEW OF SLAP CRISP APPLE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 220 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.8 OUT OF 10. 

     As Addicted 2 Energy closes in on 350 product reviews, It's always nice to take a break from the uncommon items and take a closer examination of a mainstream product. This product I'm reviewing today, called Slap, can accurately be considered mainstream, since it is readily available at the largest retail outlet in the world: Walmart. I located Slap while I was desperately trying to locate one of the new Red Bull flavors, but to no avail. Fortunately, I managed to purchase the Crisp Apple version of Slap Energy, and I was eager to test it out.

     This particular flavor comes in a green and silver sixteen ounce aluminum can. The design is simple, yet clean and free of superfluous text. I have had the pleasure of reviewing two other flavors of Slap, which are named Frost and Lemon Ice. Both of those flavors were well received, so I had high expectations for this Crisp Apple version. With that said, I cracked open the can and took my first gulps. I noticed a smooth and crisp apple flavor that was unlike any other energy drink I've tasted. As a matter of fact, this is probably the only apple flavored energy drink I have tried, and it is quite satisfying. As you would expect, it doesn't taste like carbonated apple juice, but instead it is an artificially flavored green apple beverage. In summary, Crisp Apple is a fine addition to the Slap line-up.

     Slap markets itself as a multi-stage energy supplement, so does that indicate that we will see some unique ingredients? Well, for starters there's 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12. It also has an energy blend worth 3,138 milligrams. This contains maltodextrin, taurine, fructose, caffeine, isomaltulose, vitamin b3, vitamin b6, and vitamin b12. The only unique ingredient I notice is isomaltulose, which is essentially a sugar substitute. Other than that, this is quite an ordinary energy blend.

     Slap also indicates on their label that their products have 25 percent more caffeine than other energy drinks. Based on the fact that a can of Monster Energy contains 160 milligrams of caffeine, Slap must contain  200 milligrams. Yet, if you take a closer look at the label, it clearly states that the caffeine content is 220 milligrams of caffeine. This means that Slap Crisp Apple has about 37 percent more caffeine than a standard Monster. That being said, this energy drink should provide a high level of effectiveness. Even for somebody such as myself, this beverage provided a solid uplift in alertness and wakefulness that lasted a few hours.

     This flavor of Slap is probably my favorite out of the three I've reviewed, simply due to its uniqueness. I cannot recall ever seeing an apple flavored energy drink, let alone a green apple flavor. Not to mention, they manage to do it correctly and avoid unnecessary tartness and sourness. The effectiveness is also high, with its 220 milligrams of caffeine. The energy blend is the only sour note in this otherwise great product. I recommend you stop by your local Walmart and purchase a can or two. I think you'll be quite satisfied.

REVIEW OF ETERNAL ENERGY GRAPE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 222 MILLIGRAMS PER 1.93 OUNCE BOTTLE. 

RATING: 7.7 OUT OF 10.

     Addicted 2 Energy is a pretty neat website. However, it only receives approximately 350-400 page views per day, which means that I seldom receive requests to review new products. This next review marks one of those requests. I have received a few comments on this site asking for a review of Eternal Energy, and I kept telling them that I had already reviewed it right here. However, when I checked their website I noticed a completely different looking product. I contacted the company and they clarified that Eternal Energy Inked is what I had reviewed previously, and this other version has a different formula. That indicated that it was good enough to review, so without further ado, let's check out Eternal Energy.

     Eternal Energy comes in 4 distinct flavors: grape, pomegranate, berry, and tropical punch. I decided to try out the grape flavor first. This particular flavor comes in a purple 2 ounce bottle that looks very professional and clutter free. It is not uncommon to find an energy shot that is absolutely impossible to open, due to its incomprehensibly stubborn shrink wrap. This was certainly not the case for Eternal Energy. With one hard twist, I screwed off the top and chugged the liquid inside. The flavor is respectable for an energy shot, with a sweet grape flavor and a bitter aftertaste. The aftertaste is actually the worst part of the flavor experience, but it still didn't require a chaser, as some energy shots do.

     This company manages to pack quite a plethora of ingredients in this minuscule bottle. Starting with the vitamins we have 2,020 percent daily value of niacin, 101 percent daily value of folic acid, and 8,416 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Then we have an energy blend with a combined 2,100 milligrams of taurine, caffeine, l-theanine, quercetin, maltodextrin, green tea extract, d-glucuronolactone, guarana extract, elderberry extract, d-calcium pantothenate, n-acetyl l-tyrosine, garcina cambogia, grape seed extract, yerba mate, beta-alanine, dl-phenylalanine, l-phenylalanine, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. That is an absolutely unfathomable amount of ingredients to cram into a bottle less than 2 ounces. There aren't many energy shots out there that have more than 20 ingredients in their energy blend.

     Yes, 20 ingredients is quite a substantial amount, but its no secret which ingredient is the most important. Caffeine. Inside each bottle of Eternal Energy, you can expect to find 222 milligrams of caffeine. This would put it in the top 3 most caffeinated 2 ounce energy shots on the market. With that said, you can expect a lot of effectiveness from this product. As for myself, I received a decent increase in wakefulness and alertness that lasted for a few hours. As I have mentioned several times before on this site, my caffeine tolerance is rather high. That being said, this should have no trouble giving you a solid kick in the pants.

     It is only natural to conclude this review by comparing Eternal Energy Grape to 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength Grape. First of all, both products are manufactured in my home state of Michigan, which is something I am quite proud of. Second, this flavor experience of this product is actually a notch below 5 Hour Energy Grape. As for ingredients, Eternal Energy absolutely destroys 5 Hour Energy, and just about every other shot on the market. Finally, with 222 milligrams of caffeine compared to 5 Hour's 207 for the extra strength, this should be more effective. Taking everything into consideration, I would put Eternal Energy Grape just slightly above 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength Grape. But do not be disconcerted if you just bought that 5 Hour Energy. Both Eternal Energy and 5 Hour Energy are solid energy shots.

REVIEW OF MONSTER IMPORT LIGHT

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 186 MILLIGRAMS PER 18.6 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 7.7 OUT OF 10. 

     With a whopping 35% market share, Monster Energy is the most popular energy drink in the United States of America. Of course, the nine billion dollar company cannot keep up with the worldwide sales of Red Bull, which sold an astronomical 4.6 billion cans in 2011. I've always preferred Monster because they have the audacity to add new flavors to their lineup. Just recently, they have added Zero Ultra and Cuba Lima to their expanding product line. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to track down either of them. However, I did manage to find Monster Import Light, and I didn't hesitate to purchase it. I reviewed the original Import back in 2010 and enjoyed it, so I was interested to see how this one would perform.

     Monster Import Light comes in a unique 18.6 ounce aluminum black can with a giant crest on the front. Even the tab is unique on this can, and it sort of reminds me of the top of a coffee mug. After gazing at the can for a more seconds, I took my first sip. I've always liked Monster Light better than Monster Original, and this is no exception. The flavor is smooth, sweet, and pleasing to the palate. Monster successfully masks that bitter, exceedingly sweet flavor of artificial sweeteners. Although this is not as phenomenal as Monster Rehab, this flavor still receives a solid thumbs up from me.

     The ammunition for Monster Import Light is basically the same as the original Monster flavors. Each can contains 232.5 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 232.5 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 232.5 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 232.5 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 2,325 milligrams of taurine, and 465 milligrams of panax ginseng. There is also Monster's Energy Blend, which is measured at 5,812.5 milligrams. This blend contains l-carnitine, glucose, caffeine, guarana, inositol, glucuronolactone, and maltodextrin. This isn't the best energy blend that Monster can offer, but it still gets my seal of approval.

     Although the caffeine content is undisclosed, the fine folks at Energy Fiend tell us that it has 186 milligrams per 18.6 ounce can. That's only slightly higher than the original, and the effectiveness is basically identical. You can expect an adequate increase in wakefulness and alertness that lasts for a few hours and tapers off without a crash.

     With a staggering nineteen reviews including this one, Monster Energy drinks are the most reviewed products on Addicted 2 Energy. Sometimes they produce immaculate drinks, like Monster Rehab, and sometimes they fail to hit the mark, like Monster Assault. Monster Import Light is definitely on the positive side of the fence, with its smooth and sweet flavor profile. The energy blend is just typical Monster, bold and in your face. Unfortunately, the don't add any extra ingredients like yerba mate. All things considered, I would recommend this over Import Original. Let me know if your agree or disagree in the comment section below.

REVIEW OF HERBAL MIST GREEN TEA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 5.7 OUT OF 10. 

     In our last review, we took a closer look at the Liquid Lightning energy drink. Today, we're going to examine a product called Herbal Mist, which is manufactured for Liquid Lightning, Limited Liability Company. This neat looking product is actually bottled tea, and it comes in six different flavors including diet.  For this review, we're going to put their green tea flavor under the microscope. Each Herbal Mist flavor is powered by yerba mate, which is an herbal stimulant found in several energy drinks. As a fan of sweet tea, I was excited to see what was in store.

     Herbal Mist Green Tea comes in a white, 20 ounce plastic bottle reminiscent to a Vitamin Water. The packaging on Herbal Mist is astronomically better than Liquid Lightning. It actually makes me wonder if this is really their forte and energy drinks are just another product for them. In any case, I proceeded to twist off the cap and take my first sips. With an astonishing 50 grams of sugar per bottle, expect the tea to be almost exorbitantly sweet. Herbal Mist was also gracious enough to add delicious honey to their green tea, which is like sweet nectar going down my esophagus. I am an avid fan of sweet teas, and this one is definitely a winner in my book.

     As far as energy inducing ingredients are concerned, there's really only a couple ingredients that can be mentioned. The first and foremost is yerba mate, which is the fourth ingredient in this bottle. Yerba Mate is an herbal stimulant that can supposedly relieve fatigue, promote weight loss, ease depression and headaches, and help treat various other conditions. Yerba Mate does contain caffeine, although the amount of caffeine in this beverage is completely unknown. The other ingredient worth mentioning is panax ginseng. This is also an herbal stimulant that is used for improving thinking, concentration, memory and work efficiency, physical stamina, and athletic endurance. And last but certainly not least, each bottle contains a staggering 775 percent daily value of vitamin c.

     Even with these herbal stimulants, the caffeine content is probably fairly low, which is still the most effective ingredient in energy drinks. That being said, I did not feel much of an effect from this drink, and even the average consumer can expect the same result. Besides, this drink is marketed as bottled tea  and not as an energy drink.

     Herbal Mist Green Tea is just one of those products where you have to ignore the rating and focus on this conclusion right here. Why? Because that rating is an average of three categories: taste, energy blend, and effectiveness. Since Herbal Mist Green Tea didn't do so well on two of the three categories, it won't receive a high overall rating. Nevertheless, I wouldn't overlook this drink if I were you. If you can handle 50 grams of sugar and 200 calories in your tea, this is something you might want to consider.

Resources

Ginseng: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1000.html

Yerba Mate: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/yerba-mate/AN01774

REVIEW OF LIQUID LIGHTNING

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 100 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.8 OUT OF 10. 


     In the midst of triglyceride and calorie-laden dishes of turkey, stuffing, cranberry, and succulent pumpkin pie, I have come to bring you a great review while I still recover from this food coma. Unfortunately, I don't have any Thanksgiving products to share with you all, but I do have this neat little energy drink called Liquid Lightning. I first tried the sugar free version back in the prehistoric times of 2009, and was recently contacted by them. I graciously accepted the samples and was flabbergasted when I noticed the variety of products this company offers. They have teas with yerba mate, enhanced waters, and of course, energy drinks. Let's take a look at those energy drinks first.

     Liquid Lightning comes in a black, shrink-wrapped aluminum can that is exactly the same size as a Red Bull. The design on the can is extremely simplistic, perhaps even too simplistic, with a simple white lightning bolt at the top of the can. There is no flavor listed on the can, so I was eager to take my first few sips. I was expecting a Red Bull clone, and my prediction was partially accurate. Liquid Lightning is a smoother, more drinkable version of Red Bull. It's still just as sweet and it still gives you that cotton mouth you know and love. While I am ashamed that Liquid Lightning still falls into the category of Red Bull clone, they at least had the audacity to create some variation of the flavor.

     When you receive an energy drink such as this one, I am never expecting the energy blend to be off the charts. It's the same old story with this one. Inside each can of Liquid Lightning, you'll find 35 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 180 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 100 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 1,400 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 100 milligrams of caffeine. It also contains 2,000 milligrams worth of a proprietary blend composed of taurine, glucuronolactone, ribose, inositol, panax ginseng extract, and potassium citrate. Sadly, you won't find any guarana or l-carnintine in this one, but on a positive note I do enjoy the fact that they managed to have more caffeine than a Red Bull.

     As a matter of fact, Liquid Lightning contains 20 more milligrams of caffeine than Red Bull. What difference does this make? Not much for someone such as myself. I noticed a mediocre increase in wakefulness and alertness after consuming this energy drink. For the average consumer, you should expect a slightly more potent kick than a Red Bull. Not to mention, this drink contains 200 percent of your daily value of vitamin c, so you can fight off colds this winter.

     As a whole, I admire Liquid Lightning's efforts to at least try and create some variation of the basic energy drink. They began with a generic profile, and gently tweaked each area to create something that isn't spectacular, but also isn't too generic. While I do enjoy the flavor of Liquid Lightning, I was disappointed that they couldn't come up with a flavor besides Red Bull. On the ingredients side of things, I love the fact that they have added vitamin c, and a little more caffeine than Red Bull. Other than that, it's still same old same old. If you happen to find one of these at your local convenience store, I suggest you give it at least one go. It can't be worse than that Red Bull you have next to you.

REVIEW OF XS CRANBERRY-GRAPE BLAST CAFFEINE FREE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE. 

RATING: 5.6 OUT OF 10. 

     Throughout the course of this site's history, I have reviewed a whopping eleven flavors of Amway's XS Energy Drink. However, I haven't had the opportunity to review an XS product since 2010, when I reviewed their Cranberry-Grape flavor. I am pleased to say that XS is going to be reviewed once again, and it is going to be none other than the caffeine free version of Cranberry-Grape Blast. I'm not expecting any effect from this drink, but hopefully it can shine in my other two categories.

     This 8.4 ounce can of caffeine free XS looks nearly identical to its caffeinated counterpart, apart from the fact that this has a yellow caffeine free label wrapped around the bottom. Eager to see what was in store, I cracked open the can and took a big gulp. If their is one thing XS is known for, it's flavor, and this one is no exception. The cranberry and grape flavors amalgamate flawlessly to create a pleasant taste bud experience. I found the level of viscosity to be nicely balanced between watered-down and syrupy. Looks like we have another tasty drink in the XS line-up.

     Although this drink is caffeine free, it can still provide some sort of energy from other ingredients. These ingredients include 100 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 100 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 300 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 4,900 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Of course, you also have undisclosed amounts of taurine and l-glutamine. I would assume that the taurine level is quite high since it is the second ingredient behind carbonated water. As you can see, any energy you might receive from this drink is going to come from the b vitamins.

     Unfortunately, b vitamins just aren't going to cut it if you want a powerful effect. Keep in mind however, that this drink has not a single drop of caffeine, which is essentially the heart and soul of all energy drinks. And since this version of XS is caffeine free, it might be more accurate to refer to it as a functional beverage. It's probably healthier than an average energy drink, with only eight calories and 200 percent daily value of vitamin c. So perhaps it will prevent you from getting the common cold, but it won't help you on finals week.

     XS Energy knows how to produce tasty energy drinks, and Cranberry-Grape Blast Caffeine Free is just another example. Obviously, the flavor is this drinks highlight, with that seamless blend of tart cranberry and sweet grape. It's also a healthier alternative to, say, a Red Bull with its vitamins and low calories. My advice is to drink this as if it were a soda, not as if it were an energy drink. If you're looking to pull an all-nighter, this is not the ideal beverage.

REVIEW OF FORCE ONE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 8.2 OUT OF 10. 

     At Addicted 2 Energy, I have had the pleasure of reviewing some of the most unique products on the market. Caffeinated cookies? Yep, I've tried them. Snack mix? Been there, done that. Almonds? Yes indeed. Almonds covered in dark chocolate? Yes.....wait, no. That's right, this latest review is on Force One Energy Almonds. This packet of healthy nuts is infused with Adrenaline XR and they are dipped in succulent dark chocolate. I couldn't wait to give these a go.

     The packaging for this product is pretty slick, with a black lion ready to attack in the center. Being a huge fan of almonds, and dark chocolate, I was extremely eager to give these little buggers a try. I popped one in my mouth and noticed that distinctive crunch along with a slightly bland dark chocolate flavor. I have to say, I have had much better dark chocolate almonds compared to this. It's not bad by any means, but it's just that it's a little too bland for my taste. It really needs that full, rich dark chocolate flavor, which can be difficult to do when your working with the blend that this thing has.

     Typically, energy almonds use caffeine, taurine, ginseng, and maybe a few other traditional ingredients. This is certainly not the case for Force One. They use Adrenaline XR, as well as a host of other ingredients. What are those ingredients? Well, there's caffeine anhydrous, l-tyrosine, glucuronolactone, n-methyltyramine, green tea leaf extract, sulbutamine, evodiamine, gingko biloba leaf extract, hordenine, phenylethylamine, tyramine, and bioperine. This is not even close to your typical energy blend. This blend means serious business. My only trivial complaint is that the caffeine content is undisclosed.

     Then again, it doesn't really matter how much caffeine is in here when the effects are this great. As you probably know, I have quite a tolerance for energy products these days. I suppose that's what happens when you try over 300 energy products. However, after I consumed a packet of Force One Energy Almonds, I had a difficult time sitting still. This indicates that this product would be fabulous before a workout or a labor-intensive activity. And you get this wonderful effect without any jitters. It's just a smooth, potent effect that lasts for a few hours.

     Despite having a slightly bland flavor, Force One Energy Almonds are still a stellar product. Their take-no-prisoners energy blend is definitely the product's strongpoint. The effectiveness is also quite wonderful, and the fact that I didn't receive any jitters was a nice touch. And then, of course, there's the added health benefit of eating almonds and dark chocolate. If you happen to stumble across a packet of these, I recommend you try it out. Try taking it before a workout and let me know what you think.