REVIEW OF CANNABIS

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.5 OUT OF 10.

     Should we legalize marijuana or should we not legalize marijuana? That question has been circling around for the past several years and it looks as though it may get legalized eventually. In the mean time, I am here to bring you my thoughts on a marijuana-themed energy drink. Of course, this is just an energy drink and it contains no tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short. It does contain hemp seed extract, which is actually quite beneficial to one's health. So without further ado, let's light this bad boy up.

     Cannabis energy drink, as it is called, comes in a vivid green 8.4 ounce can with a marijuana leaf on the front. The only hint of what the flavor might be is a small label that says "hemp energy beverage." Can this drink really have a "hemp" flavor? It may, but when I took my first sip I noticed that unmistakable flavor of Red Bull. However, Cannabis is smoother and not as harsh on the palate. Nevertheless, I was still disappointed that this was yet another energy drink that tastes similar to Red Bull.

     You obviously won't find anything that will make you intoxicated in this can, but what exactly is in it? First off, it has 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. It also contains taurine, glucuronolactone, inositol, and 80 milligrams of caffeine. This is a fairly modest blend but it will receive a few bonus points due to the addition of hemp seed extract.

     If you're used to drinking Red Bull, you will pretty much receive the exact same effect from this drink. If you're anything like me, you'll know that 80 milligrams of caffeine won't exactly give you a healthy kick in the pants. I noticed a very mild increase in energy, but that was it.

     Cannabis Energy is a very unique beverage in my opinion. Some may think that the name is controversial, but I disagree. The way I see it, this is simply an energy drink that tastes similar to Red Bull and has hemp seed extract added to it. If you're looking to get high off of it, why don't you roll up a joint instead.

REVIEW OF XYIENCE XENERGY TANGERINE TWISTER

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 184 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 6.8 OUT OF 10.

     Over the course of this site's lifetime, I have received a multitude of samples from a plethora of different companies. As expected, the vast majority of samples Addicted 2 Energy receives are from small companies looking for some extra publicity. It is seldom that I receive free product from a large energy drink manufacturer, but that rare occurrence has recently happened. Yesterday, I received some samples of Xyience Xenergy, and I am honored to share my thoughts on their Tangerine Twister flavor.

     If you're reading this, you probably already know what a can of Xyience Xenergy looks like. This particular one is silver with overlapping red and yellow circles. Since the flavor is advertised as Tangerine Twister, I was expecting a flavor that was roughly similar to an orange soda. I suppose you could say my prediction was slightly accurate. There was in fact a presence of orange-soda, but it was tainted by sucralose and acesulfame potassium, two artificial sweeteners. You see, some flavors are great as masking the flavor of artificial sweeteners. Orange is not one of them, in my opinion. This is not my favorite Xyience flavor, but overall it was all right.

     As the official energy drink of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it is natural to expect a potent blend from the folks at Xyience. Inside each can, there's 200 percent daily value of niacin, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 160 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 1,000 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. There is also some taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, guarana extract, ginseng extract, l-carnitine, and inositol. With pretty much all of the energy drink staples, it's not a bad blend by any means.

     A can of Xyience Xenergy Tangerine Twister will fill your body with 184 milligrams of caffeine, putting it just slightly above the industry standard. You can expect an effect that is similar to Monster Energy. As for me, I received a modest boost in my alertness and wakefulness that lasted for a couple hours.

     If I'm not mistaken, every Xyience flavor is sugar-free, which means that they need to utilize artificial sweeteners, which could hinder the flavor experience. This is exactly what happened with Tangerine Twister, but they still managed to create a decent drink. The question of whether or not it is healthier to add artificial sweeteners than it is to add actual sugar is a question for a different day.

REVIEW OF SOLIXIR RELAX

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE.

RATING: 4.1 OUT OF 10. 

     Solixir is a line of functional drinks that come in four functions, think, awaken, restore, and relax. The latter will be the subject of today's review. As stated in my review of Lanilai, I don't often review relaxation beverages. I figured I'd start here with the Solixir line, based on the assumption I wouldn't enjoy reviewing this product.

     I don't know what to say about the taste. Just like water, with some nasty berry taste thrown in. It isn't really something I enjoy, and it is hard for me to describe in detail. It lacks some personality, but at least it isn't a pungent flavor. It is still slightly below average.

     1.7 gs of chamomile flower, lemon balm leaf, jujube berry, passionflower herb, and hibiscus flower highlight this anti-buzz. After downing this beverage, I waited for it to take affect. I felt it, but it wasn't much. It lasted for around an hour and a half. When compared to Lanilai, I'd rather grab the Lanilai for my relaxation needs.

     The first drink you try in a line is the one that sets the stage for what is to come. Solixir Relax set a low bar early, and has made me not want to try the others for fear of a disappointment. I may be wrong, but I believe that this drink has the lowest overall score I've ever give on A2E. What a disappointment.

Reviewed By Dylan.

REVIEW OF POPEYE CLOBBERIN' CLEMENTINE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 5.2 OUT OF 10. 

     Popeye was never one of those things I really got into when I was younger. I always found his voice and his disproportioned arms unappealing. I was happy to try an energy drink bearing his likeness, though. The flavors are Bruiser Blackberry and Clobberin' Clementine, the latter of which I would be trying today.

     Clementine isn't exactly a flavor I see often in my energy drinks, so I was eager to try this in hopes of trying something really unique. Upon tasting the liquid, it is unique for an energy drink, though it isn't that profound and lacks a certain amount of personality. The flavor just doesn't 'pop'. It is a blend of white grape, apple, and clementine juices, which I figured would taste a lot better than it did, but I am still pleased with it overall.

     160 mgs of caffeine and B vitamins is about all this drink has to offer. The B vitamins are negligible, as that leaves caffeine as the only energy ingredient. 160 mgs is on par with the major contenders in the energy drink game, but the lack of other key players holds Popeye's blend back from impressing me. Overall, I felt a slight kick, but noting to amazing.

     I am pretty disappointed with Popeye so far. The taste is acceptable, but the kick it provides is pathetic. The only thing it is worth is a collector’s item for people who collect energy drinks or Popeye collectibles. I suggest you hold on to your money unless you fit those categories.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF CHAMANE COFFEE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 8.4 OUNCE BOTTLE. 

RATING: 5.7 OUT OF 10. 

     Despite the fact that Addicted 2 Energy has received hundreds of different samples from companies, it has always been a challenge to obtain overseas drinks. Due to our recent success, this has become less of an issue. In these next two reviews, I'll be taking a closer look at a few drinks from Europe. This particular drink is called Chamane, and it hails all the way from France.

     Chamane comes in a solid aluminum, 8.4 ounce bottle with quirky cartoon-like labels. I received two flavors of Chamane: pomegranate and coffee. Being a coffee fan, I decided to test out the coffee flavor. I was a bit skeptical about the flavor profile, since this drink uses carbonated water. Something about a carbonated coffee flavor just doesn't sound very appetizing. Thankfully, I was completely mislead. The carbonation is light and doesn't burn your throat. The coffee flavor is noticeable, yet not too pronounced, and there is no hint of coffee bitterness. This is, by far, one of the most unique flavor profiles I've ever come across.

     Is the energy blend as unique as the flavor profile? Time to find out. First of all, it has 80 percent daily value of niacin, 70 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 40 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 50 percent daily value of folate, and 60 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. It also contains coffee extract and guarana extract. The total caffeine content is 80 milligrams per bottle, putting it right on par with Red Bull. I realize that this energy drink is marketed as being all natural, but in my opinion this energy blend is still lackluster.

     You can expect Chamane energy drink to provide a modest increase in your alertness levels, perhaps slightly less than Red Bull. For me personally, I did not notice much of an effect from this beverage. However, if you do not have a strong caffeine tolerance, this drink might be worth your while.

     It has become quite clear to me that Chamane Coffee's strong suit is its unique flavor profile. I was pleased, yet surprised to find that carbonated water and coffee can actually join together in harmony. The biggest improvement that this drink needs to make is the energy blend, in my opinion. As always, the effectiveness of this beverage depends on a number of factors, but it didn't have much of an effect on me. That being said, a unique flavor profile cannot save what is nothing more than a mediocre energy drink overall.

REVIEW OF ANGELS APHRO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN. 

RATING: 6 OUT OF 10. 

     Today is Valentine's Day. What drink might be perfect for today? How about an aphrodisiac energy drink? Angels Aphroenergy is today's review, to represent the occasion. I've never had to many aphrodisiac drinks before, so this one is a rare treat, so let's see how it fairs.

     I really like this tart apple taste. I wasn't sure how it'd be after I was hit with the scent, but then I began drinking and it was highly enjoyable. It goes down solidly, with no bitterness, and follows up without having an aftertaste. While I don't have any problems with the taste itself, it just doesn't fit the premium image the drink goes for, in my opinion, but that is not a big deal. While not the best apple-like drink I've ever had the opportunity to try, Angels certainly is solid.

     Obviously, this drink has two main functions, the first is serving as an energy drink, the second is serving as an aphrodisiac. As far as the ingredients for both of those functions go, they are combined in one listing, stating that there is 1885 mgs of blend. There is no individual amounts provided. After drinking, I could assume that the caffeine content isn't as high as I am used to, as my buzz lasted around 2 hours, give or take. Ginseng, guarana, taurine, l-arginine, and ginkgo are the other main energy ingredients provided to accompany the caffeine. As an aphrodisiac, I got some stimulation, but not much. I was only slightly impressed by the combination of horny goat weed, yohimbine, and damiana. Overall, this drink was sub-par.

     You might need to pick up a couple cans of Angels Aphroenergy to get the most out of your Valentine's Day. While the flavor is there, the energy and aphrodisiac combination provides a relatively below average kick. It reaches a pinnacle at what I consider to be nothing more than average, and doesn't really help you reach a pinnacle for your big night.

Reviewed By Dylan.

REVIEW OF LANILAI

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE. 

RATING: 6.4 OUT OF 10. 

     Very seldom do I review relaxation products. As it stands, I have two I need to do a write up on, Solixir Relax and this drink, Lanilai. Hailing from the land of Hawai'i, this drink drink's flavor is labeled as Maui mango passion. Certainly sounds good, and sounds relaxation-like, but will it deliver?

     The taste is good, but there is one problem. The flavor is timid, and not prominent enough, though refreshing. It is a bit of an annoyance. When you get to taste the beverage at the peak of the flavor's strength, it certainly holds strong to the described flavor, and is easily enjoyable. It takes a larger gulp to get to that point with non-carbonated beverage.

     On the opposite end of the energy spectrum from what I am accustomed to, relaxation drinks often irritate me when I attempt to review them. As of my last few times trying these drinks, it has become easier for me to appreciate them, as I have gotten used to the feeling, though I still don't enjoy them. A calming blend of 215 mgs, consisting of passionflower extract, l-theanine, l-threanine, 5-HTP, and resveratrol is the highlight here. Unlike most of the previous drinks of this nature, I find it interesting that there is no chamomile, which I am used to finding amongst the ingredients on these beverages. After waiting for a while, I felt the 'anti-kick'. It's effects were present, and they were pleasant. I usually don't feel quite like this as a result of these drinks, but I have some drowsiness, and I feel quite mellow. Impressive. It's been a few hours, and I still feel good. I would say good job, but it could be the fact that today has been a long day helping it out.

     A taste is that is merely alright, and a calming factor that is seemingly good, but may not be as good as advertised score average marks. The reason I am holding it back despite it's 'effect' is taking into account the possibility that it was this terrible day taking a toll on me boosting the drowsiness I am experiencing, and not just the Lanilai. I still recommend you pick it up if you see it in a store.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF FEEL RASPBERRY LEMONADE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 85 MILLIGRAMS PER 10.5 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 6.9 OUT OF 10.

     A few weeks ago, I noticed that I was running low on reviewable products, so I decided to engage in a mass contacting spree to gather as many samples as possible. Over the course of an hour or so, I managed to contact over fifty companies. Unfortunately, my co-writer pointed out a very important factor that I failed to think of. Most of the companies I contacted are probably out of business. That seems to be the case, since only a few companies have actually responded. One of those companies is Feel Natural Energy, and I am here to give you my take on their raspberry lemonade flavor.

     Most energy drinks either come in 8.4 ounce or 16 ounce containers. Feel Energy decided to take a unique step and package their product in 10.5 ounce cans. I'm not entirely certain of the reasoning behind this, but it is certainly unique. Taking a sip, I noticed a refreshing and welcoming raspberry flavor accompanied by the sourness of lemon. There is no doubt that the lemonade takes a back seat in this one while the raspberry is the one driving the bus. The ingredients list indicates that they use carbonated water, but this has to be the least carbonated drink I have ever consumed. This is usually seen as a negative, but this drink is less viscous than most sodas, therefore the lack of carbonation doesn't hinder the experience. In short, it's a refreshing combination and would be perfect for a summer's day.

     Since this is labeled as a natural energy drink, I was expecting the energy blend to have all natural ingredients, and perhaps even some unique stuff thrown in. First off, we have 100 percent daily value of riboflavin, 100 percent daily value of niacin, 100 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 100 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. You also have undisclosed amounts of guarana extract and ginseng root extract. The total amount of caffeine is 85 milligrams per can, placing it right at Red Bull territory.

     With that said, this drink should provide you with an adequate increase in alertness. If you find yourself consuming two or three cups of coffee because one of them doesn't cut it, then this might not work for you. As for myself, I received a mediocre increase in my alertness levels. It was noticeable, but nothing to run home and tell your mother about.

     Despite the lack of effectiveness, I actually like this product. The refreshing combination of tart raspberry and sour lemonade is the clear highlight in this beverage. Also, this drink has 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin c to boost your immune system, and 10 percent of your daily value of calcium to help build strong bones. It's even sweetened with stevia and pure cane sugar. So yes, it may not knock your socks off in terms of energy, but the flavor alone should make up for that.

REVIEW OF TOPPLEZ 125 VANILLA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 125 MILLIGRAMS PER 8 OUNCE BOTTLE. 

RATING: 8 OUT OF 10. 

     The vanilla flavored sister product of the previously reviewed ToppLez 125 comes in an inverse bottle of the same design, but it is more attractive in my opinion. I was looking forward to this one after the my first foray into ToppLez. I am really hoping it delivers as much as the original.

     It delivered more than the other flavor. The sweetness is still there, but the vanilla flavor goes well with it, and makes it less noticeable. Like the other, I'm still gonna say that the sweetness can be taken down a notch, but it is still good either way. Another solid product from these guys.

     Once again, identical blend. 125 mgs of caffeine highlights this RTD coffee/energy drink, which is not much, but is still fairly impressive. The 13 gs of protein are still here, helping fuel your next workout, which I like, actually. Not overly impressive, but it does the trick.

     I feel this review was a bit more to the point than usual. Seems incredibly short in comparison to the previous ToppLez 125. Its vanilla counterpart is literally the twin of the original, and it is clearly the more attractive of the 2 siblings. If you see this, pick it up, along with its sister drink.

Reviewed By Dylan 

REVIEW OF TOPPLEZ 125

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 125 MILLIGRAMS PER 8 OUNCE BOTTLE. 

RATING: 7.7 OUT OF 10. 

I have a few days in a row that I will be reviewing coffee drinks, starting today with ToppLez 125 and continuing with their other drink as well as the CafFusion drinks. Turning my attention back to ToppLez, it comes in an 8 oz glass bottle with a black wrap on it. It looks alright, but the way they logo is placed, and the drawing on the front detract from it. The drawing is confusing until you see the paragraph at the bottom explaining it, and telling you that it is a Sei HeKi. I spent a long time trying to decipher the drawing before I noticed it, so I feel like the informative verse could use more prominence.

The flavor is their original variety. Opening the lid, I get a nice coffee scent, but it smells pretty sweet. And it tastes the same. Not to say that is a bad thing, I really like it. I do think it could have the sweetness level toned down a bit and still taste well. Other than being sweet, the coffee flavor is prominent, and tastes excellent. This takes the cake for the best tasting coffee drink I've tried on the year. I haven't had many, but that is saying something.

The way ToppLez looks, it suggests just a regular RTD coffee. When one looks at the back, it begins putting out text saying such things as 'Increases stamina', 'Increases mental clarity', and 'Enhances physical performance', giving it the persona of energy drinks. The 125 in the name of the drink represents the caffeine content, at 125 mgs. It is more than a Red Bull, but not that much after that. Another thing it contains is 13 g of protein, which I assume is the reason behind the 'Enhances physical performance' text. I had a nice 2 and half hour buzz, maybe 3, from this drink. Overall, it is pretty solid.

ToppLez 125 left me pretty impressed, and eager for trying the next drink. The taste was good and the buzz solid, everything one could ask for in an energy drink. It is one of the better coffee drinks I've had in a long time, and I kind of wish they were available around me. I would buy this if I came across it.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF GUAYAKI CLASSIC GOLD

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 12 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.6 OUT OF 10. 

     Now we step back into the realm of organic energy drinks, with Guayaki Yerba Mate, and its Classic Gold variety. Yerba mate drinks don't come into my possession often, so I am happy to have the chance to try the Guayaki line. Well, let’s begin, shall we?

     I do not like the smell of this drink very much. Despite being pushed away by the smell, the taste redeems the drink well. A classic yerba mate flavor, with a little citrus and a few other flavor hints pushing through. It is a very enjoyable drink, I think. The lack of an aftertaste helps its cause, and solidifies its impressive showing.

     The obvious main focus here is the yerba mate, but for me, it is the caffeine. 80 mgs isn't much; just on par with Red Bull, but this hit me much better. One problem that I had with this drink was the research linking yerba mate to cancer, as I was a bit hesitant to consume these as a result. That being said, mate makes a nice fuel, and I'm hoping the cancer accusations are nothing more than bull crap.

     For my first real yerba mate beverage, I was left impressed. While not having a kick that is going to blow you away, it does have a great taste. It also hits you better than a common energy drink with 80 mgs of caffeine. I'm looking forward to trying the other 2 drinks and their shots. If they are anything like this, I'm in for a treat.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF COYOTE MANGO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN. 

RATING: 7.2 OUT OF 10. 


     As much as I enjoy reviewing organic energy drinks with multitudes of healthy ingredients, it's always nice to go back to the basics and review a large energy drink with gratuitous amounts of sugar. As it turns out, that's exactly what I have in store for today's review. This particular energy drink comes from a company called Coyote Energy, which comes in seven distinct flavors including Mango, Jamaica, and Tamarindo. I decided to grab the mango flavor first.

     Coyote Mango comes in a black and orange 16 ounce aluminum can that is reminiscent to drinks such as Monster, Rockstar, etc. Curious to see how it tasted, I cracked open the can and took a few gulps. I was immediately hit with a rush of refreshing mango flavor that pleased my taste buds. I believe that mango is an overlooked flavor, and this is an example of mango done right. The flavor is not too strong, and it's even a bit refreshing. Even though I have two more Coyote flavors left to review, it will be tough to defeat this sweet concoction.

     This energy drink looks to be pretty standard so I am expecting a standard energy blend. First of all, you have 200 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Then you have an energy blend worth 2,900 milligrams. This consists of taurine, caffeine, glucuronolactone, inositol, l-carnitine, and ginseng root extract. The total caffeine content is 200 milligrams per can.

     With that amount of caffeine, this should have no trouble getting you into high gear. With its smooth mango flavor, the contents were emptied in a hurry. I noticed a modest uplift in my energy levels that lasted for a few hours and tapered off without a crash. If drinks like Monster or Rockstar get you up and running, you should also check out this drink.

     Unfortunately, Coyote will never be able to compete with Monster or Rockstar due to its market share, and that's okay. Here at Addicted 2 Energy, we rate drinks based on performance, not popularity. And I believe that this mango flavored drink is better than any of the original Monster flavors. I have two other flavors of Coyote to review, and so far they are one for one.

REVIEW OF +RED RESCUE ELIXIR

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 6.4 OUT OF 10. 

     3 reviews that I had planned on posting during the week disappeared (Xenergy Twisted Tangerine, Joe Buzz, and Rip It Red Zone), so now I have to redo them. One drink, which I had reviewed, that didn't disappear was +Red Rescue. It comes in 12 oz. bullet can, with a reseal-able plastic lid on the top, which is pretty cool despite the red plastic ring making it somewhat irritating to open. On the front of the can it says it is powered with Red Super Food. What is that? Who knows, lets get on with this review.

     The main reason I contacted them was for the positive thing I've heard about their taste, and it certainly lives up to it. This is a nice cranberry citrus taste, and one of the more unique drinks I've had recently. It has a nice tartness to it, and I find it refreshing. It is stellar when cold, but as it warms the taste isn't nearly as enjoyable. The beverage has no real aftertaste.

     With no caffeine listed, all it says is 1007 mgs of proprietary blend, consisting of natural caffeine, taurine, L-carnitine, inositol, and Red Super Food. I probably should have done some research on Red Super Food before starting this review, but I didn't unfortunately. I got lifted for a little over 2 hours, a period of time that doesn't reach as high as others. It is a little disappointing, but the taste makes up for it.

     While I don't feel like I'd buy this for a lift, the taste is wonderful. It makes it a very worthy buy, and if this drink ever gets reformulated to have more kick, it might be a good contender. That is if they drop the shrink-wrap, and edit the plastic ring to make it friendlier with opening. That being said, overall a nice tasting beverage.

Reviewed By Dylan