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.

REVIEW OF XYIENCE XENERGY FROSTBERRY BLAST

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 208 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.6 OUT OF 10. 

     Although I am not biased toward any company, I have always had a special place in my heart for the Xyience company. On November 21, 2009 my review of Xyience Xenergy Cran Razz marked the 100th review on Addicted 2 Energy. Since then, I have had the pleasure of reviewing six other flavors, which are Melon Mayhem, Blu Pom, Apple Jak'd, Cherry Lime, Cherry Rush, and Orange Fuel. This time, I'm going to check out one of their latest flavors called Frostberry Blast. Even the name itself sounds refreshing, so let's head right in to this one.

     All of the Xyience energy drinks utilize the same can design, putting two colored circles against a solid background. I must admit, I am a sucker for black cans, and this is definitely one of the sleekest designs I've seen from them. After glancing over the packaging a few more times, I proceeded to crack open the aluminum can and take my first sip. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with a name like Frostberry Blast, but I was surprised by the sour note when it first hit my tongue. I can't recall any energy drink I've tried that actually tasted sour, and I give Xyience props for uniqueness. Besides it being a little sour, there is some lemon flavor that becomes present after the sourness has subsided. On a negative note, my prediction that it would be refreshing proved to be inaccurate, but nevertheless it is still has a wonderfully unique flavor profile.

     As you may already know, Xyience Xenergy is the official energy drink of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and as always, I expected a knock-out energy blend. Inside a can of Xyience Xenergy Frostberry Blast, you will find 200 percent daily value of niacin, 320 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 1,000 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. Along with that, you get undisclosed amounts of taurine, ginseng root extract, l-carnitine, and inositol. Not to mention, there are 208 milligrams of caffeine in here as well. All things considered, this is an adequate blend, but it doesn't deserve the heavyweight title.

     With 208 milligrams of caffeine per can, this puts it a notch higher than the industry standard of 160 milligrams. This means that the drink should have a more potent effect on most consumers. As for myself,I consumed this prior to mowing the lawn and I noticed a moderate increase in my energy levels. In a couple hours, it vanished without a crash, thanks to this being a sugar free drink.

     Frostberry Blast is not Xyience's tastiest offering, but it is certainly the most unique of the whole line-up. The sourness makes itself known without being overbearing, and you can still taste the actual flavor. The energy blend is decent, utilizing most of the standard ingredients found in most energy drinks. I found the effect to also be adequate, with a nice amount of caffeine. You should have no trouble finding this drink in your local convenience store, and when you do, don't be afraid to try it out. Just don't be surprised when the first sip makes your lips pucker up.

REVIEW OF SPEED ETHANOL

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 187 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of Caffeine King

RATING: 7.4 OUT OF 10. 

     I'm finding it increasingly harder to make time for these reviews. I'm rapidly filling my notebook with notes on various products, so I figured I need to knock some of these older ones out of the way. Today's review will be on Speed Ethanol, another drink out of race car driver Robby Gordon's line. I don't like the name 'Ethanol' for an energy drink very much. It's not very attractive, but I suppose it works well with the theme that this company has going. Let's see how it stacks up.

     I find it hard to some up what I taste here; maybe a citrus? I don't know; I can't put my finger on an exact flavor, but I like it none the less. It is a sugary and kind of thick beverage, but it still maintains a solid taste for me, surprisingly. My major complaint is that it does have some variation from sip to sip, and it throws me off on what to say.

     Speed seems to be on par with what I come to expect of most drinks, which gives it solid marks in the buzz department. Ethanol has 187 mgs of caffeine, as well as guarana, taurine, and the other usual blend. It stands well amongst the energy elite, but it doesn't ascend to a higher level. If you are looking for a quick buzz, I'd say Speed would be worthy of your dollar, however.

     I will say that Speed is a worthy drink, but isn't mind blowing. With a solid buzz, it meets expectations, despite its odd flavor. Ethanol is a reasonable purchase for any energy drink consumer that may come across it.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF AWAKE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 101 MILLIGRAMS PER BAR. 

RATING: 7.9 OUT OF 10.

     Let me divulge some crucial information before I get started on this review. I love chocolate. Plain and simple. I prefer dark chocolate, but a well-crafted milk chocolate bar can be just as satisfying. Needless to say, I also enjoy caffeine, as you can probably tell. What happens when you combine the two? You get Awake Chocolate. Awake Chocolate is a milk chocolate bar that uses an ample amount of caffeine to provide an increase in alertness and motor performance. Does it live up to these claims? There's only one way to find out. Onward to the review of Awake Chocolate.

     The bars are packaged in a dark brown foil, reminiscent of the color of chocolate. After opening the package, I had my first encounter with the concoction inside the plastic over wrap. The bar is approximately 4 and a half inches long and almost 1 and a half inches wide. They are also segmented which makes it easier to break the bar into multiple chunks. Eager to try it out, I broke off a piece and popped it in my mouth. I was enormously surprised by how delicious this chocolate bar was. The chocolate is smooth and creamy, and isn't as gritty as some of the other milk chocolate bars I've consumed. If you gave this chocolate bar to someone without telling them it was caffeinated, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is seriously that good. I'm actually not a big fan of milk chocolate, and even this left me extremely satisfied.

     There is no energy blend associated with Awake Chocolate. There are no b vitamins either. Just 101 milligrams of good old-fashioned caffeine, and that's it. Why is that? Well, it is due to the fact that Awake Chocolate is marketed as a caffeinated chocolate bar, rather than an energy chocolate bar. That being said, 101 milligrams of caffeine is a pretty sufficient amount to cram into a solid bar of succulent milk chocolate.

     For comparison, a Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar contains 9 milligrams of caffeine, and their dark chocolate version contains twice that amount. As a matter of fact, Awake Chocolate has roughly the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, or more accurately a can of Bawls Energy Drink. With that said, I received a decent effect from this chocolaty concoction, and the effect was comparable to a medium-strength cup of coffee. It was definitely a satisfactory result for a milk chocolate bar.

     Awake Chocolate is hands-down, one of the most interesting and unique products I've ever come across. It combines two of my favorite consumable substances, and manages to create something truly amazing. Of course, the flavor is its highlight, with that rich and velvety texture. The amount of caffeine in this product is actually a bit higher than a Red Bull, and the effect is just what you would expect from a chocolate bar with that amount of caffeine. I am extremely thankful that I still have six bars left of this wonderful product.

REVIEW OF DOUBLE KICK GRAPE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER PIECE. 

RATING: 7.7 OUT OF 10. 

     At the Addicted 2 Energy headquarters (also known as my home), we enjoy just about any product that is marketed to deliver a boost in energy, including candy. Yes, candy. This particular candy is called Double Kick and it manufactured by Kick A** Candy, LLC. I'm always intrigued when a new product comes to my doorstep, especially when it was the word "candy" in it. So, without further ado, let's dive in to this cavity filled review.

     The first thing I noticed about Double Kick was it's unique style of packaging. At first glance, it appears that each candy is completely separated and individually wrapped. The latter is true, but they actually glue two candies together, as you can see in the photograph. I opened both of the wrappers and placed the candies in my hand. The delicious treats are roughly the size of a dime, and are surprisingly thick. I popped one in my mouth and was expecting the bitterness from the caffeine to bust in, but it never happened. These candies are have a nice texture and artificial grape flavor that is pleasing to the palate. I had no problems with getting these into my system. As a matter of fact, it's actually difficult to discern between a normal candy, and this caffeinated one.

     Double Kick goes one step beyond and adds a bit more than just caffeine to the mix. They also add taurine, glucuronolactone, vitamin b6, and vitamin b12 which are all part of an energy blend totaling 1,740 milligrams. Each candy contains 80 milligrams of caffeine, and 160 milligrams for a pack. Adding those extra ingredients further accentuates the fact that this is really like an energy drink in your pocket. But, does it have the same effect?

     We know that two of these tasty concoctions have the same amount of caffeine as a Monster. Couple that with all of the other aforementioned ingredients and you've got yourself a pretty decent effect. I noticed a mild to medium increase in energy and alertness that lasted for approximately a couple hours, tapering off without a crash. It's not the most powerful energy product on the market, but it should definitely have an adequate effect on most consumers.

     I do enjoy the concept that Kick A** Candy, LLC. has developed. It's difficult to find anyone who dislikes candy, especially when actually has a pleasant flavor. The energy blend is another strong point in this product, since they throw in multiple ingredients and do not simply rely on caffeine. It can also provide an adequate boost in energy and alertness. All things considered, I have no choice but to give this candy the Addicted 2 Energy seal of approval.

REVIEW OF BATTERY HYDRO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 128 MILLIGRAMS PER 13.5 OUNCE BOTTLE.

RATING: 6.3 OUT OF 10.

     Yesterday, we took a closer look at the world's first Finnish energy drink, which was first put on the shelves in the ancient days of 1997. It was a decent energy drink, but it left a lot to be desired. So in light of that, I have decided to review a different flavor that will hopefully fulfill my desires. Just what were those desires? I thought that the flavor was too harsh and really grabbed hold of my tongue. I also thought that the energy blend was mediocre, and the effect wasn't anything special. I'm hoping at least one of these qualities can be improved with a flavor they call Battery Hydro.

     Battery Hydro utilizes the exact same black, 13.5 ounce plastic bottle, except this version has the word "hydro" written along side the drinks name. 99% of the text on the bottle is in Finnish, but I did manage to translate the text to determine the advertised flavor. It turns out that Battery is going for a lemon flavored drink, which could indicate another harsh flavor. To my displeasure, my prediction turned out to be accurate. Sure, the lemon flavor is palatable, and done well. I didn't dislike the flavor, in fact I actually found it to be rather nice. The issue lies in the sheer acidity of the beverage. I feel like the acidity is simply manhandling my tongue, and that takes away from the experience.

     That left one desire unfulfilled, so let's see what's in the blend for this version. Battery Hydro is an energy drink, with added sports drink benefits, so it should bring something new to the table. To begin, we have the usual 1,600 milligrams of taurine, and 128 milligrams of caffeine. The added electrolyte benefits come in the form of magnesium sulfate. Once again, this blend is about as basic as they come. That leaves two desires unfulfilled.

     I wasn't expecting the effect to be out of this world, and I wasn't mistaken. It has the same caffeine content as the original flavor, so the effect is pretty much identical. I felt a decent increase in wakefulness and alertness, just enough to satisfy my caffeine craving.

     If you happen to be going to Finland soon, purchase this drink while you're there, just to say you tried the world's first Finnish energy drink while you were in Finland. Other than that, there's really nothing that stands out in this drink, besides the packaging. The flavor is pleasant, yet acidic and unforgiving, the energy blend is still sub-par, and the effect is at a medium level. I highly encourage you to try other energy drinks during your trip to Finland. I can almost guarantee that you will find a better energy drink than Battery. Unless, Battery is the only energy drink available in Finland. Gosh, I hope not.

REVIEW OF BATTERY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 128 MILLIGRAMS PER 13.5 OUNCE BOTTLE.

RATING: 6.2 OUT OF 10.

     Quickly, what was the first Finnish energy drink? If you said Battery Energy, you would be correct! Battery Energy was the first energy drink to be sold in Finland, dating all the way back to 1997. In energy drink years, that might as well be 1865. Consider that Rockstar, the first 16 ounce energy drink, was introduced in 2001 and Monster came a year later. Red Bull wasn't introduced in the United States until 1997. So what we have here is truly an original energy drink. I can't wait to see what's in store.

     Battery Energy is packaged in a black, 13.5 ounce plastic bottle. It is very unique and brings something new to the table in an industry filled with 16 ounce cans. There is no indication of what the flavor is, but after taking a couple swigs it wasn't a mystery for long. I can't say it's a Red Bull clone, but it does have an extremely tart and pungent flavor that will remind people of that traditional energy drink flavor. It's a taste experience that satisfies the taste buds, but is a nightmare for the tongue. All things considered, I would put the taste right in the middle.

     As much as I enjoy receiving energy drinks from overseas, they do come with their challenges. This entire bottle is in Finnish, so I had to Google Translate the heck out of it in order to figure out what's in it. Unfortunately, Google Translate isn't the most accurate translator in the world, but nevertheless I was still able to determine what the energy blend consisted of. As far as I can tell, this blend is compiled of 1,600 milligrams of taurine and 128 milligrams of caffeine (from guarana), along with vitamin b2, vitamin b6, and vitamin b12. This blend is about as basic as they come. Throw a little caffeine and taurine in there, add some b vitamins and you're golden.

     128 milligrams of caffeine is also pretty basic, and it shows. After consuming the 13.5 ounce beverage, I was hit with a decent uplift in energy and alertness. The caffeine concentration is approximately 9.5 milligrams per ounce, which puts it right on par with the industry average. It's nothing too spectacular, but it still manages to get the job done.

     Being the first Finnish energy drink that I have reviewed, I must say this drink leaves something to be desired. It's not just the flavor, or the overly simplified energy blend. It is a combination of all three categories that left me wanting a bit more. Granted, this drink does nothing wrong, but it doesn't hit any home runs. I'm incredibly grateful to have another flavor to test out. Perhaps that will be able to fulfill my desires.

REVIEW OF AMARA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 7.5 OUT OF 10.

     We have the energy drink and the anti-energy drink. The functional beverage and the mood-boosting beverage. Now, we have the super drink. Yes, in this review I will take a closer look at Amara, the world's first "super drink." What is a super drink, you might ask? It combines qualities of an energy drink, functional beverage, and sports drink to create a whole new species. You can think of it as the Frankenstein of energy drinks. A little energy here, a little electrolytes there, and presto. I'm always eager to try a new drink, especially one that doesn't fall into a normal category. So, without further ado, let's sink our teeth into Amara.

     The can design is definitely something to behold, utilizing a light blue aluminum can with a neat and intricately drawn graphic of a sun and a bird. Although judging by the tail, this creature might resemble a flying seahorse. I really hope it's a flying seahorse. There is no indication of the flavor, and yet I was not expecting another Red Bull clone. I knew that Amara was capable of formulating a unique flavor, and my prediction was accurate. Amara has a very light, crisp citrus flavor accompanied with the unmistakable taste of stevia. I found Amara to be extremely enjoyable and very light on flavor. I can see this being used in a workout environment, since it doesn't have that heavy syrup flavor associated with energy drinks.

     Being a super drink, I was curious to find out what makes Amara tick. To start off, we have 340 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 12 percent daily value of folic acid, and 140 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Then we have a proprietary blend worth 280 milligrams. That includes macqui berry extract, milk thistle extract, caffeine, calcium d glucarate, d-ribose, n acetyl l cysteine, and prickly pear extract. As you can see, this is not your typical energy blend. Amara backes up their claim of being a super drink by adding ingredients such as macqui berry and calcium d glucarate. It definitely gets a plus on the unique scale.

     Unfortunately, the caffeine content is hidden in the energy blend, and they give absolutely no hints as to what it might be. Nevertheless, I noticed a mild increase in wakefulness and alertness after consuming the 16 ounce beverage. It isn't anything to boast about, but it should get the job done for the average consumer. As for me, I'm still wondering how much caffeine is in it.

     For the world's first super drink, Amara does a pretty respectable job. The flavor is its strong point, being light, delicate, and refreshing. The proprietary blend utilizes a few ingredients that I have never heard of (I've been reviewing for 3.5 years) which further adds to the drinks uniqueness. The effect is just a bit under par, but the results will vary based on the individual. I can't say if super drinks are going to become a multi-million dollar industry, but Amara is a nice place to start.

REVIEW OF HONEY STINGER GINSTING

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 32 MILLIGRAMS PER 1.3 OUNCE PACKET.

RATING: 5.8 OUT OF 10. 


     Walking, or rather flying up to the review platform is a unique product called Honey Stinger Ginsting. At first glance, it appears to be just another energy gel, but look closer and you'll find that it's actually a packet of honey with some added ingredients. I must admit, the concept does seem a little odd. After all, I've never had the pleasure of consuming a 1 ounce packet of honey. Well, there's always a first time for everything, so let's dive into this sweet review.

     The packaging for Honey Stinger Ginsting is very reminiscent of the Clif Energy Gel I reviewed two years earlier. Without hesitation, I ripped off the top and inhaled the fumes. It certainly smelled like honey, so I proceeded to squirt the contents of the packet into my mouth. Yep, it's honey all right. It's golden and sweet, yet it's not too sweet and overpowering. It truly is a very unique palate experience, and the flavor is certainly a lot tastier than that Clif Gel. I definitely enjoyed it, and if you like honey, you'll probably enjoy it too.

     Within each packet of Honey Stinger Ginsting, you will find a small energy blend. The full list includes 20 percent daily value of thiamin, 19 percent daily value of riboflavin, 2 percent daily value of niacin, 16 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 4 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 11 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. It also includes ginseng extract and 32 milligrams of caffeine. As you can see, this blend of energy inducing ingredients looks to be pretty lackluster. However, there is a good reason for that. Honey Stinger relies on ginseng (hence the name Ginsting) instead of caffeine to provide its energy.

     Despite only having a Coca-Cola's worth of caffeine, I was hoping that it would give me a little boost for an essay I had to write. Since the caffeine content was so low, I decided to consume another packet approximately 45 minutes after I consumed the first one. To be completely honest, this didn't really help at all. I felt a mild increase in alertness and concentration, and I managed to complete my essay that I had been procrastinating on. I have tried a few products that focus on an alternative to caffeine and they almost never work. The honest truth is, caffeine still overshadows all of those ingredients.

     Honey Stinger Ginsting is probably one of the most unique energy products I've ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Until yesterday, I had absolutely no idea that you could essentially purchase consumable packets of honey. I'm glad you can, because, no arguments please, honey is downright delicious. After the flavor, things start to fall a bit short. I have to give the blend a little bit of leniency, since it's only a small packet. You simply cannot cram caffeine, taurine, guarana, etc. into a packet without having it taste funny. Nevertheless, I still think that they could have increased the caffeine content to around 50 milligrams. That way two packets would be 100, and that's roughly the same as an average cup of piping hot coffee. All things considered, I am more impressed with the flavor of Honey Stinger Ginsting than I am its performance.

   

REVIEW OF AMP BOOST CHERRY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.2 OUT OF 10.

     If you are currently a high school student, you will most likely remember Amp Energy Drink as a product of Mountain Dew. It was essentially Mountain Dew on "steroids" with added caffeine and taurine, as well as a plethora of other energy enhancing ingredients. You might also recall that their were flavors such as Amp Traction, Amp Elevate, Amp Overdrive, Amp Relaunch and later on Amp Lightning. This was fine and dandy, but recently the Amp I came to know and love basically disappeared. Now we have the Amp Boost variety, which contains original, cherry, grape, and sugar free. Focus is the mixed berry flavor, and Active is the lemonade version. I decided to try the Amp Boost Cherry variety which is, more or less, a modernized version of Amp Overdrive.

     When I reviewed the original cherry flavored Amp, I concluded that it was the most delicious energy drink I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. That was back in July 2009, so I'm hoping that this new version called Amp Boost Cherry can be just as satisfying. First off, the can is a lot sleeker and more sophisticated than the Amps of yesteryear. That being said, I proceeded to crack open the can and take a few gulps. Surprise! Amp Boost Cherry has a distinctive cherry flavor. It's not exactly a shocker, is it? Nevertheless, the flavor is quite pleasing and it isn't too thick and syrupy, despite being laced with high fructose corn syrup. And that isn't the only thing it's laced with.

     Lurking inside each can of Amp Boost Cherry, you will find 200 percent daily value of riboflavin, 200 percent daily value of niacin, 200 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 6 percent daily value of phosphorous, 295 milligrams of taurine, 264 milligrams of guarana extract, 160 milligrams of caffeine, 33 milligrams of ginseng extract, and 16 milligrams of yerba mate. Looking back at my review of Amp Overdrive, it appears that the blend has pretty much stayed the same. I'm certainly not going to call it a great blend, as it appears to be rather basic and low on taurine (the average is 2,000 milligrams per can).

     Amp Boost Cherry contains 160 milligrams of caffeine, which is the industry average for 16 ounce cans. Why? The answer is that Rockstar Energy created the first 16 ounce energy drink, that was double the size of Red Bull, making it have double the caffeine content. And pretty much every 16 ounce drink followed this trend. Baring that in mind, this energy drink did provide an adequate increase in alertness and overall energy. This should be satisfactory for the majority of consumers.

     Despite being pretty much a modernized version of Amp Overdrive, I was generally impressed with the performance of Amp Boost Cherry. The flavor is very palatable and could potentially be refreshing when poured over ice. The energy blend is probably the drinks weakest point, as it uses lackluster amounts of critical ingredients. And while it doesn't kick like a stubborn mule, it can still provide an AMPle increase in energy. You should have no trouble locating these where the original Amps used to be. Man, I really miss those original Amps.

REVIEW OF B63 (THE SODA JERKS)

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 80 MILLIGRAMS PER 8 OUNCE CAN. 

     Recently, I was given another opportunity to post a review on The Soda Jerks. Of course, I seized the opportunity and decided to review a drink from Switzerland. Here's a small sample for you to enjoy:

     I seldom receive the opportunity to review an energy drink from outside the United States. Off the top of my head, I can only recall Ubershot and Hype Energy Drink as the only foreign beverages I have had the pleasure of consuming. I am pleased to announce that they both did well, especially Ubershot, which is probably the 2^nd or 3^rd greatest energy shot I have tried. Now, the opportunity to review a foreign drink has presented itself yet again. This number comes from Switzerland, a beautiful country 4,000 miles from where I reside. Thankfully, the shipment was successful and I found it on my doorstep within a week or so....

Read the full review at The Soda Jerks website. 

REVIEW OF I AM HAPPY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE.

RATING: 6.1 OUT OF 10.

     The mood-boosting beverage has always been one of the most unique beverage genres on the market. If you must, you could consider it to be a sub-genre to the functional beverage, since it utilizes non-traditional ingredients to enhance emotional well-being and happiness. Sure, these little drinks are very intriguing from a reviewer's standpoint, but unfortunately their performance can be a bit lackluster sometimes. Just ask the people who created Be Happy. Hopefully I Am's attempt at making a mood-boosting drink doesn't end up in a deplorable result. 

     This minuscule bottle of I Am Happy is packaged in a yellow and white container that uses the same design and fonts as all of the other drinks in the line-up. Once again, I had to locate the flavor by examining the ingredients section. It appears that this is marketed to be a raspberry flavored beverage, similar to I Am Focused. Eager to try out this product, I quickly cracked open the bottle and guzzled it down. As with all of the I Am products, the flavor was smooth and not overpowering or harsh on the palate. I did notice a raspberry flavor, but it wasn't as tart as you might expect. Every single offering from I Am has a wonderfully smooth flavor, and this one is no exception.

     When you take look at the active ingredients inside a bottle of I Am Happy, you begin to notice some incredibly unique ingredients. Starting out with the ordinary ones, we have 150 percent daily value of vitamin niacin, and 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Stepping into the realm of uniqueness, we find 125 milligrams of ashwagandha root and leaf extract. Furthermore, we have a Happy Blend worth 2,800 milligrams. Inside of that, we have l-tyrosine, english lavender flower, passionflower vines, lemon balm aerial parts, gamma-aminobutyric acid, chamomile flower, and l-theanine. These are definitely from very interesting and unique ingredients hiding inside this bottle. 

     After I gulped down this great-tasting shot, I was really hoping that my spirits would be uplifted and I would have a wonderful state of mind. Unfortunately, none of this actually happened. No matter how long I waited, I failed to recognize any change in mood or mind. Apparently, this drink is advertised to promote a clam, relaxed state of mind and to enhance emotional well-being. It's sad to say, but I did not receive any of those effects. It's just so unfortunate for a company that was doing so well on this site.

     Despite the fact that this drink had absolutely no noticeable effect on me, it still as its share of strong points. For instance, it still delivers a wonderful flavor, which has typically been I Am's biggest highlight. With supplements such as lemon balm and ashwagandha, the active ingredients list is quite a spectacle. I just wish that this little bugger had some effect on me, but sadly it didn't. All things considered, I must conclude that the I Am line-up gets my seal of approval.

REVIEW OF I AM FOCUSED

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 20 MILLIGRAMS PER 2.5 OUNCE BOTTLE.

RATING: 7.9 OUT OF 10.

     Functional beverages have long been a substantial part of Addicted 2 Energy's reviews, with the first review dating all the way back to June of 2009. While it is clear that I do enjoy these unique beverages, how we define them is not. Fortunately, Wikipedia has an article that attempts to define exactly what a functional beverage is. Simply put, functional beverages are non-alcoholic drinks comprised of non-traditional ingredients, generally to promote some sort of mental clarity or enhance cognitive function. As it turns out, the I Am Company manufactures its own functional beverage. They call it I Am Focused, so let's find out if I Am Satisfied.

     Of course, this company uses pretty much the same packaging style for every product they offer, and that's perfectly acceptable. Once again, a flavor is not presented on the front label, but a closer examination reveals the flavor to be raspberry. After I guzzled the shot down, I can successfully agree with that flavor. It does, in fact, have a raspberry flavor to it, but it isn't as tart as you might think. It's actually quite smooth and rather delicious. Judging by the two previous offerings of I Am, I can almost conclude that they really know how to make a tasty shot.

     The active ingredients list is always a pleasure to look at when you're dealing with functional beverages. Hiding inside each bottle of I Am Focused, there is 100 percent daily value of niacin, 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 8,000 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. It also contains 125 milligrams of ashwagandha root and leaf extract, 200 milligrams of alpha-glycerol phosphoryl choline, and 300 milligrams of acetyl l-carnitine. Not stopping there, it also has a focused blend worth 500 milligrams. In that, it contains gingko biloba, golu kola stem, organic yerba mate leaf, organic green tea leaf, and natural caffeine. There is no question that this drink definitely epitomizes the definition of a functional beverage. They really try to use non-traditional and obscure ingredients.

     One of the biggest issues that I have with these drinks is that it is very difficult to discuss what effect they had on me. It is very easy to simply ignore the supposed effects and consider it to be a placebo. That being said, this product is designed to help the consumer reach a sense of mental clarity and balance. Whether or not I truly felt more calm and collected is an unsolvable enigma. What I can report is that I was engaged a bit more in the topics presented in my courses. Does this prove that this drink provided cognitive clarity? No. But, I still thought the effects were decent enough and it basically did its job.

     Yes, it is true that functional beverages are extremely unique and perhaps even frustrating and confusing for us reviewers. However, there is nothing confusing about this drinks performance. For being a small shot, the flavor is palatable and certainly did not require any sort of chaser. Also, the ingredient list is one of the most unique that I can remember witnessing. I Am really went head over heels to locate some very interesting ingredients to try and increase mental clarity. Of course, I cannot prove that it does in fact do what it is advertised to do, but I can tell you that I enjoyed this tiny shot.

REVIEW OF I AM SLEEPY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE.

RATING: 8.6 OUT OF 10.

     Yesterday, we took a drive down I Am lane to focus on the energy shot that the company offers. Today, we are going to take a closer look at their attempt to formulate a relaxation beverage. As always, I greatly looked forward to guzzling this little shot down and hoped that it would cause some serious sluggishness. Did it succeed in doing so? It's time for you to find out.

     I Am Sleepy is packaged in a very similar fashion to its energy counterpart, utilizing the same fonts and style. Although there is no flavor listed on the label, a closer examination will determine that the last ingredient is natural lemon flavor. Despite this, I did not detect any lemon flavor. Then again, taste is subjective, so you may happen to notice a substantial amount of lemon. As for me, I received a delightful amalgamation of various fruits and berries. What's interesting is that most of these relaxation shots actually have a relaxing flavor, and this is another example. The flavor feels calm and collected, not superfluously sweet and overpowering. All things considered, I Am Sleepy is a delectable concoction that was pleasing to the palate.

     The main ingredient in just about every relaxation beverage is melatonin. Each bottle of I Am Sleepy contains 3 milligrams of melatonin, but it also includes a plethora of other ingredients designed to promote relaxation. As a matter of fact, there are 2,420 milligrams worth of other ingredients. This includes chamomile flower, l-tryptophan, lemon balm aerial parts, passionflower vines, gamma-aminobutyric acid, hops flower, and l-theanine. As soon as I was finished perusing the ingredients that were listed, I instantaneously knew that this formulation would certainly do the trick.

     As it turns out, my prediction proved to be accurate. Within the initial thirty minutes after consuming the beverage, I was slowly hit with the feeling of relaxation and tiredness. The next hour, I became even more sluggish and decided to call it quits. The very instant my head came in contact with the soft cotton pillow, I immediately fell into a deep and restful sleep. I woke up about as refreshed as any college freshman could possibly be. As a matter of fact, I actually ended up rising before my alarm went off. As I predicted earlier, this little shot certainly put me in a relaxed state of mind.

     When I take a step back and soak in all of the great qualities of I Am Sleepy, I begin to realize just how fantastic this product is. It successfully hits all the right notes of a fabulous relaxation shot. The flavor is sweet and subtle, with hints of berry and fruit. Its relaxation blend provides an adequate amount of melatonin, as well as a plethora of other ingredients. Not to mention, this shot provides a phenomenal effect. If you happen to locate one of these fine specimens at any convenience store, please do me a favor and purchase it. Just don't consume it before you drive a vehicle or operate machinery. Imagine trying to explain that one after an accident.

REVIEW OF I AM ENERGIZED

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 150 MILLIGRAMS PER 2.5 OUNCE BOTTLE.

RATING: 7.4 OUT OF 10. 


     Due to the fact that this site currently has upwards of 300 reviews, it becomes a difficult task to try and locate new products to try. Simply Google searching "new energy drinks" won't bring much success. Thankfully, there are review sites like Possessed By Caffeine, which have over 850 reviews. While I was browsing the site, I happened to notice a product called I Am Sleepy. I instantaneously headed over to the manufacturer's site and sent them a quick email. After a couple more emails were passed, I was fortunate enough to receive samples of all 4 I Am varieties. Obviously, I went for the I Am Energized version first.

     Each variation of I Am comes in a white, 2.5 ounce bottle that is clean and clutter free. The shots were at room temperature so I popped one in the freezer. After waiting about 40 minutes, I took it out and I realized I may have put it in there too long, since there were some noticeable ice chunks. Of course, these melted away and I poured the shot into a glass. After gazing at the brown-ish liquid for a few moments, I proceeded to chug away. This energy shot has a very unique flavor, yet it is pleasing to the palate and a chaser is not required. It is listed as a berry flavored drink, but I even detected some hints of tea. It is certainly unique, but it still managed to please my taste buds.

     Lurking inside each bottle of I Am Energized, you will find an amalgamation of ingredients that make up the so-called energy blend. This one has 200 percent daily value of niacin, 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 8,000 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. It also contains an energy blend worth 1,150 milligrams. This includes black tea leaf, yerba mate leaf, natural caffeine, and guarana seed. Each bottle contains 150 milligrams of caffeine. This blend is decent, but it could use a bit more ingredients such as ginseng or gingko biloba.

     Whether or not this energy shot does need a few more energy enhancing ingredients under its belt, the effect I received from it was definitely adequate. With roughly a large coffee's amount of caffeine running through my veins, this has enough to increase my alertness and get me out of my morning slumber (which happens to be around 12 to 1 PM). Defintely a solid performance from the I Am Company.

     The first version of I Am that I have tried is turning out to be a pretty solid drink. The flavor is very unique, being a berry-based beverage with subtle hints of tea. The energy blend could use some touching up, but the caffeine content is definitely adequate. And this energy shot also provides a decent amount of effectiveness. While I cannot tell you whether or not this will be in convenience stores across the United States in a few years, I can report that I Am knows how to make a well-rounded energy shot.

REVIEW OF BLACK BLACK

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 5 MILLIGRAMS PER PIECE.

Courtesy of Review Busters

RATING: 3.1 OUT OF 10.

     It may have been apparent to you that my reviews of slackened off. I've been reviewing them through notes, so I can just slap it together anytime I want. My notebook is kind of full, so I'm making room by knocking out some of these older reviews. Black Black isn't a hardcore product, but I have expressed interest in it for a while. ChemEvo finally allowed me to try it, so I was pretty happy. Let's see if it impresses me.

    The taste is a very strong mint of some sort. It is really just a common gum in its flavor, nothing more. My favorite aspect of this is that it clears up my sinuses when I chew it. It really is a miracle worker on that front, but is hardly outstanding in taste. I do have to commend it for what it does for me, however. It is a great product to carry when you have nasal congestion.

     Not really hardcore with mere 5 mgs of caffeine in a stick. I didn't expect it to be though. Not really much more I can say on its behalf, as I am not one to sugar coat a review. A simple overview: It is weak.

     To be honest, it is a bit of a letdown. I only had high aspirations for the taste, but that fell a bit short, unfortunately. I do recommend it for its sinus clearing abilities, though. If any reason stands out to spend money on this, that would be it.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF RELAX AND SLEEP

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE.

RATING: 7.4 OUT OF 10.

     Although this site's main focus to provide reviews of various caffeinated products, relaxation beverages still remain one of my favorite products to review. And despite only reviewing about seven or eight of these products, I can safely say that Better Life Beverages is taking a new approach to the world of anti-energy drinks. Unlike most of these drinks, Relax and Sleep utilizes an herbal blend, rather than hiding behind a few milligrams of melatonin. It's time to find out if their new approach works, or if it falls flat on the floor.

     Relax and Sleep utilizes the same bottle shape that made 5 Hour Energy so popular. It's the easily recognizable 2 ounce container. On the front, I noticed that the flavor was listed as "lemon drop." After giving it a few shakes, I popped the top and inhaled the fumes that escaped the beverage. I was hit with a calming herbal scent. Intrigued, I guzzled down the contents of the bottle with ease. While I am not disappoint with the overall flavor, I do believe that the flavor is incorrectly labeled. Relax and Sleep had more of a herbal flavor than a lemon drop flavor. Of course, the herbal-ness was expected, especially when you take a closer look at the relaxation blend.

     As I stated previously, Relax and Sleep uses a special botanical blend to promote relaxation and calmness. In all, the blend totals a whopping 4,640 milligrams. In that blend, we have organic violet leaves, organic English lavender flowers, organic rose buds, organic nepeta cataria, blue lotus leaf, organic California poppy seed, organic passion flower leaf, and organic hops flower. There is absolutely no question that these are some interesting ingredients.

     After I consumed the contains of the minuscule container, I waited patiently for the effects to kick in. After approximately 20 minutes of waiting, I was struck with an adequate amount of calmness. Keep in mind, Relax and Sleep is designed to give you a relaxed feeling, with an added benefit of lulling you to sleep. That being said, I managed to feel more relaxed, but I had no trouble keeping my eyes open.

     Relax and Sleep's unique approach to relaxation is a tad risky, but it actually works. Yes, the flavor is incorrectly labeled, but it is still palatable and easy to consume. The ingredient list is filled with several organic herbs, which all promote serenity and tranquility of the mind. And while the effect isn't perfect, it does do an ample job at putting me in a calm state of mind. All things considered, I believe Better Life Beverages has created a solid product.