Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.18
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:7.8
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.3
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

XL Energy Drink Review:
Energy Drinks in some form or another have been around for quite some time... and the XL Energy Drink is no different, as it has been around since 2000 (actually quite some time for an ED) which it makes me wonder why I have not gotten around to reviewing it. Maybe because of all the energy shots I have been reviewing lately? Either way, XL offers both a sugar free and regular version (which I will be trying today). XL Energy comes in 2 sizes, a slim 8.4 ounce can and a giant 16.9 ounce can (which is the one I am reviewing). So enough fluff, let's move on to the taste and kick reviews!

XL Energy Drink Review: Taste
Well the taste of the XL Energy Drink will be very familiar to pretty much anyone who has consumed an energy drink as the formula is quite similar to Red Bull with a couple "notable" exceptions. First off, it XL seems to be slightly less carbonated than Red Bull. And second, but probably the most important, XL seems to have filtered out the very noticeable Red Bull medicinal aftertaste that most of us are so familiar with. This results in a smoother easier to drink beverage. Now they have been around since 2000, so I won't knock them for having an un-original taste. Taste Rating - 7.8

XL Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the taste of the XL energy drink seems to be an improvement over Red Bull's formula... but how will the kick fair? Again, this drink has been around since 2000 and back then Red Bull was still one of the strongest energy drinks on the market. Nowadays, that is not the case and it is not the case for XL either. Don't get me wrong, the kick was definitely noticeable and I thoroughly enjoyed it... but for those of us addicts (like me) that are used to tons of caffeine, this just is not going to do the trick. The energy ingredients include; Caffeine, Taurine and a decent amount of B-Vitamins. Nonetheless, the 16.9 ounce XL energy drink provides a better kick than Red Bull. Kick Rating - 8.5

XL Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
A tried and true energy drink that has been around since 2000. It is very similar to Red Bull; albeit with out the medicinal aftertaste and a bigger kick. Having survived in a vastly overcrowded market for so long is an accomplishment in itself. But I think to continue to thrive they are going to have to expand their product offerings. The sugar free addition is nice, but I think a drink with increased caffeine / energy ingredients is due... maybe a XXL? Final Judgment - 8.3

Cost: $3.49
Cost Per Ounce:$0.29
Active Ingredients:
Taste Rating:9.2
Kick Rating:7.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rubyy Blood Orange Energy Drink Review:
Right away when I received this Rubyy Energy Drink I was very intrigued. Not only was the 12 ounce aluminum resealable bottle fascinating but the concept seemed fairly unique as well and up until now, there have really not been too many "high end" Energy Drinks hitting the market which is a good thing for Rubyy as the market leaders Monster, Redbull, Rockstar seem to be focusing on energy shots at the moment, which is a totally different demographic. Combine that with the fact that Rubyy seems to promote (in moderation) it's great mixing quality with alcohol. In fact, one of the partners of this energy drink was the founder of Skyy Vodka (Maurice Kanber). So I guess I will have to try this drink two separate ways, one as a mixer and as a stand alone drink. Let's see how it fairs in the taste and kick reviews.

Rubyy Blood Orange Energy Drink Review: Taste
SO first I will try this as a stand alone to get a grip on the taste and as the package and name states, Rubyy Blood Orange will play a large factor in that taste. What exactly is a Blood Orange? Well it is known for it's explosive citrus flavor and is grown in Italy, Spain, France and Northern California. The blood orange flavor is highlighted by a hint of tangerine... and when coupled with a mild carbonation, it has a really refreshing taste. Kind of a lighter, crisper, slightly carbonated OJ. But what really stood out with me was when I mixed it... My mixer of choice was called the Rubyy Sunrise which consists of Tequila, Grenadine and of course Rubyy. The concoction was perfect. Rubyy blended seamlessly with the tequila (if you can say that) and fortunately for me I had enough left for two!Combined Taste Rating (mixed and stand alone) - 9.2

Rubyy Blood Orange Energy Drink Review: Kick
The taste is good both as a stand alone and as an energy mixer. The energy ingredients are not designed to compete with the highly caffeinated or hardcore energy drinks on the market. These ingredients include; 80 milligrams of caffeine (about the same as a cup of coffee or a Red Bull), taurine, maltodextrin, inositol, guarana (natural caffeine) and a decent amount of b-vitamins. The kick is noticeable, but as you can tell by the ingredients, it is not overwhelming, nor is it designed to be... and I definitely agree with the kick being formulated to not being over the top; especially with all the bad publicity about combining energy drinks and alcohol. I stand by the "moderation" argument when it comes to mixing energy drinks and alcohol. I would compare the kick to that of Redbull, stimulating, but not about to make you jump through hoops. Kick Rating - 7.5

Rubyy Blood Orange Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
I would have to say that Rubyy might have hit an unexplored or at least underexposed niche in the energy drink market. I know that my friends were envious when I poured my cocktail with a Rubyy Blood Orange whereas they started off with a normal boring drink like Seagram's 7&7. I guess my only real complaint was the lack of a diet version of the drink; however, it looks like they are going to be addressing this issue in early 2009. Although a little light for me when drinking as a standalone energy beverage, the cocktail mixer is definitely going to be my drink of choice. Final Judgment - 8.6

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.20
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:7.5
Kick Rating:9.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rockstar Energy Shot Review:
I recently did a review on Monster Hitman and in that post I noted how all the major Energy Drink Manufacturer's are finally adding energy shots to their lineup. Are these "market leaders" to late to the game, or are there enormous budgets and mass market appeal strong enough to take on current energy shot leaders 5-Hour Energy? I am far from an expert, well maybe not too far, but I believe that industry leaders have somewhat dropped the ball when it comes to the energy shot market. They have watched as shots like 5-Hour have grabbed substantial market share and have sat in the back of the class as countless other shots stepped up to the plate (and I do mean countless). So, will the new Rockstar Energy Shot fill the energy shot void for Rockstar? Well, there is only one way to find out... so enough blah blah blah and fluff, let's find out how this new Rockstar Energy Shot performs in the taste and kick tests!

Rockstar Energy Shot Review: Taste
Originally there was not much competition in the energy shots category, but over the past couple months I have not only been inundated with review requests for energy shots, I have also seen convenience store checkouts overflowing with choices of energy shots. Where am I going with this? Well since I have had the pleasure of trying quite a few shots lately, I have high expectations for Rockstar (as I did with Monster Hitman). They have had ample time to try out the competition and formulate a good shot... However, I don't think they spent enough time in R&D on the taste. The taste, at least to this reviewer, was along the lines of a prehistoric energy drink. The supposed "Wild Berry" flavor was ripe with medicinal tasting ingredients. So much so that I had to double check the bottle to figure out what flavor I was supposed to be drinking. I do realize that not only is taste subjective, but energy shots are usually sugar free, zero/low calorie, zero carb which means the flavor usually feels artificial. However, I have tried a number of recently launched energy shots that have had great tastes and I doubt they have as much money to spend on R&D as the Rockstar Energy Shot did. Again taste is subjective, so if you disagree with me I can take it. Taste Review - 7.5

Rockstar Energy Shot Review: Kick
So I wasn't pleased with the taste. But I had a strong feeling that I would enjoy the kick as there is bold wording right on the Rockstar Energy Shot proclaiming "200 milligrams of Caffeine." Now I have seen far more caffeine in energy drinks, but this is probably the most caffeine I have ever seen stuffed into an energy shot. So did this skinny little 2.5 ounce bugger do the trick? You bet it did. Not only is there 200 milligrams of caffeine, but there is also a strong energy blend containing 1000 milligrams of taurine, 50 milligrams of guarana seed extract, Panax Ginseng Extract and a whole bunch of B-Vitamins. They may have missed the ball on the taste research, but they definitely hit one out of the park in the energy kick category as this is definitely one of the strongest shots I have tried. Kick Rating - 9.5

Rockstar Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
As you can tell I was not too impressed with the taste, but the kick was outstanding. This Rockstar Energy Shot is their first foray into the energy shot market, so I am sure we will see several other flavors come onto the market (maybe they will even come out with an alcoholic version?). If you disagree with my rating, feel free to flame me in the comments section below, it usually happens anyways. Final Judgment - 8.5

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.00
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, Guarana, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.2
Kick Rating:9.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monster Hitman Energy Shot Review:
So Monster Energy Drinks, one of the top Energy Drink makers finally figured out the value of adding an energy shot to their lineup. Is it too late for the 3 ounce Monster Hitman to take on energy shot industry leaders like 5 Hour Energy? Or has Monster Hitman come into the game just in time to capitalize on the fast growing market? Although I am no industry expert, I think Monster might be a little late to the game as energy shots like 5-Hour Energy have been playing the game for over 3 years. However, with the amount of distribution, reach and advertising spend that Monster enjoys, anything's possible... So enough fluffy background, let's see if the new Hitman energy shot from Monster holds up in the taste and kick reviews.

Monster Hitman Energy Shot Review: Taste
Now if you are a first time reader, you have probably not heard me mention that I was never a big fan of the original Monster Energy taste; albeit they have improved over time. So will I enjoy the original energy shot from Monster? Well, to be honest, I have sampled and reviewed and received way more shots over the last couple months than actual full sized energy drinks...and I have to say some where very well received by me. That being said, I am not sure if I am a fan of the new 3 Ounce Hitman. There is a definite citrus / apple flavor to the shot followed up by a strawberry medicinal aftertaste. Don't get me wrong, the taste was far from unbearable and is quite similar to most energy shots, but I would have expected a little more from Monster since they are coming so late to the game. If they could cut back a little on the medicinal taste I think I might have enjoyed it a little more. But hey, there is a ton of energy ingredients crammed into this little 3 ounce bugger, so I won't hold the taste against them. Again, it's only 3 ounces, so it is quite easy to slam...even at room temperature. NOt the best tasting, but not horrible. Taste Rating - 8.2

***Just remember taste is subjective. I am not a huge citrus or apple fan, so this shot is not really for me***

Monster Hitman Energy Shot Review: Kick
Now for what really counts when judging an energy shot...the kick! The 3 ounce Monster Hitman is a little larger than your normal energy shots like 5-Hour Energy, but will this allow them to pack in more energy ingredients? Well, I do have to admit, the energy blend and laundry list of ingredients is pretty impressive. You have a 5000 milligram energy blend consisting of: Glucose, L-Carnitine, Caffeine, Inosistol, Guarana (natural caffeine), Maltodextrin as well as staples like 2000 milligrams of taurine, 400 milligrams of Panax Ginseng and an overwhelming amount of B-Vitamins. Now, I can see why the shot had a medicinal aftertaste.. Hitman is crammed with energy! I took this shot in the morning and it lasted me well through lunch. With 6 grams of sugar and 30 calories, there was really no crash associated with Hitman either! Kick Rating - 9.4

Monster Hitman Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
So I am not partial to the flavor, but the kick was well received by this reviewer! Now that Monster has entered the energy shot market, I am sure a bombardment of flavors will be on the way. They make a good shot, but will the giants of energy drink market be able to catch up to the sizeable market share that the energy shot leader 5-Hour has? Im not so sure... Final Judgment - 8.8

Cost: $2.99 - Cheaper if you Buy in Bulk
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:9.3
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Mini Thin Rush A.M. Energy Shot Review:
Well I have been getting inundated with may more energy shot reviews than Energy Drinks lately, maybe it's the ever increasing popularity or maybe it's just a coincidence. Either way, I reviewed a well received Energy Shot by the name of Mini Thin Rush a couple months ago. Well today, I will be reviewing the Mini Thin Rush A.M. Energy Shot, and I can say that I am pretty excited about it as this is (at least to my knowledge) the first energy shot that is specifically designed for use in the morning. And since, I participated in a Pub Crawl on Saturday, reviewing the Mini Thin Rush A.M. Sunday morning seemed like a great way to put this new shot to the test. So let's see if it worked!

Buy Mini Thin Rush A.M. Here

Mini Thin Rush A.M. Energy Shot Review: Taste
So it was specifically designed for the morning caffeine addict and I am glad to see that the Mocha flavoring reflects this! That's right, the first coffee flavored energy shot (at least to my knowledge). The new Mini Thin Rush A.M. comes out smelling alot like coffee and even has a light coffee coloring. Now, I was not sure what to expect from my first coffee flavored energy shot, but I was definitely pleased. Although not an avid coffee drinker, I was still pleased with the taste. It was definitely a light coffee flavor followed up by a semi-sweet mocha (chocolate) flavoring. There was an ever so slight hint of medicinal flavoring, but with the amount of energy crammed into these little 2 ounce buggers I can let it slide. Taste Rating - 8.5

Mini Thin Rush A.M. Energy Shot Review: Kick
A coffee flavored energy shot that gives you way more kick than your average cup of joe! That's right, with 200 milligrams of caffeine (typical cup of joe contains 80-120 milligrams), 200 milligrams of taurine and a ton of b-vitamins, you can bet that you are going to receive a nice wake up call from the Mini Thin Rush A.M. Even being hung-over from the pub crawl (ever so slightly?), I still got a lot accomplished on Sunday! So kudos to the new Mini Thin Rush AM blend! It is definitely one of the more powerful energy shots available on the market. Kick Rating - 9.3

Mini Thin Rush A.M. Energy Shot Review: Final Judgment
A nice new addition to the energy shot market... With it's original taste and strong kick, I see no reason not to give these little 2 ounce buggers a try in the morning. It will definitely give you a better wake up than your typical cup of joe! And I have to say the taste was quite well received, even from someone who is not the most avid coffee drinker! Final Judgment - 8.9

Buy Mini Thin Rush A.M. Here

Update: Buy Energy Drinks in Bulk Here

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, Ginseng, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.9
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:9.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Vegas Fuel Sugar Free Energy Drink Review:
My last encounter with the Vegas Fuel Energy Drink left my taste buds enlightened, yet it also left me wanting a low calorie sugar free version with a bit more kick. Don't get me wrong I like all Energy Drinks but Sugar free has a sweet spot in my heart. So, I don't know if they were reading my cards or not, but this is exactly what they came out with, a new Sugar Free Vegas Fuel. This 16 ounce drink let's you "Put a little Vegas in You!" The timing of this release from Jar Max, LLC could not have been much better as I am heading to Vegas in December and I will be sure to bring some of this with me. But what I drink or do in Vegas stays in Vegas, so let's get the review out before hand!

Vegas Fuel Sugar Free Energy Drink Review: Taste
As I state above I was extremely pleased with the taste of the original Vegas Fuel... and I was not the least bit disappointed with the sugar free version either. The unique tropical berry flavor is still present and this time the full flavor is delivered with no sugar and only 10 calories per 16 ounce serving. Even taking the sugar out, Vegas Fuel, was still able to completely mask any medicinal aftertaste. I definitely enjoyed the sugar free version more than the original... same flavor, a lot less calories. Taste Rating - 8.9

Vegas Fuel Sugar Free Energy Drink Review: Kick
So I got what I was looking for in a sugar free version, but will the anti be upped on the kick as well? You bet. Last time I tried the 8.4 ounce version, which in all honesty was ample enough, but left me wanting a little more. The 16 ounce energy ingredients include 142 milligrams of caffeine, 96, milligrams of Guarana Seed Extract, 1904 milligrams of taurine, 96 milligrams of Panax Ginseng and Ample B-Vitamins. I already hope to spend limited time in my Hotel Room when I go to Vegas. But drinking a couple of these combined with increased oxygen levels in the casinos should help me to keep goin and goin! Kick Rating - 9.0

Vegas Fuel Sugar Free Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Now I doubt that the Sugar Free Vegas Fuel was created just because of me, but nonetheless I am glad it was. They upped the anti by increasing the kick and making it sugar free all while keeping the same great taste. So watch out Vegas, here I come, and Im brining a little FUEL with me! Final Judgment - 9.0

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.17
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Super Citrimax, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:7.7
Kick Rating:7.5
Final Judgment Rating:7.7
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Go Girl Glo Energy Drink Review:
Well it has been awhile since I reviewed a product from the Go Girl Energy Drink lineup but it has not been so long since I have reviewed an Energy Drink that was not marketed towards me. It was actually my last review of the Cougar Energy Shot. I know what you are thinking, back to back reviews of drinks marketed towards the female demographic? No, I'm not losing it, I have just had these queued for review for quite some time. Anyways, back to the Go Girl Glo Energy Drink, which by the way is supposed to "Promote Healthy Skin" according to the 12 ounce slim can. Now it doesn't say what will specifically do this for me, but my best guess would be the 10 milligrams of Aloe Vera, which by the way doesn't sound too tasty. Anyways enough fluff, let's see how this Go Girl Glo energy drink for women performs in the taste and kick category (according to this male reviewer!).

Go Girl Glo Energy Drink Review: Taste
Well this all natural 12 ounce energy drink has 35 calories (no artificial sweeteners) and about 8 grams of sugar which is way less than the typical 50+ grams of sugar. The can itself describes the drink as being "derived from a refreshing combination of pomegranate and star fruit." I have never had star fruit so I can not attest to Go Girl Glo tasting like it, but I can say I am not a big fan of the taste. Although it is light and pretty refreshing, it just left a weird tropical like flavor in my mouth... just not enough tart for this reviewer. I suppose the tropical flavored aftertaste is better than a medicinal aftertaste. Taste Rating - 7.7

Go Girl Glo Energy Drink Review: Kick
At 12 ounces this drink is not really packed with a whole lot of kick but that is not what they were going for. Again, according to the can "Glo is a unique energy drink that is lighter in caffeine and calories....provides an uplifting yet relaxing experience." The actual ingredients are 75 milligrams of caffeine, 500 milligrams of taurine, 508 milligrams of super citrimax (a mild appetite suppressant) vitamin E and a bunch of vitamin B. So it is just like the can said, I nice uplifting kick, but not over the top. The super citrimax is a nice touch for those looking for an appetite suppressant. Kick Rating - 7.5

Go Girl Glo Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Again I am really not in the demographic of the Go Girl Glo energy drink. I am not female, I am not looking for a mild kick, and I am not overly concerned with the complexion of my skin or appetite suppressants. But if you are in said demographic of this drink, then I suggest you give it a try. It is pretty unique as far as ED's are concerned. Oh and I should mention, a portion of the proceeds of this drink go to Ovarian Cancer research. Final Judgment - 7.7

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.19
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Green Tea Extract, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:9.3
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Cougar Energy Drink - Double Shot:
I always feel a little awkward when I review Energy Drinks like the Cougar Energy Drink Double shot... Why you might ask? Well I am not even close to the actual demographic of this drink as I am neither a woman nor do I hunt for younger men.... Either way this Cougar Energy shot was quite intriguing so I thought I would give it a try. This 2.5 ounce shot comes in 2 different formulas, standard and double. I chose to try out the double shot first. So here goes my first review of an energy shot designed for women (I have reviewed energy drinks for women).

Buy Cougar Energy Drink Here

Cougar Energy Drink - Double Shot: Taste
Alright since this is the double strength version I was not expecting the best taste out there, especially from a 2.5 ounce bottle that when opened did not smell the greatest. However, after my first sip (that I actually had at room temperature), I was very pleased with the very fruity flavor. I could taste hints of grape, raspberry and strawberry followed by what seemed to be a watermelon flavor. Probably one of the better tasting energy shots I have ever had, be it for male or female. And to think this is the shot with more energy ingredients, the standard has to at least taste as good, if not better. Don't forget there are no calories, sugar or carbs! Taste Rating - 9.3

Cougar Energy Drink - Double Shot: Kick
So the taste was great, but was the kick designed for a woman good enough for me? Well the energy ingredients for the double shot include 150 milligrams of caffeine, Green Tea Extract and a large amount of b-vitamins. So yeah, I definitely got the kick I was looking for. Not the strongest kick I have ever had, but definitely enough to get this 180 pound male through a hard workout. On the Cougar Energy drink website, it says that this shot also promotes weight loss. Now I am not sure what ingredients promote this, nor will I have the time to test it out as I have to move on with other reviews, but if you want more information on the weight loss attribute I suggest you visit their site. Or if any one wants to chime in below in the comments section feel free. Kick Rating - 8.4

Cougar Energy Drink - Double Shot: Final Judgment
Again I am really not in their demographic, but without the "Cougar" label I would definitely buy this. It is just awkward chugging one of these in the guys locker room at the gym while some other dude is looking at you. Anyways great taste and a great kick, the only place I know of where you can currently purchase is on their website (portion of the sales go to the American Breast Cancer Association). If anyone else has seen this feel free to chime in below. Final Judgment - 8.8

Buy Cougar Energy Drink Here

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.12
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, Taurine
Taste Rating:8.9
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Venom Low Carb Energy Drink Mojave Rattler:
Well this is by far one of the Energy Drinks that I have come across... It is also one of the ones with the coolest can. The 16.9 ounce can is very strong and quite heavy duty. Even though this drink is roughly industry standard in terms of size, the resealable cap is definitely a nice touch for those that want to save some energy for later. Low Carb Venom Mojave Rattler is made (or at least trademarked) by Dr Pepper / 7up, so as you would imagine the distribution is pretty good. There is also a regular version of this drink as well (venom Black Mamba), which I will review later. So enough with the fluff, let's see how this snake does in the taste and kick tests.

Venom Low Carb Energy Drink Mojave Rattler: Taste
No new energy flavor here, just your classic citrus / fruit flavor with a hint of apple which is initially sweet yet followed by a subtle tart bite. The tart bite is not a medicinal aftertaste, I think Mojave Rattler must have been formulated this way. Basically they took the normal Monster Energy Drink and Original Rockstar Energy flavor to another level... one without the bitter bite. Overall, it was quite pleasant, especially since it only has 50 calories and 8 carbs (albeit from sugar). So the combination of sugar and artificial sweetener did pay off for this low carb drink in the taste test. Taste Rating - 8.9

Venom Low Carb Energy Drink Mojave Rattler: Kick
So the low carb version of Mojave Rattler does the job quite well; but will it give you the bite you are looking for in the kick category as the name and slogans imply? Well the energy drink ingredients include a 3000 milligram blend of; taurine, L-Carnitine, Caffeine, Guarana (natural caffeine), Inosistol and Maltrodextrin. I am not sure of the exact caffeine levels, but with both caffeine and guarana high on the energy blend list I would guess close to 200 milligrams. Regardless, the combination of the energy blend and carbs from sugar gave a quick and pretty decent lasting kick. The low level of sugar (6 total grams) led to no crash. Kick Rating - 8.8

Venom Low Carb Energy Drink Mojave Rattler: Final Judgment
For a low carb energy drink, Mojave not only delivers a good flavor, it delivers a pretty well rounded kick that is both fast acting and pretty long lasting. The resealable nicely designed can is also a nice touch. I can't wait to try the original Venom Black Mamba to see how it does as well, so stay tuned and give this a try if you find it on the shelves. Final Judgment - 8.9

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.19
Active Ingredients:Whey Protein, caffeine, B-Vitamins, Taurine
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:9.0
Final Judgment Rating:9.2
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Whey UP Protein Energy Drink- Grape Punch:
First Energy Drink that I have reviewed this month, but it won't be the first time I have reviewed the WheyUP Protein Energy Drinks as I have previously tried the Original Berry and Tropical Citrus flavors, both of which I enjoyed. So I was thrilled to find out that they have yet another flavor - Grape Punch. What exactly makes this drink different than the hundreds of other ED's out their? Well adding 20 grams of protein to the mix definitely shakes things up a bit, especially if you are an avid fitness enthusiast like I am. Now if I get up at the crack of dawn to hit the gym before I go to work, or go to the gym after an 8-10 hour day at the office, I don't have to mix a protein shake and have an energy drink. Instead I can get in my car, crack the 16 ounce resealable bottle, get in my car and consume on the way to the gym! Alright, enough about my boring life, let's see how the new grape punch flavor tastes....

Official Site: Whey Up Protein Energy Drink

Whey UP Protein Energy Drink- Grape Punch: Taste
Most energy drinks leave you with a horrible medicinal aftertaste, so I know what you are all thinking... I can't wait to try Whey UP, get a medicinal aftertaste and then have to deal with the usually horrible protein drink taste as well. BUT, that's NOT the case with Whey UP. Instead you get a pretty smooth grape flavor followed up with a hint of watermelon. I am not going to lie, you can taste a hint of the protein in this grape flavor, but it was really almost non-existent. Besides, it is way better than the powdered protein shakes I was having before. Being sugar free and having 20 grams of protein and tasting good is quite an accomplishment. Overall, the new Grape Punch flavor is quite good, but my favorite will still have to be the tropical punch! Taste Rating - 8.8

Whey UP Protein Energy Drink- Grape Punch: Kick
20 grams of protein and only 90 calories is great, but will Whey Up also deliver the kick I need for the early morning or evening workout? You bet! There is 150 milligrams of caffeine, taurine and a bunch of b-vitamins which will definitely get you up and moving. Now I know what you are all thinking, well there are stronger drinks out there. Good point, but I would much rather drink a NON carbonated energy drink that does not pump my body full of so much caffeine that I cramp up or get dehydrated half way through a workout. So in this reviewers opinion, this is the perfect blend for a workout, run, bike ride or anything else sports related. Kick Rating - 9.0

Whey UP Protein Energy Drink- Grape Punch: Final Judgment
AS you might be able to tell from the review above and the past reviews, I am a big fan of WheyUP Protein Energy Drinks because they are perfect for my lifestyle. There are actually two or three energy drinks that I purchase on a regular basis and this is one of them. To sum up... good taste, good kick, 20 grams of protein, 90 calories, sugar free and perfect for the active lifestyle. Right now they are available nationally at GNC and Vitamin World. You can also purchase them in bulk online. Final Judgment - 9.2

Official Site: Whey Up Protein Energy Drink

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana Extract, B-Vitamins, Horny Goat Weed
Taste Rating:8.6
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Playboy Sugar Free Energy Drink Review:
So it has been several month's since I reviewed the original Playboy Energy Drink, so it is about time I reviewed the Playboy Sugar Free Energy Drink as well. I can't believe it has taken me this long to review it in the first place, I mean this line up of Energy Drinks actually had me quite intrigued...I mean I am male, so the Playboy brand name is pretty well known to me. That and I am still hoping that my review of the Playboy drinks lands me at the Mansion. Long shot, I know, but I might as well throw that out there. Alright, enough fluff and onto the review.

Energy Drink Review: Taste
To be honest, this pretty much tastes exactly like the original Playboy Energy Drink... It is actually very similar to Red Bull with the exception that instead of the medicinal after taste you get with a Red Bull, you have more of a fruity bubble gum aftertaste. Combine that with the fact that I would rather drink a sugar free energy drink, I mean come on, got to keep the body up for the ladies... right? And with only 5 calories, 2 carbs and no sugar, I definitely can do this (at least combined with eating right and religiously going to the gym 4-5 times a week)... Anyways, glad this tasted like the original; even though it is not the most innovative flavor combination, it is hands down better than the aforementioned market leader as it has no medicinal aftertaste. Taste Rating - 8.6

Playboy Sugar Free Energy Drink Review: Kick
Not to hinder my opportunity for an invite to the mansion, but I would love to see this offered in a 16 ounce version as well. Don't get me wrong, you get a better kick than you would with most 8.4 ounce drinks, but after consuming ED's for years I would like something a little stronger. But with energy ingredients that include; 1.6 grams of the following - caffeine, horny goat weed, taurine, Panax Ginseng Extract, Guarana Extract (which is natural caffeine), Damiana Leaf Extract and some other stuff that I really don't care to type out, the kick is not too shabby. Besides, the horny goat weed is a nice ingredient, especially considering the brand name of the drink. It probably adds a little more excitement to those mansion parties, if that's possible. Anyways, I would love to be a test subject on the effects of horny goat weed at the mansion!!! Kick Rating - 8.6

Playboy Sugar Free Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
The brand name should definitely help out this drink, I mean all you need to do is post some contest on Myspace that would get the winner an invite to the mansion and you would see tons of sales (Im in - I mean 50,000 monthly visitors should hold some sway!!!). Im just happy they made this in a sugar free version. Besides, why party like a rockstar, or get wings, when you can party like a playboy bunny :) Final Judgment - 8.6

Cost: $2.59
Cost Per Ounce:$0.16
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Creatine
Taste Rating:8.3
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rage Asylum Energy Drink Review:
Last August I tried my first Rage Energy Drink and I have to say that I was very pleased with both the taste and kick out comes so I thought I would try another one of these Canadian Energy Drinks to see if they could duplicate the success. There are 5 16 ounce flavors available from Rage including: Asylum (which I am reviewing today), Ripped (low carb / sugar free), X-Rage, Y-Rage and THAI Rage. So let's see if they can go two for two in the taste and kick categories... onto the review.

Energy Drink Review: Taste
I assumed with the orange can that I would be getting a orange citrus style taste...and what do you know I was correct. So exactly how was the orange flavor? Well the orange flavor was a tad sweet in my book, but then again I am not a huge fan of sweet citrus flavors, so that does add a bias to this taste review. However, I would like to say that the large list of medicinal energy ingredients did not come into play in the taste factor... they blended in seamlessly. To sum up, your typical orange soda in a can, but of course with extra kick. Taste Rating 8.3

Rage Asylum Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the taste was Ok, but it was nothing unique. Same holds true for the kick, at least when compared to the Ripped Rage that I reviewed last month as the energy ingredients seem to be the same. The complete energy ingredient list includes 160 milligrams of caffeine, 400 milligrams of Guarana (delivering 40 more milligrams of caffeine), 2000 milligrams of Taurine, 400 milligrams of Ginseng, 50 milligrams of Creatine and a nice amount of B-Vitamins. I couldn't tell a difference at all between the kick of this one and the last one I reviewed even though the last one was sugar free / low calorie. They don't list the calories at all on this can, but it is artificially sweetened with sucralose, so I am guessing that it has a lower calorie count from the lack of sugar. The lack of sugar also meant no crash! Kick Rating - 8.8

Rage Asylum Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Good kick, good can design and a decent taste. I stated above that I am not a huge fan of sweet citrus orange drinks, but it you are you should definitely enjoy this one... I mean it's pretty much an orange soda on steroids. Where can you get them... It is available in the US at stores like, Hi-Health, Fast Mart, Royal Farms and Shore stop and it retails for $2.59. Final Judgment - 8.5

Stay tuned for the review of the other 3 flavors!

Cost: $2.50
Cost Per Ounce:$1.25
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:8.7
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Crakshot Energy Drink Review:
The name Crakshot seems to be taking on the Guerilla marketing approach that the Cocaine Energy Drink and Blow Energy Drink used back in the day... Meaning let's see how far we can push the envelope in naming our energy shot and see if we can generate some free publicity. Well I did hear about the Crakshot energy drink fairly early on, but it did not seem to come with the hype or controversy that the latter two Energy Drinks did. Maybe we are finally becoming a more accepting society.. or maybe the people that would complain have not heard about it yet. Or it could be that CRAK (in this case) stands for - Classic Rock Art Kulture (how convenient). Either way Crakshot, which is distributed by JGS Beverage Group Inc, comes in a pretty well designed 2 ounce resealable shot. Enough fluff, let's see if the Crakshot does it's job in the taste and kick categories.

Crakshot Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off, Crakshot's flavor is stated right on the bottle - Lemonade. And surprisingly, at least for an energy shot, it actually tastes like it. Albeit there is an ever so slight medicinal aftertaste to it which is actually not too bad as it tastes somewhat like raspberry. Either way, the tiny 2 ounce shot was by no means hard to drink, or hard to slam. Overall I was very pleased with the taste and I might consider adding it to my Best Energy Drink list, or at least when I finally update it to include shots! Taste Rating - 9.0

Crakshot Energy Drink Review: Kick
With a name like Crakshot I was expecting a pretty high kick. Did I get it? Well the energy ingredients include 140 milligrams of total caffeine (70 from caffeine and 70 from Guarana extract) along with Niacin, 300 milligrams of taurine and a bunch of b-vitamins. So no, it is not the strongest energy shot on the market... But don't get me wrong, it does pack a pretty powerful punch for a 2 ounce shot. Besides, wouldn't you rather be caught slammin a Crakshot vs. a shot of Zantrex Shot? No crash either, maybe it has something to do with the lack of sugar and the added potassium? Kick Rating - 8.7

Crakshot Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Cool name, nice edgy package design, good flavor and an ample kick. I have yet to see these at any type of brick and mortar store, but you can pick up a sample online for $2.50 or you can buy in bulk at prices as cheap as $1.75 / bottle making it one of the cheaper shots on the market. Final Judgment - 8.8

Cost: $2.99
Cost Per Ounce:$1.50
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:9.2
Final Judgment Rating:9.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

On Go Mandarin Orange Energy Drink Review:
Another day, another Energy Drink, except for today I will be focusing on a nice little 2 ounce energy shot. It's nice to change things up a bit, and I was more than pleased with the last On Go Energy Shot so I have high (energy) hopes from the new Mandarin Orange On Go Energy Shot. This is the third flavor in the lineup (so far), the other two being berry and lemon lime. The nice thing about the On Go Energy Shots is that they are extremely portable and you can find them almost anywhere. So enough fluff, let's move onto the review of taste and kick.

On Go Mandarin Orange Energy Drink Review: Taste
My first thoughts of the flavor concoction of this Energy Shot were that Mandarin and Orange would not blend so well. Besides that I don't ever recall ever having a mandarin before. Regardless of my thoughts and inexperience with mandarins, I thoroughly enjoyed the new Ongo Blend. I even drank the shot warm as I forgot to refrigerate it before the review. Even with the lack of refrigeration the taste and blend was done up nicely for an energy shot. Taste Rating - 8.7

On Go Mandarin Orange Energy Drink Review: Kick
The name and packaging of the OnGo Energy Shot does not really jump out to me and say, "hey I have a ton of energy" try me out. Again, my thoughts were misguided as the Mandarin Orange On Go Energy Shot definitely kicked me in the pants. The energy ingredients include; 2290 milligrams of Taurine, Caffeine and a bunch of other stuff not to mention the plethora of B-Vitamins. It actually looks like they upped the energy blend from the last review from 1870 to 2290... a healthy jump. Kick Rating - 9.2

On Go Mandarin Orange Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
To sum up... a shot with original flavor and a nice kick. Stay tuned for the review of the berry blast or check out my first review of the lemon lime flavor. You can pick these up in most C-Stores for $2.99 or you can pick them up on Amazon.com in bulk for a better price. Final Judgment - 9.0

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, Ginko
Taste Rating:9.0
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.9
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

B-52 Low Calorie Energy Drink Review:
So it has been awhile since I reviewed a low calorie 16 ounce Energy Drink, but the wait is over as today I will be reviewing the B-52 Low Calorie, Sugar Free 16 ounce energy drink. This drink also comes in original and peach flavors. Other than those simple facts, I really don't know too much about this company. So I guess there is nothing to do but get on with the review of the taste and kick of B-52 Low Calorie.

B-52 Low Calorie Energy Drink Review: Taste
I know some of you are thinking, why didn't I just review the Original B-52 first. Well, I tend to go for the low calorie / zero sugar drinks not only for the lack of energy crash, but also because I consume Energy Drinks daily, so I don't want to put on any unnecessary weight.... That being said I wish I would have been able to try this drink sooner as the berry citrus combination (with more of a emphasis on the citrus flavoring) is quite pleasing. It is a little on the sweet side, but overall it is very well done. There is not even a hint of medicinal aftertaste at all. Quite well done, and one of the best low cal 16 ounce drinks I have had in quite some time. Taste Rating - 9.0

B-2 Low Calorie Energy Drink Review: Kick
With no bite and a taste this good, the Sugar Free B-52 can't offer a quality kick. At least those were my initial thoughts. However, with energy ingredients including, caffeine, taurine, gingko biloba, ginseng root extract and a decent size helping of b-vitamins the sugar free low cal B-52 Energy Drink delivered a pretty substantial kick with no crash! It is not the strongest energy drink I have ever had, so I won't be adding it the Best Energy Drink list, but I would definitely recommend trying one. Kick Rating - 8.8

B-52 Low Calorie Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
B-52 in a nut shell - Low calorie, sugar free, great taste, above average kick. Would love to see these drinks go mainstream and become more available. It looks like these drinks are becoming more available in the southern US states as they pick up distribution, but hopefully soon they will start creeping across the rest of the country. I had these samples sent to me, so as of right now I am not 100% positive on which stores carry this, but I do know they cost $1.99 which is pretty good for a 16 ounce drink. So if anyone knows where exactly to get this, feel free to chime in below in the comments section. So stay tuned for the review of the original and peach flavors. Final Judgment - 8.9

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Guarana, Echinacea, Panax ginseng, stevia leaf
Taste Rating:9.2
Kick Rating:8.9
Final Judgment Rating:9.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Guru Lemonade Energy Drink Review:
Well it has been a couple months since I reviewed the last Guru Energy Drinks. I am not sure why I waited so long, both the original and lite versions of Guru scored high marks. That and I have not rated any Energy Drinks in quite awhile... Anyways, back to Guru Lemonade which comes in a sleek 12 ounce can. Even though this is my third review of the Guru Energy Drink, I still don't know much about them besides the fact that they are a 100% natural (organic) drink and that they have several flavors including original, lite, iced tea, superfruit, tangerine and lemonade. Anyways, lets see how the Guru Lemonade performs in the taste and kick categories....

Guru Lemonade Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off its a 12 ounce non-carbonated all natural organic energy drink. Sounds good right? Well, it actually is. The lemonade flavor is almost as good as your Grandma's fresh squeezed lemonade. There is no, I mean no medicinal aftertaste present at all despite the plethora of energy ingredients. Besides the great taste, this one is supposed to be formulated for athletes... From their site "hybrid created especially for athletes and sports enthusiasts. An all-in-one energy drink and isotonic sport drink that will let you push it to the max while staying perfectly hydrated." I am not sure which ingredients are there to back this up but I am guessing it might have something to do with the ingredient potassium. Although I could be wrong... Taste Rating - 9.2

Guru Lemonade Energy Drink Review: Kick
Great taste, but will it overshadow the kick? Well there is a total of 145 milligrams of caffeine (97 milligrams per serving) combined with Guarana seed extract, Panax Ginseng root extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and Echinea flower extract (more for the immune system). Overall, the kick was not overwhelming, but it definitely did the trick. Kick Rating 8.9

Guru Lemonade Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Great tasting all natural organic energy drink that provides a pretty darn good kick. I will definitely be adding this one to my list of Best Energy Drinks in the organic/natural section. You can pick these up at most natural foods stores. If you don't have a natural food store close to you you can buy them in 12 and 24 packs on line. You actually save quite a bit by doing this. I think buying them in bulk brings the cost down to about $1.70 a can... Final Judgment - 9.0

Cost: $2.59
Cost Per Ounce:$0.16
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Guarana, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Creatine
Taste Rating:8.9
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Rage Ripped Energy Drink Review:
Well it has been quite some time since I have reviewed any Energy Drinks from Canada. I think the last one I reviewed was one of the Beaver Buzz products. Anyways, today's review is the 16 ounce Rage Ripped Energy Drink. Rage has 8 different flavors. I was sent 5 different varieties so I wil review them. They include; Rage Liquid Energy, Rage Asylum, Ripped Rage (which I am reviewing today), X-Rage, Y-Rage and THAI Rage. They also claim to be the "Boldest Baddest Energy Drink Around." We'll see about that... Anyways besides that I really don't know much about this company, their flash website was less than informative... So onto the review.

Rage Ripped Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off I want to start by saying this is Rage's sugar free energy drink. It says it on the can, but it is buried at the bottom in a small image. So I really didn't know it was sugar free until I read the ingredients. However, that is a good thing, especially since I drank half the can before I noticed it was sugar free. The sweet (maybe slightly overly sweet) blueberry flavor was actually very pleasing. The sweet blueberry blend hid any taste of medicine from the energy ingredients. Rage Ripped is probably one of the better sugar free energy drinks I have tried in quite some time. Taste Rating - 8.9

Rage Ripped Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the taste is good, especially since it is sugar free... But will is this the Boldest Baddest Energy Drink Around?" Well the can design was pretty cool and so was the flavor. So the bold part might be covered. The energy ingredient list includes 160 milligrams of caffeine, 400 milligrams of Guarana (delivering another 40 milligrams of caffeine), 2000 milligrams of Taurine, 400 milligrams of Ginseng, 50 milligrams of Creatine and a pretty good amount of B-Vitamins. Although the kick I received was good, it was definitely not the baddest or strongest I have tried. However, it is definitely on par, if not slightly better than Rock Star. Kick Rating - 8.8

Rage Ripped Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Good bold blueberry taste, better than average kick and it's sugar free! This is my first try of the Rage lineup which makes me pretty excited to try the other 4 flavors. So stay tuned for those reviews. This one is available in the US at stores like, Hi-Health, Fas Mart, Shore Stop and Royal Farms and it retails for $2.59. Final Judgment - 8.8

Cost: $2.49
Cost Per Ounce:$1.25
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, B-Vitamins, Taurine.....
Taste Rating:8.9
Kick Rating:9.5
Final Judgment Rating:9.5 (kick is worth it!)
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

5 Hour Orange Energy Drink Review:
So the last 5 Hour Energy Drink I reviewed was the new extra strength version. Now I have been a strong advocate of 5 Hour Energy for quite some time now (it is actually one of the few Energy Drinks that I will purchase on my own) which is why I can't believe that I never got around to reviewing the 5 Hour Orange flavor. It has actually been out for quiet some time. It has a very similar package to the 5-Hour Berry flavor, with the exception that is says Orange on the side and it is still in the convenient 2 ounce resealable shot container. So let's see if I like the taste of the new Orange 5 Hour as much as I liked the taste of the lemon lime one.

5 Hour Orange Energy Drink Review: Taste
Well the tagline that 5-Hour Energy Shot uses is probably one of the most memorable (at least in my opinion) - "Drink it in seconds, feel it in minutes, lasts for hours." The convenience of drinking it at room temperature or cold is also a favorite as is the portability factor. Anyways, does the orange flavor stack up as well as the previous flavors (berry, lemon lime)? Well in this reviewers opinion (pretty much the only one that matters!) the flavor was excellent. The mix seemed to be right on the mark. Gone is the old bitter taste that the very first 5 Hour Energy shots had. It is replaced by a very smooth and easy to drink non carbonated orange flavor. Sure, there is a slight aftertaste to it, but what do you expect from a shot that crams five hours of energy into 2 ounces? Anyways, the new flavor was well received by me. I still think the lemon lime flavor is my favorite, but I will also rotate the new orange flavor in once and awhile as well! Taste Rating - 8.9

5 Hour Orange Energy Drink Review: Kick
Before I even drank the orange 5-Hour Energy, I knew what to expect in the kick category. I mean, I have drank well over 100 of these by now, so.... But if you have not read the other reviews I guess I can sum it up for you. "Drink it in seconds, feel it in minutes, lasts for hours." Really, they are not lying. As I stated above, and in past reviews, 5 hour is one of the few drinks that I actually buy on my own (another one being Whey Up). The energy ingredients include caffeine(about as much as a cup of coffee), tons of b-vitamins, taurine and a bunch of other stuff (complete list of 5-Hour Energy Shot Ingredients). Kick Rating - 9.5

5 Hour Orange Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
I love the fact that 5-Hour continues to expand their product line up and improve on the taste of their product. They have 3 flavors currently available (lemon lime, original berry, orange) as well as a low caffeine and extra strength version. Don't take my word for it, try one for yourself. You can find them almost everywhere but it seems the cheapest place to buy them is online in bulk. I think they even sell it in cases of 36 now! Final Judgment - 9.5

Cost: $2.29
Cost Per Ounce:$0.15
Active Ingredients:Guarana, B-Vitamins, Ginseng, Bunch of other stuff...
Taste Rating:8.9
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee Review (Vanilla Flavor):
My last Starbucks Energy Drink review was about a month and a half ago. Now I have stated before that I am not a huge fan of coffee flavored Energy Drinks; however, I was quite pleased with the initial results, prompting me to review the Vanilla flavor today. Starbucks also offers a Mocha flavor as well (3 flavors total) which I will review eventually. But for today, let's see how the Starbucks Vanilla flavored energy + coffee fairs in the taste and kick review.

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee Review (Vanilla Flavor): Taste
As I stated above, I am not a huge coffee fan. I just want to reiterate that point, so you the reader, don't think that I am being biased in the taste category as some people, especially coffee fanatics would probably rate the taste of this beverage higher than I would. Anyways... onto the taste review. First off the 15 ounce can has the distinct Starbucks coffee blend to it. It also has an overwhelming vanilla flavor to it which almost makes it taste somewhat like a vanilla flavored coffee shake. Yes, it was actually quite good, even from the prospective of a person that is not apt to drink coffee flavored energy drinks. I might even go so far as to say that the majority of the coffee flavor is washed away with vanilla; which is probably the reason I liked the taste so much. Taste Rating - 8.9

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee Review (Vanilla Flavor): Kick
So what kind of energy ingredients are in this 15 ounce can? Well the energy ingredients include the following: 2000 milligrams of Maltodextrin, 1800 milligrams of taurine, 450 milligrams of L-Carnitine, 180 milligrams of Inosistol, 325 milligrams of Panax Ginseng, B-Vitamins and 90 milligrams of Guarana which seems to be the same blend as the previous Starbucks Energy drink that I reviewed. Another plus for this drink is that there is only 28 milligrams of sugar in the entire 15 ounce can. This might seem to be a lot of sugar to some, but considering some market leaders have upwards of 70 grams of sugar... it's not too bad. All in all I would have to say the Vanilla Doubleshot from Starbucks gave me several hours of energy with no real crash. I was quite impressed. Kick Rating - 8.8

Starbucks doubleshot Energy + Coffee Review (Vanilla Flavor): Final Judgment
As I stated several times above... I am not a big coffee fan. However, combining the excellent taste and kick of the Vanilla Doubleshot from Starbucks would prompt me to buy one of these again. At $2.29, the price tag is competitive (actually relatively cheap for Starbucks) and the availability is almost endless. Starbucks has tried this avenue before, but there previous drinks were marketed more as RTD coffee beverages whereas this new lineup is taking a stab at the coffee flavored energy drink market (slight difference). Although Starbucks introduced there new coffee + energy lineup after Monster and Rockstar, the initial results (at least from this reviewer) are quite positive. So stay tuned for the review of the Mocha flavor as well. Final Judgment - 8.8

Cost: $6.00 (bought on ebay)
Cost Per Ounce:16 Ounces
Active Ingredients:Melatonin, Rose Hips, & Valerian Roo
Taste Rating:8.4
Kick Rating:0
Final Judgment Rating:NA
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Purple Drank Energy Drink Review:
I know what some of you are thinking... How is the Purple Drank Energy Drink even making it into a review on this site? It's basically the Anti-Energy Drink? Well we will just have to say curiosity got the best of this reviewer, so I had to try the Purple Drank Energy Drink (or should I say anti ED?) which I picked up on Ebay. For those of you not quite up on your slang, Purple Drank is a slang term for a drug popularized in the rap world with the main ingredient being prescription cough syrup (codeine). With a tagline like "slow your roll" Purple Drank seems to be going for the same effects, albeit it from a can and not containing any prescription based cough syrup ingredients. So it has been a busy Friday and a busy week, so let's see if this new Drank can help me relax.

Purple Drank Energy Drink Review: Taste
What does it the 16 ounce anti-energy drink taste like? Well the purple can pretty much gives away the flavoring. That's right, it is pretty much grape flavored with a hint of carbonation. Do you think the grape taste was inspired by the rap community as well? Either way the taste was a little bland, but overall it seems to have a relaxing quality to it and I haven't even finished it yet. Taste Rating - 8.4

Purple Drank Energy Drink Review: (ANTI) Kick
So obviously this section is going to be slightly different than the normal section... I.E. no kick factor here. Sop did Purple Drank slow my roll? Well the all natural herbs Melatonin, Rose Hips, & Valerian Root (which are supposed to mimic the effects of codeine & promethazine) did something to me. Kind of hard to describe since I never tried the real thing, but it did make me really, really relaxed. I don't know if all the the effects came from this drank or if some where from the long week or if I was having caffeine withdrawals from the absence of my normal energy drink. Not really 100% sure but it definitely did what it was supposed to.... Kick Rating - 0

Purple Drank Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
SO I would definitely have to say that this is an anti ED. It slowed me down quite a bit and was overall quite a unique review. I don't know if this is for me really as I liked to be wired. But hey it seems to be popular in larger markets which means it should be hitting suburbia within the next couple years :). Anyways the only place I found these online were on Ebay. So unless you live in a larger market like Houston, good luck finding one. Final Judgment - Not really sure how I would apply this...

Cost: $2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.24
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Maca, Ginseng, Gingko, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.2
Kick Rating:8.6
Final Judgment Rating:8.5
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Life Energy Drink Review:
I know, I know, I have been slacking on reviewing Energy Drinks lately.... But it's the middle of summer and I am really short on time. Don't get me wrong, I continue to consume ED's on a daily basis, I just don't have the time to review them (but that should pick up once summer comes to a close). For example I have been sitting on the review of the Life Energy Drink for about 2 months now, so I guess it's time I finally post the review on taste and kick.

Life Energy Drink Review: Taste
First off the lightly carbonated 8.4 ounce Life Energy Drink has a very noticeable citrus flavor. However, I believe there is also somewhat of a peachy aftertaste as well... Along with that peach aftertaste comes a slight medicinal aftertaste. Don't get me wrong, it's better than some of the industry leaders, but it is still pretty noticeable. Even with the slight aftertaste, it really did not take too long for me to down the tiny 8.4 ounce Life Energy Drink. It actually almost tastes like a Mountain Dew. Taste Rating - 8.2

Life Energy Drink Review: Kick
So the taste was not too bad at all, but far from unique... Will the Life Energy Drink hold up in the kick category? Well the energy ingredients include caffeine, ginseng root extract, MACA extract and a decent amount of b-vitamins. The combination of these really did not deliver the kick I was looking for. Maybe if they had a 16 ounce version I wouldn't be left needing more. Anyways, I am not sure that they were going for the Strongest Energy Drink on the market. I think they are going for more of a mix between energy drink and sport drink (potassium from Maca Root) while providing more of a natural boost. If that is the case then they seemed to have hit the target on the mark. Kick Rating - 8.6

Life Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Not the strongest or best tasting energy drink on the market but definitely worth a try if you can find it. At the very least this should help make a good tasting mixer with a little pick me up (just don't over do it). I would like to see the same drink released in a low cal version as it might appeal more to the sports enthusiast...Final Judgment - 8.5

Cost:$2.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.13
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:8.4
Final Judgment Rating:8.4
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Thrive Energy Drink Review:
Well it's been a couple days since I reviewed actual Energy Drinks, what with the chocolate chews and powders.... But today I will be reviewing the 8.4 ounce original Thrive Energy Drink, which is also offered in a sugar free version as well (which I will review at a later time). I really don't know too much else about the Thrive Energy Drink besides that they seem to have a pretty strong affiliate program. That and the Thrive tagline asks, "Can You Handle It?" I guess there is only one way to find out. So let's get on with the taste and kick ratings.

Order Thrive Here

Thrive Energy Drink Review: Taste
Well the 8.3 ounce original Thrive seems to taste somewhat similar to Red Bull with the exception that it does not have near the medicinal after taste. Instead of the medicinal aftertaste it has a bubble gum aftertaste. Overall it was quite well received by this reviewer. Oh if you have ever had the Bomba Energy Drink and liked it, then you should like Thrive as well. Taste Rating - 8.5

Thrive Energy Drink Review: Kick
Well the medicinal aftertaste was replaced with a bubblegum aftertaste, but will the kick be sacrificed? Well the energy ingredient list includes Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana and a bunch of b-vitamins. So yeah it does have more energy ingredients then Red Bull which would be plenty for most reviewers, but not me. Don't get me wrong, I got a pretty decent kick, I just wish they would come out with a 16 ounce Thrive as well. Kick Rating - 8.4

Thrive Energy Drink Review: Final Judgment
Overall Thrive was not too shabby. Pretty good taste and a decent kick. Offering a 16 ounce version would be a big step. Well, at least they have a sugar free version to try out as well. You can find out further information and order thrive Here. Final Judgment - 8.4

Cost:$0.50
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.0
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:9.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

4C Totally Light 2GO Drink Mix - Energy Rush Orange Review:
Allright I can already see some of you saying, what kind of Energy Drink is this? Well, trust me, with a name like this I thought the same thing. However, one of the taglines on the box caught my attention - "More Energy... Less Money!!" Today I will be reviewing the orange flavor but this drink also comes in Citrus and Berry. You can't buy single packets, but you can buy a case for $6.99 which gives you 14 ready to mix packets. For the purpose of this review, I will be mixing it in 16 ounces of water. Let's see how Totally Light 2Go Enery Rush performs in the taste and kick categories.

4C Totally Light 2GO Drink Mix - Energy Rush Orange Review: Taste
Well first off the name on the package pretty much states what you get for taste, at least when you mix it with water. This drink is slightly carbonated and is also sugar free. I was a little hesitant before I tried this as some ready to mix powders have not faired the greatest in the taste categories. Totally Light 2Go was not bad, the carbonation helped, but it was pretty much a tang tasting orange drink which I happened to enjoy. Taste Rating - 8.0

4C Totally Light 2GO Drink Mix - Energy Rush Orange Review: Kick
So each packet is actually 2 servings. Of course I used the whole packet, who wouldn't? Each packet is supposed to be equivalent to 2 8.3 ounce Energy Drinks, so about 2 Red Bulls. Well it does not list the caffeine content or exact amount of taurine in each packet, but I would have to say the amount of energy I got from this would definitely be pretty close to any normal 16 ounce energy drink. Kick Rating 8.8

4C Totally Light 2GO Drink Mix - Energy Rush Orange Review: Final Judgment
So a decent taste and a pretty good kick. The best thing about Totally Light 2Go Energy Rush is that for $6.99 you get 14 packets which equates to $.50 a packet... or 4 of these compared to your typical 16 ounce ED. So for the price, taste and kick you really can't go wrong. Final Judgment - 9.0 (extra points for price)

Cost: $1.99
Cost Per Ounce:$0.24
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, B-Vitamins, Ginseng
Taste Rating:8.8
Kick Rating:8.2
Final Judgment Rating:8.6
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

All In Energy Drink Review - Grape:
So there are countless Energy Drinks being introduced everyday, each filling their own little niche in the market. Well today I will be reviewing the first of 3 flavors of the new 8.4 ounce All In Energy Drink. The niche that All In Energy Drinks are filling is the poker market. That's right, this drink is even the sponsor of the extremely popular World Series of Poker. Now I am an avid Poker Player, but in all honesty, there is no way I could make a living doing it. So instead I will review all 3 of the new All In Energy Drink flavors, Citrus, Root Beer and Grape which I will be reviewing today. Oh yeah, did I mention that all 3 flavors are sugar free, and that each 8.4 ounce can only has 10 calories? Anyways, onto the kick and taste review.

All In Energy Drink Review - Grape: Taste
Alright, as some of you may heard me mention before, Sugar Free Energy Drinks can be hit or miss in the taste category. Fortunately for the All In Grape Energy Drink, they seem to have nailed the formula down pretty good, and that's no bluff. So there is no sugar, but the grape taste falls just short of a sugary kool aid grape flavor. Now the taste is not original, there are several other Ed's that have a grape flavor, but it definitely hits the spot. Taste Rating - 8.8

All In Energy Drink Review - Grape: Kick
So the grape flavor is pretty good, especially for being sugar free, but will it provide the focus and energy you need to win an all night hold em' game? Well, I didn't test out the poker theory since I didn't feel like losing any money (not that I would ever gamble for money), but with energy ingredients that include: taurine, caffeine, b-vitamins and ginseng I definitely felt a worthy kick. If all in made a 16 ounce drink I would have been thrilled with the kick. The 8.4 ounce All In did deliver a good kick, but it was only slightly better than market leader Red Bull. However, I did feel more focused, which would come in handy in a poker game, whereas a jittery overdose of caffeine would not. So the kick suits the market... Kick Rating - 8.2

All In Energy Drink Review - Grape: Final Judgment
Decent flavor and a decent kick. I love that it is sugar free... I mean would you want a sugar crash right in the middle of a 4 hour poker tournament? Anyways, you can Buy Them Online Here. When you buy them online it looks like you get a chance to get an invite to the $500,000 Poker Tournament. I wouldn't stand a chance, but some of you probably would. Final Judgment - 8.6

Cost: $3.00
Cost Per Ounce:$0.50 per piece
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, B-Vitamins
Taste Rating:8.6
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.8
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Buzz Bites Mint Chocolate Energy Chews:
In my last post I talked about taking a short break from reviewing Energy Drinks to review the new Buzz Bites Chews. My last review was on the Chocolate Buzz bites, and I was pretty impressed. So, I thought I would go ahead and inhale some more caffeine, just for you readers, and try out the Mint Chocolate flavor from Buzz Bites. I mean, what's another 100 milligrams of caffeine for the day right.... These chews cost $3.00 so each piece costs $0.50, which is not too bad for the energy you get for them. Onto the review of the Buzz Bites Mint Chocolate Chews.

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Buzz Bites Mint Chocolate Energy Chews: Taste
Alright, I liked the plain Chocolate flavor from my prior review of the chews, but as I mentioned I am not a huge fan of chocolate, so I was really looking forward to trying the Mint Chocolate Chew. Turns out it tastes fairly similar to an Andes Mint. If you have not had one of them all I can say is that the addition of the mint flavor is a definite plus as it masks any and all medicinal aftertaste from the energy ingredients. Nice improvement! Taste Rating - 8.9

Buzz Bites Mint Chocolate Energy Chews: Kick
Alright, they improved the taste quite a bit. However, the energy and kick from this chew is the same as the last one I tried. Which by the way is nothing to shy away from as each individual chew has 100 milligrams of caffeine, which is actually 25% more caffeine than what's in a Red Bull. Along with the caffeine comes ginseng, taurine and b-vitamins. The best part is that the chew will only set you back $0.50! As I also mentioned in my prior review of Buzz Bites, I am somewhat of a energy junky so I had two of these and the kick was phenomenal, especially for $1.00! Kick Rating - 8.5

Buzz Bites Mint Chocolate Energy Chews: Final Judgment
Well I reviewed both flavors and the mint chocolate flavor is my favorite. I also like the compact design of the tin, the price tag and the energy ingredients from these little chews. I recommend trying one of these out... I mean each tin will give you 600 milligrams of caffeine plus all the other energy ingredients (just don't eat them all at once), not bad at all for the price. Final Judgment - 9.0 (extra points for price!)

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