Energy Drink Guru

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!! We are gonna sample some CRUNK!!! today. Whaaaaaaaat??

Lets crack open this 250mL can and see what we get…. first we see a murky / cloudy cranberry color that provides a decent aroma. Once you take a sip you will notice that CRUNK taste better than it smells. (that’s a good thing compared to some of the other drinks that fool ya with a great aroma) We found minimal carbonation, minimal aftertaste and a definitely unique flavor that separates CRUNK from the other “baby aspirin” energy drinks out there. The pomegranate juice may be the source for interesting flavor that arouses your taste buds. (I didn’t see a specific juice % content on the can)

CRUNK is loaded with the standard goods and all kinds of additional goodies: horny goat weed, ashwaganda, grape seed extract, milk thistle, ginko biloba, skull cap, white willow bark, damiana and black carrot extract (for color).

CRUNK is unique drink and is worth a shot if you haven’t tried it yet.

CRUNK!!! Energy Drink was co-created and launched in 2004 by the late beverage industry legend Sidney Frank, creator of Grey Goose vodka and founder of Sidney Frank Importing Company (importer of Jägermeister), along with Lil’ Jon, the Grammy award winning artist and producer who is still onboard with CRUNK!!! as Chief Brand Advisor.

Let’s jet into the weekend with Jetset Energy Original review!

Jetset has a fun looking can with the Austin Powers swirl effect in the background, the DJ working a pair of turntables on the backside of the can and all the world clocks at the top of the can. I did notice the can was slightly large than a Redbull at 10.5oz (310mL) so you score an extra swig or two with Jetset!

Lets crack this can open and start this review………. Jetset offers a very similar aroma to the ‘bull and has a strong orange/gold color that draws your attention. The color, aroma and taste also remind me of a drink called “Dark Scorpion” and that was a tasty drink also. Jetset has very fine micro bubbles that assault your tongue, I am not a fan of heavy carbonation but I enjoyed the micro bubbles! I also noticed some there is a metallic aftertaste if you take a small sip but if you take a big swig you don’t notice it that much. There is a slight aftertaste/cottonmouth but nothing more than a light residue film that disappears after 60 secs.

Jetset has a slightly tart flavor, it’s milder than Monster but similar to Red Bull.  Edit 8/7/08  I just had another Jetset and I noticed more cottonmouth and aftertaste than I had originally posted.

Jetset offers the usually suspects:HFCS, 1000mg taurine, 50mg inositol, 25mg ginseng, 120mg caffeine, 25mg guarana and B vitamins.

If you are out and about, grab a Jetset and let me know what you think.

Monster Energy is up for advertising on just about anything these days! I was just in Vegas for a convention and the monorail looks pretty cool! When you are inside they have a video playing with various Monster sponsored athletes (BMX, Moto-X ect….)

They also have a Monster vending machine that sells the 16oz cans for $2. Now that’s one of the best deals in Vegas. NYNY hotel was selling 8oz cans of Redbull for $4.25

I was hoping to find some new drinks out there but nothing new or interesting……

Amp Elevate is part of a new 3 flavor release by Mt Dew.  The can design is similar to the others but I really dig the blue color combo and blue pull tab!

Elevate is branded as “Focus” with L-Theanine, this is the first energy drink I have sampled that has highlighted this amino acid that is normally found in tea.  Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress and also promotes alpha wave production in the brain.

Let’s crack this open and see what we get!!!!  I spy a crimson maroon color that is slightly cloudy upon pouring in a cup. (Very similar to Chambord liqueur)  The first sip produces a very sharp taste followed by strong carbonation that assaults your tongue.  I can handle the strong carbby feel that Elevate provides, it’s not overpowering or distracting.

Elevate is listed as a “Blast of Mixed Berry” and I will agree 100% on that, there is almost any kind of berry you can think of…. blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, blackberry and it finishes up with a light citrus aftertaste and a slight filmy residue on the roof of your mouth!

As for the goodies it seems that L-Theanine is the highlight that provided a nice focus factor (which could be all BS but I thought so), only 248mg of taurine, 160mg of caffeine, 148mg of guarana and 34mg of ginseng.

I would have no problem drinking Elevate anytime, it was refreshing, not overpowering and besides the slight filmy aftertaste I’d give this 2 thumbs up!

Hot off the shelf from the local Speedway gas station, EDG is proud to bring you Monster Mixxd! Monster has just release another batch of new flavors and this is the first one (energy + juice) that I have found.

The can is very similar to the M80 design but with purple, not a bad looking can. The pull tab is black and has the “M” etched on it.

Lets crack this open and see what we get…. very little carbonation upon opening and minimal fizz when poured into a glass. Mixxd has a deep purple color that almost looks like a cola from certain angles and light conditions. The first swig of Mixxd is very interesting….. it reminds me of a diet cola mixed with prune juice. (yes, that bad) I had to call in a second opinion from my coworkers to confirm my findings and they all agreed on the prune juice flavor and smell. I have to admit that Mixxd gets better after a few swigs, that first one really shocks you!! I had left a few sips in my glass while I took some phone calls and I decided to drink that about 20 mins later. WOW, what a difference 20 mins made on this flavor! The horrible prune taste has disappeared and now we have smooth apple / grape taste that is smooth, finishes cleans and no aftertaste at all! I didn’t know energy drink were like fine wine, we have to sample certain type at specific temperatures!

Mixxd includes all your standard goodies that previous Monster drinks had (taurine, ginseng, B vitamins, guarana, inositol and L-carnitine)

Overall I rate this as an average drink, I will not be running out to buy more but if someone gave me a can I would be more than happy to drink it.

If you don’t like it….. Monster will refund your $$$ (Limit 1 refund per customer)

I am going to get straight to the point! THIS STUFF ROCKS! (no pun intended)

I was a huge Rockstar Guava fan but it looks like Punched is going to give it a run for the money! RS tropical punch makes Hawaiian Punch taste like water!

I really enjoy this drink, its refreshing, crisp, good robust flavor, nice inviting red/pink color,  mild carbonation and the best part is that it finishes cleans and no dry aftertaste!  If you are trying to decided between BooKoo Punch and RSP there is no contest, put that bookoo down and go straight for the RSP unless you enjoy cottonmouth!

RSP comes in a 16 oz can and also includes the red pull tab with the etched in RR on it.

The goodies include: 2000mg taurine, 300mg ginkgo, 240mg caffeine, 50mg guarana, 50mg inositol, 50mg ginseng and 40mg milk thistle.

NOS Grape offers an eye catching can with colors similar to Rockstar Guava. This high performance energy drink delivers that trademark artificial grape smell… snow cones, gum, suckers, candy or kool-aid. If there was dictionary with smells, this is what would be listed for grape.

Now that we are done sniffing that artificial grape aroma let take a swig of this drink…..WOW, artificial grape flavor to match that aroma! If I blindfolded you and had you sample this you would think it was grape soda. There is no energy taste at all, just lots or robust artificial grape flavor. I happen to like grape soda so this drink taste good to me, but I don’t wanna pay $2 to drink pop.

NOS grape offers the usual suspects: 2000mg taurine, 400mg L-carnitine, 250mg caffeine, 200mg inositol, 100mg panax ginseng and B vitamins.

If you like expensive grape pop/soda… I got the perfect drink for you!

Today we have a Dickens Energy Cider (DEC) on the sample table! Dickens is distributed by DC Brands. The marketing department decided to go for a black hair chic with red thigh highs and a skimpy red skirt holding a pitch fork! I think they did a good job, too bad the label is better than the drink. DC Brands has all kinds of marketing, they have a model search competition, has promo events at Hooters ect… DEC has a lot of T&A associated with it which is fine by me.

DEC comes in a 16 oz can, offers a fruity aroma on that first sniff and has a standard gold color that looks clear and refreshing. The first sip of DEC is interesting you get all these tiny carbonation bubbles working on your tongue and finishes up with mild to standard carbonation…. BUT once you swallow that first sip you’d think someone just stuffed a bunch of cotton in your mouth!!! DEC has a very DRY taste and leaves you with awful cotton mouth and a film residue on the roof of your mouth.

DEC includes a pretty standard list of goodies: caffeine, taurine, inositol, B vitamins, citric acid and HORNY GOAT WEED!

DEC has the following slogan on the can:

“Taste the Difference, Feel the Difference”

I sure taste the difference…… a difference that I am not hip to. Reminds me of Windex mixed in with an energy drink.

Do you have an odd ball drink that you really love but don’t find many people that share your same feeling? EDG wants to hear from you about your good ‘ol standby!! Send me over something good and I’ll even post it up as a guest entry! Send your entries to energydrinkguru {at} gmail {dot} com.

One of my old time favorites has been discontinued by Fuse it was Omega Energy (Mango Passionfruit). My buddy Rob introduced me to this fine nectar and it was an instant hit in my energy drink book! This drink was the perfect compliment to a draggin’ ass Monday morning, fresh vibrant orangy passionfruit flavor that just got ya going even before the taurine and ginseng hit ya! This drink was in the #1 position for quite some time in my ratings book. Rockstar Guava is in my current top 3 along with Omega but not quite sure if it takes the win.

It’s just not the same anymore with Omega in the fridge!  If you have seen Omega in you r area please drop me a line, I need to get me some more!!!!!!!!

Time for bed, I’m outta here for tonight!

Today we have a no name drink that we will call “Japan energy”! This was purchased at an Asian market in Seattle for $1.50 This drink comes in a 100 mL brown glass bottle with a screw top cap and lots of Japanese writing on it. I went to the website listed but they did not have an English translation.

Japan energy has a vitamin smell to it once you crack the cap, maybe like those liquid filled vitamin E capsules or a Centrum. It’s a strong smell that will grab your nose right away! JE is a non carbonated, has a deep gold color and seems to be a thicker consistency than your normal energy drink. It’s not cough syrup thick but just in between them.

This may not have the consistency of cough syrup….but it sure does have a medicine taste that is pretty strong and lays on your tongue heavy!

To be honest, I am not even sure if this is an energy drink This may be some Japanese cough syrup for all I know?

I think you will be fine if you pass on this drink, I really don’t even know what this stuff was and I am not drinking it again!