Adrenalin Rush

SoBe Beverages, USA

The Word:

Get It Up! Keep It Up!

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 35mg

What I Reckon:

A cola drink, similar to Columbian Cola but not as good. Taste isn't too bad, but not very refined. The 'adrenaline rush' is more like an 'adrenaline puff', something to be given to senior citizens to get them pumped for a game of Bridge.

Rating:

3/10 - Adrenaline Puff

Black Stallion

The Word:

"Black Stallion Energy Drink is a scientifically balanced, great tasting, sparkling energy drink which increases the levels of essential electrolytes and fluids your body needs before and after sustained, strenuous exercise."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Acidity regulators

Stats: (per 100mL)

Energy: 180kJ, Sucrose: 10.8g

What I Reckon:

Think carbonated fruit juice. Think expensive. Think groovy can. Think Black Stallion. It's a nice drink, originating from Singapore which has relatively no after-taste and a fruity present-taste :). I suppose it's aimed at the sporty-types, with all those electrolytes and the like - all we want is lots of guraná and caffeine, at a cheap price. The ultimate downfall of this drink is it's lack of availability, small can and high price. Ignoring that, its a top drink.

Rating:

5/10 - Lots of scarily named ingredients. Nice can.

Burn

The Word:

"Energy is everywhere. It can take you anywhere you want to go. It starts here - burn"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Niacin, Vitamins C and B, Gingseng

Stats: (per 100mL)

Taurine: 60mg, Guaraná: 5.2mg, Ginseng: 3mg, Energy: 198kJ

What I Reckon:

A fruity, raspberry flavour with an unfortunate tinge of cough medicine taste to it. This is a very modest drink by Coca-Cola, with very minimal amounts of anything good in it. This is an ideal geriatric's drink - it won't raise the heart rate of that weak, pacemaker assisted lump of muscle (note: I have nothing but respect for geriatrics). Stay clear of this one, kids.

Rating:

4/10 - Get yourself a real drink

Brute Force

Brute Force

The Word:

"Force it! Or back off..."

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Inositol, Lysine

Stats: (per 100mL)

Taurine: 1600mg, Caffeine: 20mg, Sucrose: 16g

What I Reckon:

This drink, popular in it's country of origin - Thailand, is now being exported to markets around the world. A nice fruit flavour, similar to Red Bull, but without the bubbles. Has a couple of goodies not found in many places, such as inositol which is good for cholesterol levels (apparently). I enjoyed the drink, which has a pleasant flavour, and not as sweet as a lot of other drinks. Brute Force also delivers a great energy kick from a taurine-based powerplant. No, I didn't horribly screw up the picture. It really is a stubby, 250mL can.

Rating:

8/10 - Great power, good flavour. A bit different thanks to the non-carbonation.

Blue Jeans

SMART Drinks Ltd., Liechtenstein

The Word:

"Sparkling Energy Drink"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Electrolytes.

Stats: (per 100mL)

Energy: 230kJ, Sucrose: 12g

What I Reckon:

This import from the Netherlands is quite nasty. Its got all the extra minerals and stuff to put back what the work takes out (or so they tell me), but I don't think they really spent much time on developing the flavour. I wouldn't recommend it. Oh, it's over-priced too.
Update: SMART Drinks Ltd. of Liechtenstein seem to be the owners of this brand now

Rating:

1/10 - Better luck next-time.

Blue Ox Original

Indrinks, Austria

The Word:

"Formulated caffeinated beverage"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Taurine, Vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Taurine: 160mg, Caffeine: 31mg, Ginseng Extract: 10mg, Guarana: 10mg, Inositol: 8mg, Energy: 183kJ, Sugars: 10.8g

What I Reckon:

Maybe one should be wary when the ingredients list contains "colour brilliant blue". At least they don't try to pretend in it's in any way a naturally occurring colour - as well all know, brilliant blue citrus fruit is long extinct. Once you get past the colour, this drink has that generic energy-drink taste that doesn't particularly delight or amaze, and has a slight metallic tang to it. Under the hood though this drink does a great job of powering a human body with just about compound you'd want in a energy drink

Rating:

6/10 - A brilliantly powerful blue

Blue Ox Orange Rush

Indrinks, Austria

The Word:

"High Energy Vitamin and Energy Boost"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Taurine, Vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Taurine: 160mg, Caffeine: 31mg, Ginseng Extract: 10mg, Guarana: 10mg, Inositol: 8mg, Energy: 180kJ, Sugars: 10.5g

What I Reckon:

Sharing the same powerplant from Blue Ox Original this drink has a bit of citric acid and beta carotene bunged in for that orange softdrink-like experience. While the flavour is more agreeable than Original one can't help but liken it to what one would imagine an alien race to concoct after they've watched some Sunkist advertisements and given a Coke to drink. Awfully orange coloured, but not much like orange.

Rating:

7/10 - A powerful orange-flavoured number

Columbian Cola

The Word:

"This cola is not for wimps"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Yerba Mate

Stats: (per 100mL)

What I Reckon:

This one does actually seem powerful. Maybe it's the addition of Yerba Mate or more caffeine but this drink seems to have a powerful effect. It tastes rather like Jolt, but the taste is not as polished. Probably the most powerful cola-flavoured drink.

Rating:

7/10 - A Jolted-Jolt.

Dark Dog, Austria

Dark Dog

The Word:

"Guaraná & vitamin energy drink"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Taurine, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Vitamins B6 and B1, Riboflavin

Stats: (per 100mL)

Guaraná: 200mg, Taurine: 400mg, Caffeine: 32mg, Dextrose: 154mg, Energy: 210kJ

What I Reckon:

*Yawn*. Is there no inspiration any more? This drink is your typical middle-of-the-road fruity gurana drink. If anything its a low end one, with nasty after taste. It's made in Austria by the way, using the "clear natural spring water of from Austria, country of the Alps". Well how about that.

Rating:

2/10 - Boring.

Dirty Dog Cola

The Word:

"Add a bit of bite to your day. Cola, caffeine and natural amazonian guraná combined to give some teeth to your life without chewing a hole in your pocket. Stand out from the pack and go get 'em."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Cacao extract

Stats:

What I Reckon:

This Kiwi import is a bit of a rare find and is quite enjoyable. Taste wise, it is very comparable to Jolt-Cola, sharing the similar after-taste. But, why have Jolt with plain 'ol caffeine when you can have caffeine and guraná in a cola? My sentiments exactly. Perhaps if it was more widely available, I'd go for Dirty Dog every time, but in most cases, when you want an energy-packed cola, you'll have to go for the Jolt - or better still Columbian Cola

Rating:

5/10 - Very close to Columbian Cola - but which is better?

Dirty Dog Lemonade

The Word:

"Stay sharp, stay cool. Catus, lemon, caffeine and guraná combined to give a spiky, mean favour. Guranteed to sharpen up your act."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Cactus extract

Stats:

What I Reckon:

Interesting. Neither lemonade nor a Lift-type lemon drink. We can put this down to the cactus extract - giving the drink a very unique flavour. For those who do not like the usual guraná drinks, this one will give a pleasant alternative.

Rating:

6/10 - Unique.

Dirty Dog Desert Dust

The Word:

"Desert Dust"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats:

What I Reckon:

A creaming soda energy drink! What will those crazy mofos over at Dirty Dog do next - put gurana in milk? Desert Dust is a great idea, and tastes tops. They're definately pushing the envelope on unique flavours. Like the Sour Puss, there is little gurana taste, as there seems to be little in it!

Rating:

7/10 - It's creaming soda with punch

Dirty Dog Sour Puss

The Word:

"Twice the Fight"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats:

What I Reckon:

Authentic lemon, lime and bitters taste with little hint of the power in the drink. Props to the Dirty Dog people to making a energy drink for the newbies, it's got a great flavour and none of the usual gurana taste (downside is that there is less of a hit). I dig drinks like this that get away from the main flavour types and do something new.

Rating:

7/10 - Great flavour

Dirty Dog Sour Puss

The Word:

"Twice the Fight"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats:

What I Reckon:

Authentic lemon, lime and bitters taste with little hint of the power in the drink. Props to the Dirty Dog people to making a energy drink for the newbies, it's got a great flavour and none of the usual gurana taste (downside is that there is less of a hit). I dig drinks like this that get away from the main flavour types and do something new.

Rating:

7/10 - Great flavour

Dextro Mango

Dextro Energy Drinks, Germany

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 25mg, Energy: 351kJ

What I Reckon:

Very subtle combination of mango and orange

Rating:

4/10 - Good taste

Dextro Orange

Dextro Energy Drinks, Germany

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 25mg, Energy: 343kJ

What I Reckon:

Much like a Fanta, this is a nice little simply energy drink

Rating:

4/10 - Different flavour

Dynamite

Dynamite Energy Drinks, Spain

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Mineral salts

Stats: (per 100mL)

Energy: 202kJ

What I Reckon:

Not sure if Dynamite is sold internationally (I picked it up in Spain), but if it's not - no great loss. The world does not mourn the lack of another Red Bull clone. There's really nothing to say other than it's the same 'ol formula but in a red can instead of silver and blue. However, on the positive side to see how evil a Flash-based website can be, I encourage you to check out their website.

Rating:

3/10 - I gave it a 6 (the same as Red Bull but minused 3 for lack of creativity).

E2 Berry Blast

Coca-Cola

The Word:

"Beyond the ordinary, beyond just energy, flavour to blow your mind"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Guarana, Vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 30mg, Taurine: 60mg, Energy: 195kJ

What I Reckon:

Sweet, and with a full-bodied berry flavour. Very drinkable, but the Berry Blast is left rather wanting in the energy arena. Another rather lackluster effort from Coca-Cola.

Rating:

6/10 - Good strong flavour, but not super powerful.

E2 Citrus Kick

Coca-Cola

The Word:

"Beyond the ordinary, beyond just energy, flavour to blow your mind"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Guarana, Vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 30mg, Taurine: 60mg, Energy: 193kJ

What I Reckon:

This is as uninspired as they come. Overly sweet and artificial-tasting.

Rating:

4/10 - Orange and caffeine

Erektus

Pinelli, Czech Republic

The Word:

"Very refreshing!"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Gingseng, Damiann

Stats: (per 100mL)

Taurine: 400mg, Caffeine: 30mg, Energy: 156kJ

What I Reckon:

This curiously named drink from the Czech Republic is rather disappointing. Raspberry flavoured, non-carbonated and rather flavoursome.

Rating:

3/10 - Average, interesting name though.

Extreme Energy Shot

The Word:

"Maximum Performance Blend"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Gingseng

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 40mg, Guaraná: 40mg, Gingseng: 40mg

What I Reckon:

Weird, indistinct flavour. Apparently contains 10% juice cocktail of pear, apple and peach. Strong metallic tang, low bubbles and medium sweetness

Rating:

4/10 - Nothing special

Go Fast!

Go Fast Sports and Beverage Co.

The Word:

"Pure energy"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Taurine, Ginseng, Vitamin B6 & B12, Ginkgo Bilboa, Milk Thistle Herb

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg, Guaraná: 30mg, Gingseng: 100mg, Ginkgo Bilboa: 30mg, Energy: 150kJ

What I Reckon:

The first listed feature ingredient on the front of the can is Australian honey. The last, milk thistle herb. I knew this one was going to be an oddball. Oddball it is, and a scrumptious oddball at that. Flavour is unique, almost like those clear Gummi Bears, if that's any help. Fairly light on the sugar and carbonation is a plus in my books, and they've thrown a veritable witches' cauldron of other goodies in it.

Rating:

7/10 - A top energy drink with a unique flavour