Niagara

Nordic Drinks Sweden AB, Sweden

The Word:

"Brings you to life"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Yerba Mate

What I Reckon:

This has to be the worse drink I have ever encountered - if Hell has a drink factory, it would be pumping this stuff out. It has a very nasty aluminium-tainted taste to it, and is just plain nasty. There is a great promise of 'love herbs - for good staying power' but if this is what love tastes like, I'll pass thanks. Avoid at all costs.

Rating:

0/10 - Evil, bottled.

Nice

Nordic Drinks Sweden AB, Sweden

The Word:

"A real friend for the day after the night before"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Ginseng

Stats (per 100mL):

Energy: 160kJ

What I Reckon:

Once you get past the awkward name, the drink isn't so bad. A light, fruity flavour with a hint of iced-tea. Nothing spectacular in this drink, but still quite pleasant.

Rating:

3/10 - Fruity, with a hint of iced-tea.

Power Point

Rhodius Mineralquellen

The Word:

"Refreshing with Taurine"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Vitamins (C and B6)

Stats: (per 100mL)
Energy: 217kJ

What I Reckon:

This yellow, Red Bull-style drink is heavy on the bubbles and has a aluminium-like after-taste that is non too pleasant. Taste-wise they appear to be chasing after the Red Bull market, but cannot match it. Yet another company that has broken into Red Bull's offices at night, stole the formula and rebadged it (Ok, I can't really back that up).

Rating:

2/10 - Poor imitation

Proton

The Word:

"Guaraná blast - zero alcohol"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Acidity regulators

Stats:

What I Reckon:

The blast part is right. This drink absolutely knocks you about. There is not another drink out there with this much good stuff in it. Drink a couple of these, and you'll be the life of the party, for good or for worse - plus, you can drive home. The only negative of this top drink is that the metallic after-taste might put off newcomers, and it seems to be only available from liqour stores (oh yeah, its pretty pricey too). If you want maximum guraná, go the Proton.

Rating:

9/10 - If only a nicer taste for newbies.

Recharge

The Word:

"Energises and Refreshes"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Ginseng, Vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 20mg, Energy: 176kJ

What I Reckon:

Another foray into energy drinks by the Coca-Cola Company, Recharge is a super-charged version of the Sprite lemonade. Of course this is a transparent marketing tactic co-opting the existing Sprite brand to leverage the new drink. Unfortunately for Coca-Cola, this drink tastes like carbonated medicine. It has nothing to recommend it.

Red Bull

Red Bull GmbH, Austria

The Word:

"Red Bull gives you wings"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Inositol, Vitamins (Niacin, Pantothenic acid, B6 B12).

Stats: (per 100mL)

Glucuronolactone: 240mg, Caffeine: 32mg

What I Reckon:

This is a bit of an interesting drink. Instead of throwing guarana in, the makers of Red Bull have decided to go on taurine as the main powerplant. It works reasonably well, and for those who don't like the after taste associated with gurana, should like this one. The flavour is good, sweet and fruity. This product has pretty good market penetration (much like V in recent times) so it should be readily available. The main difference between the Bull and others of its ilk the smoothness and lack of aftertaste. It's the more refined of the 'yellow raspberrish' flavoured drinks out there.

Rating:

6/10 - Different flavour, average strength - no guarana

Red Cola

Rhodius Mineralquellen

The Word:

"The Drink of the 21st"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Guaraná Vitamins (B6 and C).

Stats: (per 100mL)

Energy: 213kJ

What I Reckon:

Looks like a cola, but tastes like water. I think it is all part of an elaborate chemistry demonstration, along the lines of:

Prof.: "Observe while I turn this water into cola!" ..KAZAM!..
Student: "But it still tastes like water!"
Prof.: "Hush you, or you fail the course."
Student: "I'll be good"

Ok, perhaps I made that up. It has the slightest hint of cola, I suspect a pipette's worth flavouring.

Rating:

1/10 - In communist Russia, the only cola is Red Cola!

Red Devil

Red Devil International S.A., Luxembourg

The Word:

"When you need the maximum - physically and mentally"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg, Energy: 263kJ

What I Reckon:

Red Devil is frighteningly close to the legendary Red Eye. Admittedly, I'm not sure who copied who first, but are very similar. Very sweet and bubbly, with a quasi-fruit flavour. One difference is that Red Eye's powerplant is guarana, while Red Devil uses taurine.

Rating:

6/10 - It's Red Eye!.

Red Dragon

Red Dragon, Austria

The Word:

"Enjoy the power"

Good Stuff:

Taurine, Vitamins (Niacin, Panthothenic Acid, B6, B12)

Stats: (per 100mL)

Energy: 208kJ

What I Reckon:

One look at the can and you can see which other popular energy drink Red Dragon is seeking to emulate. It does come closer than others to Red Bull, and while smoother than the Magic Man it has an unpleasant after-taste. Again, no new flavour here which is disappointing.

Rating:

4/10 - Has a peculiar 'do not mix with alcohol' warning

Red Eye Classic

Red Eye International Pty Ltd, Australia

The Word:

"...a lightly carbonated New-Age beverage containing a uniquely balanced and revitalizing blend of pure spring water, natural amino acid and vitamins. It provides immediate enlivenment and refreshment in today's busy world. Red Eye Classic® is the perfect boost when you need an energy lift."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg Energy: 105kJ

What I Reckon:

The most basic of the Red-Eye range, the Classic is good for people just starting out on the adventure and non-stop thrills that is energy drinks. I prefer the taste of the other Red-Eyes better.

Rating:

4/10 - Not worth it, the other Red-Eyes are better

Red Eye Extreme

Red Eye International Pty Ltd, Australia

The Word:

"...a uniquely balanced blend of high potency Amazonian guraná extract, ginseng, for added vitality, ginkgo for its beneficial properties, three aminos and essential vitamins. Red Eye Extreme is specifically designed to enhance, invigorate and revive in times of stress and exertion."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Ginkgo Bilbo extract, Gingseng extract, lotsa vitamins

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg Energy: 105kJ

What I Reckon:

My original review for this product was quite harsh (2/10), namely due to its taste. I have actually grown to like this little fella, so much so that it now gets a much higher score. This of course has nothing to do with Red-Eye International giving me a lifetime supply of Red-Eye (joking :). The drink has a unique taste among energy drinks, and has lots of goodies in it like ginkgo and gingseng which are tops for the brain.

Rating:

7/10 - Horaah for Red-Eye! (be afraid of pink-eye, however - must.. eat.. brains!).

Red Eye Gold

Red Eye International Pty Ltd, Australia

The Word:

"...a lightly carbonated New-Age beverage containing a uniquely balanced and revitalizing blend of pure spring water, natural amino acid, vitamins and Amazonian guaraná. It provides immediate enlivenment and refreshment in today's busy world. Red Eye Gold with guaraná is the perfect boost when you need an energy lift."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg Energy: 105kJ

What I Reckon:

Mmmm my old favourite. It has a nice carbonated juice taste with only a slight (and pleasant) after-taste. I'm not exactly sure what the diff is between the Gold, Plus and Classic in terms of energy but they definately taste different - with the Plus and the Gold tasting the nicest (the Extreme is another story) It's a nice drop this one.

Rating:

8/10 - It's da bomb!

Red-Eye Passion

Red Eye International Pty Ltd, Australia

The Word:

"Feel the passion"

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Ginseng, Schizandra, Avena Sativa, Damiana, Goto Kola

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg Energy: 105kJ

What I Reckon:

This one is cool. Think carbonated passionfruit drink (like Pasito) and add lots of good stuff to it. I'm not sure what Schizandra, Avena Sativa and Damiana are good for, but gosh-darnit if they don't look trendy! It's a super drink, great flavour, not after-taste and a good kick to it.

Rating:

7/10 - I'm feeling it!

Red Eye Platinum

Red Eye International Pty Ltd, Australia

The Word:

"...a distinctive blend designed to invigorate and enhance performance in times of physical and mental exertion."

Good Stuff:

Guaraná, Ginkgo Bilbo, Gingseng, Amino Acids, extract of Green Tea, Ginger, Gotu Kola

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg Energy: 105kJ

What I Reckon:

Props to Red-Eye for coming up with yet another energy drink, and what a drink this one is! It has lots of healthy-sounding ingredients, like all new age drinks have these days but manages to combine them all with a nice taste. Perhaps its the 'twist of lime' that helps? Whatever the case - this drink is a goodie. Being somewhat disappointed with Red-Eye's last drink Extreme, they have really come through with the goods with the Platium. It has a nice light, fruity taste and next to no aftertaste which should suit the newbies down to a tee.

Rating:

7/10

Red Eye Plus

Red Eye International Pty Ltd, Australia

The Word:

"...a lightly carbonated New-Age beverage containing a uniquely balanced and revitalizing blend of pure spring water, natural amino acid and vitamins. It provides immediate enlivenment and refreshment in today's busy world. Red Eye Classic is the perfect boost when you need an energy lift."

Good Stuff:

Guaranábr>

Stats: (per 100mL)

Caffeine: 32mg Energy: 105kJ

What I Reckon:

Another classic from the Red-Eye range. One of the best tasting guraná drinks out there, Plus is great for those who prefer top taste to top energy. The Plus isn't too great in the energy boosting stakes, but higher than the Classic.

Rating:

7/10 - Great flavour