TEST: Energy drinks

By: Sabine van Gameren

Don’t you all know that feeling, a couple of concerts in a row while the next morning you have to be sharp at work. The after parties kicked in really badly and still half asleep, hangover-ish you have to get up because that one band you really don’t want to miss is opening at the last festival day? You can decide to fight fire with fire and start boozing right away, but for a little more effective is getting yourself some energy by one of the various brands there are to boost your battery.
However, which one works best? We decided it was time for a test and see which one has the best impact. Seven days long our reporter Sabine wakes up with an energy drink and writes down the test results to see what brand should not be left out in your festival survival kit. To keep it fair, we made sure that from all would be taken the amount of 250ml as some come in larger cans.

Day 1: Go Fast! Energy
Price for 250ml:
1,09 Euro

What is in it?
Honey, Taurine, Niacin, Ginseng, Guarana, Riboflavin, Ginko Bibloba and vitamins B-6 and B-12. We doubt that that will enrich your knowledge of what the hell you are drinking, but a quick scan through the rest of the cans learns that most of these are in the others as well. Outstanding is the honey.

Presentation:
The can itself does not look very interesting. The logo is very recognisable though. Stickers of this brand are planted on every speed control camera to be found (at least here in NL). The design looks like the main group of people that it is made for are men.

Taste and effect:
A soft, golden taste comes into your mouth while drinking it. It does not taste like it is the one with the most sugar, but still a substantial sweet taste is there. The honey comes forward as well to make it pleasantly soft. That will work out very well if you have a raspy throat from shouting along those lyrics yesterday!
The effect of the drink does not kick in immediately. You feel a bit more alert, but it’s not like you are ready to rock straight away.

And after one hour:
I already forgot that I took this drink. Could have been any sort of lemonade. I would not mind have another one though. The taste of the drink was quite subtle and didn’t leave you with that sugar aftertaste in your mouth.

Day 2: V
Price for 250ml:
0,85 euro

What is in it?
Guarana, B Vitamins and a lot of caffeine. The can does not indicate much of other things that would define a taste or add something special to this drink.

Presentation:
Fair enough, the green look of the can makes it look like it is a very refreshing drink. The logo on it combined with the yellow bring up the idea of an energy drink so the design is working.

Taste and effect:
Well, as we already noticed, there is not much in here that defines a taste. A sweet, liquid rage in your mouth, loads of sugar but not much else as it seems. For the taste you don’t have to buy it. Although the can mentions it as an afternoon wake up call, it does have effect in the (late) morning as well. After drinking it I immediately sat up straight and ready to do some work. It does not bring the effect that you can move a mountain, but it surely does something.

And after one hour:
The taste of the drink is still in my mouth. And the effect of the drink truly kicked in. It feels like im on my way to get high, a light version of a trip. I am not so sure how much this is to be recommended. Energy wise I am not feeling too much effect anymore it is just the relaxed mood that kicks in. I should have another drink to keep going, but I doubt I will take another can of V.

Day 3: She
Price for 250ml:
0,79 Euro

What is in it?
Well in this case it is better to ask what is not in it? There is no sugar, no calories, no fat, no proteins. Typical something that woman would like. What it does have: Calcium, Ginseng, vitamins, Aloe Vera, Gum Arabic, Black Carrot concentrate.

Presentation:
This where She scores big points! The can is pink, but the logo on it makes it a bit more devilish which makes sure that it is cool enough for the tougher chicks as well. She donates 5% to charity as you can read on the can, which gives them some bonus points. When pouring the drink in a glass to photograph it, I noticed it has a different colour than the ones I have had so far. It looks white. She is obviously a bit of a different drink.

Taste and effect:
Wow. It has a really fresh peach taste. Although it tastes sweet, you don’t feel like your teeth are rolling out of your mind because of the amount of sugar. The sparkles is in are not too hard, so you could really drink it fast as well, this is not like the average energy drink. The effect slowly kicks in, it is not like you get an immediate rush of energy after finishing that can, but within a couple of minutes you feel getting more alive. And for some reason it makes me feel sexy, flirty and hot. THAT is a way to enjoy that last festival day! Yes, this drink I like!

And after one hour:
I still feel much lively. She was a good wake up drink! I feel like I want another one, not because I need more energy, but because of the taste. She is a drink I would really consider taking with me for festivals, day-afters and maybe just in my bag when going out for an active day.

Day 4: Monster Energy
Price for 250ml:
It was only available in 500ml and the price for that was 1,03 euro.

What is in it?
L-carnitine, Taurine, Ginseng and B Vitamins are promoted on the can. No special ingredients are mentioned.

Presentation:
Black can, the logo and the green colour of it are hinting towards a tough image. The fact that most supermarkets have them in 500ml only indicates that you probably won’t have enough on 250ml to get your kick. A little more clear info on what is in this drink would be welcome.

Taste and effect:
Sugar, loads of it. My teeth are feeling it and I think I should brush my them after finishing this drink. But for the sake of the test, it wouldn’t be fair to do that as I still need to figure out what the effect is after one hour. I am sure dentists all over the world love the extra money they get by filling all those holes created by drinks like this. Besides the sugar it brings a bit of a tropical feeling. Maybe some tropical fruit is in here, even though the can doesn’t say there is. As an effect I feel mainly the sugar kicking in. Yes, I’ll get the energy of it, but knowing I still have another 250 ml left makes me wonder if this effect will last if I have only half of it.

And after one hour:
I still feel the Monster taste in my mouth, it’s not that bad actually and I am much energetic also. If would need the rest of this drink, probably not. Monster does what it is made for.

Day 5: Bullit
Price for 250ml:
0,57 euro, the cheapest one in the test

What is in it?
Caffeine, Taurine and B-vitamins. That’s what is advertised on the can. The first one that actually promotes the fact that there is caffeine in the drink Furthermore there is nothing mentioned that would define a certain taste.

Presentation:
The can looks quite basic, a design that would work for the men, but not really draws too much attention. A plus for them for mentioning the caffeine so very clearly while various others only mentioned it in hardly readable letters on the ingredient list.

Taste and effect:
It does not really have a unique taste. Sugar of course, but if the test would be blind I am not sure I would pick it out as being Bullit. If you buy your energy drink because of the taste this may be a good recommendation as it is cheaper than some others. The effect it has on me is that it works well. I feel some energy coming through right away, being a bit more alert. However, I am not sure if 250ml is enough for the desired effect.

And after one hour:
Nope, for the effect of being alive I should take another can of this drink. It’s not completely gone, but the effect is not holding on too much clearly.

Day 6: Red Bull
Price for 250ml:
1,02 euro.

What is in it?
Taurine. Nothing more that makes it special is mentioned on the can.

Presentation:
The can has a very recognizable design. Of course the brand has quite a name built, by sponsoring many events but so have others. The blue and the silver on the can make references to a raceflag and the two bulls are symbolizing strength and loads of energy. The ingredients are very readable which is a plus.

Taste and effect:
A fair dose of sugar and a typical energy drink taste. Not much different from the drinks I tried earlier this week. Maybe it tastes a bit stronger though. Also it feels like the effect kicks in a bit harder. I really feel myself getting more alive and I think that one can is sufficient enough to make me going for a while. Good to know that, because when being at a festival you don’t want more weight than needed.

And after one hour:
Yes, the energy still flows. The taste of Red Bull is still in my mouth and I think I don’t need another one yet. Red Bull does its job, a sure fine drink to take with you.

Day 7: Rockstar Energy
Price for 250ml:
The stores only sell the 500ml version which costs 1,35 euro.

What is in it?
Caffeine, Guarana, Ginseng, B vitamins, Taurine. Rockstar gives you plenty information about what is in the drink. Definitely a good thing!

Presentation:
Well if you live a rock and roll lifestyle there is nothing that makes more sense than drinking a can of Rockstar. Obviously, what’s in the name?! The can has black and grey design with the Rockstar logo on it which simply shouts out to you. Yes, the can is done right!

Taste and effect:
When pouring it in a glass you see the drink is a bit more yellow that the others, maybe that will bring a surprise. The taste is extremely sweet, but stands apart from the others by being quite soft. It does not stick on your mouth, but you feel the taste a bit further down your throat. I think when having a raspy voice this drink might benefit you a bit. The energylevel rises immediately after drinking it. It really does give you the boost that’s needed. Im not sure if I need the other 250ml later on, but since the taste is good I would not mind.

After one hour:
I still feel the energy, I am much alive. I do not really need the other half of the drink, but the effect of Rockstar is addicting. Having that can in my hands makes you feel like a rockstar as well so that’s a side effect of it. I just take it anyway, because it taste well, the effect feels good and I feel rock and roll.

Conclusion:
By far, it was She that surprised us most. Everything seems right with that one, but we can imagine that our male readers don’t feel like this will work for them. Close runners up were Rock Star and Red Bull, these are doing the job perfectly as well.
One you should better leave on those shelves is V! Not one that gives you the effect you want at that festival, a bit scary even.