After largely ignoring the Red Bull phenomena at the turn of the century, (sounds like a long time ago eh?) several months ago I started wondering if I was missing something. Everywhere I go these days it seems I spot a new ‘energy’ drink that I’ve never heard of before. Athletes and rappers even have their own brand of them.
So a couple of months ago I tasted my first, a drink my youngest brother seems to love called Rockstar. The first sip didn’t taste so good and neither did the ensuing ones. I waited for the energy to kick in…nothing. All I had was a bad aftertaste and sugar coated teeth. But my curiosity was piqued. Maybe some of the other ones were better.
Here are the ones I’ve tried to date:
Red Bull (the original recipe is from Thailand)
M-150 (this is actually only found in Thailand)
Green Dragon (seems to be the Shasta of energy drinks)
Vault
Amp
Jeff Gordon Tangerine Energy Drink (I had to)
Besides the Jeff Gordon one, all of them have tasted virtually the same. Most of them have the same ingredients: Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, lots of Sugar, citrus flavor, and some kind of vitamins to make you think it’s healthy. (For reviews of energy drinks go here ). If all you want is to be hopped up on caffeine, a 16 oz cup of coffee has more than most energy drinks. If you want vitamins eat fruit.
How I miss the good old days of Jolt.
Funny thing. When I stopped drinking caffeine, my energy level increased and remains constant during the daytime now. And my stomach quit hurting. If you do the research you will find that caffeine is in fact ‘addictive’. I guess sugar can be too. Oh well. Whatever. I’m just commenting.
Comment by me — August 28, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
I find that nothing gives me that “jolt” quite like a good old dose of home spun kitty litter melted, spun and run through a coffee filter then crystallized… mmm mmm… Home made speed… good for the teeth and gums, mildly addictive and wonderfully boosting!
Comment by mike — August 30, 2007 @ 9:37 am