Rip It – G-Force

A massive can yet again, but a very nice flavour somewhat similar to Crunk’s Grape-Acai flavour and had the same childhood memory restoring effects. Very moreish and refreshing especially in the hot weather but higher in caffeine and calories than the Crunk alternative. They both tasted very similar, but G-Force is also available in sugar-free so you can sample this without the sugar hit too. I’ll review the sugar free version soon, but in the meantime you need to get hold of one or both of these grape flavoured drinks – very different.

Rockstar Energy Cola

I expected this to taste like a very cheap cola but was pleasantly surprised. It’s quite a mild flavour which means it’s not too sickly at all. I know, it’s a cola and the rules of Fizzy Wake-Up say that colas/cokes etc can’t be reviewed on this site because they don’t officially count as an Energy Drink. Well this one is different because it contains a pumped up amount of caffeine along with guarana and taurine which basically means it’s like a cola blended with an energy drink. As colas go it’s expensive, but as premium energy drinks go it’s reasonably priced. I’m classing this as a one-off purchase as there are better tasting energy drinks and better tasting colas out there.

Rip It – F Bomb

I love this flavour! The front of the can shows a picture of cherries, blueberries, a pineapple, and some other indistinguishable fruits, but the overall flavour that comes through is the cherry. It’s not a natural cherry flavour by any means and is very reminiscent of double-dips in the same way that the Cougar Lifestyle Shot is. The higher than average caffeine content plus the huge can size make this very awakeness inducing and that strength along with my high scores on taste will probably push this drink near the top of the ratings chart for a long time to come.

Rip It – Citrus X

This drink definitely has orange in it. Probably loads of other citrus fruits too, but I’m sure it uses Orange as its base flavour. It’s very slightly sharp tasting, but mostly sweet and sickly. I wouldn’t suggest this drink if you’re after something refreshing, but it’s certainly filling and substantial! The taste is pleasant and the kick is decent so drink very early on in the day. This is only the second Rip It variety I have tasted so far and it was always going to be a downer from the superb Power flavour, but this is still a decent drink in its own right even if it can’t match up to its bigger brother.

Rip It – Power

Very interesting… Rip It Power is my first taste of the Rip It range of energy drinks. I believe that this particular one is the ‘original’ flavour, but I can’t quite put my finger on what that flavour is. The web site doesn’t enlighten me either so we’re going to have to rely on my taste-buds. So, I thought at first there may be raspberry in it, but the colour is a cloudy dark yellow (more on the orange side than Mountain Dew style). I think it’s probably raspberry and a citrus fruit like orange mixed together but it’s certainly a combination that works well. The caffeine content is pretty high so don’t drink too many at once because it does pack a punch. Right, there’s literally loads more flavours of Rip It to try and I’m really hoping that it hasn’t peaked early – I’ve never seen a brand with so many varieties before which includes different flavours of energy shots too and several low calories options.

Monster Khaos

I was slightly disappointed that this drink didn’t have the usual Monster flavour in the background. It was okay, mostly tasting quite like orange with perhaps the other fruit juices in there somewhere. Not one of my favourites then, but I’d say it is still worth trying.

No Fear

Forget about the drink for a minute, check out the can. It’s resealable! This has got to be one of the greatest inventions so far of the 21st century. It’s pretty watertight and can withstand being held upside down and shaken with ease.

“Have No Fear, Show No Fear”, that’s what it says on the can. I can’t say for certain that I felt no fear after drinking this, mainly because I’m not sure I was in a suitable scenario which would test the aforementioned fear-resistance-boosting properties, but what I can say is that it tasted very nice. It’s a Red Bull Clone, but a very syrupy-sweet one that is easy on the way down. No nasty after-tastes, no bitter or sour flavourings, just a pleasant and sweet pick-me-up.

Rockstar Energy

Rockstar Energy has a distinct and quite synthetic taste. It’s a pleasant tasting drink with a hefty kick of caffeine and sugars… totalling 60 calories per 100ml that puts it at the potent end of sugar rushes. The can’s design does make it look like you are drinking a can of lager, which could cause raised eyebrows in your office should you choose to consume it there – be prepared to explain it away. I think that has something to do with the black can with a gold star on it. It doesn’t have a great aftertaste, but the drinking experience overall is quite good. Keep it cold because the taste starts to go downhill once it warms up.

Relentless Inferno (Orange)

Does anyone remember being given Calpol as a child? I’m not talking about the original purple liquid, I mean the Calpol for older children. It was orange flavoured and drinking Relentless Inferno immediately reminded me of orange Calpol. That’s no t a bad thing, but it’s the most accurate way I can describe the flavour. It doesn’t have the usual background taste of Relentless at all, it just has a very sweet syrupy orange flavour. It gets quite sickly towards the end of the huge can, and is not ideal as a refreshing drink for a hot day. I’d suggest it is suitable for sipping slowly over a few hours while working away at your coursework or latest project deadline… slow is the key here.