C4 Frozen Bombsicle

April 1st, 2023

Well, I’m not too sure about the branding choice with C4… should a drink being explosive really be celebrated? But it is anyway, and they’re making the most of the bomb-based associations by calling this ‘Frozen Bombsicle’ flavour and claiming it’s an ‘explosive energy drink’. Still, it tastes amazing! It turns out the flavour is actually cherry-citrus, and those two are a great combination. Really smooth and refreshing. It also contains something called BetaPower/Betaine which is some sort of mystery ingredient license by DuPont. I’ve no idea what it is but there is a warning on the can saying “This product should not be used if food supplements containing betaine are consumed the same day”. I can’t help but think that they should make that warning clearer and also point out wtf betaine is if it’s so portion-limitingly critical!

Overall Rating:
(3.9/5)
Taste:
Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 32mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 3kCal/100ml
Size: 500ml
Sold By: B&M
Web Site:

Monster Ultra Rosa

March 11th, 2023

I don’t know where to place this really. It doesn’t stand out as something special, but I can’t quite figure out the fruits involved either! The can talks about grapefruit, but I’m getting berries, maybe strawberry and other mixed red berries. It’s ok, maybe a bit of a summer drink, but not that refreshing really.

Overall Rating:
(2.8/5)
Taste:
Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 30mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 3kCal/100ml
Size: 500ml
Sold By: Tesco
Web Site:

It’s Time Energy Orange + Lemon

January 28th, 2023

Considerably better tasting than the red berry original but still very sour. The citrus flavour from the orange and lemon is considerably more palatable making this drink slightly more refreshing as you make your way through the 330ml can. Don’t forget that this is still very high in caffeine just like the original, at 61mg/100ml. It’s also still sugar free, and packs the same ingredients mixture as the original too.

Overall Rating:
(3.4/5)
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Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 61mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 2kCal/100ml
Size: 330ml
Sold By: Pound Stretcher
Web Site:

Monster Energy Lewis Hamilton Zero Sugar

December 10th, 2022

A new Monster drink! I was quite excited to try this one as the description on the can said it was flavoured with ‘stone fruits’ but sadly the excitement was short lived… it tastes like a tropical energy drink, possibly passion fruit too. I was expecting peach or cherry flavour, but nope, not that I could detect. Still, it’s a perfectly drinkable energy drink, just nothing original.

Overall Rating:
(2.9/5)
Taste:
Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 32mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 3kCal/100ml
Size: 500ml
Sold By: Morrisons
Web Site:

Sparkling Ice + Caffeine: Apple Raspberry

September 3rd, 2022

Another excellent variety from the Sparkling Ice+Caffeine range (three-for-a-pound don’t you know!). Refreshing, not too strong in flavour but certainly not watery. I’d say the raspberry is the dominant flavour here rather than the apple.

Overall Rating:
(3.3/5)
Taste:
Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 12.7mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 1kCal/100ml
Size: 355ml
Sold By: Home Bargains
Web Site:

Sparkling Ice + Caffeine: Citrus Twist

August 27th, 2022

Brilliantly refreshing and just the right balance of flavour and sweetness. I could drink loads of this, and even though it’s not that caffeinated I’m going to give it top marks for taste and originality.

Overall Rating:
(3.6/5)
Taste:
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Strength:
Caffeine: 12.7mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 1kCal/100ml
Size: 355ml
Sold By: Home Bargains
Web Site:

Reign: Peach Fizz

July 23rd, 2022

Sorry Reign / Coca-Cola (who own this brand…), I’m not a fan of peach. Yes, therefore, I’m biased here with this review… I didn’t like it. Peach is just too tart to use in a drink in my opinion. If you’re going to grab a can of Reign, go for one of the many other flavours instead and you’ll (probably) avoid disappointment.

Overall Rating:
(3.2/5)
Taste: Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 40mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 4kCal/100ml
Size: 500ml
Sold By: Spar
Web Site:

Braw Energy Blue Raspberry

July 16th, 2022

I always find it odd when a brand chooses a sticker-labelled can over printing on the aluminium itself. It tends to be what marketing companies do for promotional cans for businesses who are giving them away at trade shows, so when you see them on the shelves of shops then they look a bit odd. But still, a black can with a mostly black label looks quite smart – the matt effect of the label does give the drink a premium look. It’s a blue raspberry flavoured drink too which is nice, but not stand-out amazing. It’s certainly better than your average clone though.

Overall Rating:
(3.4/5)
Taste:
Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 30mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 1kCal/100ml
Size: 440ml
Sold By: Home Bargains
Web Site:

Grenade Energy Cherry Bomb

June 18th, 2022

Usually when I review a cherry flavoured energy drink I declare that it tastes like one of those sherbet double-dip sweet’s cherry flavoured powder, but not this time! It’s quite a different take on the cherry flavouring I’m used to. Don’t get me wrong, it is still recognisably cherry but it’s tangy probably more grown-up. I may even actually prefer it to the ultra synthetic cherry drinks I usually find.

Overall Rating:
(3.5/5)
Taste:
Originality:
Strength:
Caffeine: 47mg/100ml Tags:
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Calories: 3kCal/100ml
Size: 330ml
Sold By: Sainsbury's
Web Site: