Top Five Energy Drinks I Will Never Drink Again

Okay, I hate to sound negative, but I’m sure we all knew eventually once I started these Top Five Lists I would have one like this. So I may as well get it out of the way now, then we can focus on more positive Top Five lists in the future. But let’s be honest: We all have those drinks we will never have again. So without further adieu, here they are:

1) Red Rain Mocha Cappuccino: This drink would have been fine, had Red Rain not thrown carbonated water in. If you recall my review, I indicated it tasted just like Coke Blak…and we all know where Coke Blak is now. But if you do try it: You have been warned.

2) Original Rage: I have gone on about how wild berry flavored drinks have been hit or miss in the past. This one was certainly a miss. Not because it was wild berry, but it was like swallowing liquified chalk. Strange thing is Rage Wrath tasted better…but that was also grape flavor, which you can never screw up.

3) Diet Red Rain: I remember an old Garfield comic strip where Jon put Garfield on yet another diet. This would lead Garfield to utter “Diet is ‘Die’ with a T!” Well, that’s how this one tasted. Honestly, it made you crave the sugary stuff again, even though you want to get away from it. Luckily, there are other sugar free energy drinks where I have not encountered a similar situation.

4) Monster Mixxd: I was very disappointed with this flavor. First of all: I couldn’t make out if it was pomegranate, grape or whatever. It just didn’t appeal to me. In fact, I apologized to Monster on this blog for giving it such a bad review, which is rare of me, because I know you shouldn’t have to apologize for anything. But I also expected more, what with Monster being one of the largest producers of energy drinks out there.

5) Tie: Java Monster Loca Moca and Mean Bean: Just like Monster Mixxd, I expected more from these two and was greatly disappointed. While I liked the “Mean Bean” better, I still wouldn’t have it ever again. Just didn’t appeal to my palate. Same goes for the “Loca Moca.”

Remember: These are drinks I have reviewed. If you feel the same way as me, or even differently, please feel free to comment. And to those who point out “If you don’t like it, don’t drink it,” I will state this in advance: Please don’t mention that, as I already know. If you do point out the obvious, your comment will be removed.

Have a great day and next week’s Top Five will flow with more positivity.

Top Five Energy Drink Label Designs

As always: With Top Five lists, this is strictly my opinion. If you would like to share your top five, please feel free to do so.

Every energy drink manufacturer wants to be recognized for something, besides how their drink tastes. So the label designs on cans and bottles are a way of saying “Come on! Try me!” These are the five that really grabbed me:

1) Tie: AMP Energy with Green Tea & Black Tea: Both the Green and Black Teas for AMP Energy got me, because of the really cool Asian Dragon design on the logo. Of course, tea is native to Asian countries, as is the dragon. Speaking of which: The Year of the Dragon is two years away!

2) Bawls Cherry: The really cool thing about this can is the trademark Bawls dots are similar to the mountain on the Coors can, except instead of being blue when cold, the dots are gray.

3) Java Monster Irish Blend: For those who are true Irish or obsessed with Irish Celtic design, you’ll love this can. Plus the can is as green as the Emerald Isle itself!

4) Rage: While the original Rage is not exactly one of my favorite drinks on the market, I absolutely love the design of the can! Like its name, the label looks very, very angry! Same goes for Rage Wrath, which also tastes better.

5) Tie: Red Bull and Rockstar Energy Cola: Can’t go wrong with a classic. Always liked the two bulls facing one another ready to butt heads for Red Bull. As for Rockstar Energy Cola: Black is mean-looking, but the fact it is matte black makes it even cooler!

Please feel free to let me know what five label designs are your faves! Would certainly love to know!

Top Five Energy Drink Advertisers

As we know: In the world of business, in order to be successful, you have to get your name out there by advertising. These five energy drinks go that extra mile over everyone else though:

1) Red Bull: What more can be said about this energy drink when it comes to advertising? You have the animated advertisements of big-nosed characters who fly around after drinking Red Bull, claiming it gives them wings. Thankfully, they have someone at the end of each ad clarifying as to what they mean by “It Gives You Wings.” Just like anything: The only reason they did it is because someone most likely tried to literally fly after drinking a Red Bull.

But enough joking aside: Red Bull puts their name all over everything! Their annual Air Race, Flugtag, Crashed Ice, as well as numerous race car teams in Indy, F1 and NASCAR. And anywhere you drive around any major city: You may even find a van or can with the Red Bull logo emblazoned on it!

2) Xenergy: A division of Xyience, Xenergy’s logo can always be found at every UFC event, being the official energy drink of UFC. For any of you who watch the World Poker Tour, you may have also noticed Xenergy’s logo outside the table as well. Hey, poker players need to stay awake if they are going to be sitting at the table for fifteen hours, right?

3) Monster: Just like Red Bull, Monster sponsors racing teams, but more so when it comes to motorcycle racing and extreme sports.

4) Rockstar: Also sponsors motorcycle racers, as well as BMX racers. I didn’t know BMX still existed!

5) AMP Energy: Official energy drink of Dale Earnhardt Jr., plus they sponsored the NHL Winter Classic back in 2008.

Top Five Best-Tasting Energy Drinks

Happy Monday to all of you! I know, I’m just like Garfield as well: I hate Mondays. But hopefully this list will help you.

I have decided to do a Top Five list and will have one every week. Every Top Five list that is posted is my opinion. And if you don’t agree with me, I encourage you to post a Top Five list of your own. So without further adieu: Here are my Top Five Best-Tasting Energy Drinks:

1) Tie: Xenergy Cherry Lime & Cherry Rush. Both are technically the same flavor. The only difference is Cherry Rush has a little more caffeine and Vitamin B12. But both taste exactly the same and, of course, are amazing. The main flavor is cherry, but you can notice the lime as well. Very crisp, clean flavor. Quite enjoyable. And like all Xenergy flavors: Cherry Lime and Cherry Rush have zero calories, as well as zero sugar!

2) Bawls Cherry: Are you noticing something? No, not all drinks on here will be cherry. But this one looks and tastes clean. Flavor definitely stands out. Other than the fact it contains high fructose corn syrup, still a good drink to have.

3) Rockstar Burner (Known as Rockstar Zero Carb in the US): Ever since this drink became available three years ago, it has always been one of my favorites!. Only 20 calories, no sugar and contains green tea and yerba mate! Both are excellent for burning fat and improving metabolism. But the flavor is immaculate! I always thought it was blueberry, but I wasn’t far off. It’s a combination of melon and berry. Still, great tasting…or else it wouldn’t be on this list, right?

4) Xenergy Cran Razz: Xenergy has a second drink that has his my list. Cran Razz is the most-popular flavor Xenergy has ever released…and with good reason! At the time, no other energy drink manufacturer thought of combining cranberry and raspberry. We know it has been done with juices, but never energy drinks. The taste of Xenergy Cran Razz is sweet and has the right amount of tartness at the same time. And it goes down nicely too. Any time I see Xenergy in stores, I always, always pick up a can of Cran Razz, as long as it is available.

5) NOS Original: NOS is the most-powerful energy drink on the market today, boasting a whopping 250 mg of caffeine per 16 fl. oz. can. And believe me: On a day like Monday, if you’re feeling rough, that extra amount of caffeine comes in handy. NOS Original is a citrus-flavored drink, which is one of the most-noticed flavors of energy drinks on the market and out of all the citrus-flavored drinks, this one is the best! But like Bawls: My only complaint is the fact it contains High Fructose Corn Syrup, which all manufacturers really need to get rid of.

If you have a Top Five of your own: Please post it here on the blog, on my Facebook fan page, or tweet me at Twitter.