Shane's Drivel

A new Rockstar March 30, 2011

A new drink has earned honorable mention status in my realm of energy drinks. Now remember kids, I only consider ~zero calorie energy drinks, as calorie-filled drinks are futile.

Rockstar Recovery has a lot of similarities to lemon flavor Gatorade. They share the same taste. Actually, I prefer this Rockstart to Gatorade for taste. Unlike Gatorade, this Rockstar is mildly sweetened. The sweetners must be artificial, but they are mild nonetheless. Like Gatorade, Rockstar also lacks carbonation, which is a nice change of pace from most energy drinks. Also like Gatorade, this Rockstar drink claims to re-hydrate with electrolytes.

And taste is about where my positive comments end. Like its Rockstar siblings, Rockstar Recovery delivers little in the way of energy. The kick is rather mild, which may be a good thing depending on your mood.

Still, Rockstar Recovery is a nice entry in the overcrowded world of highly carbonated, gasoline-flavored low calorie energy drinks.

Sugarfree NOS October 15, 2009

There’s a new entry into my world of sugarfree energy drinks – Sugarfree NOS.

This drink tastes like something between Mountain Dew and Sprite. Probably more Mountain Dew than Sprite. It drinks smooth with only moderate carbonation much like a Mountain Dew. But it is a bit more citrus-like as a Sprite.

The kick is just about right. It left me feeling focused and energetic, but not nervous or anxious to run laps around the office building.

I’d rank Sugarfree NOS at #2 behind the can’t-miss flavor of Xyience Xenergy Cran-Razz or Big Apple. So here’s my current rankings of sugarfree energy drinks.

1. Xyience Energy – Superb flavor, just the right punch. Unfortunately  drinks have become hard to find in stores
2. Sugarfree NOS – Better flavor than most, smooth, just the right kick.
3. Spike Shooter – Best flavor and most punch of any energy drink. But this beast packs far too much punch, probably enough punch to rival controlled substances.
4. Enviga – a bit mild in the kick department, but pretty good flavor. Very good price value earns this one a high ranking.
5. Full Throttle Zero – best in flavor next to Xyience and Spike Shooter. Lacking in…energy.
6. Rip-It Energy – Decent flavor, strong enough kick. Decent price. A bit heavy on carbonation.

Full Throttle Zero June 28, 2009

There’s a new entrant in my realm of energy drinks, Full Throttle Zero.

Its was a typical Mississippi-style hot, humid Sunday afternoon in July. On a Sunday drive in the Mustang, the rumbly exhaust tones begged for the A/C off and the windows down. As the wind blew my hair and the Stang gargled down Hwy 471, all was right with the world. Until I got thirsty.

A quick stop by a gas station revealed Full Throttle Zero, which I’d not seen before. Sure, why not.

One sip, and I knew we might have a winner. Full Throttle zero was almost as smooth as Mountain Dew and not over-carbonated like most energy drinks. Also unlike most energy drinks, Full Throttle tastes great – similar to a Mountain Dew with more of a citrus flavor.

Unfortunately, the drink was still lacking something. Full Throttle Zero was full on taste and low on throttle. The can mentions Guarana, Ginseng, Carnitine, Caffeine, and Taurine, but doesn’t say how much is there. I suspect just enough for truth in advertising. Because the drink didn’t phase me. It offered no more punch than an ordinary Diet Coke.

Still the taste is good enough to warrant a spot on my infamous list of top 5 energy drinks. So I’ll replace Sugar Free Amp Energy with Full Throttle. Its tough to leave Sugar Free Amp off the list. But Sugar Free Amp is also low on umph, and there’s just not enough space on the list for more than one drink that lacks umph no matter how good it tastes.

So heres my new top 5 sugar-free energy drinks.

1. Xyience Energy – Superb flavor, just the right punch. Unfortunately  drinks have become hard to find in stores
2. Spike Shooter – Best and most punch of any energy drink. But this beast packs far too much punch, probably enough punch to rival controlled substances.
3. Enviga – a bit mild in the kick department, but pretty good flavor. Very good price value earns this one a high ranking.
4. Full Throttle Zero – best in flavor next to Xyience and Spike Shooter. Lacking in…energy.
5. Rip-It Energy – Decent flavor, strong enough kick. Decent price. A bit heavy on carbonation.

Finally, it would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Red Bull sucks. They’re clearly the leader in sales and I can’t imagine why.

Xyience xenergy is tops September 25, 2008

Shanecrowe.org’s long-term taste testing of enregy drinks has concluded that for flavor & jolt, nothing can touch Xyience Energy. Xyience’s Big Apple flavor tastes just like a liquified, carbonated green Jolly Rancher – the gold standard of candy-fruity flavors. Nearly all Xyience flavors I have tried generally smoke the competition. Big Apple, Cran Razz, Blu Pom, Mango Guava – all good. Citrus Clear…merley average. Have not seen Pink Lemon anywhere.

I do wish the smaller 8 oz sizes were more readily avialble. And that goes for all brands of energy drinks The smaller size provides all the jolt I need, while the more standard 16 oz size is a bit overkill.

So what else is out there? For starters, shanecrowe.org only considers near calorie free energy drinks. This immediately eliminates most of the field. Here’s how the top 5 rounds out.

1. Xyience Energy – nothing else comes close
2. Spike Shooter – Could be ranked above Xyience if it wasn’t so strong. I’ve never had an illegal drug, but if I were to guess what cocaine was like, this would be it. I had one of these at 9AM and could not sleep until 5AM the next day. Quila Lime is outstanding, even better than Xyience.
3. Enviga – Peach (no longer made) was my fave. Pomgranate and berry flavors are good. Comes in 12 oz sizes. Green tea health benfits. Value-priced.
4. Sugar-free Amp Energy – Mountain Dew flavor lives here
5. Rip-It Energy – Citrus is their sugarfree flavor. Its more carbonated orange than anything and comes off tasting like a mimosa. Also a decent value available at Walmart and Dollar Tree.

Ironically the pioneer in energy drinks, Red Bull, makes the worst-tasting energy drinks I’ve ever had. Like I’d imagine no first time smoker actually enjoyed the taste of a cigarette, surely no first time Red Bull drinker acutally enjoyed it. Bleh.

Others I could have on occasion are the near zero calorie versions of Rock Star, Full Throttle, and Monster. They are all just a few steps above Red Bull but on in my list of top drinks, these don’t deserve to be in the top ten. Even if spots 6 through 10 were empty.