REVIEW: Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink

Why hasn’t there been an apple-flavored ginger ale, Canada Dry, Seagram’s, and Schweppes?

It sounds like a tasty idea that none of you have had the gingers to create. Instead, we have Red Bull, an energy drink brand, might I remind you, coming up with this Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink, which, sure, isn’t ginger ale, but has the flavor of one.

Y’all too tired to come up with new flavors, you say? More like too lazy, Seagram’s, because you never come up with new varieties. And you, Schweppes, how about you Schwep yourself onto your feet and put some blood, Schwep, and tears into flavor development. And you, Canada Dry… well, I hope you’ll read this and make an apple ginger ale a reality, because you’re the only one making a real effort with new varieties.

But for all of you ginger ale makers, this Red Bull Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink will give you wings, caffeine, and an idea of what an apple-flavored ginger ale could taste like.

Although I must admit, my first experience with this energy drink was a little weird. It smelled very apple-y, and didn’t really give a hint that some ginger was involved. When I took my first sip, the sweet apple flavor hit my taste buds first, but as the transition to the ginger began, it tasted like dirt —or “earthy,” if I want to be less harsh about it. However, that twist was brief. As the earthiness mellowed, the ginger kicked in, and together with the apple, it was pretty good. But that fleeting dirt taste was odd.

But you know what they say, “Never judge an energy drink by the first can you try.” Thinking I’d love this before even trying it, I bought two cans. My experience with the second can was much better, and I didn’t get that earthiness. Maybe because the can got to chill in the fridge overnight, while the first one didn’t? Whatever it was, it made a difference, and what you’re basically going to taste here is a delicious apple-flavored ginger ale, with a balance between the two flavors. Although it has a slightly less satisfying apple flavor than the also recently introduced Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice, it’s still very pleasing.

This year’s Winter Edition Red Bull also comes in a sugar-free version. But I’d really like the Big Ginger Ale to come up with an apple version of their ginger ales. Maybe next holiday season, as a gift for all of us?

Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 38 grams of sugar (including 38 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.