REVIEW: Ghost Warheads Sour Green Apple Energy Drink

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Ghost Energy Warheads Sour Green Apple Energy Drink Can

What is it?

Another entry into the sugar-free energy drink candy collaboration saga from one of the fastest-growing supplement brands in the game. It combines 200 milligrams of natural caffeine from coffee, 1000 milligram of taurine, 1000 milligrams of L-Carnitine, and a handful of focus ingredients into one ready-to-drink package. Warheads Sour Green Apple is available initially only at GNC, with a wider rollout anticipated later in the year.

How is it?

Absolutely fantastic. It’s no secret I’m a fan of GHOST Energy, and once again, the folks at GHOST have knocked it out of the park. Shattered the backboard. Hit the buzzer beater. This is sour apple perfection.

Ghost Energy Warheads Sour Green Apple Energy Drink Glass

The flavor is full on tart and juicy green apple, followed by a lip-puckering sourness that’s just enough to tickle your tongue without being off-putting. It makes me brush my tongue against the roof of my mouth to fully process its depth but stops short of going full-on actual Warheads sour. It’s not quite as tart as GHOST’s Watermelon Warhead from its 2020 launch lineup, but it’s right below it, with more intensity than Sour Patch Kids’ RedBerry and Blue Raspberry.

Ghost Energy Warheads Sour Green Apple Energy Drink Clear

The carbonation is a perfect middle ground of tight fizzy-ness that leaves the finish smooth and refreshing while letting the candied notes shine. Sour Green Apple is intensely sour-candy-tasting yet very drinkable, all in the same swig. It’s magical.

Anything else you need to know?

This summer, Reign discontinued its Sour Apple flavor, which was in my top three from that line, and I no longer mourn its absence because this is even better. The flavors are comparable, but the GHOST version has a clearer, punchier, more full-bodied flavor and smoother energy; it’s similar but better in every way. If you’ve been sad that Reign Sour Apple got RIP’d, I recommend ordering a case of this without even trying it — it’s THAT good.

Conclusion:

If you dig sour, apple, or especially sour apple drinks, this is a no-brainer buy that will do well to switch up your daily caffeine routine. Think Martinelli’s Gold Medal Sparkling Cider meets Green Apple Jolly Rancher — so good. GHOST continues to cement itself as the most consistent and impressive purveyor of sugar-free pick-me-ups, and I can’t get enough.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 oz can
Purchased at: GNC
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 10 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates,0 gram of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Red Bull Winter Edition Fig Apple Energy Drink

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Red Bull Winter Edition Fig Apple Energy Drink Can

My experience with figs is limited to one product — Fig Newtons. I’ve never taken a bite from the fruit, seen one in real life, or earned one as an ancient Olympian, but I know they can be purple.

However, if you showed me a purple onion but told me it was a fig, I’d believe you. And if you put a Purple Vienna kohlrabi in front of me and told me it’s a fig, I know you’re telling a fib. But now my exposure to the fruit has expanded beyond moist cookies thanks to Red Bull’s new Winter Edition Fig Apple Energy Drink.

The aroma from the spout smells like apple hard candy, but at times, my nose thinks it’s watermelon candy. Maybe that’s the fig? Whatever it is, it’s not repulsive unless you dislike the smell of Jolly Rancher.

Red Bull Winter Edition Fig Apple Energy Drink Glass

What I think is the fig is present immediately after taking a sip, and I’m going to describe it poorly as what I imagine artificial raisin flavor is like. It’s a weird introduction, but a familiar apple taste follows it, along with a noticeable sourness. After the initial burst, the fig fades, and it’s all apple, even throughout the aftertaste. And that apple makes this Red Bull a worthwhile, decent tasting energy drink that I’d sip again.

I also want to add that while I was drinking this, my taste buds had flashbacks to when it seemed like everyone, including your grandma, had their own energy drink that was a Red Bull knockoff. Maybe it’s the fig or the sourness, but that Red Bull knockoff-ness isn’t bad. It’s just something I noticed.

I’m too lazy to spend five minutes looking this up, but I think Red Bull’s Winter Edition Fig Apple is the first fig-flavored energy drink ever. (Internet, prove me wrong.) I wouldn’t place it among my Red Bull favorites, but I found it enjoyable. Although, if it was a straight-up apple-flavored Red Bull, I’d like it more.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 12 oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 130 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 38 grams of sugar (including 38 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 114 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Mtn Dew Energy Code Red

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Mtn Dew Energy Code Red Can

It makes me feel old knowing that the original Mtn Dew Code Red is over 20 years old. It’s been on shelves for so long that I can type the following: The new Mtn Dew Energy Code Red is not your father’s Mtn Dew Code Red.

I feel like it was just yesterday when my mind was blown seeing another Dew flavor next to the original. At the time, the way the original green Mountain Dew and Code Red looked on the shelf together made it seem like Mtn Dew was celebrating Christmas.

Mtn Dew Energy Code Red is the latest flavor in the Energy Drink Formerly Known As Mtn Dew Rise Line. It’s also the flavor with the damn best looking can of the bunch. It features 180 milligrams of caffeine, vitamin C and zinc for immune support, has five percent juice, and zero grams of added sugar like all the Mtn Dew Energy flavors in less eye-catching cans.

Mtn Dew Energy Code Red Cup

With the first sip, it’s recognizable as the Dew with a rush of cherry flavor. But if you’re hoping for a taste that’s a carbon copy of the original Mtn Dew Code Red, thanks to the artificial sweeteners, you won’t get that. I guess it’s more like the Zero Sugar version. Although this isn’t completely sugar free. There’s a little bit from the five percent of white grape juice in it, which does a little to hide the sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. As someone who is used to energy drinks with artificial sweeteners from Monster, some of which are hard to tell if they’re sugar free, I don’t mind that this doesn’t have the same sugary bite as the original.

Despite being one of my favorite Dew flavors, it’s been a while since I’ve had a Mtn Dew Code Red, so it was nice to revisit it in this energy drink form. Although its flavor is not unique in the Mtn Dew Universe, this might be my favorite in the Mtn Dew Energy line, slightly edging out Tropical Sunrise.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 170 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar (including 0 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Ghost Energy Strawbango Margarita Energy Drink

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Ghost Energy Strawbango Margarita Energy Drink Can

What is it?

Ghost Energy’s Strawbango Margarita Energy Drink is the second limited edition can and first athlete collaboration from the supplement company known for making calorie-free drinkable Sour Patch Kids. The collab is with Maxx Chewning, a fitness YouTuber and owner of the Sour Strips candy line, known for his love of deadlifting and, unsurprisingly, sour candy. Strawbango Margarita was released on Friday, September 9, as a Vitamin Shoppe and Ghost App exclusive.

How is it?

Ghost Energy Strawbango Margarita Energy Drink Pour

Spoiler alert: it’s freakin’ awesome. After my first sip, I exclaimed out loud, “oh man, this is good.” After my second sip, I started bobbing up and down around the room, repeating myself even louder, emphasizing the “GOOD” with even more juice. The can is beautiful, the taste is beautiful, and suddenly the day is beautiful… it is just caffeine, some vitamins, and nootropic focus ingredients in this thing, right?

Ghost Energy Strawbango Margarita Energy Drink Clear

If we dissect its name, the drink should have three things — strawberry, mango, and margarita — and it decisively has them all. Coincidentally that’s also the order in which I taste them. When it hits my tongue, I get a delightful sweet candy strawberry taste, followed by juicy mango, and rounded out with a bright, citrusy lime. When I think margarita, I think salt, and somehow I even get a hit of saltiness in the finish despite there only being 35 milligrams of sodium in the can. It may sound weird, but there’s also a touch of citrus candy, like lemon Pez, in the finish and on the nose, and it really makes the flavor addictive. The aftertaste left in my mouth when I (very temporarily) put the can down is 100% strawberry lime margarita, and it’s wonderful.

I was worried that this limited edition flavor would be too similar to the Ghost Energy Tropical Mango, but it’s very different. I just revisited that one two days ago in anticipation of this release, and this is much less mango-forward than the launch flavor from 2020. As a result, it’s much more complex and, for me, better.

Anything else you need to know?

I’m unsure if this was intentional or just my can, but the carbonation feels lighter than other Ghost Energy releases. The pop from the top sounded a bit underwhelming, and I’m not getting hit by the usual cascade of bubbles, but it works really well. Having less effervescence lets the sweetness really come through, and it feels even more like the adult beverage it’s paying homage to.

Conclusion:

Ghost Energy Strawbango Margarita Energy Drink Glass

This drink may not get you drunk, but it tastes so delicious it might just leave ya flyin’ high. The 200 milligrams of caffeine won’t hurt either, but this limited release is already soaring off of shelves (my store sold out of cases on the first day), so if it sounds good, run, don’t walk, to your nearest Vitamin Shoppe before it’s gone for good.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 ounces
Purchased at: Vitamin Shoppe
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 5 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: RYSE Fuel Kool-Aid Tropical Punch Energy Drink

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RYSE Fuel Kool Aid Tropical Punch Energy Drink Can

What is it?

RYSE Fuel is on the rise in the crowded and growing sugar-free energy drink market. Following initial launch collaborations with Smarties, Ring Pop, and Sunny D, the brand is back at it, colliding with one of the most recognizable and nostalgic faces in the junk food world — Kool-Aid.

How is it?

RYSE Fuel Kool Aid Tropical Punch Energy Drink Pour

Tropical Punch is my favorite Kool-Aid flavor, I’m an energy drink junkie, and I absolutely love this. From what I remember of tall sugary ice cold pitchers of the red stuff, RYSE bottled up this flavor beautifully. Fruity notes of cherry, orange, and pineapple take center stage with a little background flurry from lime. The taste is sweet but not aggressive, with a generous amount of bubbly bubbles that give a sharp and pronounced fizz.

The can packs 200 milligrams of natural caffeine for the stimulant energy rush, along with 500 milligrams each of choline bitartrate and taurine for improved memory and performance. It works well as a pick-me-up beverage without any intense pre-workout ingredients that might make you feel like your heart will explode. And, as an added bonus of pure fun, RYSE used natural coloring from vegetable juice to nail the iconic vibrant red hue.

RYSE Fuel Kool Aid Tropical Punch Energy Drink Color

Anything else you need to know?

If I had one tiny complaint, it would be that the flavor could be a touch punchier. It’s great, but the flavor emulation from brands like Ghost with its Sour Patch Kids and Warheads collaborations nailed it SO hard it makes perfection difficult in this sector. Kool-Aid is very sweet, and while this drink truly brings the flavors of Tropical Punch to life, I wouldn’t mind even a touch more sweetness to drive the profile home amid the flurry of intense effervescence.

Conclusion:

RYSE Fuel Kool Aid Tropical Punch Energy Drink Caffeine

RYSE’s Kool-Aid Tropical Punch Energy Drink is awesome. Whether you’re a fan of sugar-free energy drinks, riding a nice cool caffeine buzz, Kool-Aid, or all three, I can’t recommend grabbing a can of this enough. There’s a total lack of tropical punch from RYSE’s competitors, so this one is going into my rotation without hesitation. From the very first sip, it was “OH YEAHHH” vibes, and I might just have to go run through a wall with all of this excitement.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 oz can
Purchased at: Vitamin Shoppe
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1can ) 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 20 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

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