Best Energy Drinks
Give Yourself a Boost With These Delicious Energy Drink Options
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Coffee was the wonder drug of the last century, but energy drinks have become our new addiction. In the United States, they’re a multi-billion dollar business, expected to grow from roughly $20 billion dollars in sales this year to more than $30 billion in sales by 2030. We drink them in the morning, instead of coffee; we take them mid-afternoon, to help us get through our workdays; and we drink them like water on road trips or commutes.
They’ve also come a long way in terms of flavor and nutrition. In the early days, they were all loaded with sugar, which made them a riskier health proposition, but many modern energy drinks have zero (or near-zero) calories, which makes them much easier to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle. And then there’s that intangible but super-important quality: taste. Energy drinks now come in all varieties of flavors, beyond their original metallic and chemical offerings, so it’s easier than ever to find a drink that suits your palette.
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Intrigued by the prospect of finding a new energy drink but intimidated by the sheer volume of options out there? Or maybe you’ve dipped your toes in the energy drink waters but want to explore new varieties? We’ve picked out a handful of not only our favorite energy drinks but our favorite energy drink flavors. Not only will these drinks give you a great buzz when you need it most, they also happen to be delicious.
GHOST® ENERGY, OG
One of GHOST’s most popular flavors, previously only available at their in-person events held at bars, clubs and festivals, the OG delivers 100mg of caffeine in a smooth, fruity flavor, with subtle hints of bubblegum, making it equally tasty whether you’re drinking it solo or adding a mixer. And with no sugar and just 5 calories per can, it’s easy to incorporate into even the strictest of diet plans.
Monster, Zero Ultra
The infamous, ubiquitous Zero Ultra, affectionately known as the “White Monster,” is among the most popular low-calorie options out there, which means it’s also incredibly easy to find, whether at the grocery store, convenience store or highway gas station. The taste is smooth but faintly metallic, which somehow just adds to this drink’s charm, while the energy boost is palpable within minutes of consumption. There’s a reason this is a fan favorite.
Reign Total Body Fuel, Orange Dreamsicle
Reign seemingly came out of nowhere, with a wide variety of new and exotic flavors that actually tasted like what the label claimed, and their Orange Dreamsicle variety should be your first sample of this energizing elixir. It’s like they melted down a delicious orange popsicle and then added caffeine.
CELSIUS, Sparkling Grape Rush
CELSIUS is another relative newcomer to the field, bringing not only a more organic approach to their ingredient list (ginger root, guarana seed and green tea extract, to name just a few) but also an infusion of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and B. We’re especially enamored with their Grape Rush flavor, with just 10 calories in each can.
Cellucor C4 Performance Energy Drink, Starburst
If you actually like artificial, candy-like flavors (and we certainly do), you’re going to love the Starburst flavor of Cellucor’s extremely popular C4 Energy Drink. With a massive, 200mg dose of caffeine (with added beta alanine) in every can, as well as 30mg of niacin, there’s a ton of energy, focus and improved endurance in every can.
KEY Ketone Energy Drink, Ginger Lime
If you’re looking for a more natural flavor with a milder energy boost, and especially if you want to avoid the post-rush crash that’s so common in high-caffeine offerings, check out KEY. Their zero-sugar drinks fit nicely into low-carb or ketogenic diets, especially because they’re designed to use ketones to fuel your energy burst rather than simple carbs like sugar, and the Ginger Lime flavor is equal parts refreshing and delicious.
Bang Energy, Peach Mango
Bang has been a social media sensation for years now, championed by lifters, snowboarders, skaters and a motley crew of social media influencers, but look past all the hype and massive variety of flavor offerings and you get a great energy drink that’s smooth on the lips and delivers a lasting burst of energy. If you want a flavor more organic than their more out-there offerings (Rainbow Unicorn and Radical Skadattle, we’re looking at you), check out their Peach Mango offering.
RYSE Fuel, Sunny D
RYSE is a relative newcomer in the supplement world, and especially to canned energy drinks, but they’ve taken their basic formula of quality ingredients and delicious and creative flavor options and run with it. Their Sunny D RYSE Fuel is a tangy delight on the tongue, with just five calories per can and a massive dose of 200mg of caffeine. RYSE even adds both taurine and choline bitartrate in clinically effective doses, to help improve your mood, hydration and cognition.
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