Energy Product Reviews

Redline Xtreme Shot (Triple Berry)

2011-12-10T10:39:00.001-06:00

The first energy drink that ever filled me with truly impressive energy was Redline. This was probably 8-10 years ago but I remember being filled with an almost scary level of energy after slamming down a Redline one day at the gym. Since then I have learned to respect the drink and know not to chug it like a traditional energy drink.
I recently found out the Redline had a new shot in the works and I immediately sought to acquire it so I could try it for review. Let's see if this shot version of Redline can match the pure power and intensity of the original drink.

The Look: Redline Xtreme Shot comes in a beautiful 3 oz shrink wrapped bottle. On the front of the shot they have a see through gauge so you can see how much of the energy shot you are drinking. On the flip side of the shot there is your standard supplement facts (with caffeine amount listed) as well as a warning about the intensity of Redline. The entire bottle just has a very nice look to it that does everything right in my opinion.
(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: Now time for an important test, how does it taste? After all what does it matter how strong a shot is if it's not palatable. When I first opened the shot, I got a very pleasant aroma of several different berries. Upon first taste I was greeted with one of the better shots I have ever tried. They did a great job here of incorporating the mixed berry blend into a truly impressive shot.
(9.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: If you take the time to read the warning label and ingredient list on the back of this shot, you will realize this shot packs a punch. Each 3 oz shot is filled with 300 mg of caffeine, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Beta-Alanine, Yohimbe, DL-Phenylalanine, L-Phenylanine, a small does of B vitamins, and 0 calories. The warning label suggest that those who are not familiar with Redline should access their tolerance by just drinking half a shot to begin with (I highly suggest following this suggestion).
The first time I tried Redline Xtreme Shot, I used the handy little gauge on the front to measure out half the bottle as instructed. It took about 15 minutes and I could feel the Redline take hold and kick my energy level into overdrive. After experiencing what half a bottle could do, I decided to drink all 3 ounces the 2nd time I tried it. I became filled with an almost unhuman about of energy. I became intensely focused on everything I did for the next 5 hours and my energy levels were through the roof. Each time I tried it there was no crash and surprisingly no jitters either.
(10 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: With Redline Xtreme Shot, I now remember why the original drink gained so much respect from me early one. Everything about Redline Xtreme shot is fantastic: a great package, an amazing taste, and a kick that has to be felt to truly believe. This shot easily gains the Caffeine A Holic seal of approval.

Official Website: http://www.vpxsports.com/fat-loss-energy-supplements/redline-xtreme-energy-shot

Kymera Freakish Energy

2011-10-22T13:03:00.002-05:00

The energy drink world and energy shot world are growing at a rapid rate, with no end in sight. Companies are trying new flavors, new packaging, and different ingredients to try and stand out in these over crowded markets. Most of the time, all these new products are just the "same book, different cover" but a new product called Kymera does a fantastic job of distancing itself from others. That picture you see to the left is a "bag in a box" style dispenser. That is right, there are 102 (1 oz) shots inside it. After experimenting with Kymera for almost 2 weeks now, I am happy to present my review.

The Look: Have you ever had the wine that comes in a box? Well picture that but a bit smaller. That outside is a cardboard box that has a very cool looking mythical, snake like creature that covers that majority of the box. They list the caffeine content, flavor, servings, and include several warning on the packaging. I think everything about this box looks fantastic.

When you are ready to use Kymera just tear open the little opening on the front of the box, and remove the plastic dispenser and you are ready to go. Then you can use one of the included plastic bottles to pour yourself a shot.

(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: So Kymera nailed the first important step of a successful product with a unique and eye catching package. Does packaging really mean anything if it doesn't have a great taste?

Kymera is labeled as a "mythic melon" flavor. When you pour a shot you immediately notice the very strong melon flavor. The taste is almost identical to the smell. I would describe it as mostly cantaloupe mixed with hints of several other melons. Surprisingly there is no aftertaste to this extremely potent shot. I would honestly say this flavor beats 99% of other shots on the market.

(9.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Kymera is on a roll here scoring almost perfect scores in the packaging and taste department. How does Kymera do on kick?

First let's get the technical stuff out of the way and look at the ingredients. One serving is considered 1 oz and contains 162.5 mgs of caffeine, yohimbine, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, l-tyrosine, and dimethylamylamine. Along with this you get 0 grams of sugar, 3 carbs, and 11 calories.

With the way Kymera is packaged, you choose what size shot you want. For people sensitive to energy shot I would stick with 1 oz. For those who want an extreme and crazy amount of energy I would go with 2 oz and for those who like to live on the edge and want to feel like Superman, go with 3 oz. I found anywhere from 2 oz - 2.5 oz is the "sweet spot".

After downing 2 oz I was filled with a crazy amount of energy. My hair was standing on end and I was ready to do something and do it fast. This extreme buzz last for about 4-5 hours and peaks at about the 3 hour mark. Oddly enough, I didn't get any jitters.

(11 out of 10) To quote Spinal Tap "This goes up to 11"

Overall Thoughts: This is easily one of my favorite products I have every tried (In the top 3). Everything from the packaging, to the taste, to the one of a kind buzz is perfectly executed. One part I didn't mention in my review is the fantastic value. This stuff comes to about 40 cents for a 1 oz shot at the normal price.

The awesome folks over at Kymera are willing to let you try it for even cheaper than that though. Use coupon code "CAFFAHOLIC" and they will knock 20 % off the price. That brings the price down to 31.99 including shipping. (31 cents an ounce).

Official Website: http://www.kymera.com

Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KymeraEnergy

Wired Waffles

2011-10-17T20:52:00.001-05:00

When do you need caffeine the most? For me the crucial time for caffeine is in the morning. Usually my morning starts with breakfast and an energy drink. Well Wired Waffles aims to change that by combining breakfast with a very nice dose of caffeine.

The Look: Wired Waffles come packaged in a plastic wrapper with a sticker/label on the front. The sticker containers everything you need to know. The company did a great job of utilizing the real estate available on the package. You get the Wired Waffles mascot on the front (he kind of reminder me of Skeeter from the the cartoon Doug, but maybe that is just me...). They also list nutritional information, caffeine content, ingredient list, and a nice slogan.

(8.5 out of 10)

Taste: The thing that intrigues me about Wired Waffles (aside from the 200 mg of caffeine) is the fact that no syrup is needed because there is shell made of crystallized sugar to add a very nice sweetness. All you do is pop one of these in the microwave, let cool down a bit, and enjoy. The taste to these is much better than I expected. In fact the taste easily beats any frozen waffle on the market that I have tasted. This is impressive considering there is 200 mg of caffeine packed into each one of the delicious treats.

(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: Really the only that that is power these is caffeine. There is nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Along with the 200 mg of caffeine you get, 350 calories, 11 grams of fat, 55 grams of carbs (24 grams of sugar), and 7 grams protein.

After eating one of these down, I got a good amount of energy that lasted about 2 and a half hours. It was nice being able to feed my hunger and get my caffeine fix all in one product.

I also want to share with you the ingredient list on these because it is so wonderfully simple: flour, sugar, butter , eggs, yeast, salt, vanilla, and caffeine. I love it when I can actually pronounce all the ingredients in whatever I am putting in my body.

(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Wired Waffles delivered. They taste fantastic and they have a nice kick to go along with it. If you are looking for new way to get your breakfast and caffeine then you need to check out Wired Waffles. You can order Wired Waffles from Amazon for 14.99 (for a pack of 5).

Official Website: http://www.wiredwaffles.com

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Wired-Waffles/dp/B005M4NXDU

Dream Water

2011-09-21T21:15:00.002-05:00

I have never lived in a time where money grows on trees and water turns into wine. However, we do live in an era where technology blended with supplements can turn water in to rest, relax, sleep and even dream. I took the Dream Water challenge from the sponsors of sleep.

The Look: Both 2.5oz shots and 8oz waters are in a sleek white bottle advertising Dream Water in blue. It clearly states it’s all natural, zero calorie and flavors that include: Lullaby Lemon (with hints of tea), Snoozeberry and I Dream of Kiwi. The product looks clear but the consistency is a little thicker than water without being syrupy. In the background there is a tribal like design, in light grey symbolizing a dream catcher.
(8.5 out of 10)

The Taste: On this review, I tried the shots which include Lullaby Lemon and Snoozeberry. I look forward to trying "I dream of Kiwi" soon. (Which is only available in the 8oz version)

Lullaby Lemon: Has a smooth light hint of fresh lemon taste. I didn’t get the hint of tea flavoring but was not disappointed. I would actually drink this flavor if it was incorporated into a regular drink such as a vitamin water etc. It’s not sour, tangy nor bitter. There is a slight artificial sweeter aftertaste but it quickly diminishes. (8 out of 10)

SnoozeBerry: This flavor is a combination of pomegranate and blueberries is not like other flavors I’ve experienced with this combo. It’s very mild flavor is pleasantly surprising. It’s not sour or tart at all. Like the Lullaby Lemon it’s sweetened with stevia and will leave a hit of an after taste. Yet it also quickly diminishes and is not at all unpleasant. (8 out of 10)

Does it work: 150mg of the “Proprietary Sleep and Relaxation blend” is made of GABA, Melatonin and 5 HTP – most commonly known as L-5 hydro tryptophan?

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) without getting too scientific, GABA is an important chemical within the human brain. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and as such it serves the brain by regulating the firing of neurons. Without gamma-amino butyric acid, your muscles would be constantly tense, your mind would never stop racing, and your overall ability to function would be severely impaired. GABA supplements can be taken to increase this valuable resource in your body.

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. It’s like your internal clock that regulates sleep. Melatonin can decrease with age.

5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases the synthesis of serotonin, it is used for several diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions.

I have a very high tolerance to medication and supplements. So my personal results take longer to achieve. I took this challenge one night trying to get back on a normal sleep pattern. I was able to feel sleepy without being over lethargic. This sensation did create a torpid effect where I was not restless. It took me about 45 minutes to begin feeling this way. I was able to rest without waking up throughout the night. (8.5 out of 10)

Overall thoughts: First off, I am very impressed! Any company that gives a list of their blend, with definition and reference websites just screams confidence. It just proves this company believes in what they have put in this bottle and are not hiding behind some big words. Major kudos! You can even download the Natural Standard Report from their website. These Shots are flavorful without being over powering. Overall, I am very pleased with this product.

Official Website: http://www.drinkdreamwater.com/

Sheets Energy Strips

2011-09-13T17:47:00.001-05:00

Today I am going to take a Sheet. Actually I am going to take two Sheets. Before you get all grossed out, I am referring to the new energy strip on the market called Sheets. Sheets Energy Strips are little strips that you let dissolve on the tongue (kinda like LSD but legal and no hallucinations, sorry). Each strip is loaded with vitamins and caffeine to help kick your butt into gear. Let's see if taking a Sheet can get me going, or if the company is "full of Sheet".....

The Look: Sheets Energy Strips come in a little cardboard sleeve with 4 individually, foil wrapped strips. Sheets did a fantastic job on the packaging. On the front there is a picture of a smiley face putting a Sheets on his tongue. The image and several of the bits of writing on the front are done in very cool style that is slightly raised from the rest of the packaging. On the back you get all the usual warnings, nutritional information, etc.

Sheets did it all right in my eyes: listed the caffeine content, kept everything uncluttered, and made a very cool looking package. I really like how they even put the little smiley face using Sheets directly onto each strip, very cool.

(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: There are currently 2 flavors available of Sheets at the moment: Cinnamon Rush and Berry Blast. My favorite of the 2 was Cinnamon Rush. I find that cinnamon flavored items do a fantastic job of masking any hint of caffeine in almost anything, and this was no exception.

The berry blast flavor caught me off guard a bit. When I first put it on my tongue, it tasted almost like a fruit roll-up for a few seconds. A few seconds later, there was a bit of a spiciness that kicked in that complimented the berry flavor quite well.

Sheets did a fantastic job at masking the caffeine taste on these.

Cinnamon Rush (9 out of 10)

Berry Blast (8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Each package contains 4 strips and there are 2 strips in a serving (That is 2 servings per package for those slow at math). Each serving contains 100 mg of caffeine, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid. As you can see Sheets kept the ingredient list simple with stuff that works. It took about 10 minutes after I let both strips dissolve on my tongue for me to start to feel the effects. It was nothing overwhelming but it was noticeable. I was able to go through my morning work day without the need for an energy drink. This was actually the perfect amount of pick me up for work.

(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: The Sheets commercial made me laugh a bit the first time I saw it. I figured that Sheets Energy Strips were just some new money making scheme that would fade away soon. After trying them however, I am officially sold on these wonderful little strips. You get the power of a standard sized energy drink in a package that you can take any where and they taste pretty damn good.

Official Website: http://www.takeasheet.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/TakeaSheet

Take 10 to RELAX, Take 10 to SLEEP

2011-09-12T19:01:00.007-05:00

Stress... it can include a general negative outlook, excessive worry, moodiness, irritability, aches-pains and can alter your emotional as well as your physical health. Seems that if there is a product that can either help relieve this temporarily and help me sleep, I would want to try it! I was sent these items to review and things like this I am eager to try.

The Look: Basically both types come in similar shape and design. This 2oz bottle has a shrink wrap label. Both state flavors, intended purpose and content clearly. I am a fan of simple designs. Who cares about the unnecessary graphics? The only thing I would change is to add in an under the cap seal. I was able to slip the sleep shrink sleeve completely off without even breaking the seal. I tried the same for the Relax and was unsuccessful...

TAKE 10 to RELAX: The bottle is primarily white with accents of green. The right side of the bottle has green striping with the words “TO RELAX- WHITE GRAPE” also in this greenish shade. It states it is to improve your mood, support relaxation, lower stress and combat anxiety.

TAKE 10 to SLEEP: This has the same design yet with black and gray stripes and lettering. It states it triggers sleep, improves mood, lowers stress and it too combats anxiety. Blackberry is listed as its flavor.

If the security seal was under the cap I would have rated this 9 out of 10 but for now (7.5 out of 10)

The Taste:

Take 10 to RELAX: This non-carbonated drink flavor reminds me of some tart candy that I can actually tolerate. The smell and taste remind me of a grape NOW or LATER. If you don’t mind this taste, then you may like this but I personally prefer something sweeter. Many will sacrifice a desire for a sweeter taste in exchange for 0 calories, 0 sugars, and 0 Carbs. When I try this again I will experiment with adding an artificial sweetener in it. I didn’t feel this was too thick or syrupy, yet it did however have a slight aftertaste that lasted only a few moments.

(7 out of 10)

TAKE 10 to SLEEP: This is best described as a non-carbonated, blackberry flavored drink that has a gentle taste. It’s neither too sweet nor tart. The smell was subtle and not over powering. It was not clearly identifiable by smell alone. I prefer this taste over the tartness of the White Grape. It reminds me of a punch or drink that was a little bit weak or watered down, yet great tasting.

(9 out of 10)

Does it work: First off I am a firm believer of reading labels to see what I am drinking and I like to know what is in it for it to work. On my last relaxation review, I did a breakdown of the ingredients and listed their effects separately. Feedback on my mini educational breakdown was positive, so therefore I will continue.

TAKE 10 to RELAX could be the perfect blend. It contains herbal ingredients to support stress relief, muscle relaxation, as well as tension. It is made to put better quality back in to the quality of life. This particular product has a 875mg proprietary blend of effective herbal ingredients.

GABA: Increases HCH, promotes well being, and induces relaxation for sleep. It reduces: muscle tension, stress, anxiety, and depression
Valerian Root Extract: Herbal effectiveness for: chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and restlessness.
Rose Hips Extract: Used commonly as a natural anti-inflammatory which helps relieve stiffness and pain. Along with promoting well being and your mood
Eleutherococcus Extract: Improves sleep, relieves tension, aids in combating depression, helps with nervousness and generally used to treat typical stress induced illnesses.
Rhodiola Rosea Extract: Improves physical and mental performance and may help reduce fatigue
L-Theanine: Helps relieve stress by inducing a relaxing effect without drowsiness and may also possess immunologic attributes
Choline: Supports memory and mental clarity, concentrations, alertness focus and mood support.

I took this product as soon as I got home from a fairly stressful night. It took approximately 40 mins for me to unwind enough to appreciate the product. This particular product would be safe enough for me to take while I’m at work unlike many others. Does it work???? Yes, it takes a bit to kick in so be patient and you will tell a difference.
(7.5 out of 10)

TAKE 10 to SLEEP: This product will not have you just lying there tossing & waiting for slumber. The bottle suggests drink the entire contents 20 to 30 minutes before bed for best results. This formula contains natural ingredients to help you feel sleepy without feeling groggy and hung over afterwards. Take 10 reports that it triggers sleep and helps you stay asleep all night. Well for me, I sleep during the day and it’s difficult to obtain quality sleep. I don't remember waking up during my usual time. Let’s see if this unique blend is as effective as they claim.

Take 10 to SLEEP combines:

Valerian Root Extract, Rose Hips Extract, L-Theanine Choline are common among many sleep products and are proven to work. Take 10 has also added some unique ingredients.
Chamomile Extract: Helps with stomach troubles, colds, and muscle aches as well as the usual anxiety and sleeplessness
Passion Flower Extract and Kava Root Extract: Treats anxiety and insomnia
Melatonin: Helps people fall asleep faster, sleep better, and be more alert in the morning. It can greatly improve quality of life for people with primary insomnia.

I took this product after a night where I had high stress from work. Rummaging through our refrigerator for a relaxation drink, I was lucky to have grabbed this one. I was able to get approx. 6 hours of sleep. (that’s great for during the day, especially for me ) I actually was more alert than usual, which I attribute to being well rested.

(9 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Do you want to know the secret to getting rid of stress and being able to sleep well? Yeah me too! I asked the same question before and was told the key is to actually learn how to handle it. Well not all of us have the time nor the patience to achieve this feat.

Products might only give you temporary relief….but I will take it! I love the fact this product is sugar, carb and calorie free. It’s sure makes it easier to indulge in supplements without guilt. This was an item that I had never heard of before but was pleased with the choice between sleep and relaxation. This product gets my recommendation and I think you should definitely pick it up if you get the chance.

Official Website: http://take10beverages.com/
Take 10 Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/take10beverages

A Snack In The Face Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-06-29T13:39:00.002-05:00

With the energy drink market being a multi-billion dollar industry, it is no surprise that many companies are starting to include caffeine in their products to get in on the action. A small time company out of Iowa, called "A Snack in The Face", makes highly caffeinated (and delicious) baked goods. Today I will taking on their caffeine loaded chocolate chip cookie.

The Look: Each cookie comes individually wrapped, inside it's own little cardboard box. On the front they have the company name and the outline of a hand with a caffeine molecule on it. The package is simple but goes very well with the company name. On the back you get the usual stuff like nutritional facts, an ingredient list, and a caffeine warning. I cannot find one fault on this packaging. They did everything right: they have a great name for the product, the caffeine content is listed, and the art work fits the package well.

(9 out of 10)

Taste: Before I give a run down on the taste, let me tell you about something that impressed me with this company. We live in society, that most foods contain ingredient names that require a masters degree to even know what they hell they are, A Snack In The Face sticks to the basics. Here are the ingredients inside each cookie: wheat flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, and caffeine. Can a chocolate chip cookie get to much better than that?

The taste of these are simply fantastic. They managed to keep the cookie very moist and soft, without being overly soft. On top of that, there is no hint of the 200 mg of caffeine anywhere to be found. Not only is this one of the best caffeinated foods I have tried, but this is one of the tastiest chocolate chips cookies I have ever had.

(9.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Each cookie contains 200 mg of pharmaceutical-grade caffeine. On top of that, the entire cookie (2 servings) contains 514 calories, 22 g of fat, 232 g of sodium, 76 g of carb (48 g of sugar), 10 g of protein, and 52% your dv of iron, and even a small amount of vitamin A.

The first time I tried a "Snack in The Face" chocolate chip cookie, I was nice and shared it with my beautiful girlfriend. I was surprised at how effective that just half of the cookie was. I was actually slightly wired and was filled with an impressive amount of energy. The second time I tried one, I finished the entire cookie and I was more than just slightly wired. To be honest, the 200 mg of caffeine and the sugar kicked my butt and had me going strong for several hours.

(9 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: This small little company makes products that are HUGE in taste and they will give you, as promised "a snack in the face". If you are looking for a great new way to get your caffeine fix, then I highly recommend checking out the great folks at "A Snack In The Face". If chocolate chip cookies are not your thing, they also sell brownies (review coming soon) and sugar cookies. The prices are very reasonable and I cannot say enough how great these things taste (and work).

As always I welcome your comments, questions and/or opinions.

Official Website: http://www.asnackintheface.com/

You can also buy these from http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Bang!! Caffeinated Ice Cream

2011-06-13T21:30:00.002-05:00

If I had to make a list of my favorite things, caffeine and ice cream would easily make the list. When I found out a company makes a highly caffeinated ice cream, I knew I had to check it out. Bang!! Caffeinated Ice Cream comes in 4 flavors and delivers a whopping 125 mg of caffeine per serving (4 servings per container). For those of you that don't want to do that math, that comes to 500 mg of caffeine per container! For this review, you will be able to read the opinion of both of the Caffeineaholic.net reviewers.

The Look:

Bryan: I like how Bang!! Ice Cream went with a comic book type of theme for the ice cream. I always enjoyed reading comic books and seeing the "action bubbles" when there was a fight or something going on. Of course the color scheme will be different, depending on the variety you choose but the overall look is the same on all of them. The overall packaging is very clean looking but still manages to be bold and will stand out well on the shelves. On the back they have a diagram stating that one scoop (1/4th of the container) is equal to one energy drink (125 mg of caffeine).
(9 out of 10)

Christie: I think someone at Bang!! has influential results of American Pop Art such as Roy Lichtenstein. They did not hesitate to break the rules of propriety with their design and flavor but we will get to there in a moment. I think their color scheme is great for the flavors on hand. I am partial to the bold colors and like to know at a glance what flavor I am grabbing without having to read too much. (ok ok I am male minded on a lot of things!)
(9 out of 10)

Taste:

Bryan: With 4 flavors to choose from there should be a flavor for everyone. I will review each flavor separately, because they are each quite unique.

Cooky Mint: This is one of my 2 favorite flavors. Imagine the flavor of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, captured inside a delicious ice cream. The mint is the most dominant flavor here and then they have chunks of thin mints inside the ice cream. Good luck stopping at just 1 serving on this one.
(9.5 out of 10)

Peanut Butta: Next up is Peanut Butta. Peanut Butta uses a chocolate ice cream for the foundation. Inside the ice cream there are swirls of peanut butter and even mini peanut butter cups. I normally do not like peanut butter but this stuff is dangerously good.
(9 out of 10)

Heaps of Gold: Heaps of Gold is a dark chocolate ice cream with pieces of Heath bar mixed inside. If you love chocolate then this one is for you. Just like the others, this taste wonderful and the pieces of Heath bar are quite plentiful inside.
(8.5 out of 10)

Iced Latte-Da: Anyone that reads the site frequently knows that I am not a fan of coffee flavored items. I still went ahead and tried it just so I could give it a chance. They captured the flavor of espresso wonderfully here and have pieces of chocolate mixed in to give it some depth. I asked some of the other people who sampled it with me to grade it on a scale of 1-10 in order to give it a fair grade.
(9 out of 10) From the coffee drinker in the sampling group

Christie: Bing! (great idea) Bang! (good lawd look what they have done) Boom! (ice cream that will not only make you slap your momma but give you the energy to run from her)

Cooky Mint: With a bold non stop flavor of mint smacking you in the mouth, this one is wonderfully mixed. It's thick blend of cream vs mint chocolate ratio captures just what they wanted. The continuous green colored, churned ice cream is blended with cookie and chocolately chunks. There is no caffeine taste at all. Reminds me of a cold Andes Chocolate Mint: just cool, refreshing mintiness that might bite back.

(9 out of 10)

Peanut Butta: Chocolate Ice Cream, peanut butter ripples, and mini peanut butter cups... OH MY!

Peanut butter is my favorite flavor all time over any other treat. It's greatness whipped together into a thick chocolate cream base. The ribbons of peanut butter are thick and very smooth and a surprise when you bite into lil peanut butter cups!

(9.5 out of 10)

Heaps of Gold: Normally I do not enjoy bitter dark chocolate in or on anything. Bang!! Was able to design a product that is a first for me, a desirable dark chocolate with bits of Heath bar. This dark creamy composite is not bitter and might actually change your out look on dark chocolate all together. Combined, the two elements still retain their individual identities and work as a great pair for a superb flavor.

(9 out of 10)

Iced Latte-Da: Think of Espresso combined with chocolate and cream, frozen! This has a sharp espresso flavoring that upon the second or third bite isn't as sharp. The flavors soon blends into a mocha type as the swirls of fudge intertwine with the coffee and cream. I think this product would be great to add to your morning coffee to give it a great flavor and caffeinated boost.

(9 out of 10)

Does It Work:

Bryan: First lets break down what is inside each tub of Bang!! Ice Cream. Inside each tub there are 4 servings and each serving has 125 mg of caffeine. As I mentioned earlier that is 500 mg of caffeine inside each pint of ice cream. I have tried this on several occasions now and each time this stuff rocked my world. The first time I tried it I did my best to stick to the serving size and I got a great boost of energy that lasted about 2 and a half hours. I also tried eating 2 servings to really let the ice cream shine and I got jolted awake from the 250 mg of caffeine and the sugar.

Here are all the nutritional facts for those interested: http://www.bangicecream.com/product.html
(8 out of 10) 1 Scoop
(9 out of 10) 2 Scoops

Christie: I wont repeat Bryan for the most part. Yet to answer the question of does this work?
Clearly, YES! I sampled all the flavors. It is a product worth psyching yourself up to try! The amount of caffeine used was a surprise to have without any hint of aftertaste. I was able to maintain a buzz from this product for a few hours from the sugar and zinging ingredient of guarana seed extract. Tantalizing with a Bang!

(8.5 out of 10) 1 Scoop
(9 out of 10) 2 Sccops

Overall Thoughts:
Bryan: This is one of the greatest products I have tried since I started Caffeineaholic.net. The ice cream itself taste amazing and the added caffeine just makes it that much better. Start your day off with some ice cream to jump start your day or grab a scoop in the afternoon to beat the heat and get a boost. I do give you a word of warning when trying Bang!! Caffeineated Ice Cream...use moderation because 500 mg of caffeine will get anyone uncomfortably wired.

Christie: Loved, Loved, Loved it. It is concentrated, so do not eat from the container. I would suggest using this product with a cone, or just scoop it into a bowl. I must say, if you have no will power it may be hard for you to control your serving size. It's blend of flavors are done toooo well. It's a pure conglomeration for your mouth! Well done Bang on a all around great, delicious, and enticing product.

Official Website: http://www.bangicecream.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bang-Ice-Cream/201077803260055

Good Night

2011-06-01T20:29:00.007-05:00

I’m not sensitive to caffeine or lack thereof. I don’t need coffee or caffeine to get motivated however; I do enjoy the boost about midnight. I work from 6p to 6a. There are times I need a little help to wind down and sleep during the day. Normally I take prescription medication to sleep….. Well except for this time. I tried this product called Good Night Drink n Dream and I was rather impressed.

The Look: Very straight forward design! I feel the simplicity of this dark cobalt blue can, pictured with a clear starry night just sets the scene of relaxation with the crescent moon. The words “Good night Drink’n Dream" is clearly the slogan here. I truly believe this company concentrated on the product, it is not just a gimmick on the can. I wished the can I had was in English on the reverse (but I can't fault the company for that).

8 out of 10

Taste : Lightly carbonated drink, pleasant faint smell. I find it not really fruity, but a slight hint of bubble gum, mixed with a light berry flavoring. The unique recipe is based on a combination of extracts: valerian, lavender, rose hip and melatonin. I wish there was an English listing of ingredients but I have yet to find one ... I really enjoyed the taste of this! The drink was light, refreshing and after drinking the contents I was disappointed it was gone.

8.5 out of 10

Does it work: Clearly, YES. I chugged this drink, thinking “meh.” It took about 15 minutes before I felt anything and 30 minutes before I was out. It was a very calm feeling with my eye lids becoming heavy. I really am lead to believe if you drink responsibly that this product could be the leader in its class. This product is quoted to:

	relieves stress and pressure shortens the time it takes to fall asleep helps retain deep regenerative sleep
	helps individuals to ease PFT and reduce anxiety, fear and stress during flights specially developed to insure peaceful sleep during flights reduces jet lag
	ensures a healthy sleep for maintenance of energy all day long ensures a relaxing sleep promoting better sports achievements ensures a peaceful sleep resulting in better job achievements

If you break down some of the ingredients you can see why this drink will not fail you. I have added some links for additional info.

Valerian has been used to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/valerian-000279.htm

Lavender is used to lengthen total sleep time, increase deep sleep, and make people feel refreshed. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsitoq/a/Insomnia_2.htm

Rose Hip: The adrenal glands are responsible for releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which help you react to stressful situations. Rose hips may help support your adrenal and other glands when your body is under stress. http://www.livestrong.com/article/149546-rose-hip-tea-benefits/#ixzz1NulwOTsL

Melatonin: supplements have been used for a variety of medical conditions, most notably for disorders related to sleep http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melatonin/NS_patient-melatonin

( 9 out of 10)

Overall thoughts: Where can I get more! I would definitely drink this every morning when I got off work. I saw a photo of Good Night next to Red Bull – well I think it’s a great balance to the universe. A true Yin and Yang. There are many people out there like me, who work odd shifts, suffer from insomnia, or just need a non-alcoholic drink to relax and find some rest. The product does state Drink n Dream although I never remember any dreams so I am unable to comment on that portion. I can say this: CONGRATS on a product well done all around. I am now a true fan.

Please don’t forget to visit their website and find them on Facebook.

Official Website: http://www.goodnightdrink.se/

Site Update

2011-05-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let everyone know what is going on with the site. I am currently in the process of moving so therefore I haven't got the chance to review anything in the past few weeks. Once the move is complete, I can assure you that I will be back with more reviews and some very interesting new products. The site will be back in full force in just a few weeks, so stay tuned.

As always, thanks to everyone that has shown so much interest in the site. Your comments and feedback are what motivates me to keep finding new things for review.

Lazy Cakes

2011-05-03T20:26:00.003-05:00

You look kind of stressed out. Maybe a "special" brownie will help relax you a bit. Lazy Cakes are "special" brownies that are made to help relax you and best of all they are completely legal. Yup all the fun of magic brownies without the legal troubles.

The Look: Lazy Cakes come packaged individually wrapped in 2 oz portions. On the front there is a picture of a brownie that is chilling against the Lazy Cakes logo. The brownie kind of reminds me of Towelie from Southpark for reason. Everything from the color scheme, to the font used, to the relaxed brownie guy on the front really help the packaging stick out. Turning it around there is nutritional information as well as warnings about keeping out of reach of children. They also have "brownie points" on each package that you can save up and trade in for cool Lazy Cakes gear.
(9 out of 10)

Taste: Lazy Cakes taste like...you guessed it, brownies. The outer part of the brownie has a nice hardness to it that surrounds a softer center. The packaging says there are 2 servings per package but I ate both serving very easily because of the great taste. The only criticism I have is that I wish the brownies were a bit more moist inside.
(8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: I ate the entire brownie (2 servings) in just a few minutes. Within about 10 minutes I felt very relaxed. This is a different type of feeling than the relaxation drinks on the market. I felt almost sedated and just zoned out watching TV for a few hours. The effects from the brownie lasted about 2-3 hours and I went to sleep almost immediately afterwards.
Each Lazy Cake uses 4 mg of melatonin (per serving) to cause the relaxing "buzz". Along with the melatonin each serving contains 165 calories, 7.5 g of far, 25 mg of cholesterol, 21 g of carbs, and less than 2 g of protein.
(9 out of 10) This rating is for both servings

Overall Thoughts: These special tasty brownies are definitely a product worth checking out. You will feel a huge decrease in stress as well as becoming overly relaxed after consumption. I know a bunch of gas stations are starting to carry these and you can also buy them online (looks like they run about 3 bucks each). If you have get the chance to try them or have already tried them, please let me know yours thoughts on Lazy Cakes.

Official Website: http://www.mylazycakes.com/

ConTact Caffeine Soap

2011-04-26T13:29:00.003-05:00

Over the last several weeks I have been trying out a wonderful caffeine infused soap by a company called Con*Tact Caffeine. Not only does this soap wake you up with a great amount of caffeine but it also leaves you smelling great with the huge variety of scents they offer.

The Look: Each bar of soap is about 2 inches in diameter and has a paw print that is on top (The reason for the paw print was to help the company stand out at conventions. I found that the paw print also acts as a great way to provide an extra grip to the bar of soap). Depending on the scent, the color and graphic design (on the outer packaging) are different. Each bar is wrapped in plastic wrap with a round sticker on top. Really there isn't much you can do with soap packaging but I think these look great and are top notch.

(8.5 out of 10)

~~Taste~~ Scent: I tried out 3 varieties of soap and each one was fantastic. I tried out Werewolf, Absinthe, and Yuzu. The Werewolf is a great scent that has a nice spice smell combined with a very "manly scent". The Yuzu has citrusy tones mixed in with it and makes for one of the better smelling soaps I have ever used. The most unique of the 3 was the Absinthe. I don't know how to describe this scent but I can tell you it smells great.

All 3 of the samples I got impressed me greatly.

(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: Caffeineated soaps mix the caffeine directly into the soap. As you lather up the soap on your body, the caffeine slowly absorbs into your skin. When trying out the soap I lathered up my entire body and let it sit for about a minute or so before I rinsed it off. Within just a few minutes I could definitely feel the caffeine doing it's job. I went from half asleep to actually feeling quite energized. I tried 2 different techniques when using the soap: I lathered directly from the bar to my body and then I also used a scrubby pouf. I found the scrubby pouf method seemed to work a bit better but I could tell the difference no matter how I applied the soap to my body.
The website claims that each bar of soap contains the caffeine equivalent to a strong cup of coffee in each usage. I would say this is pretty accurate and I was able to make it several hours in the morning before I felt the need to reach for an energy drink.
(7.5 - 8 out of 10) This number could be higher of lower depending on how long you let it sit on the skin and how you apply it.

Overall Thoughts: I have tried out several caffeinated soaps and this has to be one of my favorites so far. Not only do they smell fantastic (seriously you need to get a bar and see what I mean) but they actually work great. If you are one of those people like me that are not a morning person, then you need to grab a bar of Con*Tact Caffeine Soap and help kick start you mornings before you even leave the shower. There are over 30 varieties of soap, you are sure to find one that you fall in love with. Also they offer caffeine free version of their soaps for those people looking for a great soap minus the caffeine.

Official Website: http://www.contactcaffeine.com/

Java Monster Kona Blend

2011-04-21T17:51:00.005-05:00

Normally I’m blunt and to the point but this one time I feel a history lesson is needed.

Kona coffee is a rare commodity. In fact, only an estimated 1,500 acres are said to be in production and the majority of farms in Kona are family owned and operated in Hawaii. This created a problem in meeting demand. Kona blends of coffee are from Hawaii originally and can be super expensive ($25+ a pound). I was excited to learn Monster made an energy drink named KONA BLEND to let common people try this excellence of a coffee. Could it truly be a “New Big Island blend too good to be true”? I’m thinking so, MAHALO!

The Look: Monster took the classic monogram and Java Monster coffee + energy logo and placed it on a black and grey can. It reminds me for some reason of the Assault cans. The back ground is made to look as if you’re glaring into the dark tones of volcanic rock. It’s accented with a brown/goldish rope like design at the lip the can with “KONA BLEND”. The sides of the can go with the whole Hawaiian theme. Pictures of Tiki’s, huts and vegetation give you the sense of central eastern Polynesian culture in your hands. Monster’s passage on the can reads, “Everyone knows some of the best coffee on the planet comes from Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii. No need to trek the slopes of Mauna Loa braddah since we already got some of Pele’s thunder and put it in a can. Select Kona beans combined with premium imported coffee, super charged with our proven energy blend makes for an unbeatable combination.”

(8 out of 10)

The Taste: This is a pleasant mix of Kona blend coffee, reduced fat milk, and monster blend in rare form. It has a very mild coffee smell that is stronger than the actual taste. Kona coffee has a naturally a smooth clean, sweet medium bodied taste with a hint of chocolate. There is no bitter after taste & makes you keep reaching for the can. It’s a sophisticated blend that anyone can enjoy. The milk base turns this in to a desirable drink and puts it on edge as s more of a semi chocolaty mocha that is milder form. I tried this strait for the fridge, heated and frozen. Despite the versatile challenges I tried to put it through it passed with – no bitterness or any weird adverse or unwanted secondary flavor.

(7.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: UM DUH!! I don’t recall anything I have had of Monster that “didn't give you a jolt as promised". Taurine 1000mg, Panax- Ginseng 200mg and Monster’s famous energy blend of 2,500 mg should spark torches and please the Tiki god’s somewhere. Soon as I opened this drink, I put ½ into a measured cup & placed it in the freezer, I drank ¼ can at one time while heating the rest. Basically a ½ can give me a pretty good pick me up. Approx. 2hrs. later, I ate the frozen Kona. Surprisingly I was able to maintain my alertness altogether for a steady 4-5hrs.

(8.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Despite the intimidating can, Monster delivers a smooth, elegant and perfectly balanced alluring flavor. I had the impression of “dark can = harsh flavor” that I wouldn't appreciate. On the contrary this bold can was needed to contain the impressive flavor and scare off anyone who really didn't understand Kona. ( That’s the reason for the history lesson! )

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Caffeinated Waffles?

2011-04-21T14:03:00.001-05:00

In a hurry? Well why not grab breakfast and ditch the coffee. Wired Waffles come packed with 200 mg of caffeine per waffle (WOW!). Each waffle is individually packaged and can be eaten without syrup or flavoring if wanted because of the caramelized pearl sugar that is cooked in. Look for gourmet Wired Waffles to be popping up around June.

Official Website: http://www.wiredwaffles.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/wiredwaffles

Java Monster Toffee

2011-04-13T21:59:00.007-05:00

The Look: Java Monster Toffee: “It’s time to get out of line and step up to what’s next! It’s Coffee done the Monster way; wide open, with a take no prisoner attitude yet the experience on how to back it up.” This 15oz blend is poured into what appears to be wooden, sienna colored patterned can. It’s then embellished with the large golden M, decaling the majority of the can. The flavor “TOFFEE” is listed near the lip in gold yet bold lettering. JAVA MONSTER is written in dark mahogany out lined in the gold near the bottom with the wording coffee + energy. The Contents are clearly defined with the website on the reverse side. Monster knows the power and simplicity of the M.

(7.5 out of 10)

Taste: This creamy milk based blend is of pure decadence. There is neither bitterness nor carbonation. It’s a sweet take, of a milked based liquid caramel and a subtle hint of coffee. It’s much smoother than other coffee flavored drink I've had. It is what I feel a great balance of a Semi-rich lavish flavor. You’re able to enjoy the cream of the reduced fat milk without 100% guilt. I’m very pleased to say this leaves minimal coffee aftertaste. I am notorious for letting drinks get room temperature. However, if you’re a fan of the flavor of coffee in general then letting this sit a while will not be an issue. I have to warn you, the warmer it got the more evident and dominate the coffee flavor got. Normally I would of tried some warm/heated for versatility purposes…. yet I was afraid it would have become too over powering. So drink this as it was meant to be enjoyed straight from the cooler or a little less than ice cold... (Drink moderately and within reason)

( 7.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Toffee + Energy it is just that. This particular drink is based (per serving) at 100 calories, 17g of carbs and 18g of sugar. The power concealed in this can comes from 1000 mg Taurine 200 mg Panax Ginseng, and 2500 mg of Monster’s energy blend (L-Camitine, glucose, caffeine, , Guanana, Inositol, Glucuronotone, Medodextrin) with the accompaniment of vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B12,C & D. I have a moderate to high tolerance to caffeine and b vitamins and I was impressed with the boost of energy I was able to maintain with this drink. It was consumed at work on a normal 12hr shift. At times there is no room for error in judgment or it could be 10hr shift of Netflix. Either way I have to be ready and alert. I was able to drink @ 6:30pm and felt energized until approximately 3:30am. I was left with no jittery feeling and there wasn't a crash afterwards.

( 8.5 out 10)

Overall Thoughts: Java, Joe, Frappuccino, Cappuccino no matter how you choose your coffee and caffeine intake, trust Monster to do it right! I honestly can say if you don’t like the taste of coffee or prefer a lighter more blended coffee flavor, then this is for you. It’s excellent for someone who prefers a hybrid blend of energy. I’m still hoping for a sugar free version and perhaps a soy variety for my lactose intolerant friends out there.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com

Cult Energy Activator

2011-04-10T18:14:00.001-05:00

Recently I ran across an energy drink online that peaked my interest. The name of the drink is Cult. Cult labels itself as 100% natural and uses only ginseng and guarana (caffeine source) to give the drink it's kick.

The Look: Cult Energy Activator comes in 2 varieties, a sugared version and a sugar free variety. Aside from the color schemes the can's appear to be almost identical.
The full sugared version of Cult comes in a black can. It uses white and red for the fonts and the color scheme works very well on the can. I really like the font they used for the word Cult, I think it has a very interesting look to it. The caffeine content is listed in the nutritional information and they did a good job of keeping the can uncluttered.
(8.5 out of 10)
The sugar free version is done in a white color that looks equally as nice with the color scheme used. The red and black font really pop again the white background.
(8.5 out of 10)

Taste: As soon as I opened the can I could tell that Cult was going to be a Red Bull clone just by the smell. Don't get me wrong, I understand why companies use the same flavor profile since Red Bull is one of the top selling drinks on the market. Each drink starts with the familiar Red Bull taste except I notice that there is a bit more gumminess to the drink as well as it being a tad more sour. I also noticed that Cult has less carbonation that most energy drinks. Overall the drink did a decent job, at what it was trying to achieve.
I also got the chance to try this drink out as a mixer, and it did well when used in Jager bombs as well as mixed with cherry vodka.
(7.5 out of 10) Original Flavor
(7 out of 10) Sugar Free

Does It Work: Cult keeps the ingredient list very simple and relies on ginseng and guarana (80 mg of caffeine) to provide the energy. An 8 oz can is on par with your standard energy drinks and provided me with about a 2 hours energy boost that ended with no crash. The kick on the drink is not strong but there are still many situations that a kick like this might be desired.
The original version contains 28 grams of sugar per can and the sugar free version is of course 0 grams of sugar.
(7 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Cult treads where many energy drinks have went before by using the classic energy drink flavor. The packaging is very solid and the kick is right on par with most drinks it's size. If you spot one of these drinks, grab one and give it a try (don't forget it makes a good mixer).

Official Website: http://cultenergyusa.com

Monster M3

2011-04-08T18:11:00.001-05:00

After trying Monster Rehab, I was very excited to get my hands on Monster M3. I searched constantly for the drink for over a month with no luck. My luck finally changed last week when I spotted the beautiful looking little 5 oz bottles in the cooler, next to the other Monster drinks. I immediately snagged up several of them and made my way to the car. Let's see if Monster M3 lives up to the hype that I keep hearing.

The Look: Monster usually has fantastic packaging on all their products but I think they out did themselves this time. Monster M3 actually comes in a green glass bottle. Each bottle is 5 oz in size and has a top that you have to get off with a bottle opener (no twist off). They also put a Monster emblem of an eagle holding what looks like a Monster crest directly into the glass. Around the bottle they wrapped a black label that features the Monster "M" (to the 3rd power apparently) in the usual Monster green color. On the back there is a very entertaining passage about Monster M3.

Even the slogan on this bottle is great: "Grab an M3 glass and kick some ass!" Normally I dock a slight amount if the caffeine content is not listed on the bottle but I will give Monster a free pass because the rest of the packaging looks so nice.

(10 out of 10)

Taste: This drink is listed as a "super concentrate" so I was not sure what to expect taste wise. When I first pried the metal cap off the container I was greeted with a familiar smell of Monster. Imagine the original green Monster with a slighter higher carbonation level and that is exactly what this taste like. If you hate Monster then you will probably dislike this drink but if you like it.....

(8 out of 10)

Does It Work: Monster M3 promises to have the same kick of a full 16 oz drink crammed into this 5 oz glass bottle. It took me about 4 or 5 minutes to finish the entire drink and I started to feel quite energized within 10 minutes. The drink actually caught me a bit off guard and even caused a slight amount of jittery energy. All together I experienced roughly 3.5 - 4 hours of energy that ended in a very mild crash.

(8.5 out of 10)

What's Inside: Each bottle of Monster M3 contains 50 calories, 13 grams of sugar, 4 different B vitamins, 2000 mg of taurine, 120 mg of sodium, 400 mg of panax ginseng, and 5000 mg of their energy blend (l-carnitine, glucose, caffeine (an undisclosed amount), guarana, inositol, glucurono-lactone, and maltodextrin).

Overall Thoughts: So was this drink worth the wait? I believe it was. Monster M3 delivers a truly bad ass bottle, the usual Monster flavor, and a kick that is on par if not slighter stronger than a full size Monster. Just like Monster Rehab, you should start to see these appearing in more places this month.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Monster Rehab

2011-04-04T23:37:00.001-05:00

After over a month of searching, I finally found Monster Rehab sitting on the shelves next to the other Monster drinks. I am sure the cashier probably thought I was crazy, considering how excited I was to be buying an energy drink. Without further rambling, here is my review of Monster Rehab.

The Look: This can looks beautiful. Everything from the black top, to the gold/yellow coloring really makes this can stand out on the shelf. The way the colors are blended, it almost looks like flames in the background behind the big, Monster "M". There is a great passage about the drink on the back, that is very well written and of course nutritional information on the back as well. The only fault I have with the entire can is the fact the caffeine content is not listed, but rather included in the "Rehab Energy Blend". This can is one of my favorite in the entire Monster Lineup.
(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: Let me start of this section by letting you know that I am not a huge fan of tea. So when I saw the the flavor is listed as a Tea and Lemonade flavor, I was a bit worried that it might not appeal to me. I popped open the can almost immediately after leaving the gas station, on my way to night class. The first thing that hits you is the great lemonade flavor that is used. I am pretty shocked that the lemon taste so natural considering the drink is low carb. After the lemonade flavor settles, the tea flavor comes in very lightly and works perfectly with the lemon. I would put the ratio at about 75% lemonade flavor to 25% tea. The natural flavors (including 5% juice) make this my favorite Monster drink to date. There is absolutely no caffeine bitterness or aftertaste.
(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: The biggest thing that sets this apart from the other Monster drinks (besides the lack of carbonation) is the added electrolytes and the addition of several ingredients in the Rehab Blend. Inside each can of Monster Rehab there are 20 calories, 6 grams of carbs (6 grams of sugar), 4% vitamins C, 100% of multiple B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, taurine, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, black tea extract, milk thistle, coconut water, quercetin, l-carnitine, acai extract, goji berry, and mangosteen extract. As you can see Monster rally loaded this drink up with all kinds of good stuff. I was caught off guard by the strength of Monster Rehab. The drink isn't hardcore by any means but it seemed to keep me going longer and harder than other Monster drink. The entire experience lasted about 4 hours and there was no crash involved at the end. Judging by the ingredients inside, this should be a great drink for after a heavy night of drinking as well (I have not tested that yet).
(8.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Rockstar Recovery, you better watch out because there is another hydration/energy drink on the block now. Monster might of been "late to the party" but they truly delivered on Monster Rehab. You get a bad ass looking can, a killer flavor, and a kick that delivers...what else are you waiting for? Give a Monster Rehab a try and let me know your thoughts.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Favorite Energy Drink

2011-03-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

When I did the Caffeineaholic.net awards for 2010, all the winners were chosen by Caffeineaholic.net. Now I want to hear from all the great readers of the site. What is your favorite energy drink?
In the right side bar, you will notice there is now a poll for you to choose your favorite energy drink. This is your chance to let your opinion be heard and to vote your favorite drink to the top.
When the winner is revealed, I will be holding a contest that includes the top 3 drinks chosen as well as some random goodies.

Rockstar Recovery Orange

2011-03-26T11:06:00.001-05:00

A while back Rockstar released Rockstar Recovery Lemonade and it was a huge success. It was a great tasting drink, with minimal carbs that was one of my go to, readily available energy drinks. Now Rockstar is back with 2 new Recovery flavors: Orange and Grape. Today I will be taking on the orange variety. Let's see if Rockstar Recovery Orange can continue the success that Rockstar Recovery Lemonade created.

The Look: Rockstar makes some of the slickest cans on the market in my opinion. This can is done in orange to match the flavor and has the same design as Rockstar Recovery Lemonade. I think the orange looks a bit nicer than the yellow did and really makes the can look amazing. Rockstar did everything right once again, and my hat goes off to them for listing the caffeine content instead of including it in an energy blend.
(9 out of 10)

Taste: One of the things that drew me to Recovery Lemonade was the amazing flavor. Upon cracking open the can I got a nice orange scent that reminds me of orange flavored Gatorade. The taste also reminds me of an orange Gatorade, which is a plus because I really enjoy Gatorade. There is no hint of caffeine in the taste department, and the fact there is no carbonation makes the drink go down very easily. I think Recovery Lemonade was just a touch better in flavor, but Recovery Orange is still a damn good drink.
(8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: One of the great things about the Recovery line is that you get some added ingredients that promote hydration along with providing a great boost of energy. Inside each can of Rockstar Recovery Orange there are 20 calories, 2 grams of carbs, a handful of B vitamins, 80 mg of sodium, 2000 mg of taurine, 160 mg of caffeine, 100 mg of panax ginseng extract, 50 mg of prickly pear extract, and 40 mg of milk thistle extract. As you can see Rockstar did not skimp on the ingredients here. After finishing the entire can I started to got a great boost of energy within about 15-20 minutes. The kick lasted for over 3 hours and ended with no crash. I also got to test this after a night of heavy drinking and I easily noticed the addition of the extra ingredients that help to hydrate me.
(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: I am really glad that Rockstar decided to expand on the Recovery lineup. As always you can tell that Rockstar put in a great deal of thought into the packaging, the taste, and even the ingredients. I have started seeing these almost everywhere lately and I highly suggest that you give them a try when you find one. Rockstar Recovery Lemonade is still my favorite of the 3 but I am glad to see more choices.

Official Website: http://www.rockstar69.com/

Tiger Blood

2011-03-15T11:03:00.001-05:00

Yeah that is right Harcos has managed to contain the awesomeness that is Tiger Blood inside a bag. One word sums this great product up, WINNING! Let's see if Tiger Blood delivers as promised or if my face melts off......

The Look: Tiger Blood comes in the same style bag as the Energy Blood Potion. Actually it is the exact same bag except for the front. On the front they list the blood type as type B (for Bi-Winning of course) and also list some bullet points that made me laugh pretty hard:
*100% Passion
*Take more drugs than anyone could survive
*Bang 7 gram rocks
*Dying's for fools
*Party epically
*Expose people to magic, then forget about them tomorrow
*Period. The end

They include a disclaimer for those people that actually believe it might do those things. Overall I really enjoy the packaging here and I think it is a great novelty product worth checking out.
(9 out of 10)

Taste: The flavor is a fruit punch with a slight metallic taste afterwards to tie in with the whole blood theme. Harcos did a great job of masking any evidence of caffeine. The metallic taste is something you will either enjoy or that you will be completely disgusted by. I fall into the first category of enjoying it.
(8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: If this was real Tiger Blood, then this would be too potent for any one to actually consume. Tiger Blood comes loaded with 80 mg of caffeine, 7 grams of sugar, 15 mg of potassium, 4g of protein, and 10 mg of iron. I was hoping after I drank down the entire bag of Tiger Blood that I would be filled with enough energy to be an epic warlock..... but it was not so. I did however get a very nice boost that lasted a bit over 2 hours with no crash.
(7.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Well first off my face did not melt off, which I am very thankful for. I think Tiger Blood is definitely worth checking out. Sure it might not make you a WINNER! but it will make you look epic when anyone sees you drinking it.
To end the review I leave you with a Charlie Sheen joke.
How much cocaine did Charlie Sheen do?
Enough to kill 2 1/2 Men......

Official Website: http://shop.harcoslabs.com/

Monster Chai Hai

2011-03-09T21:50:00.006-06:00

Wanna get Hai? Yes, HAI not HIGH!

Well you can get that great pick me up feeling with Monster’s Chai Hai Tea! If you want something that is smooth creamy and can be labeled as a non-carbonated stereotypical energy drink……. well this is an excellent choice.

The Look: Monster Java blends are distinctly patterned cans, with a gold oversized monogramed “M”. Each of these will have their flavored listed on the top lip of the can. This particular one is a standard 16 oz. size can (about 2 servings) with a Cream & Green stenciled pattern. Monster also included a bit about this drink on the can and I love it. It reads, “Hell YES! Monster can do tea! Not that powdered junk or the latest New Age cure-all, not the Queen has with her crumpets r the tea little girls have with make believe friends. Chen Hen is more like the tea guards drink in a Turkish Prison-tea with sacks not bags! Imported Tea, real cream, Monster’s Spice and energy bleed… Guaranteed to stroke the fires within!” Contents are labeled in black and easy to read.

(7.5 out of 10)

Taste: Have ever had an Iced Chai Latte, from a well-known coffee house? This is similar, except better! Monster did great on this blend. It has a slight smell of spice, and a smooth creamy finish. You’re just left with the taste of blended nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and vanilla infused sweet cream. It’s an exotic taste that escapes any other tea taste. There is no after taste of any energy blend, allowing you to drink the product rather quickly. If you love anything milk based, you will love this. The versatility of this flavor is great. I have tried it frozen, heated and straight out of the can.

(8.5 out of 10)

Does it work: “It’s guaranteed to stoke the fires within?” I’m not sure about my fire, but it sparks something! I normally work 12 to 14 hrs some days and I would have to admit this is has been my choice more times than I’d like to admit. I doubt you will be able to stop at 8oz yet this is what it’s fueled by: Taurine 1,000mg; Panax Ginseng 200mg; Energy Blend (Glucose, Caffeine, Guanana, Inositol, Glucuronotone, Medodextrin) 2,500mg and Vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B12,C & D. The calorie content is 90, Carbs 14g and sugar 13g. Although, I wished carbs/calories was lower, it isn’t that bad in comparison to some other drinks out there.

(8.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: If you’re in the market for an energy drink that is not the norm then this is it. It’s more of a liquefied creamy desert with a kick. It’s kind of heavy and filling yet it is a desirable treat anytime of the day. I would choose this over any coffee house version any day. (Especially for the price and transport/versatility). Make sure to look for the green can in the Monster Java Section at your local convenient store to obtain.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Bing

2011-03-05T16:43:00.003-06:00

When I first heard of Bing, I thought maybe it was an energy drink put out by Bing search engine. After a bit of research I found out the Bing got it's name because it uses black bing cherries to give it nice cherry flavor. After a few emails back and forth with the company, they offered to send me some samples so I could check out Bing for myself.

The Look: Bing comes in a primarily red can with black and gold colored fonts. On the front of the can they have the word Bing done in black as well as a picture of a cherry that is done in black as well. Flipping the can around there are supplement facts and an ingredient list. The only complaint I have about the drink is that at first glance you would never guess it is an energy drink. The can did mention the caffeine content in each can, so that is a huge plus in my book.
(7 out of 10)

Taste: When it comes down to it, taste is one of the two most important factors when it comes to energy drinks. When I first opened the can, the delicious aroma of cherries was very pleasant. Bing actually smells like real cherries, not like the candy cherries that most drinks have. Bing is probably the best cherry flavored energy drink that I have come across so far. I believe a big factor of the wonderful taste is due in part to the 5% cherry juice that is used in each can. If you love cherries, then I think you will be very happy giving Bing a shot. There is no medicinal taste and the carbonation compliments the cherry flavoring quite well.
Also if you are of age, Bing makes an excellent mixer. I mixed cherry vodka and Bing in a shot and we called it VodaBing (hey it sounded good while we were drinking).
(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: Bing is powered by 40 calories, 10 grams of sugar, 100% vitamin C, several B vitamins, 1000 mg of taurine, 120 mg of caffeine, 100 mg of ginko biloba extract, 100 mg of ginseng, beta - glucan, guarana seed extract, acai berry extract, and flax seed extract. As you can see Bing doesn't skimp on the energy ingredients. It took me about 15 minutes to drink the entire can and I started to feel nicely energized within about 15 minutes of consuming it. For this size can, I think Bing is well above average in this department. The kick lasted around 3 hours and there was no crash at the end.
(8.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: The first I heard of this drink was actually from someone on Twitter and I am very happy that they let me know about Bing. You get one of the best cherry flavored drinks on the market and a kick that is sure to help you get moving. Bing easily gets my recommendation for all the Caffeine A Holics out there to give a try.

Official Website: http://getbinged.com/

Blast Caffeine

2011-02-26T16:51:00.001-06:00

What if I told you that for under 13 dollars you could get the caffeine equivelant of over 100 energy drinks? Also what if I told you the container was about the size of a Tic Tac container. Well a product called Blast Caffeine promises to deliver just that... Let's check it out.

The Look: As I mentioned earlier Blast Caffeine comes in a container that resembles a Tic Tac package. The entire package is orange with a flip top style lid that dispenses the caffeine. The packaging is very uncluttered and has a nice look to it. I also love the size that was chosen for the packaging because it fits great in your pocket which means you can bring it anywhere you want. The packaging didn't bring anything new but at the same time I don't really have any gripes for it either.
(8 out of 10)

Taste: Just because I am Caffeine A Holic, I decided to first try Blast caffeine by itself. Yeah that is right I didn't mix it with anything. Instead I just poured one shake into my hand and then licked my hand. I was actually surprised at the taste of it when I tried it by itself. The taste wasn't nearly as bad as pure caffeine that I have had in the past. The bitterness of caffeine was still present but it was very minimal. Luckily though I will be judging the taste category by mixing it with things instead of by itself.
The first thing I tried Blast Caffeine in was Gatorade. I shook the container one time inside the bottle and then shook it all up. Surprisingly it tasted just like Gatorade even after being laced with a decent amount of caffeine (about 100 mg). Secondly I tried adding Blast Caffeine to Sprite Zero and once again all I could taste was the Sprite and none of the caffeine taste was present. For the final test I decided to try and add Blast Caffeine to a glass of water. This time I was barely able to taste the caffeine but I still did notice it. Still for most things you will not notice Blast Caffeine at all when you add it. The company even suggest that you can add it to different foods to give you an extra pick me up with whatever you eat.
(8 out of 10)

Does It Work: Blast Caffeine just contains one primary ingredient: CAFFEINE. Yeah no B vitamins, no caffeine, no Gingko, etc....just good old Caffeine. According to the company, the dispenser is designed to give you 100 mg of caffeine per shake. So depending on your caffeine tolerance you give it 1 shake, 2 shakes, or even 3 shakes for those Caffeine junkies out there who are daring.
When I ate the caffeine directly out of my hand I could actually feel the effects within just a few minutes. When Blast Caffeine was mixed with a drink it took about 15 minutes for me to start to feel the effects. Unless you mix this with something with lots of sugar, you will not experience any type of a crash.
(8 out of 10) 1 Shake
(9 out of 10) 2 Shakes

Overall Thoughts: This is a fantastic product for when you want to add extra caffeine to what you normally drink. Considering the size of the container, you can bring Blast Caffeine anywhere you want. Just remember to be responsible if you try this product because 11 grams of caffeine can kill someone.

Official Website: http://www.blastcaffeine.com/

Tweak Extreme

2011-02-19T11:57:00.003-06:00

Very seldom does an energy drink make me nervous about drinking the entire bottle. Well a drink called Tweak Extreme comes plastered with more warning labels than any other drink I have tried. I was lucky enough to get my hands on all 3 flavors, so let's see if Tweak lives up to the hype.

The Look: Tweak Extreme comes in a 12 oz plastic bottle that will vary on coloring depending on flavor. In a bold font they have the words "Tweak Extreme" going vertically down the bottle. Underneath the name of the drink they promote the fact it is: an extreme energy drink, zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbs. Nothing really intimating on the front. Now let me try to count all the warning labels on each bottle: 1 warning label on the top of the cap, 1 warning label on the bottom of the front, another warning label in the supplement facts, and then a huge warning next to the supplemental facts on the side. Now maybe you can see why I was a little nervous about this drink before I even opened it up. The package looks very nice and the only small gripe I have is no caffeine content is listed.
(8 out of 10)

Taste: Extreme energy drinks can sometimes suffer in the taste department. So I was a bit nervous of what Tweak Extreme was going to taste like.
Grape: This is my personal favorite flavor of Tweak Extreme. The medicinal taste is very minimal and almost non existent. The grape kind of reminds me of a melted grape popcycle.
(8.5 out of 10)
Berry: Berry is a very common flavor for energy drinks and shots so I was pretty sure what the flavor was going to be like. The berry flavor reminds of a 5 hour energy shot taste except 12 oz of it. This isn't a bad thing but you can tell you are drinking an extreme energy drink on this one.
(7.5 out of 10)
Pomegranate: The final flavor I tried of Tweak Extreme was Pomegranate. The flavor here is very mild and could use a bit more sweetness to it. Don't get me wrong the taste is good but I would of just enjoyed it more if it was a tad sweeter.
(8 out of 10)

Does It Work: If you are going to plaster the bottle with warning labels, hopefully there is a good reason. First let me emphasize that there are 3 servings in each bottle. I highly recommend against trying to drink the entire bottle in a short period of time. For the review I drank about 2 servings of the bottle and I got hit hard. This is not the kind of drink you want to have for sitting around all day. Once you drink Tweak Extreme you will be wired out of your mind. I would recommend this for any outdoor activities, going to the gym, seeing how many times you can run around the house, or maybe if you wanted to try and run across the state of Texas. I would not recommend Tweak Extreme for being at work, playing video games, trying to relax, or anytime you don't want to feel like the delivery guy from Mad TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GleHfIl_UHk).
All jokes aside this is some serious stuff that will fill you with an insane amount of energy. I was going strong for close to 5 hours after drinking just 2/3rds of bottle. Use caution with this one.
What powers Tweak Extreme? Caffeine, evodia rutaecarpa fruit (5% Evodiamine), yerba mate, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, oriental ginseng root, vinpocetine, yohimbe HCI, and green tea extract.
(10 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Tweak Extreme lives up to the hype. For the price of the drink it is an incredible value and you will not be disappointed in it. If you are looking for an extreme energy drink then Tweak Extreme is highly recommended by myself. Just remember when you try it, those warning labels are there for a reason...so don't be stupid.

Official Site: http://www.tweakerenergy.com/