Turbo Energy Drink Review

I was at Shopper Drug Mart again and this time I came across the Turbo Energy Drink. It was priced at only $2.49 CAD and said that it was made for Shoppers Drug Mart, which made me wonder if it was just as mediocre as the energy drink made for 7 Eleven...Inked I believe is the name.

I need only two words to describe this - RED BULL. It tastes exactly like it, a can of it contains almost the equivalent of two small Red Bull cans, the caffeine content is the same too. The label says that it is citrus flavoured so does that mean that Red Bull tastes like citrus fruits? Maybe the original thai one, but the carbonated Red Bull sold in cans here has a very unique, non-citrus taste. It is a bit sour so it might be confused with citrus fruits.

I got huge energy boost at first, probably because of the sugar/caffeine combo, and the rush lasted for a couple of hours then slowly started to wear off over the next hour.

Scores:
Cost - 8.5/10
Taste - 8.9/10...just because I love the Red Bull taste
Energy - 7.9/10

Overall - 25.3/30...I think I will be buying this when I go to Shoppers rather than Red Bull. You get twice as much, for the same price - a hidden gem this one is

Beaver Buzz Green Tea Energy Drink Review

This is another one of those beverages that I had been avoiding for years. I admit that the can looks great with its pale green color and simple layout, but I just have never had the urge to buy one until now. Why did I get it? It was priced at $1.99 CAD at the local Shoppers Drug Mart and that was the regular price. I thought I should give it a shot.

The label clearly states that this is a non-carbonated drink, which some people might like, but not me. I prefer carbonated drinks unless I have a sore throat. It tastes almost exactly like the Nestea Green Iced Tea. There are two things that make it different. First, it is much sweeter, but the sweetness does not hit you until you have almost swallowed and does last for a while. The second thing is that caffeine taste, probably from the guarana and ginseng extracts. This particular taste is overpowered by the sweetness of the drink. I think it would have been much better if the company had used an unsweetened green tea as a basis, rather than the sweetened one. At least the company uses cane sugar.

The caffeine content is 102 mg, and I wish it was higher. The can is comparable to that of the large Red Bull one, so I think it should have at least the same amount of caffeine. It still gave me a nice energy boost early in the morning, but it only lasted for about an hour.

Scores:
Cost - 9/10
Taste - 6.9/10
Energy - 6.2/10

Overall - 22.1/30...I think it could have been much better if it wasn't as sweet

amp Energy Traction Review

Almost identical to the Monster Mixxd in terms of taste. It's purple and tastes like a purple drink - grape/blackcurrant. It's as if the two companies took some koolaid and added their base energy drink to it. The only thing that is slightly different in the amp is the regular amp aftertaste which soon after drinking fades away and you are left with nothing more but a grape aftertaste. I think that the amp drink tastes slightly better than Monster Mixxd at first. After a few sips it tastes much better. Another difference is the company policy of informing the consumer what flavour their drinks are. You can clearly see, under the "Promotes Endurance" label, that the flavour is grape.

The energy boost is also the same. The two drinks also have almost identical levels of caffeine - the amp has 158mg and the Monster has around 160 mg (I cannot recall the exact content at the moment). I had a pleasant and productive hour which was followed by a couple of hours of feeling somewhere between normal and slightly hyper.

Scores:
Cost - 8/10 ($2.99 CAD)
Taste - 7.9/10
Energy - 7.5/10

Overall - 23.4/30...I remember stating that the Monster Mixxd was the best tasting Monster drink, well the amp is a better tasting grape energy drink at the same cost and same level of performance

amp Energy Reignite Review

This tastes exactly like a combination of tang, club soda, a bit of cough syrup and some crushed caffeine pills. At least amp has the decency to put the flavour on their packaging. This label clearly states that the beverage tastes like orange. Come on Monster, learn something from amp. It is not too bad, except for the aftertaste. For a few seconds there is a cough syrup taste, which is replaced by the artificial orange taste. After my taste buds were numbed I enjoyed the rest of the can.

I like how the caffeine content in the amp drinks varies. This one has 158 mg of caffeine, which is delivered depending on your drinking style. Gulp it quickly and say hello to some jittering. Take it slow and experience a wave of energy for several hours.

Scores:
Cost - 8/10 ($2.99 CAD)
Taste - 7.9/10
Energy - 7.6/10

Overall - 23.5/30...yea, this is not bad and I guess it delivered what it promised - to re-ignite me

Red Rain Energy Drink Review

I have been seeing this drink appear at many locations in the past few years. The first time I saw it, I was at Costco's and noticed that a whole flat of these was less than $20. Right next to the Red Rain was an identical case of Red Bull for around $50. I thought that Red Rain was just another cheap, awful tasting energy drink packed with synthetic caffeine. Later I started seeing it at convenience stores being sold for much less than $2 or 4 for $5. I kept thinking that this was cheap because it was awful so I never bothered buying one. That changed yesterday. I was at the local LobLaws and I saw a shelf full of Red Rain, several different kinds priced at $1.49 CAD. I finally decided to get one to try.

Smells remotely like Red Bull and it tastes a lot like it. A lot like it, but not exactly like it. It seems like the company had taken a batch of Red Bull, diluted it with water and then added some chemicals so the levels of the medicinal ingredients are just like those of Red Bull. It is actually not a bad tasting drink. Even the aftertaste is pretty good. Those who don't enjoy the taste of Red Bull might enjoy this as the taste is mellower.

Energy wise, it works just like a Red Bull probably because it contains the same amount of caffeine - 80 mg per can. I got a quick boost that, just like a Red Bull, lasted for about an hour.

Scores:
Cost - $1.49/can or $4.99/pack
Taste - 8.3/10
Energy - 6/10

Overall - 14.3/20...very good and cheap drink, but it does carry the stigma of a cheap and "fake" energy drink

Master Cafe Colombian Style Review

This particular flavour is quite enjoyable. It has a stronger coffee taste and smell than the previous two I tried. The aftertaste is creamy and not quite coffee-like. It reminds me of the taste you get after eating cheese - a little sour.

The energy boost is the same with all the other ones - barely there. One other iced coffee drink I had a few days ago stated that the caffeine content is 30mg/100 mL so if the same relation was applied to Master Cafe, expect no more than 72 mg of caffeine per can. This is quite similar to the content of caffeine found in a small can of red bull, but with half the sugars. Wolfram Alpha shows that the sugar content per 250 mL of Red Bull is around 26 g, whereas the sugar content in a can of Master Cafe is half - 13g. That might have a small effect on the energy boost, or the effect may be due to some of the other ingredients found in Red Bull.

Scores:

Cost - 10/10 ($0.97)

Taste - 7.9/10

Performance - 4/10

Overall - 21.9/30

Monster M-80 Review

Just what the hell is an M-80? Well this is what wikipedia says about it:

"M-80s are a class of large Firecracker, sometimes called Salute (pyrotechnics). The Simulator, Artillery, M80, was originally made in the early 20th century by the U.S. Military to simulate explosives or artillery fire; later, they were manufactured as Fireworks. Traditionally, M-80s were made from a small red cardboard tube approximately 1½ inches (3.8 cm) long and ⁹/₁₆–⁵/₈ inches (1.4–1.6 cm) in diameter, with a Visco fuse coming out of the side, holding approximately 2½–3 grams of pyrotechnic flash powder; one source states that an M-80 has at least 3 grams of explosive. For comparison, a quarter-stick of dynamite contains 20 grams of explosive."

So why is this called an M-80? I was curious and had to find out.

This literally tastes like the regular Monster packed with more sugar and some artificial mystery flavours. OK, this is why the drink is called an M-80 - there is an explosion of artifial flavour in every sip you take. I think there is a hint of mango, some lemon/lime and a few other things I can't quite put my finger on. This feels like eating some pixie sticks then drinking an oversweetened juice...that has been carbonated excessively. I am not saying that the combination is awful, because as kids we have all done that, but I think it could be much better. God damn it, pick a flavour and stick to it. Also, is it too hard to list the juices used in the manufacturing of the product? Here is what the non-medicinal ingredients list says about the juices - "fruit juices from concentrate". That's it!!! What kind of juices? Random? Whatever is left over? That's not the only Monster beverage to say this on the back. The Khaos one had the same thing, so did the Mixxd one. The aftertaste is similar to eating consuming pixie sticks or other powdered candies. There is also a sour taste which I think helps things.

Like any other Monster, you get the energy boost you were seeking. There really isn't a difference in the level of caffeine found in all Monster energy drinks.

Scores:
Cost - $2.99 CAD
Taste - 6.7/10
Energy - 7.5/10

Overall - 14.2...all Monster drinks are similar in cost and energy boost, the only thing that differs is the taste, which varies from tolerable to alright

Read about the other Monster drinks I have tried:

• Originale
• Mean Bean
• Irish Blend
• Assault
• Khaos
• MIXXD

amp Energy with Green Tea

Finally got the amp Energy with Green Tea though at the higher price of $3.49 CAD. This one differs in more than one way from the other amp with Black Tea. First, it has less caffeine at 155 mg per can, which leads me to believe that the company has used green tea, which has less caffeine than the black tea, or they have artificially adjusted the caffeine content to better reflect the difference the black and green teas. Second, it tastes worse than the black tea amp. It tastes like someone mixed the original amp Energy with some Nestea Green Tea. If I would have to say, the mix is 2/3 amp and 1/3 green tea. The amp energy drink dominates the overall taste leaving little room for the pleasant taste of the green tea. On the brighter side, the aftertaste is dominated by the refreshing taste of the green tea, which seemed odd to me. Overall the taste left me a bit disappointed, it is not horrible, just not what I was expecting. It seemed synthetic and similar to many other energy drinks on the market.

I got the energy boost I was looking for and it is just like all the other Monster/RockStar drinks. I drank the can slowly and did not experience any jitters...but that taste, so disappointed.

Scores:
Cost - 7.2/10 (most locations should sell it for $2.99 CAD so this score might be 8/10)
Taste - 6.4/10
Energy - 7.5/10

Overall - 21.1/30...it's a new energy drink, but nothing exceptional

Arizona Red Apple Green Tea with Ginseng Review

OK, I didn't get this when I was at work, but whatever. Every once in a while I feel like an iced tea and the Arizona one is the most popular here. You can find these beverages in every location that sells drinks. The cans have a 99 cent price emblem that is a part of the label so you know they will always be the same price regardless of the location...unless the store is run by heartless, greedy assholes. The cans are also quite big - 695 mL!!! For 99 cents you might get the impression that the tea does not taste very good...but it does. Recently (not really), they have added some new iced teas to their product line. I recently saw some Half & Half cans - half juice, half iced tea. I wanted to buy one of those, but as my luck would have it I couldn't find one. I
picked up a can of their Red Apple Green Tea with Ginseng because of its attractive label. I should also mention that I got the can for only $0.88. Taking it up to the cashier, it came up to 99 cents with tax. I have never noticed if that's how much stores usually charge because I have never bought just a can of iced tea or if the can says 99 cents including taxes. Anyways, onto the iced tea.

As expected, the iced tea is pretty good, it tastes exactly as described - strong red apple flavouring taste with hints of ginseng. The green tea has a mild taste that goes almost unnoticed because of the apple taste. In addition to the red apple, ginseng and green tea, a taste of honey is also detectable. How can I tell the ginseng apart from all the other flavours? Once you have a korean ginseng drink, you will remember the taste for the rest of your life. Beware, on its own, the ginseng beverage does not taste very good. Of course the beverage also tastes like the good old Arizona Iced Tea, which they have probably used as a base. The flavours blend nicely and together and make the drink enjoyable. The aftertaste is on the sweeter side with hints of red apple. Did I mention that I paid only $0.88 CAD for this?

Scores:
Cost - 10/10
Taste - 8.2/10

Overall - 18.2/20...at $0.88 you would have to be stupid not to buy this

Monster Assault Review

Morning time with no coffee. I decided to get something cold, carbonated and full of caffeine to get me up and going. I picked up a Monster Assault at the only place that was open early near work. I don't know why it's called Assault. I thought it might assault my tastebuds with its horrible taste, but it didn't...or at least not so much.

Smells like Red Bull, tastes like a fake Red Bull. I wish I had a can of Red Bull with me so I can make an easier comparison between the two. All I can say is that the Monster tastes a lot more like a cough syrup than the Red Bull does. At $3.19 CAD you get more than the large Red Bull, but if I had to pick between the two at this moment, I would go for the granddaddy of energy drinks - the Red Bull.

I detected hints of cola and a bit of cherry. The immediate aftertaste is way too sweet and artificial, a lot like the regular Monster. The sweetness fades away in seconds and the drink leaves a slightly better taste, again, similar to the one you get from the regular Monster. Better only in comparison to the very sweet, immediate aftertaste.

As for energy, a large can of Red Bull contains 0.317 mg of caffeine/mL while the Monster Assault - 0.347 mg/mL. Sure you get more, but I still prefer the taste of Red Bull and the burst of energy it delivers. The beverage still gave me enough energy to start my work day and kept me going for a while.

Scores:
Cost -you can find this most places for $2.99 CAD, which is $0.20 cheaper than what I paid for it
Taste - 6.7/10
Energy - 8/10 (some jitters due to my drinking habits)

Overall - 14.7/20...similar to Red Bull in some ways with some extra caffeine

Read about the other Monster drinks I have tried:

• Originale
• Mean Bean
• Irish Blend
• M-80
• Khaos
• MIXXD

Schweppes Original Bitter Lemon Review

A few days ago I was walking around the neighbourhood and I remembered that there was a british chocolatier that made some amazing chocolate creations. I walked in not because I wanted some chocolate, but because I saw some good looking candies that were at the display window. After a quick walk around the store, which was quite big, I walked out with a small
bottle of Schweppes Original Bitter Lemon and a bag of Builder's Breakfast chips. Before you start wondering, the chips tasted like a builder's breakfast - eggs, bacon, potatoes with ketchup. They tasted really good.

Now onto the drink. The bottle was absolutely small - 125 mL. It cost $1.29 CAD, which I think is a bit too much for something that small. I had to have it though. After struggling to open it, since it was not a twist off, I took a small sip. It tasted exactly as expected - like tonic water with a bit of the bitter part of a lemon. I love tonic water...especially in combination with some gin. Scratch that, with a lot of gin and a lemon slice. The beverage did not feel refreshing when I was drinking it as it was a bit flat, it was not as carbonated as regular tonic water. The lemon, however, left a pleasant, fresh aftertaste which lasted for a few minutes. I don't think that this is for everyone, but if you wish to experience something different, go and have one...if you can find one. I, myself, will stick to cold tonic water with a lemon slice, and maybe some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Scores:
Cost - 10/10 (ok, it's overall cost is low, but cost/quantity is high so it should get no more than a 7/10)
Taste - 5.8/10

Overall - 15.8/20...should actually be 12.8/20 if you take into consideration the small size and its cost

American Win Coffee

I haven't bought any new iced coffee beverages in a couple of weeks, and my supply is gone, but I remembered that I had a couple of notes jotted down from one night a couple of weeks ago. I had this at home, but decided to upload my thoughts on this here. Well...tastes like any other iced coffee drink. It is very melow and it tastes more like milk than coffee. The aftertaste is a bit more pleasant as you can finally notice the coffee flavour. Very smooth, I like it. Also, just read the name - American Win Coffee...I think the manufacturer is really trying to push this product to the american market. At least they haven't called it "Patriot" or "Liberty". But just imagine driving your "Liberty" or "Patriot" drinking American Win Coffee! Another thing to notice is the label placement. I looked around for a can that didn't have this...thing...placed across the english side but my efforts were unsuccessful. What's the deal with that?

The energy is, once again, the same as any other iced coffee - its there, but there isn't much there. I felt it a bit more than other iced coffees, but its not the same as what you would get from an energy drink or freshly brewed coffee.

Scores:

Cost - 10/10 ($0.97)

Taste - 8.2/10

Performance - 5.5/10

Overall - 23.7/10...excellent taste, not too sweet

Firefly, Sharpen Up Review

Why, oh why did I buy this? Oh yeah, the bottle looked nice. Sure the price was a bit steep at $3.49, but I think it was worth it. The juice is very well balanced - not too sweet or too watery, just right. You can easily taste the fruits used to make it, which compliment eachother quite nicely. The grapefruit in this one comes out quite nicely and the aftertaste is very fresh and lingers for a while. Just to give you an idea of how good this is, the back of the label states that there are 41% juices, no sugar added and nothing artificial added. I don't know how true this is, but damn it, it tastes absolutely amazing. There are also some herb extracts added - yerba mate, siberian ginseng, guarana, and others. Not only does this tastes great, but it is also good for you.

If you come across one of these beverages, I strongly recommend it, especially if you are very thirsty...it's a very refreshing drink.

Scores:

Cost - 7.2/10

Taste - 9.8/10

Overall - 17/20...if it was cheaper, I would be drinking this every day

amp Energy with Black Tea Review

So I went to a store I live near and I came across the entire amp line of energy drinks. There are quite a lot of different kinds, not just the 2-3 ones every store sells. My eyes locked on their tea collection. There is an amp with black tea and one with green tea. I picked up the black tea and it cost me $2.99 CAD, the same as any other 473 mL energy drink. The taste really surprised me, in a good way. The beverage tastes a lot like a knock off Coca Cola, but without too much sugar added to it. The taste is quite mellow and unintrusive and the aftertaste is quite enjoyable. I was expecting the drink to be non-carbonated, but it was. I guess this is why it is called amp Energy WITH Black Tea, rather than amp Energy Black Tea. Overall, great taste, I was pleasantly surprised.

Black tea has quite a bit caffeine (not as much as coffee, but it still gives the person drinking it a small boost) and I think some of that was carried over to the beverage, because on the back, the label states 174 mg of caffeine per container. That is a bit more than the amount found in other amp, Monster and RockStar cans with the same volume. I drank the can really fast because I was thirsty and I did feel a torrential wave of energy come over me in about 15-20 minutes. The problem with that is that it made me a bit jittery. Great boost, slightly more than other beverages in the same containers.

The only problem with this drink is that I have seen it for sale at only one location. I just might have to stock up next time I went to the store and bring all the cans to work.

Scores:

Cost - 8/10

Taste - 8.9/10

Energy - 8.1/10

Overall - 25/30...one of the best overall energy drinks that I have had, I will recommend this to everyone seeking a boost

Rockstar Roasted Light Vanilla Review

Inspite of the previous rockstar roasted that i had, i decided to try the Light Vanilla one today. This gutsy move paid off. This one tastes much better than the mocha one I had last week. The sweetness level is not too high and there is a very nice milky taste to the beverage. the aftertaste is quite pleasant as well, but a bit too light on the coffee taste. Unlike the other iced coffees and energy drinks, the taste of this one does not linger for too long once you are finished drinking it. I think this is one of the better iced coffees/energy drinks that I have had.

Unlike the other iced coffees, this one packs a lot of energy. i did not experience any jitters since I drank this one slowly, over the course of over an hour. The high lasted for most of the afternoon, which was nice. Still not as good as drinking a fresh cup of coffee. I would definitely recommend this if you want to drink some iced coffee that packs a punch.

Scores:

Cost - 8/10 ($2.99 CAD)

Taste - 8.5/10

Energy - 7.5/10

Overall - 24/30...if it wasn't $3, I would be drinking this every day

Monster Khaos Review

I mentioned in another post that I kind of liked this one, but couldn't find any in the local stores. Well, guess what, one of the stores had recently gotten a new shipment of Monster beverages. This one tastes a bit different from the other Monster drinks. It tastes like a mix between a tropical juice and a standard monster. Let me know if I am wrong, but I detect mango and orange flavouring, which might also explain the color of the M on the can - orange. I like the taste
and that it is more like a fruit beverage than an energy drink. The one thing I do not enjoy is the cough syrup" undertone. If you are drinking it fast, the undertone may not become apparent, but as soon as you start taking small sips, it will. On the positive side, the cough syrup taste does not stay for long as it is overpowered by the taste of the fruit juices. I would also prefer the juice to not be as sweet, but what can you do? Diet version? I don't think a diet one will taste as good, it might be even worse.

As for the energy, it is there. You get the same kick as with any other Monster. The can contains 150 mg of caffeine which can boost your energy levels in several different ways - gulping down the drink, which will result in some jitters, or drinking it slowly, which will deliver small bursts of energy with just the possibility of some jitters.

Scores:
Cost - $2.99 CAD
Taste - 7.9/10
Performance - 7.5/10

Overall - 15.4...go for this one if you want a Monster, but don't like the taste of the regular one

Read about the other Monster drinks I have tried:

• Originale
• Mean Bean
• Irish Blend
• M-80
• Assault
• MIXXD

Natur-a Strawberry Soy Beverage Review

I was walking through LobLaws today and got the sudden urge to buy a cold milk drink when I walked passed the milk section I have slightly lactose intollerance so I cannot drink regular milk drinks, but soy is ok. Strawberry is what my body was aching for. I got this at only $2.19 for almost a litre...well, it was actually exactly a quart - 946 mL. I guess I could have bought the juice boxes at 9 for $5, but I wanted the big carton.

Dodging traffic and running to my office, I washed my crusty tea mug and poured myself a nice volume of the beverage. For those who haven't had soy beverages, there are two kinds - those that taste like milk beverages and those who don't. I did say I am lactose intollerant, but I have had milk many times before...it just doesn't sit well with me after consumption.

Well, this was one of the good kinds - it carried a pleasant strawberry scent and none of the soy one. Gulping my portion, I noticed it tasted a lot like strawberry milk, just a bit thicker. The aftertaste was not bad as well. I didn't get that bad taste in my mouth minutes after drinking it, a milky, strawberry taste lingered for quite a while. Overall, this is a pretty good and healthy drink that I would purchase again and recommend to others.

Scores:

Cost - 8.5/10

Taste - 8.5/10

Overall - 17/20...would definitely buy this again

President's Choice Bay Breeze Mocktail Review

I did say I would buy another mocktail after I had those mojitos. I got the Bay Breeze one today and to be honest, it tastes much better than the mojito. This one is far more balanced in terms of flavours and sugar level. While dirnking it you feel refreshed as it tastes like tropical fruits. The pineapple flavour becomes apparent as soon as you finish drinking. The coconut flavour comes in a bit later and lingers for a while. The aftertaste is quite pleasant and lasts for a few minutes. If you do not enjoy coconut, I wouldn't recommend this to you as the coconut flavour is the only thing you can taste for a few minutes after drinking the beverage.

Scores:
Cost - 10/10 ($2.99 CAD)
Taste - 7.8/10

Overall - 17.8/20...to me this one tastes better than the Mojito mocktail and would strongly recommend it, unless you do not like coconut

Read about the other Mocktail flavours I have tried:

• Mojito
• Raspberry Martini
  

President's Choice Mojito Mocktail Review

$2.99 for 4!!!!! This shit is cheap. But is it good yo? It's alright I guess. It tastes like lemon/lime pop drink with some added lime juice (as in the lime concentrate you buy in small, green squeeze bottles that resemble limes) and a bit of mint for that mojito-like taste. But you guessed it, the main ingredient, rum,is missing.

I would buy a pack again as it is quite refreshing and the cans are 250 mL. I only say this because most times I don't feel like drinking an entire pop can, and these are smaller.

Scores:
Cost - 10/10 ($2.99 CAD per pack, or just under $0.75 per can)
Taste - 6.9/10

Overall - 16.9/20...i would buy it again, and maybe even try the other mocktail flavours

Read about the other Mocktail flavours I have tried:

• Bay Breeze
• Raspberry Martini
  

Rockstar Roasted Coffee & Energy, Mocha Review

OK, I got this a couple of days ago, but here are a couple of words on what thought of it:

At $3.49 it is not the cheapest energy drink, but the store didn't have Monster Java. It reminds me of eating tiramisu as the beverage is very sweet...VERY sweet. The label clearly says Mocha, but comparing it to some other iced coffees that are supposed to taste like mochas, this one probably one of the sweetest ones. The milk powder is probably the one thing I was able to taste the most. The coffee flavour is there, but it is heavily masked by the milk and the enormous amounts of sugar added. The one thing that I quite enjoyed was the aftertaste. As soon as you finish drinking, the sugary, milky taste disappears and you are left with a mildy sweetened coffee taste in your mouth.

Unlike korean and HK iced coffees, this one packs a punch...as it should considering that it is sold by Rockstar and it is still called an energy drink. One can contains 150 mg of caffeine, which is average for a drink this size. The energy hits you after about 15-20 minutes and depending on the amount you had (the whole can, or a few sips), it can make you jittery. I didn't drink the whole can and did not experience any jitters. I have had a whole can, at once, in the past and has made me jittery. This also meant that I experienced a pretty bad crash. So yes, if you have the whole can all at once, you will experience some jitters and a horrible crash. If you drink it slow, you will not experience jitters, but a prolonged rush followed by a slight, tired feeling, which is not quite like hitting a wall a few hours after consuming a whole can.

Scores:

Cost - 7.2/10

Taste - 5.0/10

Performance - 7.5/10

Overall - 19.7/30...I would recommend one of the Monster Java drinks as it tastes better and works the same

Monster MIXXD Review

Have you ever had a purple freezie, or another brand of frozen juice treat? Yes? Well this one tastes exactly like that. OK, maybe not exactly like that, but that's the easiest way to describe the taste. There is a hint of blackcurrant. If you have never had blackcurrant juice or the fruit, I strongly suggest you go and get some. Blackcurrant juice is the pinnacle of fruit juices. Out of 10 I would rate the taste of a good blackcurrant juice (with at least 25% real juice) as 11. Anyways, back to the Monster drink. It tastes pretty good for an energy drink. The synthetic taste is masked quite nicely and the aftertaste is quite pleasant.

The energy kick is the same as what you would normally expect from a Monster drink. Depending on how you drink the beverage, it can come and knock you off your ass for an hour, or it can provide a somewhat balanced energy boost for a couple of hours. Most of the time I drink mine slowly - over the course of an hour or a bit less.

Out of all the Monster drinks I have had, this one is probably one of the best tasting ones. The one other one that tastes good is the mango flavoured one. I haven't seen that one in stores for a while, but if I do, I will buy it and post my review.

Scores:
Cost - $2.99 CAD
Taste - 7.2/10
Performance - 7.5/10

Overall - 14.7/20...you should get this one instead of the regular one

Read about the other Monster drinks I have tried:

• Originale
• Mean Bean
• Irish Blend
• M-80
• Assault
• Khaos

Pokka Milk Coffee Review

This one is a bit different from the other iced coffees, it tastes like cheap instant coffee with a lot of sugar and some cream. But don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it's bad. You an definitely make this at home and even get the same taste. As I kept drinking I detected a bit of a bitter taste, kind of like the one you get when you have reached the bottom of your coffee cup and there is some coffee residue.

The aftertaste was not bad at first, but half way through the can, it was a bit different. Not the kind of different that makes you wonder how you have never tasted this before, but the kind of different that leaves wondering whether or not that's a good thing. It was a nice cold drink in the late, hot afternoon, but I think there are better iced coffee drinks. I would still buy one of these as it was very cheap - $0.77.

The peformance is OK, nothing exceptional, and nothing bad. It is a little better than the other iced coffees, which leads me to believe that they have used strong coffee in the making process or it was brewed in a way different from other iced coffees.

Now, lets talk about the can...just look at that front. No wonder it retails for 77 cents. If you take a closer look at the people in the background, you will be reminded of your very old dot matrix printer...and what a printer mine was. An Epson, but I cannot recall the model as it was 15-17 years ago...maybe even more.

Scores:
Cost - 10/10
Taste - 6.5/10
Performance - 6.1/10

Overall - 22.6/30...hmmm, not a bad score thanks to its above average iced coffee performance and very low cost