Eager for energy? Here’s the rundown

Photo of energy drinks at Oliver’s Market (Isa Dajalos / The Puma Prensa)

By Sloane Crocker and Isa Dajalos, Executive editor and staff writer

Feeling exhausted and struggling to push through the last quarter of the school year? It might be just the time for that perfect pick-me-up that only an energy drink can provide. But with a seemingly endless slew of possibilities, even choosing the right drink can be a daunting process. So here’s a list to make that process a little easier for you.

Yerba Madre

• Cranberry Pomegranite: 10/10

  • Most refreshing flavor from the sparkling lineup, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness to compliment the bubbles.

• Bluphoria: 8/10

  • This blend of blueberry, elderberry, and yerba mate is on the sweeter side, but 

• Enlightenment: 6/10

  • A minty fresh flavor, great for a hot spring day. Unfortunately, it can taste a bit too similar to mouthwash at times.

• Peach Revival: 4.5/10

  • Very light and refreshing peach flavor, that said, it is barely there.

• Tropical Uprising: 0/10

  • Barely any flavor, then tastes like vomit afterwards, do not recommend

• Lemon Elation 10/10

  • Reminiscent of a classic arnold palmer but extra lemony! Perfect for lemon lovers.

Bloom

• Peach Mango: 6/10

  • Decent overall, they complement each other well but nothing special about it and wouldn’t want to drink often

• Strawberry Watermelon: 2/10

  • Has a very medicine-ish taste and not any specific fruity flavor, waste of money

• Raspberry Lemon: 5/10

  • The lemon makes it kind of burn to drink, first sips are okay but gets worse with time

• Crisp Apple: 10/10

  • Very apple-ish flavor and lives up to the crispness, can drink every day without getting sick of it. Tastes like a Green Apple Jolly Rancher!

Celsius

• Sparkling Strawberry Guava: 7/10

  • Mostly strawberry flavor up front, fun and unique choice but a little overly sweet

• Peach Vibe: 8/10

  • Classic go-to flavor, refreshing and less artificial tasting than others

• Tropical Vibe: 10/10

  • The best flavor, a great sweet and sour blend with no bad aftertaste

• Sparkling Fuji Apple Fear: 8/10

• Playa Vibe: 9/10

  • Tastes exactly like a pina colada, gives beach vibes and is a perfect summer drink

• Fizz-free Peach Mango and Green Tea: 5/10

  • The lack of fizziness is unsatisfactory and does not give you that first sip feeling, but the flavors are unique and somewhat good

• Fizz-free Pink Lemonade: 0/10

  • So bad that no one on my entire soccer team wanted to drink it, got thrown away

• Sparkling Cherry Cola: 0/10

  • Disgusting and tastes exactly like medicine, unable to finish the can

Alani Nu

• Orange Kiss: 7.5/10

  • Orange flavor is overly artificial

• Juicy Peach: 8/10

  • Tastes like peach rings candies, like peach Celsius without the weird aftertaste

• Pink Slush: 9.5/10

  • Tastes like pink starbursts, very sweet in a good way

• Lime Slush: 9/10

  • Lime sorbet flavor, a little sour and mostly sweet, tastes like summer

• Cherry Slush: 3/10

  • Medicine-ish, sickenly sweet cherry flavor

• Cotton Candy: 9.5/10

  • Tastes like sugar water

• Hawaiian Shaved Ice: 10/10

  • Similar to a piña colada, strong coconut flavor

Overall, Alani Nu and Yerba are overall the most consistently positive across all of their offered flavors, making either brand a solid choice for an energy boost with a great taste. However, if you’re looking for that special drink to really wow you, we encourage you to specifically consider our 10/10 options: Yerba Cranberry Pomegranate or Lemon Elation, Crisp Apple Bloom, Tropical Vibe Celcius, or Hawaiian Shaved Ice Alani Nu.