There are many high caffeinated energy drinks on the market. Which ones work the best? In this article, Tech Manifesto will show you all the caffeine levels and ingredients in these products resulting in all night gaming experience.
| Bawls |
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| Average Caffeine Level: | 80mgs in each 10 ounce bottle (8mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Made from guarana, a highly caffeinated berry native to the Amazonian rainforest, BAWLS Guarana is the carbonated beverage of tomorrow…with an extra kick. Guarana’s naturally occurring caffeine is 2.5 times stronger that the type of caffeine usually found in coffee, tea and soft drinks, making BAWLS the most highly caffeinated soft drink in the market since its birth in 1997. Since its inception, BAWLS Guarana’s popularity has been growing across the country and the rest of the world, finding a huge fan base from people from all walks of life who enjoy the clean, crisp taste of guarana along with a powerful rush of caffeine. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural Guarana Flavor, Sodium Benzoate (as a preservative), Caffeine, Artificial Flavors and Caramel Color. |
| Website: |
| Red Bull |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
80mgs in each 10 ounce can (8mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Red Bull energy drink is a functional product developed especially for periods of increased mental and physical exertion. You can have this drink in virtually any situation: at sport, work, driving and socializing. Used to improve performance, concentration, vigilance, and stimulates metabolism. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, sucrose, glucose, sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, inositol, niacin, D-pantothenol, pyridoxine HCL, vitamin B12, artificial flavours, colors. |
| Website: |
| Boo-Koo |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
120mgs in each 24 ounce can (5mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
BooKoo Energy Drink uses a very similar (if not the same) formula as The Love Factor’s successful Pure Power Energy Drink, but is packaged in a re-branded 24 ounce can. Promising to be the “biggest, baddest” energy drink, BooKoo’s package (a category first) is truly that and can be summed up in one word: gigantic. The distinct citrus flavor is very good while the three serving size creates an attractive value proposition to the consumer. We definitely give Love Factor some credit for being an innovator with the new package size, but we also most consider how a package of this size might fit the category. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, sodium citrate, potassium benzoate (as a preservative), caramel color, natural flavor, taurine, caffeine, glucuronoloctone, insitol, niacin, d-pantothenol, pyridoxine HCL, vitamin B12 |
| Website: |
| Mountain Dew |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
55mgs in each 12 ounce bottle (4.5mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Mountain Dew is a citrus flavored soft drink, produced by PepsiCo. It was first marketed locally in 1948 and across the United States in 1964. Mountain Dew often incurs the disapproval of health experts due to its relatively high caffeine content. However, Mountain Dew marketed in Australia and Canada — as well as several U.S. states — has no caffeine added at all. Mountain Dew also contains tartrazine ("FD&C Yellow No. 5" in the US), which could lead to allergic reactions in some people. Diet Mountain Dew contains aspartame. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar, concentrated orange juice and other natural flavors, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preserves freshness), caffeine, sodium citrate, gum arabic, erythorbic acid (preserves freshness), calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor) and brominated vegetable oil, yellow 5. |
| Website: |
| Monster |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
140mgs in each 16 ounce can (8.75mgs per oz.) 5000mgs total of Caffeine, Guarana, L-Carnitine |
| Info: |
Tear into a can of the meanest energy supplement on the planet, MONSTER? energy. We went down to the lab and cooked up a double shot of our killer energy brew. It’s a wicked mega hit that delivers twice the buzz of a regular energy drink. The MONSTER? packs a vicious punch but has a smooth kick ass flavor you can really pound down. So when it’s time to unleash the beast within, grab a MONSTER? and GO BIG! |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, taurine, natural flavors, sodium citrate, l-carnitine, panax ginseng root extract, ascorbic acid, caffeine, sodium chloride, niacinamide, riboflavin, guarana seed extract, inositol, glucuronalactone, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanobalmin. |
| Website: |
| Amp |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
71mgs in each 8 ounce can (8.8mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
AMP Energy Drink is Pepsi’s first real entry into the energy drink market — and it is betting on the established Mountain Dew brand name to bring it a good market share. AMP is based on the original flavor of Mountain Dew, so it’s a taste that most people will be familiar with. It has been enhanced with a variety of ingredients typically found in energy drinks (taurine, ginseng, guarana, etc.), so the flavor has a bit more bite than regular Dew. Overall, it tastes good — if you like Mountain Dew. Compared to Red Bull and the Red Bull knockoffs of the world, its a flavorful product. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar, citric acid, orange juice from concentrate, natural flavors, guarana, sodium benzoate, sodium polyphosphates, maltodextrin, caffeine, gum arabic, erythoric acid, taurine, panax ginseng, calcium disodium edta (to product flavor), potassium benzoate, brominated vegetable oil, yellow 5 |
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| Jolt Cola |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
150mgs in each 23.5 ounce can (6.4mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
The original hyper-powered Cola, Jolt is now available in five delicious flavors and some innovative packaging in the form of energized batteries. Jolt beverages have a unique tendency to instantly cure all your properties of inertia and any feelings of sloth you might possess. It’s also great for slumps and moments of heavy dreariness and tragic despair. Of course any medical claims we make are completely suspect since we were drinking Jolt while writing this description. This one drink contains VERY high levels of caffeine. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid and natural flavors |
| Website: |
| Fuze |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
0mg in the Energized 18 ounce bottle (0mgs per oz.) No caffeine - Uses 200mgs of both Ginseng and Guarana |
| Info: |
When you need a little energy to keep going strong… Fuze Energize gives you an added boost with natural power ingredients and great taste. Ginseng and Guarana work together with B complex vitamins to lift your spirits while the delicious flavor of mango, blackberries or exotic punch delight your taste buds. Now you can feel good about getting the boost you need without worrying about the side effects of caffeine or high fructose corn syrup. Fuze does energy healthy! |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, cyrstalline fructose, apple juice, concentrate, citric acid, taurine, d-ribose, sodium citrate, natural passion fruit and mango flavors with other natural flavors, l-carnitine, caffeine, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), inositol, gum arabic, monopotassium phosphate, ester gum, panax ginseng root extract, sucralose (a non-nutritive sweetener), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid, beta-carotene, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) |
| Website: |
| Full Throttle |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
141mgs in each 16 ounce can (8.8mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Coke has finally come up with an energy drink that looks and tastes better than KMX. Why they waited so long, we’ll never know, but Full Throttle clearly reflects some hard time at the drawing board. The lightly carbonated citrus flavor is refreshingly and has a mild bite to it. Both its flavor and its yellow-green color remind us of AMP, while the packaging resembles a number of other products in the category. These similarities should ease its belated entry into the hard-charging 16 oz energy drink category, but Full Throttle is going to need solid marketing support to catch the likes of Amp and Red Bull. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sucrose, citric acid, taurine, natural and artificial flavors, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate (to protect taste), ginseng extract, caffeine, carnitine fumarate, maltodextrin, niacinamide (vitamin B3), yellow 5, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), guarana extract, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). |
| Website: |
| RockStar |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
150mgs in each 24 ounce can (6.25mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Rockstar is a potent energy drink developed and marketed in the early 21st century, during a period when caffeinated energy drinks, bars, and other energy foods were gaining widespread popularity. Russell Goldencloud Weiner, son of two herbalists (Dr. and Mrs. Michael Weiner, PhD), is the founder and CEO of the company, which is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are currently 3 varieties of Rockstar: Rockstar Energy Drink (black label), Diet Rockstar Energy Drink (white label), and Rockstar Energy Cola (red label), which come in 8 oz and 16 oz size cans, as well as a 24 oz size (for the original and diet only). Rockstar was the first energy drink to be available in the 16 oz size and was again a pioneer with the 24 oz sizes. Michael Savage (fka Michael Weiner), a conservative radio host, is the father of the company’s founder. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, citric acid, taurine, natural and artificial flavors, guarana seed extract, ascorbic acid, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preservative), potassium sorbate (preservative), caffeine, niacinamide, inositol, l-carnitine, milk thistle extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, calcium pantothenate, siberian ginseng root extract, cyanocobalamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride |
| Website: |
| Sobe No Fear |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
150mgs in each 16 ounce can (9.35mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
SoBe No Fear is one of the latest energy drinks to be packaged a 16oz can. While rumors are buzzing that this product is simply SoBe Adrenaline Rush in a taller can, we can tell you that that’s not remotely true. The flavor of SoBe No Fear is its own unique formula, which is very remniscent of the flavor of some of the SoBe bottled products. Specifically, SoBe No Fear has an extremely sweet and fruit flavor profile. This being said, you can expect a lot of fruit flavor, but grape and grapefruit flavors are definitely the most prominent. Overall, we’d really sum this product up by saying that it’s like a carbonated version of the bottled SoBe Energy product. It’s definitely a nice change from some of the bubblegum tasting energy drinks out there. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, taurine, grape juice concentrate (for color), sodium citrate, natural flavor, inositol, ascorbic acid, caffeine, caramel color, fruit extract (color), monopotassium phosphate, creatine monohydrate, grape seed extract, l-carnitine, panax ginseng root extract, l-arginine hydrochloride, zinc l-methionine, soy protein isolate and rice flour, guarana seed extract, pyridoxine hydrochloride selenium, folic acid, cyanocobalamin |
| Website: |
| Penguin Mints |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
7mgs in each mint (7mgs per mint) 3 mints contain the same amount of caffeine as a 12 ounce cola |
| Info: |
Produced in a twelve count sleeve, each tin contains 1.75 ounces (75 pieces) of Penguin Cinnamon Mints. Pulling an all-nighter? Gotta fly a jet to Paris? Sick of having bad breath after drinking tons of coffee? Working the night shift? These little birds are a fantastic, non-liquid source of caffeinated energy. |
| Ingredients: | Sorbitol, Gum Arabic, Corn Starch, Natural Pepppermint Extract, Other Natural Flavors, Caffeine, Magnesium Stearate, Aspartame. Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine. |
| Website: |
| XS |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
85mgs in each 8.4 ounce can (10mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
XS Cherry Blast Energy Drink is an excellent zero-carb / zero-calorie energy drink. The lightly sweetened cherry flavor does an exceptional job of hiding the artificial sweeteners and gives the product a crisp, clean finish. This product has an exceptional flavor that could go head-to-head with any energy drink on the market today. Overall, another great product from XS. |
| Ingredients: | Carbonated Water, l-taurine, l-glutamine, citric acid, adaptogenic blend (elutherococcus senticosus, panax ginseng, panax qunquefolium, schisandra, astagalus, and reishi), natural flavors, acesulfame potassium, caffeine, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sucralose, niacin, pyrodoxine HCl, and cyanocobalamin |
| Website: |
| Arizona Green Tea |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
40mgs in each 16 ounce bottle (2.5mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
All Arizona Teas contain caffeine unless the tea has been decaffeinated. Our Green Teas (including the Diet Green) contain 7.5mg of caffeine in every 8-ounce serving. Our Black Teas (including Diet Lemon, Diet Peach and Diet Raspberry) contain 16mg of caffeine in every 8-ounce serving. Rx Power and Energy contain 30mg of caffeine in every 8-ounce serving. A 12-ounce cola in comparison, contains anywhere between 35-55mg of caffeine! Our two coffee products also contain caffeine. Both AriZona Iced Coffees and Blue Luna Iced Coffees contain 40-50mg of caffeine in every 8-ounce serving. |
| Ingredients: | Premium Brewed Green Tea using filtered water, high fructose corn syrup, honey, citric acid, natural flavors, ginseng extract, ascorbic acid. |
| Website: |
| Starbucks Doubleshot |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
120mgs in each 6.5 ounce can (18mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Starbucks DoubleShot is a wonderfully delicious blend of authentic Starbucks expresso, mellowed with just a touch of cream. Perfect for morning, noon, or night, Starbucks DoubleShot delivers the boost and inspiration you need when you need it. |
| Ingredients: | Nonfat Milk, brewed espresso coffee (water, coffee), cream, sugar, caramel color, ascorbic acid. |
| Website: |
| Starbucks Brewed Coffee |
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| Average Caffeine Level: |
210mgs in each 16 ounce cup (13.2mgs per oz.) |
| Info: |
Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees and sells them along with fresh, rich-brewed, Italian style espresso beverages, a variety of pastries and confections, and coffee-related accessories and equipment — primarily through its company-operated retail stores. In addition to sales through our company-operated retail stores, Starbucks sells whole bean coffees through a specialty sales group and supermarkets. |
| Ingredients: | Brewed Starbucks Coffee beans, milk, sugar, maltodextrin, and pectin |
| Website: |
Remember caffeine drinks should be taken with caution and always in moderation.
Bawls drink tastes the best I think… Fuze is pretty good too.
Really nice list you have there
Zola Acai baby!
I think no fear is the best it keeps me awake like no other. I also somehow got good grades on test after drinking it.
Try fresh apple juice. I’ve read somewhere that apples are more effective in waking you up than coffee. Plus, it’s healthier.
I think that you should have XS up there as well, that is what we drink at LAN parties. It should also be known that you can only get it from an IBO of quixtar, i think. But it is well worth it.
Monster has them all beat and Im drinking one know ! Its the best
Starbucks Doubleshot! Tastes WAY better than those lime-green energy drinks.
PENGUIN MINTS!
total pwnage on the sleep. it will keep ya pwning on WoW for hours!
Coffee works for me. I haven’t gotten used to any of the energy drinks.
Don’t forget about iced coffee. Starbucks has chilled black coffee in their fridge on hand. They serve it over ice and will add “liquid sweetner” if you request it. It is actually really good (I dump a bunch of cream in as well) and is refreshing during the summer.
penquin mints are far too full of artificial sweetenrs….horrible…
and you need loads to get the same amount of caffine as a drink…
Look, your all wrong, the list shows that doubleshot has got 18mgs of caffine per oz. thats about 9more mgs per oz. than the other lime green energy drinks.
[…] What keeps you awake? - [Tech Manifesto] […]
You kids can drink all those sugar enhanced chemist concoctions, I’ll stick to Starbucks.
:^)
Tried and perfected over 1200 years. Ingredients: Rain, sunshine, minerals.
[…] Alisson Sellaro | 11:50 am […]
» Blog Archive » What keeps you awake: detailed comparisons of energy drinks
[…] Tech Manifesto looks at energy drinks. […]
I like to drink Raw Dogg, it contains so much caffine i can drink 1 and twitch all night
I’ll stick with water THANK U!!!
Ahhh…just remembered another trick -I occassionaly will pop three or four Excedrin. They are full of caffeine.
Guarana the original soft drink from brazil is definatly the best
why isn’t Sky Rocket included in this lovely list?
Bawls by far the best but verry well done artical
Diablo Energy is an all natural energy drink out of Canada. It will be launching in the US in Jan 2006 along with the rest of its brand. Check it out!!!
Upshot is the best engery drink. 2 ounces with 200 mgs of caffeine
I prefer Monster. It gives me serious hops when I play hoops. But this site is awesome, makes me want to try all of them.
[…] read more | digg story […]
The stimulating compound in Guarana is just caffeine. Guarana seeds contains about 2.5-7% caffeine, so people commonly say that 5% of the Guarana content is equatable to caffeine (i.e. Fuze contains 10 mg of caffeine derived from Guarana). For comparison I can mention that coffee beans contain 1-2% caffeine.
Most of these drinks taste like ass. The jolt is worth it though.
Hmm.. What about Jones Soda’s “Whoop Ass” That stuff is awesome too.
You are missing the strongest drink I have ever consumed. MetRx has a energy drink called EnergyX. 200mg of caffiene per bottle (about the size of a powerade). It comes in grape and…red-something. Tastes a lot like koolaid when you don’t have enough sugar. It sure packs a punch though…
That’s easy…CUBAN COFFEE…period!
MET-Rx Energy X
200 mgs in each 20 ounce bottle (10mgs per oz.)
I have lived and travelled all over the world and part of my endevours have been to try as many of the “Energy” drinks avaliable. I have to say that the best, in terms of noticable performance increase and flavour / taste, is “V” from New Zealand. “v” initially stood for vatalise but is now just known and branded as “V”, www.v.co.nz. I have purchased it in Australia and the U.K. mainly found in gas stations. I must add that V is one of the few energy drinks that I continually enjoy the taste of rather than “put up with”, I am genuinely sick of the sickly sweet taste of red bull, that overly sweet smell, V is a sour / sweet citrious taste. Here is a blurb from the V site about the drink’s ingredients and various drinks caffine levels:
ATTRIBUTES OF THE KEY INGREDIENTS IN V
Sucrose
- Common table sugar for sweetness
Guarana
- Extracted from the berries of the Brazilian Guarana plant. This ingredient has garnered a worldwide reputation for having a stimulating effect on mind and body.
Caffeine
- Stimulating effect similar to a cup of coffee. Note: there is slightly less caffeine in ‘V’ (78mg per 250ml) compared to an average cup of instant coffee (at 100 mg per 250ml). The level of caffeine in ‘V’ is set to ensure that ‘V’ fully complies with the Food Standards Code at all times.
B Vitamins
- Repair and revitalise your body.
Taurine
- Taurine is an amino acid that is important for metabolism even though it is not used for protein synthesis like other amino acids. It is involved in the normal functioning of the gallbladder, eyes, heart, brain and appears to have some antioxidant and detoxifying activity. Taurine is a component of bile acids, which help absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. The taurine used in V is not from animal origin.
Caffeine levels in sample beverages and foods
Product Caffeine mg/100ml
V 31
Red Bull 32
Mountain Dew 15
Coca Cola 10
Coffee - brewed 65
Coffee - instant 50
Tea 40
Cocoa beverage 3
Chocolate milk 20 Units per 100g
Narcosis
I like Rockstar and Red Bull. I never new Michael Savage was the father of Rockstar’s owner thats awesome lol.
Where does Nelly’s Pimp Juice rank?
Jolt is better IMO
Slate.com had a great article on what ones were the best a week ago… It’s called booster shot…
Those penquin mints are good; my friend gave me some, I thought I wasn’t ganna work but I was so so wrong.
I personally think Monster is the best.
one time me and my comrad were at a monster sponsered event and we had unlimited supply of Monster.
man after 22 monsters everything gets a little hectic.
HORRAY FOR MONSTER!
WTF?? where is the whoop-ass that is by far the best of them all
Come on guys how could you forget about great, Sparks energy drink why would that not be on there with 6% of alchohol by volume and packed with caffeine to boot if there is a better energy drink out there i havent found it; sparks is the best.
i think monster assualt is the best tasteing and u get more for your money.
Best energy drink for diabetics
The listing for Rockstar is wrong, It says that there are 24 oz when there are only 16. Just imagine a 24oz can of R* … According to R*’s website, they have 150mg + the guarana in each can, so it is actually in excess of 9.375 mg/oz. Gotta clear this up because the only other 16oz w/150mg is Full Throttle, and that tastes crummy. Long live R*!
And a note to all people who say things like “Eh! I can drink X amount caffeine and it doesn’t affect me.” Idiot. It depends on how much sleep you’ve got lately. I often get four hours of sleep a night for a series of 4-5 days. If I drink a R* before I go to bed, I’ll drop into sleep like nothing. But if I’ve been getting my sleep in, that R* won’t let me fall asleep for anything.
[…] Have you ever seen caffeine-free Mountain Dew? Isn’t that the whole point of Mountain Dew? It’s like the poor man’s Jolt. It’s great for those LONG road trips. Well, you can pick up caffeine-free Mountain Dew in most grocery stores in Utah. They are quite well stocked with other non-caffeinated versions of popular favorites like Coke and Pepsi. For those who are looking for more caffeine instead of less, check this site out. It gives you a break down of the caffeine (and other energy prompting ingredients) in many of the popular energy drinks out there. […]
Have you guys tried Hype Energy Drinks? http://www.hype.com/ Hype Energy Drinks are great tasting boosts of Caffeine, Guarana, and Taurine, perfect for Mixed Beverages and Cocktails.
I like milk and oranges, milk helps you’re bones and oranges clear you’re wee little brain if, you dip the oranges in the milk you get strong healthy bones and a shot of clearness in yo head…………………………..
…………………………………..otherwise I liky MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was hooked on Starbucks House Blend for the BUZZ, but I recently tried a Sobe No Fear and it has great kick along with great taste. Im trying Monster tommorow, but so far No Fear is # 1.
Peace!
[…] Energy drink synopsis […]
I review energy drinks as well and have been doing it for years over 115 drinks
http://www.bandddesigns.com/energy
check it out let me know your thoughts.
[…] What keeps you awake? There are many high caffeinated energy drinks on the market. Which ones work the best? In this article, Tech Manifesto will show you all the caffeine levels and ingredients in these products resulting in all night gaming experience. (tags: Health) […]
[…] There are many high caffeinated energy drinks on the market. Which ones work the best?read more | digg story […]
Hi all!
G’night