Red Bull alternative energy drinks on steroids!

It’s no accident that Rockstar energy drinks originated from Las Vegas. The beer can sized energy potions are designed to keep you up around the clock – perfect for casinos determined to squeeze you for every penny you have. Now Rockstar and its huge sirupy rivals are arriving in the UK.

Packing enormous amounts of caffeine – each can is like downing two cups of filter coffee at once – plus other stimulants such as taurine, guarana, ginseng and glucuronolactone (whose action on the human body is still not fully understood). Rockstar and drinks like it aim to go one better than Red Bull. Why settle for wings when you can sink nearly a pint of liquid rocket fuel? Well after a week of rigorously testing the first if these products to arrive in Britain, some imports and other Bull pretenders, we can give you a few excellent reasons why. The chattering teeth for one thing, the terrible indigestion, the constant creeping sensation of dread, and god knows what happened to our kidneys!

But the big boys aren’t meant for everyday use – they are meant as a nuclear option for jet lag, that buzz when you are not feeling like going out and performing. On that score they certainly perform, if you are looking for energy drinks you can drink more frequently we would recommend Maximuscle Viper Extreme energy drink.

The contenders:

Relentless inferno (UK)

“No half measures” Relentless inferno energy drink includes lines from a Byron poem on the can.
Ingredients include 160mg caffeine, taurine, glucoronolactone, inositol, guarana and vitamin B.
Tastes delicious and orangey  very much like  powdered orange juice.
The verdict: Brilliant one drink and you are awake!

M-150 (Thailand)

“Devotion, courage, sacrifice” Ingredients include 75mg caffeine, taurine, inositol and vitamin B.
Tastes flat and thick, like that syrupy red bull you get in Thailand.
The verdict: You need to drink this ice cold, and when you do its an instant recharge!

Rockstar (UK)

“Party like a rockstar!” Ingredients include 160 mg caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, guarana and ginseng.
Tastes like the chemical soup it is, similar to dr Pepper but even more synthetic.
The verdict: Instant energy boost – You will become very alert, and active albeit the constant burping.

Vitamin Energy (USA)

“Nutrient enhanced energy beverage” Ingredients include 160mg caffeine, taurine, guarana, ginseng, taurine, and too many vitamins and minerals to count.
Tastes fruity and not too sugary – Actually quite nice I prefer the Dragonfruit flavor most.
The verdict: Gives you a nice jolt without the heartburn, recommended!

Atomic (UK)

“Share your energy” Ingredients include 75mg caffeine, taurine and B vitamin.
Tastes sharp, sugary and forgettable.
The verdict: Very much a copy of Red Bull, doesn’t really deliver the atomic promise.

Power Horse (UK)

“Always on” Ingredients include 80mg caffeine, taurine and B vitamins.
Tastes like Red Bull but more acidic and more sugary.
The verdict: Too similar to Red Bull, a regular drinker wouldn’t feel the difference.

Monster (UK)

“Unleash the beast” Ingredients include 165mg caffeine, taurine, glucuronolacton, guarana, ginseng, Vitamin B and L-carnitine.
Tastes like bubblegum, also available in Khaos and Assault flavours which also taste like bubble gum.
The verdict: You will feel the energy boost, be more alert and also feel slight paranoia too…

Arizona (USA)

“Caution: extreme performance” Ingredients include 197mg caffeine, glucuronolactone, guarana, ginseng, milk thisle, inositol, L-carnitine, taurine and B vitamins.
Tastes pretty vile, including flavours such as peach and honey.
The verdict: A roller coaster of euphoria and despair. Its a shame that taste really lingers because this drink delivers in terms of power boost.

Shark Lite (UK)

“Kills thirst” Ingredients include 80mg caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, guarana and B vitamins.
Tastes quite acidic with a strange musky aftertaste.
The verdict: Against the rest of these drinks not much to shout about.