Keeps me stimualted after a hard night! (Rockstar Energy Drink)

Member Name: Lunar_see

Product:	Rockstar Energy Drink
Date:	22/02/09 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: refreshing taste, cheaper than Red Bull, less fizz

Disadvantages: It can be hard to find

I need caffeine in a morning there is no doubt about that, without caffeine I am unbearable to work with, speak to and above all else I find ti hard to function. Nicely stocked in my mini fridge cooler at work are cans of Red Bull, now although I don't drink them as a constant answer to waking myself up and giving myself a kick start, I do, after a late night come early morning work day need something and for me Red Bull works brilliantly... that is until my fridge wasn't re-stocked and I had to find a viable alternative.

Rockstar was presented to me by my intern as that alternative to Red Bull, I am not usually one who likes imitation products I mean you would never buy Tesco own brand beans if you regularly eat Heinz would you? No. So I was a little less than impressed with being presented with this imitation Red Bull at that point in time but given I had half an hour to kick start my brain it would have do.

As an energy drink, Rockstar was created in 2001 and it become as well known in America as Red Bull is here today with sales rocketing into billions. Rockstar claims that it s100% vegetarian and Vegan and it also contains no Gluten. Rockstar also claims to be "the world's most powerful energy drink and is scientifically formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles-from athletes to rock stars" or so the advertising tells us. It differs from Red Bull in that it is available in a variety of flavours including Original, Sugar Free, Mango and Guava. However like Heinz Beans I intend to stick to the Original.

The one thing I did immediately notice about this product is the cleverly designed can in which the energy drinks comes in. The Rockstar Original can is a jet black ring-pull can which weighs around 500ml which is double the size of a can of Red Bull and therefore the phrase "Double Kick" is definitely clever wording on this products behalf because you will be drinking double the Red Bull dosage. Now I like this design on this can, it is as I have said eye-catching and what draws the eye most is that to the front in large gold coloured writing is the word 'ROCKSTAR' with a gold star and energy drink written in bright red lettering directly below that. Then to the side of the can is this large gold star with the RR back to back in the centre of the can. It has big writing of the words Energy Drink running down the side in bright red with the word Rock Star again in gold bubble writing vertically alongside this. So everything about this can is about catching the eye when placed upon the shelf in your local newsagents or supermarket packaged alongside similar products. In my local newsagents this product is placed between Red Bull and the rather disgusting tasting Red Bull Cola and is priced at 99p and even that is a bargain when Red Bull is currently priced at £1.09.

When it comes to the taste, I have to say I had expected it to be like Red Bull is everyway shape and form because that is what I assume all energy drinks to taste like with only a few similarities. As soon as the drink hit the tongue I was expecting to taste the sugary sweet sensation I was so used to with Red Bull but I was surprised because I actually didn't find Rockstar anywhere near as sugary or sweet, it is a yellowing colour whereas Red Bull is a rusty orange/red colour and for me it was slightly less frizzier. So it is nothing at all like Red Bull, it is in its own right an energy drink. The one thing about Rockstar which you don't get with Red Bull is the powerful smell this omits which others have likened to Strawberries but I would say it is more citrusy personally and it reminds me of apples particularly the aftertaste. However being less fizzy and less sugary I do find that this is very thirst quenching and it definitely makes me feel much more alert.

Now when it comes to energy drinks there is always a warning about watching your consumption particularly because there is a large amount of caffeine within the drink, the idea being that the caffeine makes you more alert. Along with the caffeine come ingredients known as Guarana. Guarana seeds are rich in caffeine and it is alleged that Guarana is stimulant and increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance which is why it is used in drinks such as this. With drinks of this nature there comes a health warning and it is advised that anyone who suffers from high blood pressure or irregular heartbeats should not consume this as well as expectant mothers or a mother who is nursing. As it has not been intended that drinks of this nature are drunk in excess but rather in moderation as a quick fix and in saying that this drink contains no fewer than 6 E numbers which as most people know are food additives as well as containing 160mg caffeine per 500ml can. However, even with that in mind it is still a really enjoyable drink and comes a very close second to my favourite energy drink Red Bull.

Rockstar for me is a great energy drink and one that I enjoy on the odd occasion that I need a quick boost in a morning or an evening to make my brain work. It is something that can be drunk on its own or on a night out when like me you enjoy it with some Jägermeister as opposed to the well known Vodka and Red Bull. Whatever occasion you choose to drink it is, you'll find that it is less fizzier than Red Bull but just as flavoursome, it is very refreshing and because it does contain a lot of caffeine it give you that required kick and boost of energy you are looking for when choosing a drink of this kind. So for me it is given the big thumbs up and is definitely a drink I enjoy the taste of.

Summary: An energy drink with a quick kick