What Are The Most Delicious Energy Drinks On The Market Today

Discover the top 5 most delicious energy drinks to quench your thirst, boost your energy levels, and satisfy your taste buds

In this guide:

What makes a good-tasting energy drink?
The key things to look for in an energy drink for a delicious taste (carbonation, flavors, ingredients, etc.)
The top 5 most delicious energy drinks on the market today, according to professional tasters and consumer reviews

We all want the buzz and energy that comes after sipping a powerful energy drink. But no one wants a drink that tastes like gasoline!

When it comes to taste, energy drinks are not created equal: some of them taste okay, some of them are so bad they want to make you brush your teeth after one sip, and other beverages taste so good that you feel addicted to them…

In this guide, we will review the best-tasting, most delicious energy drinks on the market today, according to professional tasters and online reviews from real customers.

All of these hand-picked drinks are known for being refreshing, mouth-watering, and delicious to drink on a daily basis. Not only do they taste good, but they also make you feel good too, according to customer feedback. If you’re looking for a drink that tastes so good that you can’t get enough of it, this article is for you!

Our selection of energy drinks is based on a detailed review of hundreds of different products, some of which are not considered “mainstream” yet. This guide has been carefully reviewed by professional nutritionists and dieticians, to ensure high-quality and accurate information.

Taste is a very subjective matter. That said, there are several factors that determine if a drink tastes horrible, or if it’s so delicious you’ll want to replace water with it… We asked the opinion of several experts to understand what makes an energy drink taste good.

Perfect sweetness

There is a reason why most energy drinks are filled with sugars: sweetness is one of the most pleasant sensations to the human palate! Many people are literally addicted to sodas and cakes just because they taste so sweet. Same thing with energy drinks: the best-tasting drinks are usually the ones that are the sweetest. That said, you don’t want a drink that is too sweet:

“To taste good for most people, energy drinks have to strike a delicate balance between sweetness and freshness. It has to be perfectly sweet to satisfy the palate, but not too sweet to preserve the refreshing, hydrating effect of the drink. Refreshing and sweet at the same time, that’s what you’re looking for. No one wants to drink something that tastes like syrup…”, explains Dr. Samuel Jennings, Food Scientist and Beverage Expert.

However, it’s important to know where that sweetness comes from. Many energy drinks use lots of sugar to make their drink taste sweet, and excessive sugar can have very bad effects on your health, including heart diseases, diabetes, and risk of certain cancers. Those that don’t use sugar often use unhealthy artificial sweeteners which can seriously damage your gut health. “Personally, I recommend choosing energy drinks that are free of added sugar and artificial sweeteners like aspartame or ace-K. These substances can really wreak havoc on your health. Instead, opt for drinks that are naturally sweetened with real fruits and safer sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit, for instance,” says Dr. Jennings.

Fruity flavor

Another factor that can either make or break an energy drink is its flavor. Some drinks taste very chemical, while others have a pleasant, natural, authentic taste. For the best taste, experts recommend choosing drinks that are made of real fruit concentrate instead of artificial flavors. Some popular tastes include wild berries, fresh lime, and tropical fruit, to name a few.

“The best-tasting energy drinks are usually the ones that strike a delicate balance of fruity notes. Lime, berries, and mango are typically very popular among consumers. For a pleasant taste, it’s also recommended to look for real fruit concentrate rather than artificial flavors. That way, you ensure that what you drink doesn’t taste like chemicals, but actually has an authentic fruity taste,”

says Dr. Jennings.

High quality water

Another surprising element that influences perceived taste is the purity of water used. Just like tap water can taste completely different to mineral bottled water, an energy drink using high-quality water from a pure source can make a huge difference in perceived taste.

"From a scientific standpoint, the role of water in energy drinks is much more than just a base ingredient. Water quality directly influences the dissolution and interaction of flavors, nutrients, and carbonation. Just as the purity of water can vary the taste of your morning coffee, in energy drinks, high-quality water acts as a clear medium that accurately conveys the intended taste and mouthfeel. Essentially, it's the difference between a blurry and a high-definition taste experience."

Dr. David Bonacker,

Food Scientist and Nutrition Expert

What are the key things to look for in an energy drink for a delicious taste

Naturally sweetened. Look for drinks that are naturally sweetened with real fruit juices for an authentic taste.
Contains fine bubbles for a refined, luxurious taste. Fine bubbles generally taste better than large bubbles, because the aromas of the drink are released more gradually. Fine bubbles can create a delicate, luxurious sensation on the tongue that can enhance the drinking experience.
Use pure water from a quality source. Water is the most important component of energy drinks. The quality of water can greatly impact the perceived taste. For the purest, cleanest taste, choose a drink that uses pure water from a high-quality source.
High quality fruity flavor. To avoid “chemical taste”, choose drinks that are flavored with real fruit juices and essences. Flavors like fresh lime, wild berries, or tropical fruits are typically very well appreciated by energy drink consumers.
No ace-K or aspartame. Make sure that the drink doesn’t contain the artificial sweeteners ace-K or aspartame, which can damage gut health.

The Top 5 Most Delicious Drinks On The Market Today

To help you choose a drink that will not only jumpstart your energy levels but also taste delicious, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 most delicious energy drinks on the market. Some of these names are not “mainstream” yet, but have been praised for their incredibly good taste by both professional tasters and consumers.

This list was carefully curated in partnership with certified nutritionists, and takes several factors into consideration, including: ingredients quality, health impact, taste, value for money, and verified customer reviews.

Final Grade

9.5 /10

Detox strength

9.5/10

Taste

9.7/10

Value for Money

9.0/10

Ingredient Quality

9.5/10

Scientific Evidence

9.2/10

PROS:

CONS:

Alpine Bliss is a premium, fast-growing Swiss brand of flavored sparkling water offering functional health benefits, using clinically studied ingredients. The Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy Booster is a powerful energy drink that combines pure alpine water sourced from the European Alps with organic energy-boosting ingredients.

According to taste experts and customer reviews, Alpine Bliss is one of the best tasting energy drinks on the market by a wide margin. It’s highly refreshing yet perfectly sweet, with delicate notes of wild berries released very gently through ultra-fine bubbles. It tastes like fresh wild berries pressed directly into pristine mountain water. It’s super fresh, packed with delicious fruits, and provides a luxurious sensation on the tongue that is almost addictive, according to some users.

The drink doesn’t contain any added sugar or unhealthy artificial sweeteners like aspartame or ace-K. It only contains 5 grams of natural sugar from wild berries.

One of the key features of this Alpine Bliss drink is its ability to provide a strong, sustained boost of energy for several hours, without causing unpleasant energy crashes often associated with traditional energy drinks. This is achieved through a unique blend of high-quality plant-based ingredients, including 70 mg of caffeine from natural source, L-tyrosine, panax ginseng, and high-purity ginger root extract.

Aside from enhancing mental and physical energy, this formula is also known for creating a distinct feeling of well-being thanks to a proprietary blend of plant-based ingredients called DopaBliss™. This natural blend is specifically designed to boost dopamine levels – the “happy hormone” responsible for making us feel good and happy. The drink is also a rich source of vitamin B6 and B12 – two vitamins that promote a healthy metabolism.

On the minus side, we note that the drink is quite expensive ($3.95 per can) – which can be explained by the “fancy” ingredients that it contains, including extracts of saffron and ginger roots (some of the most expensive spices in the world). We also note that the drink is frequently out of stock, because it’s produced in limited batches as of now.

Taking all of this into consideration puts Alpine Bliss Cognitive Energy booster in our #1 spot.

Final Grade

8.8 /10

Energy Boost

8.5/10

Taste

9.0/10

Value for Money

9.0/10

Ingredient Quality

8.5/10

Scientific Evidence

9.0/10

PROS:

CONS:

Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink, with flavours including Raspberry Lime and Pineapple Coconut, is a good option for people looking for a healthier energy boost.

The drink contains no sugar, no carbs, no sodium, no fat, and it is suitable for a variety of diets including vegan, kosher, Paleo, and Keto. Sweetened with stevia leaf extract, this makes it an appropriate option for those who are on a diet but who still want to drink energy beverages for the energy kick they provide.

The primary source of energy is 120 milligrammes of caffeine per can, which comes from green tea leaves.

While this provides a large energy boost, moderation is essential due to the potential negative consequences of excessive caffeine consumption. We note that this dose of caffeine is slightly more than what is needed to provide a sustainable energy boost without side effects.

Such doses of caffeine may cause jitters and crashes for certain people who are sensitive to caffeine.

While most users appear to be satisfied with this drink, the taste of Zevia is not for everyone. The drink obtained mixed reviews on its taste, with some consumers finding it overly sweet and a bit too chemical in taste.

It does remain a strong option in the field of healthier, better-for-you energy drinks.

Final Grade

8.5 /10

Detox strength

8.2/10

Taste

8.5/10

Value for Money

8.8/10

Ingredient Quality

8.6/10

Scientific Evidence

8.4/10

PROS:

CONS:

Celsius Stevia is an energy drink that aims to provide a powerful boost of energy while offering several nutritional benefits.

Celsius Stevia comes in a number of different flavours, and each one tastes different. Peach Vibe tastes a lot like real peaches without being too fake, but it’s not as sparkling as other flavours. The orange flavour is fizzy, light, and not too sweet, making it a good choice for a quick pick-me-up. The Sparkling Lemon Lime is a fan favourite because it tastes great and isn’t too sweet, but it could use more fizz. Overall, these flavours are a nice, non-sugary choice in the energy drink market. However, the experience could be better if the carbonation and flavour balance were better.

One of the key features of Celsius is its low-calorie content. This makes it an attractive option for those watching their calorie intake while still seeking an energy boost.

The energy-enhancing effects of Celsius can be attributed to its high dose of caffeine and guarana seed. These ingredients provide a potent and immediate surge of energy. Another positive aspect of Celsius is its inclusion of green tea extracts, which are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are known for their health benefits, supporting overall well-being.

However, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind. The caffeine dose in Celsius Stevia is relatively high at 200 mg. For individuals sensitive to caffeine or looking to limit their intake, this may be a drawback. Such a high dose of caffeine may cause unpleasant crashes in some people, which would defeat the purpose of drinking healthier energy drinks.

Final Grade

8.2 /10

Detox strength

8.5/10

Taste

7.8/10

Value for Money

8.2/10

Ingredient Quality

8.3/10

Scientific Evidence

8.1/10

PROS:

CONS:

With its wide range of flavors, Zoa Zero Sugar Energy Drink is a totally new take on energy drinks. Each flavor is unique and enjoyable, making it a good choice for people who like their flavors to be softer and less strong. One of the best flavors is Pineapple Coconut, which combines the bright, tropical scent of pineapple with the rich, sweet notes of coconut to make a pleasing taste.

The Lemon Lime flavor is a great mix of sweet and sour, like tropical lemons and limes that have just been squeezed. This flavor is especially appealing because it’s cool and refreshing, which is great for getting you going on a hot day. In the same way, both the Super Berry and Wild Orange flavors are bright and energizing, with bursts of tangy oranges and juicy berries.

With Camu Camu berries and Acerola cherries added to the Original flavor, it has a fruity burst that is both interesting and exciting.

While Zoa Zero Sugar Energy Drink doesn’t have as strong of a flavor as some other energy drinks, this can be a good thing for people who want a less powerful taste. Although the drink starts out sweet, it changes to a slightly sour end that adds to its overall refreshing quality.

When it comes to energy benefits, Zoa really shines. The 160 mg of caffeine in the drink gives you a clean, smooth energy boost that is neither too strong nor too weak. It’s the right amount to wake up the body and mind, so it can be used for a variety of jobs or activities.

Final Grade

7.7 /10

Detox strength

7.9/10

Taste

7.7/10

Value for Money

7.5/10

Ingredient Quality

7.8/10

Scientific Evidence

7.6/10

PROS:

CONS:

Proper Wild’s Clean All Day Energy Shot is different from other energy drinks on the market because it’s not a large drink, but a small shot of 2.5 oz per serving. The shot comes in three flavors: Ginger, Blackberry, and Peach Mango. It has chemicals like ginseng, caffeine, and L-theanine that are meant to improve brain function.

Proper Wild doesn’t taste as strong as a lot of other popular energy drinks. It tastes pretty natural because it doesn’t use fake sweeteners and instead uses sugar. The flavors are simple and true to their names. For example, the Ginger flavor is surprisingly smooth and doesn’t have the strong spice of regular ginger shots. It doesn’t taste too strong, but there is a small functional flavor and a bit of a burn at the end.

Proper Wild is proud to use only clean, plant-based chemicals. This gives their energy shots a more natural, fruity taste instead of the artificial, syrupy taste that many of them have. You can drink the drink by itself, ideally cold, or mix it with other drinks to make a smoothie or shake.

Proper Wild has a mix of organic caffeine from green tea, L-theanine, and organic panax ginseng extract that can give you energy. This mix is meant to help your brain in ways like making it easier to concentrate and think clearly.