Energy Drink Cans UK

M-150 150ml - 33mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Unknown

This is another Thai import and the energy drink beat the original Red Bull, Krating Daeng, to the top spot in Thailand.

I don’t find this label particularly interesting. That may be related to not understanding Thai and/or the massive UK import compliance label covering up 3 sides of the bottle but I’m not sure. I feel like it’s targeting a military/official look, something vaguely wild-west sheriff with the 6-point star in the logo.

I haven’t yet managed to translate the text at the top right of the label but it’s something related to vitamins. Let me know if you can translate the rest of it, thanks.

Coca-Cola Energy v2 (with Competition) 250ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Crown

This has had a redesign similar to Coke Energy No Sugar with the new can having an improved contrast between the wave design and the background colour giving the can a more striking look. This is also complimented by the change to a completely red top to the can which is a change that I absolutely love and would live to see more of in the UK market like many manufacturers have already done in the USA.

This one is also interestingly a UK-only version of the can where all the others have been international cans shared with Norway and Iceland. I think the only reason for this is the presence of the Spotify competition and as soon as that’s over I fully expect the cans to return to their previous shared design, which is a shame because I like the single-country can, it feels much less busy.

NOCCO Limón Del Sol 330ml - 55mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Canpack

This can isn’t labelled as being part of the NOCCO BCAA range but has pretty much the same ingredients and blurb on the back of the can so it seems to be so in every way except design.

Compared to the other NOCCO BCAA range the design of this can is a breath of fresh air. It evokes memories of wonderful summer holidays to the sun-drenched coasts of Spain or Portugal with subtle imagery of a villa with sun-deck overlooking a bay the other side of which is a lovely village of terracotta roofed houses. The palm fronds peaking in from the top corners and the bottom of the design are nice finishing touches.

I really like this can and it has the feel that it would make a nice drink mixed with some sort of spirit, which is odd given they specifically mention that “Mixing with alcoholic beverages is not recommended” on the back of the can!

Contents per serving 330ml BCAA 4:1:1 (leucine, valine, isoleucine): 3000mg Caffeine: 180mg

NOCCO BCAA Red Berries 330ml - 55mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Canpack

This is part of a slightly strange range of fitness targeted energy drinks pushing the benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) while also having a little more caffeine than your run-of-the-mill energy drinks.

Similar to its siblings in the NOCCO BCAA range I at least think the two diagonal lines on this can do a semi-adequate job of representing the flavour in visual form but that’s about all I have to say about this can that isn’t boring.

It’s nice that these cans sit together as a unified range but they’re not exactly interesting or eye grabbing.

Contents per serving 330ml BCAA 4:1:1 (leucine, valine, isoleucine): 3000mg Caffeine: 180mg

NOCCO BCAA Passion 330ml - 55mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Canpack

This is part of a slightly strange range of fitness targeted energy drinks pushing the benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) while also having a little more caffeine than your run-of-the-mill energy drinks.

Similar to its siblings in the NOCCO BCAA range this is a pretty formulaic can with the only element of potential interest being the two diagonal stripes that show the flavour but on this can they’ve managed to fail to even encapsulate that using just a boring red outline. They could at least have gone with some form of green-ish center of the shapes, but maybe that’s too east to confuse with watermelon.

Not impressed with this can.

Contents per serving 330ml BCAA 4:1:1 (leucine, valine, isoleucine): 3000mg Caffeine: 180mg

NOCCO BCAA Ice Soda 330ml - 55mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Canpack

This is part of a slightly strange range of fitness targeted energy drinks pushing the benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) while also having a little more caffeine than your run-of-the-mill energy drinks.

The can design is really quite plain feeling almost medical in design, which may be the idea, apart from the two diagonal lines on the front which are the only element that actually relate to the flavour of the drink within. The font chosen brings to mind American Football Jerseys which again, is probably the intended effect.

Overall I quite like the can design for being functional, un-cluttered and relatively clean but I couldn’t call it inspiring or impressive in any way.

Contents per serving 330ml BCAA 4:1:1 (leucine, valine, isoleucine): 3000mg Caffeine: 180mg

Lo Bros Kombucha 250ml - 0mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Crown

I suppose this technically isn’t an energy drink but that probably depends who you ask, some people swear on this stuff for invigoration among other unsubstantiated health claims.

I quite like the design of this can, it feels fun and I think it conveys the ‘alive’ nature of the drink quite well. The little pictogram story on the back is kind of cute and looks like something you’d see on a chain restaurant kids menu, although possibly not that final picture :)

The Lo-Down on our Brew We make kombucha the authentic way. All natural, slow brewed, full of flavour and alive inside. 1 - Sweet Tea - Oolong - Green - Scoby 2 - We Wait - Fermentation Magic - Sugar Goes Down - Living Cultures Go Up 3 - We blend with delicious ingredients 4 - The Result - Alive Inside - Great in your Gut - 75 Million living cultures† † Colony Forming Units (CFU’s). Count taken at time of manufacture.

Monster Energy Ultra Red v1 500ml - 30mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ball

I almost didn’t spot that there were 2 different version of this can but the differences are quite stark once you do see them. The main one is the font used around the top bevel of the can. In this version they’ve used a distressed gothic serif font with a white/silver outline to increase legibility. On the other version they’ve chosen a more modern-feeling sans-serif block font with red outline which is actually much easier to read.

Added to that direct design change are also some minor formatting changes to the required information panel and also a general difference in the deepness of the red colour and the clarity of the whole print in general (although one is better in some areas, and the other is better in others).

Once more change that I’ve also seen elsewhere is that different manufacturers render the texture on these cans to different levels. This can has much more pronounced texturing than the other version.

Who can forget those hot summer days and hotter summer nights thick with the promise of unlimited possibilities. Working a mindless job to earn just enough for that last epic adventure before starting “real life” Following your heart to who knows where with who knows who, confident it will all work out. In homage to the endless summer’s of youth comes Ultra Red: Light, crisp, and refreshing with zero calories and zero sugar. Sweet, sweet, summer time, summer time. Unleash the Ultra Beast!

DUKE Energy Drink BLACK 250ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ardagh

Another in the long line of “100% Natural” energy drinks that I’m always dubious about. This one, despite trying to look sleek and premium feels to me like a cheap imitation of other energy drinks. I can’t put my finger on why but something just doesn’t work for me, despite going for the slightly matt-feel can it’s not convincing.

The overall look is OK but feels like it’s trying to imitate something (or some things) else.

100% Natural No Taurine Natural Caffeine

DUKE ENERGY excites you with its unique range of premium energy drinks. Using only 100% Natural ingredients we set out to harness, enjoy and celebrate nature’s pure energy.

DUKE BLACK, a unique energy drink based on natural ingredients. Its true stimulating power comes straight from nature: with natural caffeine and guarana extract.

DUKE Forest Fruits with its unmistakable fruity taste is an explosion of fruity refreshment.

Krating Daeng / กระทิงแดง / Red Bull 150ml - 21mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Unknown

This is not a UK can but is a very interesting part in the story of energy drinks in the UK and the rest of the world. Hailing from Thailand this is a separate Red Bull company to the one we know in the UK and USA today although it was the inspiration. The story’s worth a quick read on Wikipedia.

I love the simple look of this bottle, it almost looks like medicine, but it’s just a shame that I haven’t looked after it well. It would be really hard to read any of the information around the edge of the label anyway due to the tiny font size but along with the wearing of the label isn’t now even more difficult.

This bottle is still sealed and looking at that use-by date, I don’t think I’ll be opening it now!

Coca-Cola Energy No Sugar v2 250ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ardagh

This is a small redesign of the can and I think it makes it a little more interesting. The black bar around the top of the can has now become part of the design by being extended down the can and the swirl pattern has been extended right up to the top of the can. I think they’ve also darkened the background of the rest of the can behind the swirls which gives a move dramatic and dynamic feel.

Less interestingly there’s a couple of extra “No Sugar” labels here and there and the back of the can has been re-designed into two columns which also gives a slight improvement to the overall feel of tidiness

Monster Energy Ultra Violet 500ml - 30mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ball

I feel like once Monster had an Ultra range that “Ultra Violet” was inevitable. They’ve decided to theme it 70s so have gone for a psychedelic/music inspired design with some nice swirly patterns, music notes and a few other “hidden” 70s themed elements:

Bottom right is a nice little crop of mushrooms.

Top right there’s a claw holding something that looks like a crystal ball showing a monster logo.

Bottom left is a hooded scull peeking out from behind the barcode.

Top left there’s what appears to be a monster branded bloodshot eyeball.

I really like both this drink and the can and I think it’s a nice addition to the ultra line of monster drinks.

Welcome to the 70s. A hazy purple funk all dressed up in a kaleidoscope of bell bottoms, bandanas, and tie-dye. A time when psychedelic, glam and heavy metal rock blasted from mega speakers at fairgrounds, stadiums and garages. Can you dig it? Then take a good long pull of Monster Ultra Violet. Crisp and refreshing, with a sweet and tart pixie dust flavour powered with our Monster Energy Blend. Hop on this magic carpet for the ride. Unleash the Ultra Beast!

Rockstar Revolt Killer Cooler Zero 500ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ball

This is a very busy can with its large main elements but that’s about standard for Rockstar cans. I like the camo background design … as long as I don’t look at it too closely. If I spend too much time looking at the background it starts to look blocky and amateurish, but I guess no-one’s meant to study these cans in detail. The bold rockstar logo doesn’t make the can look pretty or striking or anything like that but it’s nice and functional … apart from not actually telling the buyer what the flavour actually is unless you read the small print on the back.

Relentless Mango 500ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ball

This is the first Relentless can I’ve added to the online catalogue but I do have a sentimental attachment to Relentless Origin as it got me through lots of University. The can is a delightful mix of complex and simple with the raven design being almost banknote design detail complimented by the relatively simple background radiant spiral. I like this design and it’s a sensible choice of colour for mango.

The journey towards artistry and committing everything for your moment is an accolade in itself. Greatness or glory doesn’t come by accident, it is earned. In forging, in our humble opinion, the ultimate Energy Drink, we set upon a quest not for perfection, but one of passion to produce a drink worthy of the name Relentless. Its refreshing, smooth finish and uncompromising flavour known no boundaries. Be unwavering in your personal pursuit of greatness… Be Relentless!

Monster Hydrosport Superfuel Striker 650ml - 30.5mg / 100ml Bottle manufactured by BPI

This is obviously not a can but I think it’s related closely enough so as to be included. Again it’s one of the sports-themed packaged that don’t interest me but the design is recognisably monster with the green and white on black. This seems to be positioned half-way between energy drink and sports drink and on close inspection seems to have a very similar design to the Reign cans, especially around the icons on the back, which is not such a surprise seeing as they’re owned by the same manufacturer. Of course, being in the sports drink market it also comes with all the big-talking, dubious claims slapped all over the back of the bottle.

The really strange thing here is that this bottle was purchased directly from the Coca-Cola online store and is manufactured by exactly the same company as Relentless so not I’m feeling there’s one energy drink conglomerate making all the big-label drinks.

Refuel · Revive · Refresh

200mg Natural Caffeine Metabolic Energy Hydration Formula BCAA Aminos Magnesium Zero Sugar

Talent gets you so far, but commitment sets you apart from the pack. It’s the hallmark of the fan favourite, the backbone of any decent team. The grafters get their name sung all season long. If you’re getting ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, this is a drink for you. if you want to lay ot on the line, this is your super fuel. HydroSport is non-carbonated for easy-drinking, with an invigorating flavour, backed with Monster’s acclaimed energy blend. Don’t hydrate to participate, grab the drink that’ll take you across the line.

Monster HydroSport is formulated with Magnesium, Caffeine and B Vitamins. Caffeine may contribute to increased concentration and alertness. Magnesium may contribute to electrolyte balance and to normal muscle function and normal protein synthesis. Vitamins B3, B6 and Magnesium may contribute to a normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Water contributes to the maintenance of normal physical and cognitive functions and normal regulation of the body’s temperature. In order to obtain the claimed effect, at least 2,0 L of water from all sources should be consumed per day.

Red Bull Coconut Edition Sugar Free Coconut & Berry 250ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Ball

I’m struggling to find anything interesting to say about this can. It’s pretty plain and could probably be confused with being a plain sugar-free red bull instead of an Editions can at first glance. It follows the same pattern as the rest of the editions cans to a tee. The only slightly interesting thing about this can is that I misplaced the original one that’s in the photos and now have a 2nd edition version which only differs in the text placement on the back of the can, and even that’s not interesting.

Vitalizes body and mind®

Monster Mule Ginger Brew 500ml - 32mg / 100ml Can manufactured by Canpack

At the time of reviewing I think this can is relatively new and is probably Monster’s first venture into the Alcohol Inspired energy drink market. It’s based on the Moscow Mule which is apparently traditionally served in a copper mug which explains the colour choice of this can. That notwithstanding I do like the presentation of this can. The copper colour gives a really refined feel and they’ve kept the floral/flock patterns to a minimum on this one. It’s not a textured can like the [Monster Ultra cans] but it is a matt-finished can, which further lends to the refined feel, although I wonder if they considered trying to texture the can like the traditional copper mugs.

Using the classic “western” font for various elements is a nice touch and not over-used, and I like the couple of bullets used as dividers around the top of the can. The blurb on the back is a bit hard to read due to its size.

3 people walk into a Hollywood bar - a Russian vodka distributor, a copper mug salesperson, and a ginger beer homebrewer. Urban legend has it that the Moscow Mule was invented! They grabbed an instant camera and took their idea to other bars, snapping pics of the novel cocktail to share with the next barkeep creating a viral sensation long before social media. Raising a glass to these innovators, our non-alcoholic Monster Mule is crafted with a spicy and sweet ginger “mule kick” and a zesty lime finish. We stirred-in our Monster energy blend to get you moving! So share one with a friend, take a pic and tag #MonsterMule on instagram to continue the tradition. Unleash the Beast!