I had a few minutes to type up a review so I found the most interesting drink I had, which was the Blade Sugar Free. Now, I really had no clue what I'd find in CVS the other day as I walked into the store, until I found an interesting and eye-catching Blade Sugar Free. Eventually, when I got home, I did a bit of researching and found out that Blade is CVS Stores brand of energy drinks, but I didn't see regular Blade. HM, I'll probably go back another time for it. I scoured the can thoroughly for any important details, and at the bottom in the back I found the caffeine content, which, you wouldn't believe, is 240mg per can. I think that's worth a picture to go along with the can itself. Out of all the 16 ounce cans, this has the largest amount of caffeine I believe I've ever come across. I'd say drinking a can of this would equal a little more than a 24 ounce Monster, which is pretty impressive if you're not into drinking more than 16 ounces. I've been thinking about the energy upgrade and how it may affect the flavor. I mean, if this is a CVS brand energy drink, it's most likely a Monster Clone, but to be a Monster Clone it has the same or similar energy ingredients and the same general flavor, so if the energy ingredients are different, the flavor may be too.
Opening up the can, I find a familiar scent almost exactly like the Lo-Carb Monster, which is an extremely refreshing scent of apple, berry, citrus, pineapple, you name it. Pouring it out of the can, the color is the same as the scent, being a smooth caramel-golden amber type, just nice in general. This Blade Sugar Free tastes quite different than Monster Lo-Carb, but it's the subtle differences that make them so unlike. Being so used to Monster Lo-Carb, I find this to be a bit more bland, as the flavor seems to dissapear faster, and the flavor you find, is much sweeter, but not necessarily artificial. Tasting more of this addictive flavor, I find to be more mixed in with a Sugar Free Red Bull, having more of that caramel flavor and that sour snap from a green apple. It's got a nice balance of sweetness and sourness to make it more diverse and not like a one-flavored drink. Moving on to the aftertaste, I observe a small, mellow note of artificial sweetener that's not too noticeable. As for carbonation, Blade Sugar Free is about average, compared to all of the other similar drinks, like Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, etc. Lastly, I have been drinking out of the can more often than usual, so I'll find gumminess more easily, and I can't say I have found any at all. Overall, I have to say, CVS sure knows how to make a Sugar Free energy drink, and now my hopes are up for the Blade original, and the kick to follow this beast.
As for ingredients, Blade Sugar Free has about the same ingredients you would find on a Monster Lo-Carb or a Joker Low Carb. I see a list consisting of: carbonated water, malic acid, taurine, sodium citrate, D-Glucuronolactone, natural and artificial flavors, caffeine, potassium benzoate, Sucralose, inostiol, niacin, caramel color, acesulfame potassium, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, yellow 5, red 40, and cyanocobalamin. See? Standard ingredients, like caramel color in particular. I love the energy drink companies that put in caramel color; it enhances and brightens the overall color of the drink, as well as making it more distinct. I see it has Sucralose and Acesulfame potassium, which are both pretty standard in a sugar free energy drink, though I would really like to see one with one Ace K. Per can, you get 30 calories and only 2g of carbs (sugars, sugar alcohols, etc.), which is truly amazing, tasting so great. As I move on to the kick, I can't say I'm too satisfied right now. After downing this can, I find a slight boost of jitters and awareness, but I soon crashed and felt extremely drowsy. So, I may find a heavily caffeinated energy drink like this to be lame on kick, but for others, who's tolerance are different, may find it better. All in all, a great sugar free energy drink, you may want to pick up a few of these next time you're at CVS, instead of the Lo-Carb Monster, maybe if you want to taste something slightly different.
Taste: 8.6 - Great Monster Clone, with just a hint more of apple and a dash of sweet vanilla
Kick: 8 - Good kick, but not as large as I was anticipating
Overall: 8.3 - This is one Monster Clone I definitely recommend
Reviewed by: Chan
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