Why do we drink energy drinks? Is it our society’s relentless pursuit of perpetual stimulation and the ever-growing normalcy of caffeine dependence? Is our collective taste for fleeting indulgence dooming this era to meaningless instant gratification at the expense of our self-restraint and long-term happiness?
I don’t know, but energy drinks are pretty dope.
The right energy drink can make your day, but the best one depends on what you’re doing. We’ve had thousands of them between us, so here are the absolute best drinks for every occasion.
| Activity | Pick |
|---|---|
| Gaming | Ghost Sour Green Apple |
| Beach day | Alani Nu Mimosa |
| Hitting the slopes | C4 Frozen Bombsicle |
| Pumping iron | Reign Inferno Jalapeño Strawberry |
| Cardio | Monster Hydro Blue Streak |
| Studying | Monster Zero Ultra |
| Sneaking into a movie | Adrenaline Shoc Accelerator Cherry Limeade |
Gaming: Ghost Sour Green Apple
Gaming and energy drinks go hand in hand. There’s even a 2022 study titled “Excessive Gaming and Online Energy-Drink Marketing Exposure Associated with Energy-Drink Consumption among Adolescents”, my favorite of many for its straightforward title.
When you game, you want to enjoy your drink and stay mentally locked in, but too much caffeine makes some people jittery. As an avid League of Legends player, I can’t have jitters wrecking my micro.
You also want a bold flavor to keep you revved up. That’s why we chose Ghost Sour Green Apple. Plenty of mellow drinks in the 140–200 mg range don’t deliver the same excited focus that comes from a crisp, punchy flavor. Ghost Sour Green Apple has the right amount of caffeine and a flavor potent enough to keep you engaged.
Don’t believe it makes a difference? Try it. Most people default to an original Monster or Red Bull for gaming. Green apple can get old faster than other flavors, but for a one-off performance session, Ghost Sour Green Apple is the way to go. (Buy on Amazon.)
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Ghost Sour Pink LemonadeGhost · 200 mg
Shark Score 90
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Ghost Swedish FishGhost · 200 mg
Shark Score 79
Beach day: Alani Nu Mimosa
My highest-rated drink since we started Caffeine Shark is even better in the sun with your feet in the sand. Most drinks that imitate classic cocktails fall short, but Alani Nu Mimosa is simply the most enjoyable energy drink I’ve ever had. (Buy on Amazon.)
Shoutout to Celsius as a brand, too. Throw a couple in your cooler, grab one thinking it’s a seltzer, then ask your friends where they got these amazing seltzers. They’re light, refreshing, and perfect for the summer sun.
Hitting the slopes: C4 Frozen Bombsicle
Need a boost while shredding the gnar? Nothing beats an ice-cold C4 Frozen Bombsicle to stimulate your senses, like Five Gum, except this actually does something. C4’s energy blend, a crisp mouthfeel, and that classic “blue” flavor are even better in the cold.
Skiing, snowboarding, or flying down a mountain in an inner tube with reckless abandon: Frozen Bombsicle boosts the adrenaline, sharpens your focus, and tastes right for the occasion. (Buy on Amazon.)
Pumping iron: Reign Inferno Jalapeño Strawberry
Nothing makes you want to scream your head off and run through a brick wall after every sip like Reign Inferno Jalapeño Strawberry. It’s the only remotely enjoyable spicy energy drink, and it has the caffeine to make sure you give everything you’ve got.
It’s a bit bitter, but that adds to the appeal. You don’t want a smooth NOS while maxing out on bench. The distinct aftertaste even tricks your brain into thinking you’re still taking in stimulant mid-lift (source: trust me, bro). It may get old faster than a run-of-the-mill energy drink, but it’ll hype you up. (Buy on Amazon.)
Cardio: Monster Hydro Blue Streak
For all you nerds who still do cardio: absolutely do not run with Reign Inferno Jalapeño Strawberry. It will upset your stomach. Try Monster Hydro Blue Streak instead. It’s my favorite of the Hydros by far: refreshing, hydrating, and available in a 20 oz bottle in some stores.
The caffeine and flavor get you energized without the overwhelming urge to pick up something heavy. It’s great for steady-state cardio, and I recommend any Monster Hydro if you need a little extra motivation, and a little flavor, to get through a workout. (Buy on Amazon.)
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Monster Hydro Blue StreakMonster · 200 mg
Shark Score 87
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Monster Hydro Purple PassionMonster · 190 mg
Shark Score 70
Studying: Monster Zero Ultra
It’s just so reliable, man. You can drink it often without it getting stale. Zero Ultra’s taste is neither too mellow nor too rowdy, with enough caffeine to keep you focused and nothing extra. It’s not the sexiest drink out there, but sometimes you go back to your roots. It’ll power your studying without distracting you from the task at hand, and sometimes that’s all you need in life. (Buy on Amazon.)
Sneaking into a movie theater: Adrenaline Shoc Accelerator Cherry Limeade
Clear and obvious: everyone knows AMP Overdrive tastes better when smuggled into a movie theater. Unfortunately, AMP decided to be super lame and discontinue Overdrive.
So here’s a solid alternative. Adrenaline Shoc Accelerator Cherry Limeade has a smooth mouthfeel, excellent flavor, and the right amount of caffeine. It’s smoother than other Adrenaline Shoc drinks and makes a great low-calorie alternative to an overpriced slushie. Nothing will ever replace my beloved AMP Overdrive, but this one stands on its own. (Buy on Amazon.)
Want the science behind picking a drink for performance? Read Will Energy Drinks Take Your Game to the Next Level?
