Jolt Ultra

Energy drinks are almost always unpredictable until you actually pop open the can and taste it for yourself. Having only tried sugar-filled Jolts, I'm a bit on edge to see how Jolt can handle a sugar free energy drink. So, if I don't find the flavor I'm looking for, there's always the long-lasting, amazing kick to follow. Jolts really do give you a jolt, with 220mg of caffeine, much more than a Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, and even select energy shots. Because Jolts do not have a basic Monster Clone-type flavor, I have not the slightest clue what Ultra will taste like. After Monster flavors, the second most common is wild berry, so I might just go with that, berry and orange. However, noticing the lime-green and black can, I may find a flavor most similar to lemon-lime, I'm eager now to find out. Jolt has perhaps one of the coolest yet basic can designs, being about 75% black on the bottom and 25% green at the top. The green has strikes of silver lightning and 'Jolt' is slapped vertically on the can. So, eager enough to break this can open, I'll cut this off now.

The Jolt Ultra has a scent that's odd, most like lemon-lime with just a bit of wild berry essence, and that artificial sugar free scent that follows. After pouring the drink into a glass cup, I am not shocked to see a color that's just a plain and pale green, nothing really too special. Tasting it, I'm extremely disappointed, tasting a boring lemon-lime and berry flavored soda feeling, and reminding me of a lame flavored water. Taking more and more sips, I want to say now it's not gross or nasty, but I would only recommend it if you like bland and weak energy drinks. In general, the flavor is primarily lemon-lime, hardly any berry, and fades away fast, probably less than a second in the mouth. It reminds me a lot of Sprite, with about 500 times less flavor and less potent. In order to enjoy this drink to the max, I may decide to chug it, despite the amount of carbonation. After finding it hard to drink, I can't say I want to finish the can, for it virtually has no flavor, and just tastes like carbonated water. It's very lightly carbonated, allowing a smooth feeling going down the throat, although it seems heavily carbonated taking small sips. Like most other sugar free energy drinks, there's little to no gumminess. Overall, I can't say Jolt Ultra was nasty, but it will get a low rating because I found it hard to drink with no flavor added into it.

On ingredients, Jolt Ultra contains ingredients that are mostly similar to it's sugary Jolt siblings, with of course the exception of no real sugar. The ingredients go as following: carbonated water, citric acid, sodiumbenzoate, sodium citrate, concentrated orange juice (Ooooh!), Sucralose (Splenda a non-nutritive sweetener), caffeine, gum arabic, natural flavors, yellow 5, brominated vegetable oil, glycerol ester of wood rosin, taurine, guarana, ginseng, and B vitamins. Seeing orange juice from concentrate makes me wonder why I hadn't tasted that much orange, although I do recall some essences of it mixed in somewhere. I didn't add the parentheses at the end of Spenda, that was literally there listed on the ingredients list; talk about total agreement. Seeing the essential energy ingredients last in the list, makes me wonder what type of kick I'm feeling. Jolt is one of the companies that only focus on caffeine kick, caffeine kick, and only caffeine kick, which is something energy drink lovers aren't too fond of. Per can, it's easy to say that there's no calories, nor is there any sugar, although I really can't count a flavor, sugar or not. All in all, a lame sugar free energy drinks, probably the worst I've tried as it goes to the bottom of best sugar free energy drinks.

Taste: 3 - I can't recall tasting more than a drop of lemon-lime and orange flavoring mixed with carbonated water...
Kick: 8 - If you can finish a can of this weak Jolt, you'll get a nice caffeine buzz
Overall: 4 - I would recommend this drink highly to beginners getting into energy drinks

Reviewed by: Chan

El Sol (It's the Sun) Ultra Red Ginseng

This is my second review for the day. This time I have the El Sol Ultra Red Ginseng. Phew! Long name. But that means it has to be good, right? I love a tea-like drink, so I am really exctied to tear into this one This can has a ginseng plant, roots, plant stem, flower, and all. Behind it, you see a fire-red background with the words Ultra Red Ginseng going vertically alont the side of the can. I also notice the words El Sol inside its trademark orange-yellow sun.This drink also comes in a small, 8.3 ounce can. This thing acts so big yet its so small. I think that this one will prove to me that it has bragging rights to put large writing and designs on it. So, here it goes.

As I pop open the can, I smell the odor of dirt, pretty nasty. I hope the taste will be better though. It comes out of the can a dark amber color, with minimal carbonation. This is the most unique drink I have reviewed yet. As soon as it hits your mouth, you get sweet sensation of natural herbs and honey. Pretty refreshing. I can also notice trace amounts pf cinnamon. However, the aftertaste is like you're eating a plant. It's bitter and you can taste dirt, a little bit. I advise you take constant sips, or you might end up throwing up. I'm sorry to say that, but it's true...I cannot taste any gumminess whatsoever, that's what makes this drink natural and focusing on the flavor. As you might know, I enjoy drinks that have a natural flavor and with a hint of tea, but this drink is too natural. After about 4 ounces, I found this a little nasty and hard to drink. Now, I can't even taste the honey, the aftertaste has taken over. I would refer to this as juice instead of a carbonated drink because I can taste very slight carbonation. Overall, don't buy this drink, unless you can handle a strong, dirt-like taste...

Okay, let's talk about the ingredients. First, you see carbonated water. Then comes Korean Red Ginseng Extract (Dirty plant). Following that, I see honey, and then HFCS. Honey or no honey, this drink was pretty hard to drink. As for the HFCS, I found no gumminess anyway, so thats fine. I also notice herb flavor in the ingredients, it just helps the aftertaste get more bitter. Per can you only get 85 calroies, that's pretty low. You also only get 20g of sugar, that's okay too since all the sweetness is from the honey. On the back of the can I notice the words "Natural Health Drink." Yeah, sure it's a health drink, but you'll only get 4 ounces into it and nearly throw up. Save yourself the pain and the money, and don't buy it.

Taste: 3 - It had a weak flavor and let the aftertaste win...I couldn't drink more than 4 ounces
Kick: 5 - Well, nothing really
Overall: 4 - Just don't buy this, I mean it's no better than eating a plant with a dash of honey

Reviewed by: Chan