I find that energy drinks are one of those items that typically get overlooked when I'm doing a food shop.
More commonly associated perhaps with a shot of Jagermeister, you either love them or you hate them. For non coffee drinkers, they're a way to get a caffeine boost without the bitter taste but some of the more popularly known brand are actually quite pricey for the amount you get.
These days, s small, 250ml can of Red Bull would set you back around £1.35 in most supermarket and newsagents. A larger can, 473ml, would cost around £2.15 in most stores. While that might be feasible if you're out and in need to a quick drink as a one off, any regular energy drink consumers would be forking out quite a fair few pounds monthly.
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As many Brits will be feeling the pressures with record breaking inflation rates and the high cost of living, swapping out brands that drain wallets are becoming more of a necessity. By making a supermarket swap on energy drinks, the difference in price would save a considerable amount of money but do they taste just as good?
I went to four local supermarkets, Asda, Sainsburys, Aldi and Lidl- Morrisons don't have their own brand of energy drinks - to see if I could find a cheaper alternative, and before you ask, yes, I would say I was energised after this comparison.
Aldi
Name: Red Thunder 250ml
Price: 39p
Verdict: 4/5
There was quite a tang to the drink in the first few sips, not too strong or overpowering but it definitely caught me by surprise. It was more similar to Red Bull than I thought with that distinct sweet taste.
Actually, I usually find Red Bull to be very sweet and opt for the sugar free version to avoid feeling sick of the sugariness. However, while this drink was also very sweet, I wouldn't say it was overly so in the same way I feel Red Bull is. The entire drink did leave me feeling as thought I'd downed a can of chemicals with its odd artificial aftertaste but with the amount of sugar it in it, it's hardly surprising.
Sainsbury's
Name: Blue Bolt 250ml
Price: 85p
Verdict: 3.5/5
This was the priciest out of the lot but at 85p, it was still significantly cheaper than a can of Red Bull. Unlike the other cans, this one didn't have that distinct Red Bull energy drink taste, there was no tanginess and it tasted almost like a packet of gummy bears.
Again, very sweet but not unbearable. Despite there not being as much of a tang to make it more enjoyable, the sweetness was quite refreshing and definitely left me feeling energised. It's not your typical energy drink and might not fit the tastes of many but as a cheaper alternative, it would certainly do the job.
Lidl
Name: Kong Strong 250ml
Price: 36p
Verdict: 2/5
The cheapest, but for good reason. This is proof that sometimes the cheapest option out of already-very-cheap options is one to avoid.
A tangy energy drink flavour was present but so was a bizarre fizzy, fruity flavour and I don't mean that in a good way. It reminded me of an over acidic pineapple that makes your mouth go all funny after eating it. And let me tell you, that sensation doesn't leave you for a while.
There wasn't much going on in the flavour department apart from the slight tanginess that at first seemed refreshing but a few sips later, the weird fruit taste kicked in and that was enough for me.
Asda
Name: Charge 250ml
Price: 50p
Verdict: 4/5
Asda seemed to take the tanginess of an energy drink and added a whole load more. I quite literally cringed when I took the first sip of this drink but then I loved it.
It was a good tangy that actually tasted far more refreshing than the overly sweet ones. It wasn't as sugary as the rest but I think this is what made it better as it tasted more like Red Bull but the sickly sweetness. If I was to make a permanent swap, I would buy this can of energy drink from now on to save on money and actually have an energy drink I enjoy.
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