Starbucks Energy Drink: An Open Taste Test and Review

So when I spotted that Starbucks had added an “energy drink” concept to its extensive menu, I was intrigued. Now, I ride on caffeine from Starbucks coffee, and energy drinks feel like a natural next step to try. And instead of looking elsewhere, I decided to pick up some of the coffees, try them on my own, and come back to you with my honest opinion on my favorite web resource for Starbucks calories. us. If you’ve been wondering whether these drinks are worth trying, allow me to walk you through what they taste like, what they feel like, and whether they really give you that energy jolt.

First taste: the Iced Energy On the high street

The first one I sampled was the venti-sized Tropical Citrus Iced Energy, a fizzy tea-based drink. The bright orange-yellow color looked refreshing when the barista handed it to me. The tongue felt out the first sip, which hit my mouth with citrusy tang, a touch of effervescence. To me the surprise was how light it felt I did not find it syrupy or heavy. It was like flavored sparkling water with a bit of punch.

I was halfway through the cup and I could feel the caffeine. My mind felt sharper, my energy perked up, but I didn’t feel jittery. I Sipped the Melon Burst Iced Energy Later, I tasted the Melon Burst Iced Energy, and that one veered more refreshing, somewhere between cucumber water and melon candy. It was the kind of thing that would sound great on a hot day. Both were sugar-free, which was good with me, as that meant no icky aftertaste or sugar crash. There’s also a frozen one, the Frozen Tropical Citrus With Strawberry Purée, which I ordered through the Starbucks app. This one was downright slushy you’d buy at the summer fair but with caffeine. A strawberry swirl sweetened things naturally and provided a playful layered effect in the cup.

Convenience in a can

Then I picked up a Starbucks Iced Energy can from a convenience store down the street. They are available in flavors including Blueberry Lemonade, Watermelon Twist and Tropical Peach. I chose Blueberry Lemonade first. When I cracked it open, it was fizzier than the in-store version, and the blueberry flavor was apparent from the start sweet but airy. With 160 mg of caffeine per can, it’s a little on par with a strong cup of coffee.

What I like most about it is that it’s zero sugar and just a few calories. That meant I could enjoy it in the mid-afternoon and not feel like I had just guzzled a soda. Convenience is also huge: I don’t always have the time to stand in line at Starbucks, but I can pick up a can at the store, toss it in my purse and sip later.

Coffee-based energy: Doubleshot vs. Tripleshot

If you like coffee flavor, Starbucks makes the Doubleshot Energy and Tripleshot Energy cans. I tested both. Taste: The Doubleshot tasted like a creamy coffee beverage with a hint of energy drink edge in vanilla flavor. It had the same boost as a medium coffee, just enough to get me through the afternoon without getting too jittery.

The Tripleshot, however, truly justified it’s name. At 225 mg of caffeine, that’s not the sort of thing I would want to drink later in the day if I wanted to be able to fall asleep for hours. It’s muscular, bold, and more of a functional “actually do stuff” pick. If you’re somewhat caffeine-sensitive, I’d advise not going stronger than the Doubleshot. If you’re someone who needs a lot of fuel in the morning, then Tripleshot is your friend.

Remembering BAYA Energy

A few years ago, Starbucks came out with BAYA Energy and I got to try their Mango Guava flavor when it was launched. It tasted tropical and juicy and gave me that clean lift that newer Iced Energy cans provide. It’s not as easy to find right now, but if you do happen to come across one, it’s worth grabbing based solely on flavor. It’s somewhere between a fizzy fruit drink and an energy seltzer.

How the energy feels

One observation I had drinking these: I don’t feel that “buzz” that I do with some of the more standard energy drinks on the market. Starbucks’ choices, particularly the Iced Energy and BAYA, taste wilder and cleaner and less like imitation. I wasn’t feeling that odd, sugary coating in the back of my mouth or the rapid crash two hours later. The caffeine feels more even somehow, more like a strong tea or a big coffee than a spiky buzz.

My top picks

For a summer afternoon: Tropical Citrus Iced Energy vivid, effervescent, immediately reviving. For your commute or the work day: Iced Energy can be in Blueberry Lemonade, convenient, sugar-free, and great-tasting energy.

For those who love coffee: Doubleshot Energy if you’re all about the creaminess, Tripleshot Energy if you’re all about the serious power. For when you want a change of pace: BAYA Energy (if you can come across it) tropical, fun and not so heavy like you’d assume the canned energy is permitted to be.

Tips if you’re trying Starbucks energy drinks

If you’ve had a Starbucks energy drink in the past, you can still get a free energy drink. Know your caffeine limit. That Tripleshot Energy on top of your regular morning latte can put you at close to 400 milligrams of caffeine in just one day.

Hydrate too. These beverages are refreshing, but it’s wise to follow them with water. Pair with purpose. Iced Energy is best as a midday pick-me-up, while the coffee ones are more for early-morning energy. Start small. If you’re not a regular energy drinker, sip a Doubleshot or half of an Iced Energy instead.

Final thoughts

Starbucks has done a good job of making energy drinks that are not hugely artificial or sugary. The in-store bottled Energy drinks are chilled, fizzy, refreshing, and sugar-free great on a hot day. The canned Iced Energy varieties are perfect for on-the-go, and the Doubleshot and Tripleshot cans are for people who prefer a more traditional coffee experience. After drinking them myself, I’d say that Starbucks has handed us an energy option that doesn’t seem like a “junk food” pick as much as it feels like a natural extension of what they already do best: drinks that are genuinely tasty and lifestyle inclusive. If you’ve been wondering, I say go for it.