🔌Review - Red Bull Sugar Free

Red Bull still feels like the brand that started everything in energy drinks. From extreme sports to clubbing to music, the energy juggernaut has combined signature skinny cans with zany cartoon marketing to bring wings to hundreds of millions worldwide. Red Bull Sugar free (old version without monk-fruit) attempts to capture the same flavor profile as the original Red Bull, a blend of pineapple and vanilla. It comes with taurine, the energy drink darling, and b-group vitamins Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12. While other brands have continued to add to the mix, Red Bull stays true to its original energy blend. Sugar Free is sweetened with Sucralose and Acesulfame K, both very standard in diet energy drinks though they are transitioning to monk-fruit extract.

✨Calories: 10, 8.4oz. can, typically around $3 per at quick service.

🍵Caffeine: 80mg, less than a cup of coffee

👅Flavor: Thin with tiny bubble effervescence. Predominantly citrus with some cotton candy or bubblegum towards the finish. It's decidedly less syrupy than the original and I do get the slight metallic aftertaste of the zero calorie sweeteners.

🏆Rating: 2 - Subpar - While it does a fine job of approximating the raw flavors of the original, it is a relatively hollow recreation with pronounced artificial sugar aftertaste. I'm a bit down on Red Bull overall just because the caffeine and energy mix are a good bit less by weight than competitors and the can size is tiny tiny when most others are around 16oz, making the value proposition even shakier. If you're a big supporter of something they sponsor or love that original Red Bull taste and are counting calories, it could still be a fit for you. As for me, I'll only drink more of them if they are free at work (like this one was). Perhaps the monk-fruit version will be an improvement?

⚖️Scale:

1 | Bad | Don't Drink it | I Wouldn't Drink it

2 | Poor | I would drink it if there was nothing else or it was free

3 | Good | Serviceable | Buy it on sale

4 | Great | A Cut Above | White Monster | Buy at full price

5 | Excellent | Standout in the Category | Pay venue prices

🥃Review 92: 1.75L Costco's Kirkland Kentucky Bourbon 2026

Costco has historically worked with Barton 1792 for it's bourbon line, putting out a small batch , bottled-in-bond , and single barrel edition in liter bottles in waves over the last few years. This new 1.75L edition debuted in Spring of 2026 and mysteriously lacks a named distiller. The label proudly states that it was distilled and aged in Bardstown, Kentucky before being bottled in Columbia, Tennessee by DC Flynt MY Domaines & Estates (never heard of them). Flynt appear to be more wine focused and have led a number of wine bottlings for Costco historically in addition to some Gins. Distilleries at scale in Bardstown include Jim Beam, Barton 1792, Heaven Hill (though primary production is at Bernheim in Louisville), Lux Row, Willet, and Bardstown Bourbon Company. I doubt it is Barton 1792 since they proudly label their existing collaboration and I suspect it may be a producer without a 1.75L bottling line (would justify the move better than just adding logistics for ...

☕ All Java Monster Flavors Tasted & Ranked

As a habitual caffeine abuser, I have a soft spot for Monster, both for their expansive lineup of flavors as well as their support for Sports and E-sports. Coffee is my standard caffeination vector, so the Java Monster suite of products is the perfect mix of bean flavor and energy boost. In this post, I'll provide my personal rankings and rationale for what is a very strong lineup. Note that I have not been compensated in any way for this write-up... I just like them. Currently, Monster Energy 's Java Monster lineup has five available flavors: Mean Bean - Vanilla Irish Crème Loca Mocha - Chocolate Salted Caramel Café Latte There are two "triple shot" versions of the Vanilla and Mocha which contain 300mg of caffeine though their flavors are very similar to the base versions above. At this point, we should also take a moment of silence for the two cold brew flavors, sweet black and nitro latte. The nitro latte was a personal favorite and I quite liked the sweet black,...

🎮🥃 Call of Duty Zombies: Perk-a-Cola Cocktail Recipes

With yet another Call of Duty release on the horizon, we have assembled a collection of Perk-a-Cola themed cocktail recipes to help you get your zombies gaming session kicked off in just the right way. Be sure to check out our Zombies Drinking Game Rules as these recipes make for a great companion. Recipe Overview In general, these recipes attempt to mimic the color and feel of each perk-a-cola. Dark liquors can be swapped interchangeably to your liking and you can substitute vodka or light rum for gin if needed. To lower the calories, you can use sparkling water of a complementary flavor. Alternatively, you could use hard seltzer to up the alcohol content. Use ice aggressively to fill up to 12oz. To little ice and it will melt faster and provide too much dilution while cooling the drink. All of these can be scaled to make a pitcher, just stir extra where it says to shake. Always drink responsibly. 1. Jugger-Nog Boost your health pool with a bracing and creamy cocktail...

🎮Call of Duty Zombies: The Drinking Game - Rules

Since its introduction in Call of Duty: World at War , Call of Duty Zombies has been a PvE staple for gamers everywhere and has appeared in many subsequent titles. In this post, we'll explore rules for turning a game of round-based zombies into a lovely drinking session. As with all drinking games, set limits before you begin and be sure to conduct yourself both legally and responsibly. Preparation To play the game, you'll need the following in addition to an internet connection, gaming device, and Call of Duty: A Party Sipper of your Choice - I recommend something relatively low ABV. We balanced the rules for a player of moderate ability and a sipper of 4-8% alcohol. Light beer is my go-to here since it has enough lovely hydrating waters to help stave off some small sadness. A Couple of Shots - I would pre-pour a couple of shots to have on hand. Again, lower end of ABV which for shots likely means 80 proof. Kirkland Canadian Whiskey, Tito's Vodka, or Lunazul Tequila wo...

🔌Review - Costco's Kirkland Sparkling Energy Drink - Orange

Released earlier this year in 2026, the Kirkland Sparkling Energy Drink lineup features three flavors: Orange, Tropical, and Peach. The style, ingredients, and caffeine content seem to be talking aim directly at recent CPG success, Celsius Energy. It echoes that brands "clean" veneer with no high fructose corn syrup, GMO ingredients, or artificial colorings. 🛒 Price: $16.99/24 ~$.7/each - Costco. Celsius is normally around $20/12 without sales, so figure around 95 cents savings per can vs. full sticker which is around 58% savings. Celsius is showing up frequently on sale around $15 now but that's still not nearly enough to reach parity. ✨Calories: 10 , 12oz. can 🍵 Caffeine: 200mg, around a third more than a cup of coffee, more than Monster and Red Bull - similar to Celsius. 👅 Flavor: Very effervescent, I get tons of bubbles - close to Red Bull and more than Celsius. It does have a thinner mouthfeel vs Monster Ultra and Red Bull on balance whi...

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