🔌Review - C4 - Frozen Bombsicle

The flagship brand of nutrition giant Nutrabolt, Cellucor and energy brand C4 are long-time players in the space, having launched their first pre-workout beverage, C4 powder, in 2011 with a canned version following in 2018. Marketing has long been targeted directly to gym-goers and bodybuilders. Today, you'll see two varieties of cans: yellow which is aimed at athletic performance and endurance, and black which focuses on brain function and concentration. Minority investor Keurig Dr Pepper provides nationwide logistics.

Paying homage to the classic summer ice pop, a staple of ice cream trucks and school parties everywhere, C4 Frozen Bombsicle was introduced with the rest of the RTDs as a limited offering in 2018 and received a design update as well as elevation to the main nationwide lineup in 2021. Despite the heavy red, white, and blue packaging, the liquid inside is completely clear. Frozen Bombsicle remains one of the few legacy C4 flavors to utilize a cooling flavor compound to simulate a temperature drop on the palate even if served near room temperature.

🛒Price: $1.75 each at Publix on sale, typically around $3. Website pricing is $27.99/12ct.

✨Calories: 5, 16oz. can

🍵Caffeine: 200mg, slightly more than the same volume of coffee

👅Flavor: A bit confusing. I do get the general "bomb pop" allusion but it's a muddy mingling of berry flavors with a sharp biting medicinal note and metallic burst of vitamins. I know the flavors are traditionally cherry (red), lime (white), and blue (raspberry), but the combo seems closer to a orange juice and toothpaste effect - maybe not quite that bad but not good.

🧪Ingredients:

Sweeteners: Sucralose & Acesulfame Potassium (Zero Erythritol Blend).
Energy & Nootropic Blend: Caffeine Anhydrous (200mg), L-Theanine (200mg), Taurine, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, Panax Ginseng, Glucuronolactone, and Inositol.
B-Vitamins: B3 (110% DV), B5 (110% DV), B6 (110% DV), B7 (100% DV), and B12 (110% DV).

🏆Rating: 2 - Poor - With a traditional bomb pop, you're getting mostly one flavor with each lick/bite of the popsicle. With this drink, you're getting all three plus a very pre-workout-esque blast of vitamins and minerals, bordering on Flintstones. I'll readily admit that I've had fewer offerings from C4 and this could be a one-off, but I'll be reaching for most other options before Frozen Bombsicle.

⚖️Scale:

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