REVIEW: Rockstar Energy Horchata

Rockstar Energy Horchata

Let me start off this Rockstar Energy Horchata review by stating I’ve never had horchata before. And while I’m in the state of admitting things that make me sound boring, I’ve never watched a minute of the movie Titanic (the 1953 and 1997 versions), I haven’t traveled beyond the borders of North America, and I’ve never danced with a monkey under the moonlight to the sounds of endangered birds.

Horchata, according to the editors at Wikipedia, is a beverage that can be made from almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts, which I learned from Wikipedia are not tiger testicles. As I went deeper down into the Wikipedia hole I started by looking up horchata, I learned a dried tiger penis can sell for $2500 and is used as an aphrodisiac. Then I learned deer penis is also used as an aphrodisiac. Wait. What was this review about again? Tigernuts! No wait. Rockstar Energy Horchata.

Rockstar Energy Horchata, according to the can, is made using, “Fresh dairy, rice flour, and natural cinnamon flavors.” Although cinnamon isn’t listed in the ingredients, instead listed as “Natural Flavors,” its flavor stands out from the very first sip. It pretty much tastes like cinnamon milk.

Rockstar Energy Horchata 2

The dairy, which is whole milk, and the rice flour give the beverage its milky white color and some thickness. The non-carbonated Rockstar Energy Horchata looks so pure and innocent, but don’t let that fool you. This is one caffeinated beast that’ll make your heart thump like the bass drum at a metal concert. Rockstar’s Energy Blend that consists of, say it with me, guarana, ginseng, taurine, inositol, L-carnitine, and caffeine provides each can with 225 milligrams of sweet, heart-thumping caffeine.

For the most part it doesn’t taste like an energy drink. It’s creamy, smooth, and the cinnamon and dairy do a great job at masking Rockstar’s Energy Blend and the artificial sweeteners. However, the finish does take a slight dive towards bitterness, but as a regular energy drink drinker, I didn’t mind that.

There is another minor issue with the beverage. When I let an open can sit in the fridge for a few hours, some of the ingredients congealed into tiny bits. They didn’t affect the flavor and there were very few of them, but obviously the beverage wasn’t so smooth anymore.

I’ve had four Rockstar Energy Horchatas within the past week, so I guess that means I really like it, or there’s crack in it. Since I’m not having withdrawals, I’m going to say I really like it. So if you love the C words – caffeine and cinnamon – I’d suggest you try this energy drink.

(Nutrition Facts – 8 ounces – 100 calories, 20 calories from fat, 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein, 6% calcium, 100% vitamin B6, 100% niacin, and 100% pantothenic acid.)

Item: Rockstar Energy Horchata
Purchased Price: $2.79
Size: 15 oz. can
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like cinnamon milk. Wonderful flavor. 225 milligrams of sweet, heart-thumping caffeine. Creamy and smooth, at first.
Cons: If left open in the fridge, some of the ingredients will congeal into tiny bits. Slight bitterness with the finish. Comes in what looks like a 16-ounce can, but has only 15 ounces of liquid. Going down Wikipedia holes.

30 thoughts to “REVIEW: Rockstar Energy Horchata”

    1. I’ve seen it at festival foods in fond du lac wisconsin, but it varys by pepsi distributors.

    2. You can also find this one the East Coast (I’m here in Florida). Horchata can be widely found in Latin America. My family comes from Honduras, so for us horchata is part of our culture (and my childhood). The Rockstar version is ok, but the after taste kinda kills it. Maybe it’s just ’cause I’m used to the taste of homemade horchata (which is awesome, but that’s just my opinion), but I do believe they did a pretty good job with trying to recreate horchata into an energy drink. I just still feel like it’s missing something and could be better. Thumbs up on the boost though!

    3. I couldn’t find it anywhere here in Northeast Nebraska…. my company and a local gas station have a pretty good relationship with a local family gas station – had the owner contact their distributor and bought myself two cases of 12 for 36 bucks!

    4. I got one in a maryland walgreens. But I thought it was the nastiest shit ever. It tasted milky alcohol….but its not alcoholic Wtf. Just bitter and too much cinnamon, not that sweet either.

    5. I find a lot in the minneapolis saint paul area (Minnesota) Its by far my favorite Rockstar. I hope your area is supplied soon!

    6. I have found RockStar Horchata in South tox Central Texas, mostly in little Mom’n’Pop stores in small towns. Hard to find though.. I have also had to find it online at Amazon, a bit too pricey for my taste, but for distribution it might be in your price range.

  1. Monster Energy used to produce a chai energy drink. Not sure why they stopped, but it was delicious. Cinnamon milk could be a suitable replacement, so… yeah, I’ll keep an eye out for this one. (Just have to remember that it’s a different brand.)

    1. I’m still upset that they stopped making Chai Hai. It was hands down the most delicious thing Monster ever produced.

  2. First sip was great. Second sip was okay. Third sip was nasty. I didn’t get a smooth flavor from this. I also didn’t get a typical energy drink aftertaste from this. I am not a fan.

  3. Nice review… for those that asked, I’ve found mine at Wal-mart, but only in one location at the store(mine happened to be nearest the self checkout isles, on top of the mini fridges) Best of luck finding it, you can also buy it online direct from Rockstar ~$24/case($2/can) Just make sure you shake the hell out of the can before you open it or you will get clumps. Otherwise nice flavor that does not taste like an energy drink. And hey it’s got milk in it, so even a little nutrition!

  4. Just tried it for the first time, this morning. The can does say to shake well; I’m guessing this would take care of the congealed bits you mentioned.

    1. I was going to say I am from Indiana but, live 2 mins from the Michigan border and these are 1.50 here. Granted that I got mine at Wal-Mart and not 7-Eleven or another gas station chain.

  5. This is by far the grossest drink I’ve ever tasted in my entire life. It’s straight cinnamon milk. I was anticipating getting the usual supersour green apple rockstar and found it was replaced by this garbage. I tossed it out my window in hopes I can kill a colony of ants or maybe a stray cat or dog. Either way my stomach is twisted by this god awful beverage and I think my kidneys are starting to fail. I want to die now. Fuck you Rockstar Horchata. HORSE SHIT.

  6. They have it in Des Moines, Iowa. Thought it was horrible. I didn’t finish because it had curds or something at the bottom of can.

  7. On account of I live in Southern California, I have had Horchata many times before. As far as initial flavor, its… Not TOO far off where Horchata is supposed to be.

    That after taste though. Mildly bitter is an understatement. BLECH!!

  8. I got some here in knoxville,tn and really like it. it seems the only place that currently has it is the weigals store (gas station/mart) – however, they said they are discontinuing. I love it – and it does a good job keeping down the nasty caffeine ingredients that are usually hard to mask. hope they sell more – here they are selling rockstar’s for 2 for $3. (which is a great deal and better than red bull)

  9. Got this in a small gas station in cedar rapids ia. It was delicious!!! There were chunks in the bottom so next time will shake well. Going back for more today. I usually stick to coffee/energy drinks and this was a nice change. I miss the Rockstar Juiced line, especially the pomegranate!

  10. I love Horchata and the pretty much nailed it, I had to buy it at first just for the novelty of it by now I am like a crack addict I gotta find it and I am a OTR Truck Driver so I go to a lot of states and I have found it everywhere (like crack) but I can only find it at truck stops so if you want it look for it there

  11. I love Rock Star Horchata. It can be difficult to find, however I can always find it in the Holiday gas stations and in Walgreens. The chunks that some cans have are gross but can be stirred back into the drink and are harmless (I am told). I’ve certainly drank down enough of them! Rock Star needs to increase their distribution of this great drink.

  12. I got some of this at a store in Arkansas. Very tasty and not like the ‘typical’ energy drink at all.

  13. Why is this drink discontinued????? Been looking for it for two weeks. BRING IT BACK!!!

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