It’s too bad that ice cream truck music doesn’t play when I open this Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle Energy Drink can because it captures the flavor of the popular frozen novelty. Although, it’s not perfect.

This isn’t Monster’s first product with this sweet, citrusy taste profile. That would be from the Reign Total Body Fuel line, which I haven’t tried, so I can’t compare. But it wouldn’t be a fair comparison since the Reign line is sugar free and this is (reads 28 grams of sugar in the Nutrition Facts) definitely not.

So what’s the deal with the Monster Reserve labeling? Is this fancy Monster that’s been aged in oak barrels? Is this Monster made with a special recipe that only a select few got to try at private tasting sessions in an underground energy drink cellar where to enter you had to say the password, which I assume is some crazy trick combo in Tony Hawk Pro Skater?

Sadly, no. Here’s what the company says about it on its website, “No juice, tea, coffee or any tweaks to the energy blend. Monster Reserve is straight-up original Monster in new amazing flavors. It’s the ideal combo of the right ingredients in the right proportion to deliver the big bad buzz that only Monster can.”

So it’s a regular Monster, but in a different flavor. Okay. Cool.

But here’s the thing, it’s not exactly a regular Monster, but in a different flavor. Although it’s not sugar-free, I get an aftertaste that reminds me of energy drinks that are. And that’s because there’s Sucralose in it, which I’m pretty sure “straight-up original Monster” doesn’t have, and I find it odd that it’s in this.

While the aftertaste is unexpected, it’s not off-putting and everything before is delightful. First off, it smells soooo good. It’s like I’m trying to eat an actual orange Dreamsicle with my nose. Then there’s the orange sherbet and cream flavor that excites my taste buds and makes me wish I could get my caffeine via an ice cream bar on a stick.

But, again, once that fades, I’m left with an artificial sweetener-enhanced aftertaste that reminds me a bit of orange-flavored medicine tablets. As someone who enjoys Monster’s Ultra line, I’m okay with other sweeteners. But in this, it creates a slightly disappointing end that’s inconsistent with this energy drink’s delicious and sugary beginning.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 360 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 28 grams of sugar (including 28 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.