I usually only drink energy drinks when I’m desperately sleepy and out of other options, but Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice caught my attention simply because it sounded delicious.

Don’t get it twisted; while it definitely is still an energy drink, it also contains juice, so you can pretend that it’s a slightly more wholesome beverage! And fine, I’ll admit, I was also curious about the moderately edgy name and eye-catching can design, which features an intensely gazing woman dramatically holding an apple.

This flavor was first released in the U.K. in March 2024 (though with “Juiced” in the name instead of “Juice”, a minor distinction that it’s likely only a total nerd like me would even notice). While I haven’t tasted the original, if the nearly identical imagery is anything to go by, the new U.S. version seems unchanged. In the spirit of the Adam and Eve imagery that the can evokes, I couldn’t wait to get a taste.

As soon as I cracked my can open, I was hit with a lovely apple juice smell. Upon pouring my Bad Apple into a glass, I noticed that the elixir was fizzy, but not overly so, with the bubbles quickly calming down to reveal a rich amber color. You may not be surprised to learn that, true to its branding, this thing sure does taste like apple juice!

To be a little more specific: while it is of course distinct from pure juice due to its carbonation, it reminded me more of an apple soda than a traditional energy drink. I detected only the barest hint of the chemical aftertaste I typically associate with energy drinks. Had I not already known what I was drinking, I don’t think I would have identified this as belonging to the same genus as the classic Shrek-green Monster Energy.

It was pleasantly more reminiscent of an actual apple than I was expecting (despite containing only 6% actual juice). This was probably helped by the fact that, while it was sweet, it wasn’t TOO sweet. If you’re curious, Monster’s website describes its flavor as “Fuji apple,” though as someone who spends much more time consuming junk food than fruit, this nuance didn’t mean much to me. I did concur with the additional adjectives in the description —“crisp” and “dry”!

While I tend to think the tinny tang of an energy drink can be abrasive, Bad Apple is impressively smooth. I found it to be not just an energy-booster, but genuinely refreshing. That being said, it also did its energizing job well; I was a bit groggy before having it, but afterwards I found myself noticeably perky, a fact that both I and, undoubtedly, my employer appreciated! If any of this sounds tempting, I implore you to bite (er, sip) into this forbidden fruit; it may be called Bad Apple, but it tastes great!

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 oz can
Purchased at: CVS
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 170 calories, 0 grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 41 grams of sugar (including 41 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.