REVIEW: Bang Lime Pop Drop Energy Drink

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Bang Lime Pop Drop Energy Drink can

When Bang’s Lime Pop Drop was dropped off at my door by UPS, I expected it to be a heavily caffeinated lemon-lime-flavored energy drink that would be reminiscent of such sodas as Sprite, 7Up, Starry, Mist Twst, or Sierra Mist.

Because I live under a rock apparently made of new Monster Energy, breakfast cereal, and ice cream releases, I hadn’t even heard of this drink before it ended up on my Welcome mat. But after tasting the sample Bang sent me, I quickly found it didn’t taste at all like those lemon-lime sodas. Instead, the energy drink had a way better flavor.

Much like other Bang Energy Drinks, a can of Lime Pop Drop has 300 milligrams of caffeine, has zero sugar, and zero calories. Plus, it has the usual “performance supplements,” like Ultra COQ10 and essential aminos.

Bang Lime Pop Drop Energy Drink in a glass

After cracking open the can, an alluring lime mixed with cotton candy aroma rose from it, hitting my nostrils as if I walked into a Bath & Body Works. As I took my first sip, I instantly wondered, “Wait. Is this the lime version of Bang’s Any Means Orange?” That drink, which came out last year, was an orange-creamsicle-flavored delight, and this Lime Pop Drop tastes like a lime-creamsicle-flavored cousin. It was such a pleasant and delicious surprise that I had to physically restrain myself from chugging the entire can in one go. I don’t know how my body would respond to consuming 300 milligrams of caffeine within a few moments.

I also got strong key lime pie vibes, but imagine that key lime pie was drowning under several extra-generous dollops of whipped cream. But there’s also a candy-like aspect to the lime that makes the citrus flavor sing. It definitely won’t be confused with any lemon-lime soda.

I enjoyed Lime Pop Drop every bit as much as Any Means Orange, which I gave a very high score, and I hope Bang keeps it around and never drops it.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product sample from Bang. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 16 fl oz can
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 40 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 300 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Liquid Death Sparkling Energy Drinks

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Liquid Death Sparkling Energy Drinks all flavors

It’s hard to know whether Liquid Death is killing it in the sparkling water world. Everywhere I shop, its cans and multipacks are buried within the hordes of LaCroix, bubly, Waterloo, and store brands. While the company is concerned with murdering our thirst, I wonder if the others are slaughtering its market share. Well, to get a little market share elsewhere, Liquid Death is taking a stab at the energy drink market with a line of Sparkling Energy Drinks.

Available in four flavors—Scary Strawberry, Tropical Terror, Orange Horror, and Murder Mystery—Liquid Death’s energy drinks have zero sugar, no sucralose or aspartame, no artificial colors or dyes, B and C vitamins, and 100 milligrams of caffeine naturally sourced from coffee beans.

Yup. Just 100 milligrams of sweet caffeine. A nice round number that Liquid Death calls “unextreme.” I’m a bit flabbergasted by that amount because for a company that wants to murder our thirst and bring death to drowsy (the can’s words, not mine), I’m disappointed these don’t have 187 milligrams of caffeine. But I guess 100 isn’t so bad since a 12-ounce can of Red Bull has 114 milligrams.

If you’re familiar with Liquid Death’s other products, you won’t be surprised by the mild, watered-down flavors these have. If you’re not familiar, they have a taste that’s between the other sparkling water brands I mentioned in the opening paragraph and any other energy drink, but leans more towards water.

Liquid Death Murder Mystery Sparkling Energy Drink

Liquid Death Tropical Terror Sparkling Energy Drink

Among the four varieties, the two that stand out are Murder Mystery and Tropical Terror. I initially thought the former would be a mystery flavor, but it turns out it has the same flavor as Liquid Death’s Doctor Death, which has a Dr Pepper-like taste. As a fan of Doctor Death, I approve of it. I also endorse Tropical Terror, which tastes terrific. It has a noticeable, tasty pineapple flavor with a hint of coconut, which makes me wonder if this is similar to Liquid Death’s Pina Killada, which I have never tried.

Liquid Death Scary Strawberry Sparkling Energy Drink

Liquid Death Orange Horror Sparkling Energy Drink

Scary Strawberry and Orange Horror were also great tasting and reminded me of strawberry and orange sodas, but, you know, watered down like the others. I believe there have been strawberry and orange Liquid Death options, but I haven’t tried them, so I can’t compare. But all four are worthy of a rebuy.

While there’s a lot to like about these, not coming in 16-ounce cans from the get-go is disappointing. Most new energy drinks seem to come in 12-ounce slim cans, which I don’t mind. But if I’m standing in front of tens of thousands of milligrams of caffeine, and they’re all roughly the same price, my hands are more likely to pull off the shelf something with 16 ounces. If these are someday available in 16-ounce cans, maybe they could have 187 milligrams of caffeine?

Overall, I think Liquid Death’s foray into energy drinks is a successful one. A negative I’ve had about its sparkling water is the lack of caffeine, but these have erased that issue. If you’re a fan of the company’s previous beverages, the way these taste won’t be unfamiliar to you. However, if you’re used to sweet energy drinks with a ton of flavor, these might not appeal to you.

Purchased Price: $2.50 each (sale)
Size: 12 fl oz cans
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Murder Mystery and Tropical Terror), 7 out of 10 (Scary Strawberry and Orange Horror)
Nutrition Facts: (1 can – all flavors) 5 calories, 0 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

OTHER THINGS I CONSUMED: 1/23/2026

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Liquid IV Hot Chocolate

Liquid IV Hot Chocolate

It’s cold here on this rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I’m talking high 60s to low 70s. BRRRRR. Fortunately, I had this hot chocolate mix to warm me up, which was on the clearance shelf for 50 percent off or five dollars.

Unfortunately, I used only one of the six packets in the box to keep me warm and gave the rest away because this hot drink mix is a hot mess. It smells and tastes like I’m drinking watered down hot cocoa next to a busy perfume section at Macy’s. Is that hard to believe? Yeah, it is hard to believe Macy’s is busy nowadays. There’s also a slight sourness in the aftertaste, which is what I expect from fruity Liquid I.V. flavors, but not from a hot chocolate-flavored one.

Maybe Liquid I.V. should stick with only cold drink flavors?

Swoop Peanut Butter Chip Blitz High Protein Dessert

Swoop Peanut Butter Chip Blitz High Protein Dessert

After opening the top, I saw a shimmer that made it look icy, but once I started scraping away at the top, a regular ice cream-looking level appeared.

I’ve never been a fanboy of high protein ice creams, like Halo Top and Enlightened. They were okay tasting, but didn’t wow me. However, this pint of Swoop did wow me. Not just because it’s a high protein ice cream, but it’s an ice cream that has a decent texture despite not having milk, skim milk, or cream. The only “dairy” listed is from whey protein isolate, and the first ingredient is water. It’s also made with avocado oil, and dates sweeten the chocolate. I know, all that sounds like it should be an awful product, but it’s not.

Swoop Peanut Butter Chip Blitz High Protein Dessert close up

The pint features peanut butter swirls, dark chocolate flakes, and a maybe-vanilla base. While there are some peanut butter swirls going through the middle of the pint, they were mainly on the outer rim of the dessert. But with every scoop, there was a pronounced peanut butter flavor. The chocolate flakes were plentiful, and it’s hard to believe Swoop used unsweetened chocolate, dates, and coconut oil to make them.

Like any great ice cream pint, I could’ve eaten this in one sitting.

Alani Nu Cherry Bomb Energy Drink

Alani Nu Cherry Bomb Energy Drink

I didn’t have high hopes for this zero sugar energy drink because when I searched the Target website to see if the nearest store had it in stock, I noticed its product page had an overall 3-star rating from shoppers. However, like other Alani Nu products I’ve tried, this one is great as well.

According to the brand, this energy drink is a “twist of cherry, vanilla, and cola flavors.” But it really should be rearranged to cherry, cola, and vanilla because the cherry is definitely the most prominent, followed by the cola, and somewhere there’s vanilla. However, my tongue didn’t notice it. Think of it as Cherry Coke or Wild Cherry Pepsi, but the cherry initially dominates the taste buds, then the cola comes through for a bit, and then the cherry fully rushes back in, which might be too much for some.

The Cherry Bomb name is definitely fitting. Also, I think it’s The Bomb. And with 200 milligrams, it’s also a caffeine bomb.

Dark Chocolate Reese’s Puffs Cereal

Dark Chocolate Reese’s Puffs Cereal

Our reviewer, Tiffany, covered this cereal earlier this week, and gave it a glowing review. After trying the sample General Mills sent me, I have to agree with a lot of what she said.

This cereal has a better balance between the chocolate and peanut butter flavors. It definitely makes the original Reese’s Puffs taste too peanut butter-y. I also agree with her that this should be the default Reese’s Puffs cereal. I don’t think General Mills would lose any money by doing that. Also, we don’t have to get rid of the original completely. General Mills could bring it back every so often with a graphic that calls it the “Retro Recipe.”

Click/tap here for our previous Other Things I Consumed posts

OTHER THINGS I CONSUMED: 1/16/26

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Unwell Cherry Lime Energy Drink

Unwell Cherry Lime Energy Drink

This energy drink is um, well, unawesome. While it has a strong cherry aroma, its cherry lime flavor doesn’t pop. Its flavor is muted, which is surprising because that wasn’t the case when I tried Unwell’s Frosted Cranberry Energy Drink several weeks ago.

But that’s not all that’s disappointing. There’s something mid-sip that I can only describe as a somewhat thick texture that’s similar to what I experience with protein beverages. That would be fine if this had protein, but it has none. It’s not a deal breaker, but again, I don’t recall Unwell’s Frosted Cranberry having it.

The beverage has 150 milligrams of caffeine from natural sources, 745 milligrams of electrolytes, doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners, and is made with real fruit juice (although the can says just 4 percent). Also, the can brings Airheads candy to mind.

Barebells Wild Strawberry Protein Soda

Barebells Wild Strawberry Protein Soda

While Barebells, known for its protein bars, calls this a “soda” with 200 milligrams of caffeine, the can should really say “Protein Energy Drink.” Along with Wild Strawberry, there are also Sweet Cherry and Pineapple Sunrise varieties.

The “soda” has a pleasant strawberry aroma and a mild strawberry flavor. There’s also a slight creaminess, which I guess could be from the whey protein isolate, which provides 10 grams of protein. It contains no strawberry juice but does have artificial sweeteners. Not surprisingly, because it’s a protein “soda” with whey protein isolate, it has the same slightly thick texture as other protein beverages.

It’s an okay-tasting drink with a high caffeine content and a decent amount of protein. It’s tasty and caffeinated enough that I might try the other flavors.

A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda

A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda

Yes, this came out more than half a year ago, but I came across it during a visit to 7-Eleven. Actually, I passed by it a few times during previous 7-Eleven visits. However, I finally decided to pick it up because of FOMO and YOLO, and because the bottle and soda colors reminded me of Chewbacca and Han Solo.

Back in August, our reviewer, Amber, gave it a 5 rating because of its artificial chocolate aroma and the way it mostly tasted like a cream soda, with no chocolate flavor. While I could definitely smell its artificial chocolate aroma, I thought it had a pronounced chocolate syrup flavor with a bit of cream soda behind it. That artificial chocolate flavor is not for everyone, but I liked it a lot. Since it’s a limited edition flavor, I might have to pick it up again the next time I’m at 7-Eleven.

H-E-B Limited Edition Bread and Butter Pickle Sweet & Spicy Wavy Potato Chips

H-E-B Limited Edition Bread and Butter Pickle Sweet & Spicy Wavy Potato Chips

Reigning Spotted Photo Champion, Robbie, sent me a box of stuff from H-E-B to try because he knows I’m so enamored with the grocery store. He asked me what I would like to try, and I told him H-E-B’s limited edition potato chips. So he delivered with this flavor and a Korean BBQ, which unfortunately did not survive the USPS.

Having tried those Lay’s Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle chips from a few years ago, I expected these to be as potent and fiery as those. However, I was surprised to find that these chips were neither potent nor fiery. They have a pleasant pickle flavor that’s not overpowering and a “spiciness” that’s almost nonexistent. I loved them so much that I ate more than half the bag while watching a Korean drama episode on Netflix.

REVIEW: Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink

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Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink can

Glacier Crush sounds like a Gatorade flavor.

I assumed, with “glacier” in its name, that Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink would probably be blue or white in color, but that name doesn’t give me a hint as to what it’s supposed to taste like. Thankfully, by law, there has to be an ingredient list, and within that lineup of ingredients that end with -ine, -ate, -ide, -ine, -vin, and -min, there was “patented lychee fruit extract.”

In my mind, I’m like, “awesome,” a lychee-flavored energy drink, which there needs to be more of. Then I thought the white in the can’s design must represent the lychee’s flesh, and the liquid would come in a pleasant, opaque white color. However, it turned out to be yellow, like pee-in-the-glacier-snow-yellow. Definitely not lychee-colored.

Bloom Glacier Crush Sparkling Energy Drink color

Confusing to my eyes? Yes. But this energy drink is also confusing to my taste buds because, while there’s lychee extract, the beverage’s flavor reminds me of blue raspberry. A delicious blue raspberry, mind you, but still not lychee. But I imagine if Bloom ever decides to create a proper lychee-tasting energy drink, it would be pretty good, because the two drinks I’ve had from the brand, including this one, have been delightful.

Not only does the drink have 180 milligrams of caffeine from green coffee extract, but it also has galactomannan prebiotic fiber, which sounds like something from alien plants. However, that alien-sounding nutrient provides only one gram of fiber. Come on! Instagram tells me I need more fiber! Please give it to me!

Much like I’m amazed at how great Monster Ultra flavors taste despite having zero sugar, I’m equally surprised at how great these Bloom Energy flavors are, even though they are also sugar-free and have apple cider vinegar mixed into them. Poppi needs to do whatever Bloom is doing to hide the apple cider vinegar in them.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 10 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 180 milligrams of caffeine.

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