REVIEW: Monster Energy Ultra Strawberry Dreams

If you’re into strawberries and Monster energy drinks, it’s an exciting time for you. The company recently launched a Kiwi Strawberry flavor for its Reserve line, and the red berry headlines this year’s Monster Energy Ultra release — Strawberry Dreams.

Every time I see or think of this beverage’s name, one of two songs play in my head — Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by the 80s band Eurythmics and These Dreams by the 80s band Heart. And after typing the previous sentence, I’ve probably dated myself.

I picked up a few “slim” 12-ounce cans from my favorite eBay energy drink seller, but Ultra Strawberry Dreams is also available in regular 16-ounce cans.

Here’s what the can has to say about the flavor:

Some people swear that strawberries are aphrodisiacs. They say if you share a double strawberry with someone then they’ll catch feelings for you. All we know is the flavor of the heart-shaped fruit is perfect for our new zero sugar Ultra. Wonderfully sweet while slightly tart, this easy-drinking Ultra tastes like a dream. Passionately crafted with the Monster energy blend you crave, take one sip and you’ll be crazy for Ultra Strawberry Dreams.

A Valentine’s energy drink? Well, to be honest, if I got a dozen of these, I’d be thrilled. It’s practical, lasts longer than a dozen roses in a vase, has more caffeine than a box of chocolates, makes my heart beat faster than receiving a Valentine’s surprise from my special someone, and these smell better too.

Its aroma is sweet artificial strawberry, and its flavor is also easily recognizable as the, ahem, heart-shaped fruit. Since this is a zero sugar Ultra drink, it’s not as sugary as the Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry, but there are some similarities in their artificial flavor. While I definitely taste the red berry, there’s also a bit of tropicalness with every sip. The tartness might be messing with my taste buds, but I notice a guava-like flavor. However, there’s no mention of tropical fruits on the can or hints in the can’s strawberry-heavy graphics.

Will Monster Energy Ultra Strawberry Dreams be a recurring purchase? Periodically, yes. It’s another excellent tasting addition to the Monster Ultra line. The only thing that’ll recur repeatedly is the image of those strawberries popping out of a skull’s eye sockets in my dreams.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 12 fl oz
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 5 calories, 0 grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 110 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Monster Energy Nitro Cosmic Peach

If you enjoy Monster’s Ultra Peachy Keen Energy Drink that came out about a year ago but wonder what it would taste like sweetened with sugar and not an artificial sweetener cocktail, Monster’s new Nitro Cosmic Peach Energy Drink will let your taste buds experience that.

It has a great flavor similar to Ultra Peachy Keen in that it tastes like peach gummy rings. But now that I’ve tried both, I wouldn’t swap the 50 grams of sugar this has with the zero sugar of the older energy drink. (There’s some Sucralose in this, but it’s far down the ingredient list.)

When I reviewed Ultra Peachy Keen, one of the things I noted was how some folks might find it to be too sweet. If that’s you, this Nitro Cosmic Peach will make your teeth ache and your mouth question if it’s snowing sugar and you’re sticking out your tongue to catch some. But you won’t be alone. I find this a bit too sweet, making it harder to consume than the zero sugar one.

According to Monster Energy, adding nitrogen (hence its name) creates a smooth and creamy texture (and a foam head if you pour it into a glass). The nitrogen is mixed into the beverage and not dispersed from an infuser after opening the can, like with Nitro Pepsi or Starbucks’ canned Nitro Cold Brew. Thanks to the tiny bubbles from the nitrogen, it’s definitely smooth, but I wouldn’t consider it creamy. Usually, being a smooth beverage makes it easier to drink, but this being overly sweet makes it less so.

Overall, Monster’s Nitro Cosmic Peach and its gummy rings flavor is good. But, again, I wouldn’t pick it over Ultra Peachy Keen, which has the same flavor profile and amount of caffeine without the sugar. If there wasn’t that option, it might be a different story. They don’t taste exactly alike, but I don’t find this to be better tasting.

But if you don’t care for Monster’s Ultra line, this is a peachy way to get Monster’s energy blend into your body.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 210 calories, 0 grams of fat, 400 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 50 grams of sugar (including 50 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink

Monster Energy has rolled out a new addition to its Reserve Energy Drink line — Kiwi Strawberry. It follows Watermelon, White Pineapple, and Orange Dreamsicle. Also, I almost posted this review with every “Kiwi Strawberry” reference with “Strawberry Kiwi.” Thank goodness for Find and Replace.

That would’ve been embarrassing, but I don’t think I’ve seen “kiwi strawberry” before, and Google will probably prove me wrong. Yup, it did — lots of kiwi strawberry-flavored beverages. But what I’m not wrong about is how delightful tasting this Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink is.

If you’re unfamiliar with Monster’s Reserve lineup, they’re fruity takes on the original Monster Energy Drink. You could think of it as how Mtn Dew describes its flavors. You know, a Dew with a blast of (insert fruit name here) or a Dew charged with (insert fruit name here). This is Monster Energy with a jolt of kiwi strawberry.

I’ve only had the Orange Dreamsicle flavor, and the issue I had with it was its artificial sweetener-enhanced aftertaste that reminded me of orange medicine tablets. With this one, there were no such issues. Its syrupy strawberry aroma is inviting, and its flavor is also red-berry-heavy. As I consumed it, I thought it tasted similar to another energy drink or soda, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. As for the kiwi part, I’m unsure if the tanginess I’m noticing is from the strawberry or kiwi flavoring. I also, and this might only be my taste buds, occasionally get a slight cotton candy vibe from this that’s probably from the strawberry.

Monster’s Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink is the best tasting flavor I’ve had from this Reserve line. Granted, I’ve only had two of the four. But if you enjoy kiwi strawberry or strawberry kiwi beverages and need a kick of caffeine, this is a tasty option.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 250 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 28 grams of sugar (including 28 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle Energy Drink

Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle Energy Drink Can

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.

Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle Energy Drink Glass

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.

REVIEW: Monster Rehab Watermelon

Monster Rehab Watermelon Can

What is it?

Monster Rehab Watermelon is the newest flavor in Monster Energy’s non-carbonated, electrolyte-filled, vitamin B-stuffed, botanical-infused, and caffeine-charged recovery beverage line.

How is it?

If you’re familiar with Monster Energy’s Ultra Watermelon, you’ll know how this tastes. But if not, it has a flavor similar to hard candy that’s artificially flavored to taste like the fruit but in liquid form. Comparing Ultra Watermelon with this Rehab, I’d have to say they’re very similar, although I think the fruitiness is slightly subdued in this one. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that if you’ve had one Monster Energy watermelon-flavored beverage, you’ve had them all. However, this is much easier to drink because it’s not carbonated. So if you dislike carbonation because the bubbles tickling your nose bothers you, and want a watermelon-flavored pick-me-up, then this is a great option.

Monster Rehab Watermelon Can Glass

Anything else you need to know?

I don’t imbibe the Rehab line often, and I can’t remember the last time I had one. I almost always reach for anything from the Ultra line because I like bubbles tickling my nose. Although, I don’t know if I’m the demographic for the Rehab line. It seems as if it’s for folks whose lifestyles are a bit more, um, glug glug the drinkie drinkie than mine. Apparently, the milk thistle and quercetin in Monster Rehab beverages have detoxification effects.

Also, for some reason, this variety has 150 milligrams of caffeine, while all the other Monster Rehab varieties have 160 milligrams. Ooooh, caffeine-gate.

Conclusion:

Monster Rehab Watermelon is a great tasting recovery beverage. So if you need to recover after a hard night of drinking, this may help. Although, if you got drunk from watermelon vodka, watermelon margaritas, watermelon mint mojitos, watermelon soju, watermelon shochu, or watermelon beers, you might want to pass.

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary product samples and some swag from Monster Energy. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 15.5 fl oz
Purchased at: Received from Monster Energy
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 150 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of sugar (2 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 150 milligrams of caffeine