REVIEW: Red Bull Summer Edition Sudachi Lime Energy Drink

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Whether you consider Memorial Day the start of summer, or you’re a stickler who waits until late June to be more official… you’re wrong and you should feel bad.

It is well established that Red Bull decides the seasons. When Red Bull says it’s summer, it’s summer. The Summer Edition is out now. It’s summer.

So you can keep your holiday benchmarks, your solstices, and your equinoxes, because the only time to acknowledge a quarter of the year passing by is when Red Bull stamps it on a can.

With that, Red Bull bids farewell to Sakura Spring and welcomes in Sudachi Summer.

“What the heck is Sudachi Summer?”

Good question.

Iono. It must be an obscure fruit if spellcheck doesn’t even recognize it.

It’s either a type of lime or a fruit similar to a lime. If you’re a fan of lime, then maybe you’ll like Red Bull’s new Summer Edition, Sudachi Lime. I do, and I did not. More on that later.

After researching “Sudachi,” I’m still not sure whether this flavor is “Sudachi AND Lime” or just a “Sudachi Lime.” Either way, a sudachi is a small, green Japanese citrus fruit known for its sharp, refreshing, and intense aroma.

Do you know what sudachi is?

It’s pronounced “Soo-daa-chee” and not “Sue Dockey,” who was a neighborhood acquaintance of my mom’s growing up. Nasty lady. Didn’t like my “hoodlum skateboard.”

Anyway, I think lime alone is underrated. It lives in lemon’s shadow and has seemingly lost its stronghold on the color green to fruits like apples and watermelon, but for me, it’s “S” tier. I always find it refreshing despite the acidity.

Looks like lemonade.

I love sharp lime flavor, and was really excited for this release, but I’m afraid this might as well be Red Bull’s Bummer Edition. *ohhhhhhh* I’d rather drink Summer’s Eve. *oh… no*

Sudachi Lime is one of the least Red Bull-tasting Red Bulls I’ve ever had.

This is not an “S,” but it tastes like a bad attempt at one of those “S” citrus sodas. Ya know, like Sprite, Seven-up, Splunk, Sun Drop, Surge, Slice, Slurp Sawse, Super Slurp Sawse, Starry, Slurm, Splink, Squirt… it isn’t better than any of ‘em.

You get lime, but it doesn’t “bite” like I wanted it to. It never tasted as “spritzy” as a usual Red Bull, either. It’s a little too sweet, and I didn’t find it all that refreshing.

For a fruit described as having a “unique spicy, peppery flavor,” I didn’t really sense the sudachi much either. Lime inherently has a little of those profiles, but I wouldn’t say it’s very noticeable here.

There's also a full sugar version if you're not a fan of sugar free stuff.

I really wanted this to have more of a natural lime pop instead of just a vague citrus sweetness, but it was too much, even in this Sugar Free edition. I was thirstier afterward.

There’s probably enough lime for it to be passable to some, but I just don’t think I’m into the “sudachi” of it all. Clearly, this isn’t my favorite. It’s not quite as nasty as Sue Dockey, but it’s not good either.

Happy Red Bull Summer!

I don’t encourage imbibing, but I could see this working as a really good mixer. Just please drink responsibly, and have a great Red Bull Summer.

Purchased Price: $2.79
Size: 8.4 fl oz can
Purchased at: Wawa
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 15 calories, 0 grams of fat, 140 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of protein.

Other Things I Consumed — March 20, 2026

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Joyburst Gummy Bear Sparkles Protein Soda picked up at Target

Joyburst Gummy Bear Sparkles Protein Soda

For these posts, I just grab whatever looks mildly interesting off the shelf and put it into my shopping basket. I don’t notice details until I actually consume them. That’s the case with this protein soda. I was surprised it had only four grams of protein. I expected an explosion of protein that’ll help make my muscles explode, but nope, just an amount I can count on one hand. Maybe I’ve been spoiled with all the double-digit protein sodas and shakes I’ve been drinking recently.

It’s sweet and tart, but its nondescript fruitiness doesn’t bring gummy bears to mind. Doesn’t remind me of soft Albanese gummy bears or Haribo Goldbears that give my jaw a workout. It’s a decent-tasting, zero-sugar drink that has some grittiness from the added whey protein isolate. Oh, there’s also bovine collagen peptides that help with skin and joints. It’s not bad, but again, the amount of protein is underwhelming. But I guess four grams is better than zero. 6 out of 10

Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura Energy Drink

Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura Energy Drink picked up at Target

I wasn’t planning on picking this up because I’m pretty sure I had the Japanese version many years ago. But our reviewer Vin wrote in his review of the sugar-free version that it tasted like strawberry banana to him. The banana got my banana-senses tingling, so I purchased a can, but the regular version. And, yes, I also tasted strawberry banana. However, I also asked @lookatbradsjunk on Instagram what he thought of it, and he said it tasted like a slightly sour ICEE to him.

I didn’t taste any cherry. Or maybe my taste buds didn’t want to taste cherry and instead wanted to enjoy the strawberry banana. I love this flavor. 9 out of 10

PBICK Caramel Rusk

PBICK Caramel Rusk from CU

I know. I thought it said “PRICK” too. Anytoo, these are from a Korean convenience store called CU that has locations here in Hawaii. Now, salad eaters might be thinking, “Um, are those croutons?” Well, they look like croutons, but have a slightly denser crunch and, of course, they’re sweet. No, they’re not coated in gooey caramel. Instead, they have on one side a thin caramel layer that gives the crouton-looking snack a strong caramel sweetness.

I really liked the crunch and flavor of these. My wife thought they were too dry and bland. So I ended up eating the two bags she bought for us. I kind of regret not being adventurous by putting them on a salad. 8 out of 10

Barebells Berry Milk Drink

Barebells Berry Milk Drink, available at Target

I’ve had my share of Nesquik Strawberry Milk and a variety of strawberry milks from Japan, and this is definitely not as tasty as those. Of course, this has only two grams of sugar, so I shouldn’t expect something that smacks my taste buds with sweetness and berry flavor. There’s something kind of medicinal about the drink’s aftertaste, but that might be because of the artificial sweeteners—sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

I can somewhat look over its aftertaste because the ultra-filtered milk provides 24 grams of protein and 50 percent of my daily calcium intake in one can. Holy bone strengthening, Batman! ONE CAN! If only a particular gummy bear-flavored soda could provide that much protein. 5 out of 10

Nurri Chocolate Milk Shake and Mocha Milk Shake

Nutri Chocolate Milk Shake purchased at Target

Okay, 24 grams of protein, 50 percent of my daily calcium, and two grams of sugar is impressive, but these Nurri Milk Shakes have 30 grams of protein, 60 percent of my daily calcium, and one gram of sugar. Holy one upping, Batman!

Nutri Mocha Milk Shake at Target

But not only do they have higher protein and calcium levels and 1 gram less sugar, but they also taste much better than the previously mentioned milk drink. Like the Barebells product, these Nurri drinks use ultra-filtered milk to deliver more protein than regular milk. They also use the same artificial sweeteners, but they have a great chocolate flavor. But it still blows my mind how much protein and calcium they have. Also, the mocha one has the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. 8 out of 10

Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura Energy Drink Review

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Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura Energy Drink can

Spring has sprung.

I’m still staring at mountains of dirty snow everywhere I turn, but as far as I’m concerned, Red Bull is the official arbiter of the season. That’s right, forget the fat little terrified groundhog, because the only animal you should be getting your seasonal assurance from is the bull.

Every year in early March, my rites of spring involve being angry at the Mets’ hypothetical roster, re-exposing my blindingly white calves to the world, and tossing back a few of whatever flavor concoction Red Bull has waiting for me. It’s 2026, and this year it landed on Cherry Sakura, or Japanese Cherry Blossom.

The can says cherry AND sakura

In case you’re like me and are wondering if the flavor name is an “ATM machine-like” redundancy, no, this is Cherry AND Cherry Blossom. Flora and Fruit(a.)

I enjoyed their last foray into Japanese flavors with “Fuji Apple,” and was reasonably satisfied with last year’s Spring Edition, also a fruit/flower hybrid, “Grapefruit Blossom,” so we were off to a good start. Still, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.

After drinking two cans, I’m still pretty stumped on the flavor profile, but I can tell ya, it’s a winner. This is a very confusing flavor, and the internet seems to agree.

Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura Energy Drink carbonation in a glass with it's purple red color

Upon first sip, I immediately started lying to myself. Did I taste cherry? I think. It just wasn’t the typical sweet cherry you’d expect. Did I taste something mildly floral? I think. I’d say it’s more “leafy” than “flowery.”

Well, there ya go, it’s Cherry and flowers, they didn’t lie… but wait…

Was it cherry? I just kept tasting slightly sour, unripened fruits. I couldn’t distinguish which fruits. Despite reading the can and trying to convince myself it was cherry, I just refused to commit to that. Was it dragon fruit or something? I liked it a lot, I just didn’t know why.

Then it hit me – does this taste like Strawberry Banana, or am I insane? I might be insane. I’m not alone though. I’ll get to that in a bit.

I couldn’t shake it; I tasted what I would call Red Bull’s attempt at a Strawberry Banana Smoothie. It’s not super flavorful in either fruit’s direction, but something about it just tastes like a lite, unripe version of those two fruits in energy drink form. Like if you mixed 75% Sugar Free Red Bull with 25% Strawberry Banana juice.

Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura Energy Drink in a glass next to its can

Yeah. Cherry Sakura = Strawberry Banana Smoothie. “You’re insane.” So, after a little Googling I saw opinions on the flavor vary from what it’s actually supposed to be to… banana. There were a lot of people saying they tasted banana, which I’m sure sounds bananas.

Maybe this could be the Yanny/Laurel of a new generation. Perhaps my fellow blue/black dress observers are phantom bananas, while the white/gold psychos are something entirely different?

Either way, no matter what flavors you pinpoint, I think most will agree this is a strong addition to the Red Bull lineup. This might be one of my most puzzling reviews, but all I can really tell you is that I kinda loved “Cherry Sakura” by the end.

Purchased Price: $2.50
Size: 8.4 Fl. Oz.
Purchased at: Quick Chek
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 10 calories, 0 grams of fat, 140 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink

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Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink can

Why hasn’t there been an apple-flavored ginger ale, Canada Dry, Seagram’s, and Schweppes?

It sounds like a tasty idea that none of you have had the gingers to create. Instead, we have Red Bull, an energy drink brand, might I remind you, coming up with this Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink, which, sure, isn’t ginger ale, but has the flavor of one.

Y’all too tired to come up with new flavors, you say? More like too lazy, Seagram’s, because you never come up with new varieties. And you, Schweppes, how about you Schwep yourself onto your feet and put some blood, Schwep, and tears into flavor development. And you, Canada Dry… well, I hope you’ll read this and make an apple ginger ale a reality, because you’re the only one making a real effort with new varieties.

But for all of you ginger ale makers, this Red Bull Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink will give you wings, caffeine, and an idea of what an apple-flavored ginger ale could taste like.

Red Bull Winter Edition Fuji Apple & Ginger Energy Drink in a glass

Although I must admit, my first experience with this energy drink was a little weird. It smelled very apple-y, and didn’t really give a hint that some ginger was involved. When I took my first sip, the sweet apple flavor hit my taste buds first, but as the transition to the ginger began, it tasted like dirt —or “earthy,” if I want to be less harsh about it. However, that twist was brief. As the earthiness mellowed, the ginger kicked in, and together with the apple, it was pretty good. But that fleeting dirt taste was odd.

But you know what they say, “Never judge an energy drink by the first can you try.” Thinking I’d love this before even trying it, I bought two cans. My experience with the second can was much better, and I didn’t get that earthiness. Maybe because the can got to chill in the fridge overnight, while the first one didn’t? Whatever it was, it made a difference, and what you’re basically going to taste here is a delicious apple-flavored ginger ale, with a balance between the two flavors. Although it has a slightly less satisfying apple flavor than the also recently introduced Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice, it’s still very pleasing.

This year’s Winter Edition Red Bull also comes in a sugar-free version. But I’d really like the Big Ginger Ale to come up with an apple version of their ginger ales. Maybe next holiday season, as a gift for all of us?

Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 38 grams of sugar (including 38 grams of added sugar), and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Red Bull Summer Edition White Peach Energy Drink

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Peach is a popular summer palate pleaser, and it’s the flavor of Red Bull’s newest Summer Edition. But it’s not the yellow one we’re most familiar with, thanks to the state of Georgia and Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” music video. Instead, it’s the equally as delicious, but sweeter white peach. This energy drink’s colors match the fruit’s, with its pink can and opaque white liquid being inspired by the fruit’s pink skin and white flesh.

The peachy Summer Edition is available in regular and sugar-free varieties, which Red Bull kindly sent me. The full sugar version is much more fragrant than its sugarless counterpart. However, the sugar-free one has a more potent peach punch when it comes to taste. But I find its fruity hit milder than Monster’s Ultra Peachy Keen. However, with both Summer Edition versions, if you told me it was a yellow peach-flavored energy drink, I’d believe you because it has that typical fruitiness that I’ve tasted with similar flavored drinks.

Between the regular and sugar-free versions, I’d have to give an enthusiastic nod to the latter. A weird sour aftertaste happens with the regular one after the fruitiness fades. It’s not off-putting, but it gives me a good reason to prefer the sugar-free one, which is smoother to drink and maintains its flavor from start to finish. However, I find that the artificial sweeteners in this are more noticeable in the aftertaste than with the peach-flavored Monster Ultra.

While I enjoyed the sugar-free one much more than the regular version, I’m surprised I did. I usually prefer the full sugar one when it comes to Red Bull flavors and their sugar-free counterparts. However, not even sugar can overcome the aftertaste and milder peach flavor that regular peach has.

If you ever need a peach-tasting pick-me-up and don’t mind sugar-free beverages, Red Bull’s Sugar Free Summer Edition White Peach is a peachy keen energy drink. As for the regular version, you might not find it to be as peachy.

DISCLOSURE: I received free product samples from Red Bull. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 12 fl oz cans
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Regular), 8 out of 10 (Sugar Free)
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) Regular – 160 calories, 0 grams of fat, 125 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 38 grams of sugar (including 38 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 114 milligrams of caffeine. Sugar Free – 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 114 milligrams of caffeine.

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