Evolve ENERGY

Posted on April 4, 2024 | Last updated January 29, 2025

Evolve ENERGY is the original energy drink from the budget supermarket OK. It was released alongside both the original and sugar-free versions.

Strictly speaking, it's not a private label, but rather an "OK Original Product" specially ordered by OK.

Evolve ENERGY

Manufacturer	OK STORE(TOMINAGA)
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	98 円
Flavor	classic flavor、Chemicals
Total rating	★★★☆☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of Evolve ENERGY

When opened, the sweet and sour aroma of a classic energy drink flavor spreads out. It's a very familiar scent. Let’s try it.

Flavor of Evolve ENERGY

Upon tasting, the sweet and sour flavor spreads in the mouth, followed by a chemical aftertaste. It has a bittersweet and refreshing taste, characteristic of the classic energy drink flavor. I was surprised because the scent didn’t hint at any chemical taste.

There’s no peculiar sweetness or sourness, and it’s easy to drink, with the strong but not overpowering bitterness blending into the chemical flavor. It’s a straightforward taste that recreates the typical “energy drink flavor.”

The chemical scent is subtle, but the bitterness likely contributes to the strong chemical flavor.

Personally, I don’t find the chemical flavor to be overwhelming, but globally, such chemical flavors have been declining, so this bitterness might divide opinions.

Those who enjoy a stronger, bitter chemical flavor, like the old Rockstar, should enjoy this one.

Energy Ingredients of Evolve ENERGY

It contains 120mg of caffeine and 375mg of arginine. While it’s not overly sweet, it contains 31g of carbohydrates, so be careful not to drink too much.

Design of Evolve ENERGY

The design features a black can with a spiral DNA-like illustration and an upward arrow silhouette, giving it a simple and abstract feel typical of a private brand design.

The Evolve ENERGY I reviewed is not a private label product from OK but rather an "original product" specially ordered and mass-purchased from the manufacturer (Tominaga Foods). That's why there’s no OK logo on it.

Design of Evolve ENERGY