KNOCKOUT ENERGY Original LOW CARB

Posted on July 4, 2014 | Last updated February 21, 2025

This is a review of KNOCKOUT ENERGY Original LOW CARB from the low-cost energy drink brand Knockout Energy. Since it's a low-cost brand, I didn't expect much from the taste, but... when I tried it, I was surprised. This is amazing!

KNOCKOUT ENERGY Original LOW CARB

Manufacturer	KO Beverage
Country of Origin	USA
Price	1 USD
Flavor	classic flavor
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.

Taste of KNOCKOUT ENERGY Original LOW CARB

Generally, zero-calorie or low-carb energy drinks have a mild fragrance and sweetness, which often makes them less tasty, and I still have that impression. I felt the same way when drinking Knockout Energy, but after trying it, I was amazed—it tastes fantastic.
Since this is an original flavor for an energy drink, it doesn’t have one standout flavor, but what Knockout Energy excels at is the overall balance.

For example, Monster’s original line like AbZero and Low Carb have strong fragrances and sweetness, giving a taste that doesn’t feel like a zero-calorie drink, but with Knockout Energy’s Low Carb, they’ve managed to drop the strength of the original flavor a bit without making it too weak, keeping the taste delicious.
Or rather, the original flavor is more like Monster, while the Low Carb flavor seems closer to Red Bull, haha.

KNOCKOUT ENERGY Original LOW CARB
The sweetness is balanced well with the acidity, and neither overpowers the other. The fragrance is subtle, with a gentle scent that comes through the nose.
It’s funny how even though it’s called Knockout, the taste is actually quite mild.

Has any energy drink ever had the Splenda logo on it?

KNOCKOUT ENERGY Original LOW CARB
It seems that the Low Carb version uses Splenda (sucralose) as the sweetener.
I was curious if any energy drink has ever featured the Splenda logo on the can, so I decided to check.
The balance between Splenda and citric acid is well done, and I honestly think that other series could also use Splenda without having to rely on a lot of sugar.

The Low Carb version didn’t get high marks for being something I’d want to drink every day, but more for how impressive it is that they managed to create such a well-balanced, delicious flavor.