[Review] - ENERGY DRINK MANIA

Posted on June 26, 2018 | Last updated March 12, 2025

Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE
This is a review of "LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE," a 2005 release from Steven Seagal's energy drink series, "LIGHTNING BOLT."

Like the blue Asian Experience, this drink also contains the Seagal Herbal Blend.

Manufacturer	STEVEN SEAGAL ENTERPRISES
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2.99 USD
Flavor	Tea、Cherry
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 Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE

Just like the Asian Experience, when opening the can, the carbonation rushed out, and the expansion of the can was quickly relieved. I was nervous, wondering when it would burst (^_^;)

The aroma has a sweet and sour scent of cherry and cranberry. Unlike the Asian Experience, the Cherry Charge doesn’t have much of a tea-like aroma.

When poured into a glass, the carbonation bubbles up as a clear red liquid comes out.
Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE
The color is brighter than the image of the can. The carbonation helps spread the tea-like aroma even more.

The taste is a refreshing cranberry flavor. It has a light, flavor-water-like taste with most of the flavor being carried by the scent. However, the flavor doesn’t feel lacking or thin, likely due to the 60g of sugar in it.

There’s no off-taste or residual flavors, and there’s no lingering scent, so you can enjoy the steady cranberry tea flavor throughout.

Energy Ingredients of Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE

The energy ingredients include caffeine, superfoods like goji berries, winter wormwood, guarana, mate tea, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba, all part of Steven Seagal’s unique herbal blend.
Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE
It is said that this was the first energy drink in the world to incorporate winter wormwood. Indeed, during that time, energy drinks with winter wormwood were not common, and it's clear that Seagal’s deep knowledge of Asia influenced this choice. While the exact impact on the body is unknown, the selected ingredients seem to be carefully chosen.

Design of Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE

If it were a limited-edition collaboration can, it might be understandable, but putting just his face on a regular product like this is something no other company would dare imitate. I’m honestly impressed they went ahead and released it.
Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE
Aside from the taste, the ingredients are unique and interesting, but it would have been better without Seagal’s face on it.

Even if someone close to him had suggested that the thunderbolt imagery and Chinese characters don't align with the typical energy drink aesthetic, they probably wouldn’t have said, “How about not putting the face on it?” (^_^;) In that sense, this might be the culmination of Steven Seagal’s energy drink product line.

With a silver top and silver tab, it’s strange that the tab has somehow deteriorated, making it feel a bit old.
Steven Seagal LIGHTNING BOLT CHERRY CHARGE
In fact, the can itself is quite dirty and scratched, being a vintage product. It’s fascinating to be able to enjoy a product from the 2005 U.S. energy drink boom in 2018.