KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY

Posted on January 23, 2015 | Last updated February 15, 2025

Mountain Dew's energy drink line, the Kickstart series, features the Black Cherry flavor. Here’s my review of KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY.

KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY

Manufacturer
Country of Origin
Price	200 JPY
Flavor	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 KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY

When opened, there’s a cherry punch scent. There's no fruitiness, just a sweet juice-like punch, and you expect a sugary, flavorful taste.
KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY
Upon tasting, a mild punchy sugar sweetness and tartness spread with an American cherry flavor. There’s no juicy fruitiness, but the punchy taste blends well with the American cherry flavor, creating a fairly well-balanced cherry flavor.

It’s a cherry punch flavor, but not intense; it’s a refreshing, light taste. This is because the Kickstart series uses half the sugar, which results in this lighter flavor.

The balance of this American cherry’s pleasant taste and the refreshing finish makes it one of the best in the Kickstart series. With half the sugar, this cherry flavor is a solid win.

Energy Ingredients of KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY

Contains 92mg of caffeine. There are no other energy ingredients, so this drink is primarily for caffeine intake. However, Kickstart was introduced as an energy boost alternative to morning coffee, so this fits the concept.

Design of KICKSTART BLACK CHERRY

This was the design at its launch in 2014. Back then, it featured a beautiful red and black gradient, creating a sharp impression that I personally liked.

Then, in 2022, the design was changed to use three shades of red-purple. While the sharp impression is still somewhat present, the design no longer conveys the "depth" of black cherry. The color scheme now feels softer.

It might have been better to use more black for a tighter, more defined look. The Kickstart series mostly disappeared from store shelves by 2020 and can now only be found in some chain stores. Sales have significantly dropped compared to 2014, but despite this, the brand has managed to survive with a design refresh without changing the content. If you spot it in the U.S., definitely give it a try.