Kickstart Energy Drink Grape (Japan)

Flavor of Kickstart Energy Drink Grape (Japan)

As soon as I opened it, the scent that burst out with the fizz was a sweet smell like grape-flavored gum. It was an artificial grape fragrance, not a rich, real fruit-like grape flavor.

When poured into a glass, it was a slightly reddish, cloudy purple, and the carbonation didn’t seem as strong as expected.

I took a sip, and it had a light grape sweetness with berry-like sweetness that lacked acidity, plus a touch of artificial sweetener’s flavor, creating an unexpectedly light taste. It’s quite different from the dark image suggested by the can design.

The sweetness isn’t rich like a deep grape flavor, but instead it’s light and refreshing. The aftertaste barely lingers, and the grape fragrance is only faintly noticeable as an aftertaste. With 350ml, I could easily drink it in one go.

On the other hand, if you were expecting a stronger, more intense grape flavor common in energy drinks, you might be disappointed, as there’s no punch and the aroma is weak. There might be mixed opinions among people who drink various flavored energy drinks.

Ideal Flavor for Chugging

Personally, I think the Kickstart Grape is not made for savoring the taste slowly. It’s the kind of drink that shines when you’re extremely thirsty, like when you're sweating heavily in the middle of summer and need to rehydrate quickly. It would be the best when you're pressing the vending machine button rapidly because you’re so thirsty.

At such times, you’re more focused on quenching your thirst than on savoring the taste, but when you drink it quickly and pause for a breath, the refreshing grape scent and aftertaste make it surprisingly delicious... If it had a more intense grape or real fruit flavor, it might feel a bit too strong. In terms of flavor and aroma, it’s in the same line as Monster’s Ultra Violet, although there are some differences.

Energy Ingredients of Kickstart Energy Drink Grape (Japan)

It contains 67mg of caffeine. There are no other significant energy ingredients. This is the same for both the American and Australian Kickstart versions, so it’s not that the Japanese version is lacking in any way. This kind of simple formulation seems easy to sell in any country.

The juice content is less than 10%, and it’s said to be made from vegetable juice and elderberry juice. Despite being 10%, it doesn’t have a rich taste, so it feels like it could have been without any juice at all.

Since it has a relatively high proportion of artificial sweeteners, the calories and carbohydrates are on the lower side, which aligns with the light flavor. It seems that Japan’s Kickstart follows the same trends as the American and Australian versions.

Design of Kickstart Energy Drink Grape (Japan)

The Japanese Kickstart has a slightly different design from the original, and there were voices of disappointment before its release. I, too, thought the overseas design would have been cooler.

Here, I’ve placed it next to the 355ml size of Kickstart from Australia. It has the same design as the American version, and the slim 355ml can is a beautifully balanced size.

The Japanese Kickstart Grape can has a different design and features a matte finish. This matte finish, combined with the sparkling purple, gives a nice feel. It will likely stand out in vending machines compared to other drinks.

However, the 350ml can has a rather stubby and bulky shape, which might be a bit off-putting. I think if it were a 355ml slim can, the impression would change completely. Among energy drink fans, many have expressed disappointment with the can’s size and shape, and if there’s another release, I’d hope for a can redesign.

Especially since it's marketed as “Popular in America, Now Available in Japan,” I think it would be more fitting to have the product launched with an overseas style that allows Japanese consumers to enjoy a bit of that international vibe. Brands like Red Bull and Monster have managed to capture the hearts of fans by releasing products in their original sizes, which is something I noticed even more with this Japanese Kickstart release.

If there’s a second or third round of releases, I’d love to see more products with an even more American influence, making use of the strong brand power of the American product.

Comparing Japan's Grape and America's Midnight Grape

Although Japan’s Kickstart has a Grape flavor, America also offers a Midnight Grape flavor, and I wanted to compare the two to see the differences in taste and explore why Japan chose to release its own version. I did a taste test to investigate.

First, the color. They are completely different. Both look delicious when placed side by side. The Midnight Grape from America has a more luxurious feel, but the Japanese version has a cloudy appearance that feels more like fresh fruit juice. Placed together, you can really see the positives of both.

The cloudiness is noticeable like this. Even though Japan’s Kickstart is brighter, it’s more opaque, while you can see through the American version.

Taste Comparison of Japan and US Kickstart Energy Drinks

Now let’s compare the taste. First, Midnight Grape has a slightly artificial scent, and there’s hardly any fruitiness. It lacks acidity, and the sweetness is quite mild. The grape flavor is more about the scent than the taste.

On the other hand, Japan’s Kickstart Grape has a flavor and aroma similar to grape-flavored candy or gum, which is far from a real fruit flavor. There’s neither strong acidity nor umami; both are pretty much standard grape soda tastes.

Both lack strong impact, but if there’s a distinction in flavor, it’s in the Japanese Kickstart Grape. The juice content is around 10% for Japan and 5% for America, but to be honest, I didn’t notice a difference.

It’s hard to say one is better than the other; both have a good, American soda-style flavor that suits the Kickstart brand. So when evaluating Kickstart, it’s best not to focus too much on fruitiness, sophistication, or complex flavors—this is just the kind of series it is.

After tasting both Grape flavors, I realized that Japan’s Kickstart Grape feels like the familiar grape flavors we’ve known since childhood, like those found in gum or gummy candies. It’s a taste that many Japanese are used to. Whether this flavor fits with the tagline “Popular in America, Now Available in Japan” is a bit questionable, though.

Comparing the Designs of Japan and US Kickstart

When it comes to the can design, there are divided opinions. The smooth matte finish of the Japanese version looks nice, while the Midnight Grape’s purple-to-black gradient is beautifully captivating.

Personally, I prefer the original design. I’m fascinated by the way the gradient flows from the flavor color into black.

It seems that the product is gradually disappearing from some vending machines, but it would be a shame if it ended after just this one release. I think energy drinks should have sequels, so I really hope they continue to push forward.

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