MONSTER ENERGY

Posted on January 31, 2014 | Last updated April 7, 2025

MONSTER ENERGY USA
This is the original Monster Energy from the United States. Back when I was living in Berkeley, I used to drink Monster Original and Rockstar Original almost every day, alternating between the two. (*´ｪ`*)

Many people say that Monster Energy in Japan and the U.S. are completely different, or that the U.S. version is stronger—but in reality, that's not quite the case...

I've also added a comparison review between U.S. and Japanese Monster Energy, so feel free to check it out for reference.

MONSTER ENERGY

Manufacturer	MONSTER ENERGY
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2.49 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.

Irresistible Sweetness and Mogu-Mogu Texture

When you open a can, a rich, sweet aroma bursts out, filling the entire room—you can really sense how strong Monster’s scent is.

MONSTER ENERGY USA
The taste has remained unchanged over the years: sweetness, a hint of acidity, a strong aroma, and a satisfying Mogu-Mogu texture (smooth and enveloping texture)—everything is perfect. This addictive flavor keeps you coming back for more, no matter how many times you drink it.

Compared to Red Bull, Monster has significantly weaker acidity, with a much stronger sweetness and an unrivaled Mogu-Mogu texture. The aroma intensifies with each sip, further enhancing the thick, immersive drinking experience.

Energy Ingredients of Monster Energy USA

The energy blend includes 160mg of caffeine, 2000mg of taurine, guarana, ginseng, carnitine, and maltodextrin.

This is for a 473ml can. Interestingly, Japan’s Monster Energy contains 142mg of caffeine, meaning that per 100ml, the Japanese version actually has a slightly higher caffeine concentration. The difference is so minor that it’s hardly noticeable.

MONSTER ENERGY USA
The U.S. version also contains 2g of taurine, but since there’s no scientific evidence supporting its fatigue recovery effects, this isn’t a game-changer. The belief that “U.S. Monster Energy is much stronger and more effective, while Japan’s version is a weaker imitation” is mostly a placebo effect. Having consumed hundreds of cans of U.S. Monster, I’ve never felt a noticeable difference. In fact, the ingredients are quite similar across countries—not just between Japan and the U.S., but globally.

Comparison of Monster Energy USA and Japan

MONSTER ENERGY USA
The overall taste is almost identical, but Japan’s version actually feels slightly sweeter. The U.S. Monster has a faintly stronger acidity, whereas the Japanese version leans toward a more mellow, rich sweetness.

That said, this difference is most noticeable at room temperature. When chilled or served over ice, the distinction becomes much harder to detect. The subtle difference you might perceive is likely due to this slight acidity. Japan’s Monster has a more pronounced banana-like sweetness.

In terms of sugar content, the U.S. version contains 53g per can, while the Japanese version has 61g when converted to a 473ml equivalent. As mentioned earlier, U.S. Monster doesn’t necessarily have a higher content of every ingredient.

While it’s difficult to tell them apart unless drinking at room temperature, if I had to choose, I’d say Japan’s version is better when you’re craving something sweet, whereas the U.S. version is better for chugging down quickly.

A Flavor That’s Almost Unbelievable

MONSTER ENERGY USA
I first started drinking Monster back when I lived in Hawaii, mainly because of its large can size, alongside Rockstar. At the time, I only saw it as an American-style energy drink and thought, “Why is this carbonated energy drink so incredibly sweet…?” It felt a bit off.

Later, when I moved to San Francisco and started drinking various flavors daily, it became more of a pre-workout juice. But no matter how many different brands or flavors I tried, I always came back to the original.

With Monster Energy Original in particular, I often found myself thinking, *"How did they even come up with such an insanely sweet and aromatic flavor?"* Looking back now, it’s honestly amazing that they managed to create such a unique drink. It’s almost surreal.

MONSTER ENERGY USA
With a name like “Monster” and a design that leans into a cringe-worthy aesthetic, it could have easily ended up as just another third-rate energy drink. But their marketing strategies were spot-on, and the original’s addictive sweetness and Mogu-Mogu texture made it incredibly captivating.

Monster Energy Original: A Global Phenomenon

MONSTER ENERGY USA
With its intoxicatingly rich sweetness, aroma, and crisp finish, Monster Energy is sold worldwide, allowing fans to enjoy it in almost any country.

Each year, numerous collaboration products are released, further boosting its popularity. In the U.S., Monster has even surpassed Red Bull, becoming the industry leader.