MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED

Posted on May 14, 2015 | Last updated February 13, 2025

Monster Energy Unleaded, the caffeine-free version of Monster Energy.
There were probably a lot of Monster Energy fans eagerly waiting for this. Many might have thought that the taste would be the same as the original Monster Energy, but in reality, it's different.

MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED

Manufacturer	MONSTER ENERGY
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2 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.

Flavor of MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED

MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED
When poured into a glass, it has a slightly bright yellow color, a classic look.

Before drinking Unleaded, I thought the taste would be the same as the original Monster Energy, because otherwise, what would be the point of releasing it? And indeed, it tastes and smells almost exactly the same as the original, with no compromises whatsoever. While the original comes in a black can, Unleaded comes in a grey one, so I expected a sugar-free or milder vibe, but that's not the case at all ((o(´∀｀)o)).

It has that distinct, rich flavor Monster Energy is known for. The balance of sweetness and sourness is just right, and it makes you think, "This is where it all comes back to."

What makes an energy drink without caffeine?

Generally, I expect there will be a lot of people asking, "What’s an energy drink without caffeine?" The assumption that energy drinks = high caffeine is pretty common, so I get it.

But there are actually people who like the original Monster Energy flavor but want to cut back on caffeine due to personal reasons. Especially the Monster Energy fans (●´ω｀●) who love the original flavor and want to drink it daily.

Energy drinks often have the reputation of being about caffeine overload, something intense and crazy. But I think for regular drinkers, it’s not always about the caffeine; they’re not drinking energy drinks just to get that boost anymore. Honestly, I think the days of "I’m getting a buzz from all this caffeine!" are behind us. It seems like there’s a big difference between those who drink them occasionally for a special boost and those who drink them regularly.

In my opinion, Energy-Drink-kun (エナジードリン君) would say, "Well done for bringing this out!" That's all.

Energy Ingredients of MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED

As listed on the can, there is no caffeine, and it includes the usual Monster Energy blend of taurine, ginseng, carnitine, and even arginine.

MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED
I remember when the first photo of this angle leaked, and many enthusiasts said, "This is a fake!" It’s hard to believe that we actually got a caffeine-free Monster Energy.

However, despite the huge buzz before its release, it doesn’t seem to be as popular as expected... It seems like, from a general consumer’s perspective, there’s really no reason to buy a caffeine-free energy drink. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that’s pretty much the case.

Possibility of MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED Being Released in Japan

When I imagine the possibility of MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED being released in Japan, I’d say the chances are almost zero (；´∀｀). There’s still a big gap between the energy drink market and the number of fans in Japan. And considering that, MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED, which is almost the complete opposite of the traditional caffeine-heavy energy drinks, seems unlikely to make it. Even having zero calories would probably draw criticism.

As of May 2015, it’s only available in the U.S., and the chances of a caffeine-free Monster Energy being released in Japan are virtually nonexistent.

Comparison of MONSTER ENERGY ORIGINAL and MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED

Now, let’s compare the original Monster Energy and Unleaded. I thought the taste would be almost identical when drinking Unleaded alone, but is that actually true?

When poured into a glass, the color is completely different.
MONSTER ENERGY UNLEADED
The original Monster Energy has a rich orange color, while Unleaded looks lighter and yellowish. Maybe the color was lightened because it’s caffeine-free. When you compare them side by side, the difference is obvious.

When comparing the taste, there is a slight difference. The original Monster Energy has a consistent sweetness, whereas Unleaded has a more bitter aftertaste and a slightly different, almost floral fragrance.

It’s surprising that the caffeine-free version isn’t just the original flavor with caffeine removed. Honestly, I don’t think you’d notice the difference unless you compared them side by side.