NOS ZERO

Posted on September 9, 2024 | Last updated January 28, 2025

Released in October 2023, this is the new NOS ZERO.

The flavor has changed from the previous NOS ZERO released by Coca-Cola, and the ingredients have been updated to suit modern tastes, now aligning more with Monster Energy's specifications. Since this product no longer offers the original NOS flavor without sugar, it may divide opinions among fans.

NOS ZERO

Manufacturer	NOS
Country of Origin	USA
Price	3.09 USD
Flavor	Pineapple
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 NOS ZERO

When opened, a sweet pineapple-like scent bursts out. Wait, is this different from the previous NOS ZERO?? The liquid is glowing NOS yellow. Let's give it a try.
Flavor of NOS ZERO
Upon tasting, it's a fruity flavor with pineapple as the main note, sweet and tangy. Unlike the previous citrus bitter and fruity NOS original flavor, the sweet pineapple taste is much more prominent.

Not only is the flavor different, but when it comes to sweetness, NOS ZERO stands out—it's sweeter than the original full-sugar version, even though it's zero sugar.

In other words, the typical NOS sourness and bitter finish are gone, replaced by a sweet, zero-sugar pineapple flavor. If you're hoping for the classic NOS original taste, NOS ZERO might not be what you're expecting.

There’s no unpleasant taste from artificial sweeteners, and many people may not even realize it’s zero sugar unless told. This flavor is something you couldn’t experience with the Coca-Cola-era NOS, and the lack of a "zero" taste is probably a characteristic of Monster Energy's unique flavor profile.

Energy Ingredients of NOS ZERO

Energy Ingredients of NOS ZERO
Contains 200mg of caffeine and taurine. The caffeine content has been increased from the previous NOS series.

Design of NOS ZERO

The design uses the original NOS blue, with the logo turned black—giving it a zero-sugar look. With the black top, the overall design is stylish, but for those who don’t regularly drink NOS, it may be hard to distinguish it from the original NOS.
Design of NOS ZERO
Before tasting, I thought the design, which doesn’t convey the zero-sugar aspect, was a bit off for the product.

However, after drinking it, I realized that the smooth sweetness that doesn’t feel like zero sugar matches the design. The flavor is surprisingly smooth for a zero-sugar drink, and the design intentionally mirrors that surprising element.

With this flavor, some people may not even notice it’s zero sugar until told. The confidence in the sweetness may reflect in the design, which doesn’t scream "zero sugar."

The side of the can displays the common ingredients of the NOS series. Previously, it contained 160mg of caffeine, but the updated version now contains 200mg, which is evident here.
Design of NOS ZERO
By the time of its 2023 release, NOS's presence in the U.S. had already started to fade. With a surge of new energy drink brands emerging, NOS may be trying to stand out by increasing caffeine content alone.