RAIZIN SAKURA

Posted on February 9, 2021 | Last updated February 5, 2025

Released on February 9, 2021, the new RAIZIN Sakura, a limited edition product. This marks the 5th installment in the new RAIZIN series, featuring zero calories, zero sugar, and zero caffeine.

What does the Sakura flavor of RAIZIN taste like?!

RAIZIN SAKURA

Manufacturer	Taisho Seiyaku
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	190 JPY
Flavor	Strawberry、Cherry、Punch
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.

Sweet Cherry and Fruit Punch Flavor

When poured into a glass, it has a rich, wine-red color, quite different from what I imagined. A sweet cherry-like aroma spreads. I was expecting a floral scent since it’s "RAIZIN SAKURA," but there is none.

Upon tasting, the smooth and sweet flavors of strawberry, cherry, and a fruit punch-like artificial fruit mix hit the palate. It’s sweet without any acidity, and the characteristic ginger tingling of RAIZIN is hardly noticeable. At this level of sweetness, I feel that the ginger flavor isn’t really needed. (^_^;)

Although the product is called "RAIZIN SAKURA," there is no floral taste or scent like that of cherry blossoms.

It has a fruity cherry and fruit punch flavor, but since it’s zero sugar, there is no heaviness in the taste. It’s also free from acidity, with a subtle artificial taste that doesn’t linger in the mouth. It’s a gentle sweetness, reminiscent of shaved ice syrup.

Based on the packaging design and this flavor, I think they deliberately kept the sweetness light to appeal to women who don’t usually drink energy drinks. However, some people might feel this is the limit for a sugar-free drink.

It would have been nice if there was a bit more variation in the flavor and aroma.
RAIZIN SAKURA
Adding ice lightens the sweetness, making it better than when it’s refrigerated. It might also work well as a cocktail mixed with a bitter liquor.

RAIZIN SAKURA Energy Ingredients

RAIZIN SAKURA
Contains zero caffeine. It is formulated with a new ingredient, EneXtra, which replaces caffeine. EneXtra's main component seems to be galangal extract, a ginger-like ingredient.

RAIZIN SAKURA Design

A spring-like design with a pink gradient and cherry blossoms dancing.
RAIZIN SAKURA
The pink can stood out on the energy drink shelves. The balance of the text, such as "RAIZIN" and "ENERGY DRINK," is clean and well-organized.

As with previous RAIZIN limited editions, this new release features the limited edition logo. Both the previous limited edition RAIZIN Honey Lemon and the current RAIZIN SAKURA feel carefully crafted down to the smallest details.

RAIZIN has a sense of stylish design and beautiful color usage among recent domestic energy drinks. Personally, I prefer the subtle color scheme of RAIZIN SAKURA to the stronger contrasts of the standard RAIZIN flavors.

I hope they continue to release limited edition products in the future, but I’m looking forward to seeing them go beyond the restrictions of triple zero, EneXtra, and the ginger focus that’s been a part of RAIZIN since the first release. I think the current RAIZIN might be a bit too restricted. (；´∀｀)