Red Bull

Posted on September 16, 2014 | Last updated February 15, 2025

This is a review of the American version of Red Bull.
The first energy drink I ever tried was the original American version of Red Bull.

Red Bull

Manufacturer	Red Bull
Country of Origin	Austria
Price	2.29 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 Red Bull

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Red Bull is the energy drink that started it all. It can be considered the original taste of energy drinks, and it truly stands as the top energy drink in the world.

The first energy drink I ever tried was Red Bull, and after that, I started trying various energy drinks. But still, Red Bull is always delicious no matter when you drink it! ((o(´∀｀)o))
The scent is strong, and it immediately gives off that iconic Red Bull smell, making you eager to drink it even before you take a sip.

The sweetness is not overwhelming, and it has a crisp, refreshing taste that’s easy to drink. The fragrance subtly fills the air with each sip, and even though the taste itself isn’t too strong, it combines with the aroma to create a rich flavor.

After trying so many different energy drinks, I’ve come to really appreciate the consistent deliciousness of Red Bull. Honestly, I think I could just stick to drinking Red Bull and not need anything else, because its quality is that high.

Energy Ingredients of Red Bull (American Version)

There are many misconceptions about the American version of Red Bull, like how it’s stronger than the Japanese version or how the Japanese one is diluted. So let’s clear this up here.

The American version of Red Bull in an 8.4oz (250ml) can contains 80mg of caffeine, the same amount as the Japanese version. The main difference is that it contains taurine, but the amount is only 1,000mg. This is comparable to the amount in drinks like Lipovitan D or other inexpensive energy drinks that cost under 100 yen.

The B vitamins are also nearly the same. In the Japanese version of Red Bull, arginine is used instead of taurine, so it’s not a straightforward comparison. Moreover, since both taurine and arginine are in very small amounts, you won’t feel any significant difference after drinking just one can, and there’s no clear superiority between these ingredients (just being honest).

Wow! You might think, "The foreign Red Bull is amazing!" but the placebo effect is most likely a factor here. (；´∀｀)

Red Bull
If you look at the reviews of energy drinks from both abroad and within Japan on Energy Drink Mania, you’ll see that the idea of overseas energy drinks being superior is debunked. While there are some intense ones from abroad, those aren’t usually found in regular convenience stores or supermarkets, so consider those to be special, unusual energy drinks.