Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan

Posted on February 9, 2016 | Last updated February 12, 2025

The world's first flavor, released exclusively in Japan and for a limited time, the pink Red Bull Spring Edition. The flavor is Sakura, so I was curious about what it would taste like. Thanks to the Red Bull Friends initiative, I was able to get it before its official release, so let’s dive into the review! ((o(´∀｀)o))

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan

Manufacturer	Red Bull
Country of Origin	Switzerland
Price	190 JPY
Flavor	Floral
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.

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japanese Flavor

When you open the can, a sweet and sour, slightly artificial scent wafts out. The actual scent of cherry blossoms isn’t that strong, so there’s no immediate association of "this scent must be cherry blossoms." It left me wondering, "What exactly does the Sakura flavor smell like?"

Unlike the strong fruity scents of the Summer Edition or Grape Edition, this one has a subtle, sweet and sour floral fragrance.

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan
When you pour it into a glass, it’s a bright, clear, calming pink just as expected (´∀｀*). It’s a lighter pink than Rockstar's Perfect Berry, and has a warm, cheerful pink typical of Sakura in Japan. Make sure to hold the glass and admire it from different angles. You'll feel its beauty, which is different from the intense pinks often seen in energy drinks (●´ω｀●).

As for the taste... it’s a unique blend of acidity and smooth sweetness that harmonize without any awkwardness. It’s neither a fruit flavor nor a chemical, overly artificial taste... It’s a Sakura flavor that leaves you wondering, "What does Sakura taste like?"

If you try to categorize the flavor, it’s something like Acerola, ume (plum), or slightly sour cherries (mild cherries). It's certainly not a definitive “Spring Edition flavor” in terms of taste.

Trying to Sense the Unique Sakura Aroma

I wondered where this confusion about the taste came from... and I realized it might be because of the distinct, lightly floral fragrance associated with Sakura. This aroma makes it difficult to form a clear taste image, resulting in an indescribable flavor. Try drinking it without breathing through your nose and avoiding the fragrance.

You’ll notice a more pronounced taste of smooth acidity and flavors reminiscent of Acerola or sweet ume. The floral fragrance alone changes how you perceive the flavor (ﾟＡﾟ;)ｺﾞｸﾘ.

Maybe the Expectations for the Spring Edition Were Too High

I think many people who tried it before its official release might have felt "I don’t really get the taste." It’s hard to imagine how many people would think, "It’s so good, I want to buy it again!"

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japanese Energy Ingredients

Basically the same as the original Red Bull. It contains 80mg of caffeine, 222mg of arginine, and other similar energy drink ingredients.

Red Bull is known for being fruit juice-free and creating flavors from other ingredients, but I think it would be interesting if they started incorporating unique ingredients specific to each flavor. The Sakura flavor in the Spring Edition could really benefit from this approach! ((o(´∀｀)o)).

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japanese Design

I didn’t expect the pink to have such an impact when I first held the can. There’s no unnecessary decoration, and the subtle pink is both very Japanese and very Red Bull-like. It was funny seeing my Twitter feed turn pink.

Some pictures online have edited the color to a harsh pink, but the actual can color is a very soft pink (●´ω｀●).

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan
The Sakura motif used in the flavor name display, which has been adopted globally since 2015, perfectly expresses the Sakura flavor, showcasing the uniqueness of this edition. It’s also a world-first experiment.

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan
Another notable detail is the faint pink print of the bull on the ingredients list. Previously, such colorful prints were rare.

Personally, I think if the can were the globally standard 250ml size, its beauty would be even more pronounced. The 185ml can is adorable, but I think a 250ml version would give it a more mature vibe.

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan
The pull tab is of course silver, which is to be expected... But since the Edition series is expanding globally, I look forward to seeing tabs in different colors in the future.

Given all the design constraints, I’m happy to see such a spring-like, distinctly Japanese Sakura design on the can. The Sakura flavor might spark some debate, but I believe they captured the essence of what Japanese people would expect from a Spring Edition.

Red Bull Spring Edition 2016 Japan
Also, I hope Red Bull continues the pre-release gift campaign with the two-can set delivered in this box. This year’s Sakura design is my favorite one yet (ｕ_ｕ*).