ROCKSTAR REFRESH WATERMELON KIWI
Released in March 2023, this is the new zero-sugar series "ROCKSTAR REFRESH," specifically the WATERMELON KIWI flavor, launched in Europe and Oceania.
A new zero-sugar series has been launched separately from the original American version. The design is unique, and multiple flavors have been introduced. This review focuses on the watermelon and kiwi flavor released in Australia.
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ROCKSTAR REFRESH WATERMELON KIWI
| Manufacturer | ROCKSTAR |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | New Zealand |
| Price | 4.5 AUD |
| Flavor | Watermelon |
| Total rating | ★★★☆☆ |
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 ROCKSTAR REFRESH WATERMELON KIWI
When opened, a sweet and tangy strawberry candy-like aroma bursts out. It's a bit hard to pinpoint the exact fruit from the smell. Let's give it a taste.
The taste starts with a refreshing watermelon flavor, featuring a slight tartness and sweetness that fades quickly. As it's zero-sugar, the texture is relatively light. The aroma lingers but the aftertaste is crisp, leaving no heavy residue.
The artificial sweetener flavor is kept to a minimum, allowing you to enjoy the watermelon flavor without any odd aftertaste. I would recommend it to those who dislike the grassy notes often present in watermelon flavors.
The smell when opening the can didn’t exactly scream watermelon, but surprisingly, the flavor manages to capture the essence of watermelon. This is likely due to its clean acidity and the refreshing taste that doesn’t linger, allowing you to experience the juicy, refreshing qualities of watermelon.
If this were full-sugar, it might have ended up with a creamier, richer flavor, and I may have mistaken it for strawberry flavor instead of watermelon.
The kiwi flavor mentioned in the product name is only faintly noticeable in the aftertaste, with a subtle tangy sweetness, but overall, the watermelon flavor dominates.
This might be considered a fantastic rendition of the watermelon flavor, effectively utilizing the zero-sugar aspect to enhance the overall taste.
Energy Ingredients of ROCKSTAR REFRESH WATERMELON KIWI
Contains 155mg of caffeine, 100mg of taurine, and 2.2mg of ginseng.
Design of ROCKSTAR REFRESH WATERMELON KIWI
The combination of green, representing the watermelon rind, and pink, representing the flesh, is used in the design.
The green pattern in the main color section is similar to the design of the American Pure Zero series.
The European and Oceania versions use the flavor colors instead of a white base, which makes it easier to convey the flavor image.
One notable difference is the change in the text layout— the flavor name is written horizontally rather than vertically, which is a unique improvement. The original American design has multiple flaws in this regard.
Additionally, the use of silver accents in the ROCKSTAR REFRESH design contributes to a brighter, lighter image, likely emphasizing its zero-sugar aspect.
However, it’s a bit of a missed opportunity that the "zero-sugar" aspect is only visible in the ingredient section at the top of the can.
The design largely follows the American version, and in 2023, the oversized Big Star logo still causes issues with identifying the front of the can. This design flaw may be one reason why the brand's influence has declined in the US.
In 2024, the UK started changing the design. Moving away from the flawed American design, the updated design retains the core concept but places essential information more clearly at the front. It's a subtle update that feels like a bridge to the next design refresh. I believe this change will extend to Europe and Oceania in the future.
Energy Drink-kun's Personal Rating
- Flavor
- Aroma
- Weight
- Freshness
- Munchiness
Since 2001, Energy Drink Maniac has been drinking energy drinks and providing the most detailed reviews of global energy drinks based on firsthand research.
1531 flavors reviewed.
User reviews: 428 comments.
The collection includes approximately 7,000 types of energy drinks from different countries, sizes, and designs.