ROCKSTAR ZERO CARB

Posted on May 6, 2014 | Last updated February 22, 2025

ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
ROCKSTAR's staple product, Zero Carb. Since the flavor name isn’t written on the can, at first glance, it looks like a zero-carb version of Rockstar Original. However, the actual flavor is a fruity cranberry tea blend, combining red berry and tea-like notes.

ROCKSTAR ZERO CARB

Manufacturer	ROCKSTAR
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2.29 USD
Flavor	Tea、Red Berry
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 ROCKSTAR Zero Carb

Flavor of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
A bright, translucent red. The scent is hard to pinpoint at first. The taste has a mild blueberry-like note but is mostly similar to acerola juice. It has a strong sourness with restrained sweetness. The aftertaste leaves a somewhat artificial flavor—possibly from sweeteners or additives—giving off a medicinal or detergent-like impression, which is typical for Rockstar.

Since acerola itself doesn’t have an intense sweetness or punch, it might be a good match for a zero-carb, zero-sugar formula.

The flavor is light, with just a hint of acidity, making it easy to drink. When chilled, the medicinal notes are barely noticeable, making it quite accessible for general consumers.

However, its lack of richness and distinct contrast might make it unappealing to those who prefer thick, Mogu-Mogu texture drinks. Personally, I got bored halfway through.

Energy Ingredients of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb

ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
Contains 240mg of caffeine, 2000mg of taurine, 100mg of glucuronolactone, and 50mg of carnitine. It also includes green tea and yerba mate, which subtly contribute to the flavor.

Most 473ml or 500ml Rockstar and energy drinks typically contain 160mg of caffeine. However, Rockstar Zero Carb has stood out since its release with a high 240mg caffeine content, making it one of Rockstar's strongest formulas.

Similar acerola-flavored zero-sugar energy drinks sold outside the U.S. generally contain 160mg of caffeine, meaning this high-caffeine version is exclusive to the U.S. Given its easy-to-drink flavor, it's best to limit yourself to one can per day and be mindful of your overall caffeine intake from coffee, tea, or other energy drinks.

Design of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb

Design of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
A simple two-tone design in blue and silver with a large straight-line star. There are no intricate decorations, making for a clean and minimal look.

Design of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
The caffeine content is printed on the top of the can. Since its launch, ROCKSTAR Zero Carb has maintained its 240mg caffeine level, making it easy for consumers to track their intake.

Design of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
After Rockstar was acquired by PepsiCo, the pull-tab design changed to a black tab with a cut-out star logo. Now, let's take a look at past versions of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb.

Past Designs of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb

This photo is from my first review back in 2014. At that time, Rockstar was still an independent brand, and the design was completely different.

The blue can with a silver star was the signature design of ROCKSTAR Zero Carb. However, considering the drink itself is acerola-flavored, the color scheme doesn’t match the taste at all, making it hard to guess the flavor from the packaging.

In the past, the caffeine content wasn't displayed on the front of the can. Given that it contains 240mg of caffeine, it would have made sense to highlight this for both marketing and consumer awareness.
ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
Eventually, with a design update, the caffeine content was added to the lower part of the can.

ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
Older cans featured "Zero Sugar" and "Zero Carbs" prominently on the label.

ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
Alongside Rockstar Original and Sugar-Free, Zero Carb has remained a staple in Rockstar’s lineup, with many limited-edition collaboration cans released over the years. I don't regularly drink Zero Carb, but every time a new collab can comes out, I’m reminded of how well-executed this zero-sugar flavor is.

ROCKSTAR Zero Carb
The older pull-tab was blue. Rockstar was one of the pioneers of color-coordinating pull-tabs to match the can design, setting a standard in the energy drink industry.