Surf Energy Drink Tropical

Posted on January 29, 2022 | Last updated February 3, 2025

Surf Energy Drink Tropical
The third installment in the PB energy drink series from drugstore Create SD, the Surf Energy Drink with a tropical fruit flavor.

Packed with 200mg of caffeine in a 250ml can, it boasts one of the highest caffeine concentrations in Japan, delivering an intense tropical experience.

Surf Energy Drink Tropical

Manufacturer	Surf Bev
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	138 JPY
Flavor	Tropical sweet
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 Artificial Tropical & Syrup Flavor

The scent had a nice, subtle fruitiness that seemed pleasant, but I was surprised by the purple color that came out of the glass in many ways. Oh right, Surf is a product from a brand that seems to be doing something like Matsukiyo.
Surf Energy Drink Tropical
Upon tasting, the sweet tropical flavors of orange, pineapple, and papaya are all blended together with an artificial syrup-like flavor. In Japan, tropical flavors typically refer to those with a strong fruit juice presence, but Surf’s tropical is on a different path.

There is very little acidity, and the scent isn’t very strong either, which explains the color. However, it has a mild punch, and the absence of overwhelming chemical tastes or quirks makes it quite easy to drink, with a perfect size for a 250ml can.

If you're expecting a burst of tropical fruit flavors like biting into actual fruit, the taste and color might be a bit different. That said, the flavor itself is pretty much a regular fruit mix, and I think it’s a cost-effective drink that anyone can enjoy without any notable flaws.

Surf Energy Drink Tropical Energy Ingredients

Surf Energy Drink Tropical
Contains 200mg of caffeine, 500mg of arginine, ginseng (Korean ginseng), and carnitine.

The amount of caffeine is surprising for such a chill can design. It’s rare to find an energy drink with this much caffeine in a 250ml size.

Since you can easily finish this in one go, it’s important to be mindful not to overconsume it, especially when combined with coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages.

Surf Energy Drink Tropical Design

The design features a tropical fruit vibe with silhouettes of hula dancers, palm trees, and hibiscus flowers, clearly evoking the tropical fruit flavor.
Surf Energy Drink Tropical
The silhouette of the Surf mascot, a hippo, appears to be emerging from the water (or the sea?). The easy-to-imagine flavor and clear product name are a nice touch.

The combination of orange and pink seems to represent both the vibrant colors of tropical fruit flesh and the sunset beach atmosphere.

The mascot of Create SD, Hippo-chan, is inside the "Tropical."
Surf Energy Drink Tropical
The Surf series is characterized by its high caffeine content, yet this is not mentioned on the front of the can, which gives it a quirky, laid-back vibe. I hope they continue adding new flavors with the same relaxed, mascot-driven image, without overemphasizing the high caffeine content.