Surf Energy Drink Zero

Posted on December 14, 2020 | Last updated February 6, 2025

Surf Energy Drink Zero, a high-caffeine PB energy drink sold at drugstores, particularly Create SD.

This came out as the second installment after the original Surf Energy Drink. Even though it’s calorie-free, the powerful caffeine content remains unchanged, so be careful not to drink too much.

Surf Energy Drink Zero

Manufacturer	Surf
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	138 JPY
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: Sweet but Too Sweet!

When poured into a glass, it’s a fluorescent pink. The original Surf Energy Drink was green, but the calorie-free version is pink. It reminds me of the energy drink series from Matsukiyo… here it comes!
Surf Energy Drink Zero
When I take a sip, the acidity and artificial sweetener flavor flood my mouth, delivering a classic flavor. The sweetness is very subtle, emphasizing the "zero calories" taste. It doesn’t stick to the mouth and is easy to drink, but you shouldn’t expect a strong flavor or punch.

If you’re into sugar-free energy drinks like Red Bull Sugarfree, this zero-calorie Surf Energy Drink may be even easier to drink with its milder sweetness.

On the other hand, this drink is definitely not for people who dislike the taste of artificial sweeteners. I thought it would offer a balance of flavor and scent like the original, but it’s more of a “zero-calorie” style. It doesn’t recreate the original Surf Energy Drink’s taste, so if you were expecting that, you might be disappointed.

Energy Ingredients of Surf Energy Drink Zero

Surf Energy Drink Zero
It contains 200mg of caffeine and 345mg of arginine. This is one of the highest caffeine contents in domestic energy drinks. The mild flavor makes it easier to drink than the original, but I hope people don’t end up drinking too many cans in a day...

On the back, it states in light blue text, "Contains 200mg of caffeine," which makes it clearer for consumers. The original didn’t provide specific caffeine content per can, so this is an improvement. Personally, though, I think the caffeine content should be clearly displayed in large font on the front, as this could also serve as a high-caffeine appeal.

By the way, the arginine content is slightly lower than the original.

Design of Surf Energy Drink Zero

The mirror silver and light blue combination, with the large “Zero” in the middle, makes for a clear and recognizable zero-calorie energy drink design.
Surf Energy Drink Zero
The “Zero” text includes the feet and face of Hippo-chan, the mascot of Create SD (●´ω｀●).

It’s nice to see such playful touches. I think the planners of PB products could take this kind of playfulness even further. It would be fun if they released limited-edition flavors a few times a year. PB energy drinks with mascots can make for more interesting products than other PB brands.