V ENERGY DRINK

Posted on September 1, 2024 | Last updated January 28, 2025

This is the original V ENERGY DRINK, which underwent its first-ever flavor renewal in 2023. Having been released in 1997, it remained unchanged for 26 years and had become an immensely popular product, which also led to intense criticism when the recipe was finally altered.

With the 2023 renewal, all the other flavors based on the original also saw their recipes changed, resulting in a shift in taste. What has changed in terms of flavor? Let's dive into a detailed review of the new V ENERGY DRINK.

V ENERGY DRINK

Manufacturer
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	5 AUD
Flavor	Apple
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 V ENERGY DRINK

When you open the can, a burst of apple and citrus fruit aromas, with a slight chemical note, comes out. The recent reformulation seems to have intensified the sweet scent of green apple. Let's give it a taste.
Flavor of V ENERGY DRINK
Upon taking a sip, a tart and refreshing green apple flavor fills your mouth. The characteristic acidity and the rich sweetness of full sugar that are typical of V ENERGY DRINK are still present, even after the reformulation.

What becomes immediately apparent is the rich aroma and flavor of green apple flesh, enhanced with a fresh, invigorating quality. The taste has changed to the point where you can immediately tell the difference without a side-by-side comparison. Even someone who only drinks a few cans every couple of months would notice the difference right away.

The moderate lingering acidity remains unchanged from the original. The sharp, tangy flavor is still as refreshing as ever, sinking into your dry body in the heat of summer and infusing you with energy. Even after the reformulation, this tartness is still enjoyable, so rest assured. The green apple flavor is now the main flavor, making the taste even fruitier.

Now, let's compare it with the original V ENERGY DRINK that was still available at the time of the initial release.

Comparison of Old and New V ENERGY DRINK

The can on the left is the new V ENERGY DRINK, and the one on the right is the old version. The liquid color is almost identical, with no noticeable differences. It’s likely that the coloring agents have remained the same in both versions.
Comparison of Old and New V ENERGY DRINK
The aroma has a strong base of acidity, and the initial release has a more prominent chemical scent. The new V ENERGY DRINK, however, has a much stronger green apple flesh scent, with less of the chemical odor. Let’s compare the flavors.

Old V ENERGY

The original release had a sharp acidity that was quintessentially V ENERGY DRINK, with a chemical odor that was part of the flavor profile. In the intense Australian sun, when your throat was parched, the strong acidity was incredibly refreshing, and the chemical scent became an interesting accent that made the flavor stand out. It was the perfect flavor for those times.

New V ENERGY

On the other hand, the new V ENERGY DRINK has reduced the chemical scent by about 20%, with most of the flavor now dominated by the refreshing and rich green apple flesh flavor. The direction of the flavor profile has shifted significantly.

Which one do you prefer?

The base combination of "strong acidity" and "fading chemical scent" remains the same in both versions. While the base has stayed the same, the new V ENERGY DRINK clearly leans more heavily into the green apple flavor. Personally, I found that the new version had a more pleasant, refreshing, and enjoyable taste, with an enhanced umami. That being said, for those who have been drinking it for 26 years in Oceania, this represents a significant change.

For those who preferred the more chemical and bitter aroma, the new version might not be as appealing. However, the green apple flavor does not destroy the original flavor that the brand has built over the years. It feels like they’ve carefully preserved the base while introducing a new, complementary umami.

Energy Ingredients in V ENERGY DRINK

Energy Ingredients in V ENERGY DRINK
It contains 155mg of caffeine, 1000mg of taurine, 600mg of guarana, and 125mg of glucuronolactone. The energy ingredients remain the same in both the new and old versions.

Design of V ENERGY DRINK

Design of V ENERGY DRINK
The small V logos spiraling around the main V logo have been the design theme since the 2023 reformulation. There doesn’t seem to be much noteworthy about the design.

V ENERGY DRINK
This shows the difference between the old and new versions. The new design features a simpler logo area with smaller V logos swirling around the main V logo. Which design do you prefer?

V ENERGY DRINK
The 500ml can has a lot of empty space, but I personally prefer the layout on the pet bottle version, which is rarely seen in Australia. The label is smaller, and the necessary information is neatly arranged in this space. This type of bottle is commonly found in New Zealand.