More and more energy shot products are rushing into the energy drink market. So much so, that most successful brands make sure that they too feature an energy shot drink. What is the difference between an energy shot and a energy drink? Most energy drinks come in cans. The successful brands like Monster, Full Throttle and Rockstar sell mostly over sized 15 and 16 oz cans. The only exception to the rule is the grand daddy of all energy drinks – Red Bull which usually sells 8 oz cans. Most energy drinks contain between 9 and 15 mg of caffeine per oz. All of the manufacturers will insist that their formulas contain many more substances, like guarana, taurine etc. that will deliver energy. That may be true, but fact remains that the most noticeable punch of any energy drink or any energy shot, is effected by caffeine. You can expect to consume about 200 mg of caffeine on average with any of the energy drinks that are available today. A strong Italian espresso in comparison will deliver you with about 80 mg of caffeine per cup. That brings us back to the energy shots and what they can do for you. Most energy shot drinks are between 1 and 3 oz serving size. On average they deliver between 80 and 171 mg of caffeine per oz. You will be consuming about the same amount of caffeine in an energy shot as you would with a whole can of any energy drink, but at significantly smaller serving sizes. So energy shot drinks are in reality concentrated energy drinks. That brings to mind the truck drivers, that like to add a good shot of energy but don’t care to “have to go” too often. It certainly is a great format for law enforcement, security and military as they can carry a small but potent energy back up anywhere they are. So if you like the kick that comes with these energy beverages but do not care to drink large quantities of it, energy shots are your products.
1. AMMO Shots
At only 1 oz this is currently the smallest energy shot in the market. At the same time it is also one of the most powerful energy shots. This small shot delivers 171 mg of caffeine which is more or less the same amount that you can find in most 16 oz energy drinks that typically are around 200 mg per can. Besides being very powerful, this energy drink shot also comes with a very pleasant taste. At these high levels of caffeine one would normally expect some bitterness, but AMMO surprises with great drink-ability. The shot delivers a powerful punch and intense energy for up to 5 hours. Each bottle comes with a little measure gadget, that lets people measure how much caffeine they consume at one time. AMMO comes in three flavors; Red Punch, Blue Razz and Ice.
2. Rockstar Energy Shot
This energy drink shot is currently the most powerful shot in the market. The reason why it does not rank number one is its size. The Rockstar Energy Shot delivers 200 mg caffeine in a 2.5 oz bottle. That leaves AMMO in position one as it delivers its 171 mg of caffeine in a one oz shot. This energy shot comes in two flavors; wild berry and tropical punch. This is one of the better tasting shots and is absolutely drinkable. The shot delivers a very, very powerful punch. So much so, that there is a warning printed on the label. It delivers high intensity energy up to 6 hours.
3. NOS Powershot
NOS PowerShot comes in a 2 oz bottle. It contains 125 mg of caffeine per bottle. It delivers a moderate punch and is aimed at those looking for very quick, impact energy that will hold up for about 3 hours. This energy shot comes in one flavor only. It is citrusy with a touch of pineapple but after all pretty tasty. The NOS Powershot is a solid premium energy shot.
3. Full Throttle Quick Shot
The Full Throttle Quick Shot comes in 2 oz bottle and serves up 125 mg of caffeine. It delivers a medium punch with quick, medium intense energy that will last about 3 hours. This energy drink shot comes in two flavors; citrus and blue agave. It seems that the citrus delivers the more pleasant taste. This is the best choice for people that look for medium impact energy over a shorter period of time.
4. Monster Hitman Energy Shooter
Monster Hitman Energy Shooter is the biggest energy drink shot in the market. It comes in 3 oz bottle and is considerably thicker then all other energy drink shots. It delivers a fast and powerfull punch that comes with high-intense energy that easily holds up for 5 hours. Although its caffeine content is not disclosed, we estomate its caffeine content to be approx 240 mg. That would explain the quick and powerful punch and makes this easily the most powerful energy drink shot in the market. Its ranking is impacted by its size. Per oz the energy shot is at “only” 80 mg of caffeine, but slam the whole bottle and you will certainly feel it. Monster Hitman Energy Shooter is easily one of the best tasting energy drink shots in the market. All in all a real premium energy drink shot.
5. 5-hours Energy Shot
This is the energy drink shot that practically started the whole energy shot industry. 5-hours Energy comes in 2 oz bottle. It delivers a quick, moderate punch and energy that lasts up to about two hours. It is one of the energy drink shots that does not disclose its caffeine content. It is believed that it contains a total of approx 80 mg of caffeine which makes it a moderate impact shot. It comes in different flavors and also offers a Decaf version, which frankly somewhat defeats the purpose of an energy drink shot. Its flavor is often perceived as medicinal. Its popularity is derived from the fact that it was the first successful product in its segment and also the fact that it is a moderate impact shot that has very little after effects and is therefor perceived as a healthier alternative to other energy drink shots.
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After another big year for the energy drink market, here are the top 10 energy drinks for 2008 in the United Sates. These top 10 energy drinks have been identified based on their sales numbers, their increase in popularity over the past year, and also with regards of taste, flavor and how much punch they deliver. What started 10 years ago with the introduction of Red Bull into the US market has now grown from one product to some 300-plus varieties from over 210 brands in North America alone. Experts believe that the market in the US could grow over US$3 billion in 2009. Although the segment is only about 5% of the US beverage market, it is red hot and still expanding rapidly. It still allows a total Newbie a side entrance to score big. 5-hours Energy has introduced a whole new concept with their 2 oz concentrated energy shot. The big guys like Monster, Rockstar and Full Throttle have managed to catch up with the runaway success of 5-hours with their own version of an energy shot. After they secured themselves a piece of the coffee based energy drink segment, they now bet on a big break-through 2009 for energy shot products. The RTG coffee beverage leader Starbucks has managed to completly miss the Java frenzy, but was finally able to launch their own Coffee + Energy line at the end of 2008. Distributed nationally through Pepsi, its success is not yet determined. The grand daddy of all energy drinks and the inventor of the entire market segment Red Bull is still the solid market leader in terms of sales but the big contenders like Monster, Rockstar and others have manged to run circles around the 2,000 pound bull. Red Bull was late with their sugar free product, missed out on the Java frenzy, took its time to offer bigger serving sizes and is still MIA with regards to the energy shots. Rumors have it that Red Bull intends to introduce its own energy shot in 2009. For now they try their luck with a Natural Cola Red Bull version, which is very likely to meet the same faith as any other cola based product with the exception of Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola. It seems that there is always another billionaire that believes that there is a chance to break into the cola territory. Red Bull’s market share remains under heavy attack. Whether they are able to restore full control as a strong market leader remains to be seen. Here are the best energy drinks of 2008:
