HyDrive Energy Extra Power Black Cherry - Review

CAFFEINE CONTENT

195mg

SUGAR CONTENT

6g             

CALORIES

30

ENERGY BLEND 
B6, B12, Caffeine, L-Carnitine, Sugar, Taurine, Yerba Mate

SIZE

15.5oz

AVAILABLENESS - 7/10

I have seen HyDrive in a couple stores, mainly dollar stores and a local grocery store called Value Market. So for me, they’re pretty easy to obtain. Value Market is about a 2 minute ride from my house, so if this was for me it would be a 10/10. But I don’t know how countrywide HyDrive is. Since I don’t see it in all the big stores like Kroger’s and Target, I can assume some people don’t have it as easy as me. I don’t know if Wal-Mart carries it because I never go to Wal-Mart. Too many crazy/weird/scary people.

PRICE - 9/10

My local store sells HyDrive for $1.09 a bottle. Compared to big name brands like Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar, it’s relatively cheap. Also, if you compared caffeine content, the Extra Power flavors have more caffeine than all three (excluding Rockstar XDurance and 2x Energy). But the regular flavors have less caffeine obviously. That is the reason why the rating isn’t higher. There are only two Extra Power flavors. The regular ones aren’t worth buying because of the lower caffeine content at the same price. So I usually steer away from the original flavors and get the Extra Power lines.

APPEARANCE - 6/10

The three type of energy drink containers: cans, plastic, and glass. Out of those three, plastic is my least favorite. All of the HyDrive flavors come in skinny plastic bottles with an ugly, bulky black cap. The plastic sheet around the bottle has a black background with the red, white, and yellow HyDrive Energy logo. It’s impossible to miss the fact that this bottle has 30 calories because it’s on the thing 4 times: on top of the cap, under the logo, above the “15.5oz”, and on the nutrition facts. Raised on the plastic bottle itself is “BETTER ENERGY”. For me, it’s not unappealing but lazy. No color contrast, no complicated designs. But I can deal with it.

TASTE - 9/10

When you break the seal and take a whiff, your nostrils are attacked by the incredibly powerful smell. The first sip resembles hard liquor. But after the first few drinks it gets weaker and the sting goes away. Then you’re left with a sharp artificial cherry flavor. Think of Kool-Aid but with alcohol in it. They’re not kidding when they slap black cherry on the bottle. Luckily I’m a fan of cherry flavoring, so I enjoyed it. But if you aren’t in love with cherry, steer clear.

 KICK (INTENSITY) - 8/10

I am extremely insensitive to caffeine. It just doesn’t affect me like some people. So you may think my kick ratings are a little low. Just remind yourself that caffeine doesn’t affect me as strongly as most people. With that said, HyDrive Extra Power Black Cherry did have an impressive kick. I got the usual jitters and the compulsion to get things done. I actually went down in my basement to lift some weights and do my usual home workout routine, but I saw myself get done about 5 minutes earlier than I normally do. I’m also going to go play basketball with some buddies after writing this. It’s about two hours since I consumed the bottle and the shaking is going down. When I say shaking, I don’t mean it magically gives you Parkinson’s syndrome, but you get so excited you can’t possibly stay still and are methodically tapping anything within reach.

KICK (DURATION) - 8/10

The magical time period when you almost finished the bottle was over in about 15 minutes. You know what I mean. There’s 3-4 more drinks left in the can and you feel like the most confident and badass person in the world. When the initial shockwave of energy was over, it was followed by a period of proactivity. Like I said, I finished my workout in record time and I had enough energy to actually cook a nice lunch for myself - something I haven’t done in months. Now I made plans with some buddies to play a basketball game or too. So props to you HyDrive.

OVERALL - B+

I will definitely buy this drink again. At $1.09 and 195mg of caffeine, it is a wallet and pallet pleaser. The container and laziness of the design can be overlooked because once you think about it, it’s all about performance. Even taste can sometimes be optional. If you happen to stumble across the path of a bottle of HyDrive, get it. It is worth every penny.