When my usual Red Bull starts feeling too predictable, Kroger gives me plenty of ways to change up my energy routine. These eight picks offer worthwhile alternatives for workdays, workouts, and afternoon slumps.
Prices were checked at a Kroger in Granbury, Texas on October 17; they vary by store and change with each week’s ad.
1. Monster Energy Original Green Energy Drink
For former Red Bull Original drinkers, this 16 fl oz can is the most direct place to start, pairing a similar citrus-candy profile with a taurine blend. I’d reach for it before a late night or workout, though its heavier sweetness will not suit everyone.
Taste: Sweet citrus and candy notes come through strongly, landing richer and more syrupy than Red Bull. The carbonation provides some bite, but this is still a substantial, sweet drink rather than a light refresher.
Make It Better: Serve it thoroughly chilled; the colder temperature helps rein in that syrupy edge.
Parting Thoughts: Monster is a practical Red Bull stand-in when you want a generously sized can and do not mind assertive sweetness.
2. Alani Nu Pink Slush Sugar Free Energy Drink Can – $2.50
Pink Slush brings a playful, candy-like option to the afternoon slump, with 200mg of caffeine and no sugar in a 12 fl oz can. At $2.50, down from $2.99, it is an appealing pre-workout pick for anyone who prefers fruit over classic energy-drink citrus.
Taste: The flavor leans sweet, fruity, and distinctly slushie-like without becoming heavy. Light carbonation keeps it livelier than the candy-shop profile might suggest.
Make It Better: Drink it ice-cold before a workout or during that midafternoon stretch when coffee sounds too heavy.
Parting Thoughts: Sweet-drink regulars should enjoy the fun flavor, while subtle-palate shoppers may find it a bit much.
3. Celsius Live Fit Sparkling Wild Berry Energy Drink – $1.99-$2.99
A lighter 12 fl oz can makes Celsius easy to slot into a gym bag or busy workday, while its 200mg of caffeine delivers a serious lift. The low-calorie, vitamin-packed formula feels less hefty than traditional energy drinks, although caffeine-sensitive shoppers should still proceed carefully.
Taste: Wild Berry is juicy and crisp, with a clean fruit impression and seltzer-like sparkle. A green-tea undertone or slightly chemical note may peek through, especially if the can is not very cold.
Make It Better: Chill it well and sip it alongside a meal or snack if sharper energy-drink flavors tend to bother you.
Parting Thoughts: Celsius earns its spot for anyone seeking strong caffeine in a brisker, less syrupy drink.
4. Ghost Energy Zero Sugar Sour Patch Kids Redberry – $2.99-$3.39
Sour-candy devotees get the clearest flavor match here: a 16 fl oz, zero-sugar drink modeled after Sour Patch Kids Redberry. Its 200mg of caffeine suits demanding afternoons, but the novelty flavor is unapologetically bold.
Taste: It captures the candy’s sweet red-berry character and tangy sour edge with impressive clarity. The carbonation is smooth rather than harsh, keeping the intense flavor from feeling too abrasive.
Make It Better: Keep it for days when you genuinely want a candy-style drink, and serve it very cold for the brightest sour finish.
Parting Thoughts: For an accurate candy-inspired energy drink, Ghost is worth trying once—even if it may be too intense for daily sipping.
5. 5-hour ENERGY Extra Strength Berry Shot – $3.69
When carrying a full can is inconvenient, this 1.93 fl oz berry shot offers concentrated energy in a compact bottle. I find the format especially practical for travel or an afternoon slump, provided you are comfortable with an extra-strength option.
Taste: The berry flavor is direct and noticeably medicinal rather than juice-like. Its thick liquid texture makes this feel like a functional shot, not a leisurely beverage.
Make It Better: Take it only as needed rather than treating it like an ordinary drink, and check the label so the strength fits your caffeine tolerance.
Parting Thoughts: Convenience is the real win here, not flavor, making it best for shoppers who value portability.
6. Bloom Nutrition Sparkling Energy Drink Strawberry Watermelon – $2.99
Wellness-minded shoppers may appreciate this 12 fl oz, zero-sugar sparkling option with natural caffeine, prebiotics, and functional ingredients. Strawberry-watermelon makes it an approachable desk-side pick when you want fruit flavor rather than an old-school energy-drink profile.
Taste: The flavor is refreshing and fruity, balancing strawberry sweetness with watermelon character. Light carbonation gives it a buoyant texture instead of a syrupy finish.
Make It Better: Chill the can well and save it for an afternoon pick-me-up when a large, aggressively fizzy drink sounds unappealing.
Parting Thoughts: Bloom makes sense for fruit-flavor fans who prioritize a zero-sugar formula with added functional ingredients.
7. C4 Performance Energy Cereal Killer Zero Sugar – $3.19
Workout days are where this 16 fl oz performance drink fits best, thanks to 200mg of caffeine plus beta-alanine in a zero-sugar formula. The cereal-inspired flavor brings some fun, but the beta-alanine tingles can surprise anyone unfamiliar with performance drinks.
Taste: Bold fruit and sweet cereal-like notes make it taste closer to a playful treat than a standard citrus energy drink. Carbonation keeps the flavor lively, though subtle is not the goal.
Make It Better: Use it as a pre-workout option and expect the beta-alanine tingling noted with this formula rather than mistaking it for an odd reaction.
Parting Thoughts: Gym regulars who enjoy big flavors are the audience; casual caffeine drinkers may prefer something gentler.
8. V8 Energy Peach Mango Energy Drink Cans – $5.99
Six smaller 8 fl oz cans make this tea-caffeine and fruit-and-vegetable-juice blend convenient for work mornings when coffee is not calling. At $5.99, down from $6.49, it is also the list’s easiest option to portion across several days.
Taste: Peach and mango lead with a smooth, sunny fruit flavor, followed by subtle vegetable notes from the juice blend. The texture is smooth and non-carbonated or only lightly lively, offering a calmer experience than a fizzy energy drink.
Make It Better: Serve it cold as a coffee substitute, especially when you want a smaller drink that does not lean into heavy carbonation.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone tired of oversized fizzy cans may find this mellow six-pack the most useful choice of the bunch.
