Bull Vodkas and JackBulls
Written: Oct 07 '01 (Updated Oct 07 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: We like Redbull.
Cons: We don't like how much they cost.
The Bottom Line: I don’t know about all the fancy B vitamins and synthetic animal byproducts, but I like Red Bull.
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| megugrrrl's Full Review: Red Bull Energy Drink |
The other night I was at a bar in the Mission and asked for a Bull Vodka (Red Bull-n-vodka).
“Is that any good?” asked this kid standing next to me.
I looked him in the eye and gave the chin nod. Then my friend interjected, “And it keeps her alert… alert and drunk!”
Everyone did the fake bar laugh and the small talk continued and focused on how Red Bull’s superpowers was just really caffeine, until my friend mentioned Taurine, an ingredient found in Red Bull that is supposed to stimulate your metabolism. Someone else mentioned that Taurine (as in Taurus… from the constellation… the Bull… Red Bull) was an animal product, which caused two previously silent people at the end of the bar to freak out and join in on the conversation – the love Red Bull and they’re vegan. A hearty discussion ensued as I walked back to the pool table. (Then there’s also the debate on whether Taurine is an amino acid or protein, which for me is inconsequential.) To settle the debate we actually found someone who had been to the Red Bull website - the Taurine in Red Bull is synthetic. Then the bartender gave the guy a free Jack and Redbull – a JackBull.
What is Red Bull?
I would argue that Red Bull’s cult status is the reason behind its massive sales over its health benefits as an “energy” drink. Sure, it contains ingredients that have been clinically proven to stimulate the mind and body and tons of caffeine, which does stimulate my nerves. Primarily marketed as an energy booster for tired late-night workers or frenzied students cramming for finals, it has found its way into raves (to prolong that e-vibe), bars, as it mixes well with a variety of things, kids and 7-11’s nationwide. I like Red Bull – a lot – and if they didn’t cost a pricey $1.99 a can, I’d drink it in lieu of my daily coffee.
Does it give you wings?
Yes. With about the same amount of caffeine than a cup of joe, it does. You won’t get wired and your jaws won’t ache after drinking a Red Bull (Well six? Maybe.) What the makers of Red Bull want you to believe is that the added B vitamins (B6 and B12) and Taurine give you that ‘extra’ that coffee doesn’t. The nutritional label coupled with the slightly mediciney taste gives me the illusion that I’m drinking vitamins, minerals, and hence, energy, despite the fact that my common sense believes otherwise.
The effects of the additives are probably psychological, since these vitamins and minerals occur naturally in foods I eat but don’t get that Red Bull buzz after eating… but it’s pretty easy to trick your brain into feeling invigorated after all that caffeine. Red Bull claims that it’s the careful combination of Taurine, glucuronolacton and caffeine that catapult your mind and body into overdrive. Frankly, I don’t know the truth; I just like the way it tastes.
Tastes like…
I like the way Red Bull tastes, almost berry, not quite honey and the mediciney undertone; all together is pretty subdued (which is probably why it mixes with alcohol well) It’s not as syrupy sweet as it’s closest competitor, Hansen’s. Red Bull is lightly carbonated – it goes down a bit smoother than soda. It’s also smaller than a soda (about 4 ounces less), in a taller, slimmer blue and silver can that makes it conducive to sipping, as opposed to chugging.
Sidenote
You can get the 'original' Red Bull in Asian grocery stores. Manufactured in Thailand, you can identify the gold can by the two red bulls on the label. It's a lot sweeter and thicker than its American counterpart, lacks the fizzy carbonation, but is also only 70 cents a can.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
megugrrrl
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Location: Oakland
Reviews written: 147
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