Arizona Energy - Lo carb

I LOVE how AZ Energy does not fit with the regular image of Arizona. Instead of saguaro cacti, palm trees and racist politicians, you have an independent New York beer distributor, the Vultaggio family, who just calls their brand AriZona. This is never more evident than with these energy drinks, about as far from the desert as you could get.That always had me wondering what a family business out of new york would be doing naming their drinks Arizona - but Flushing Black Tea, or Flatbush Green Tea Bags just does not have the same ring to it.

Taste:9
When I first took a drink, I was completely ready for tea. After all, that is what made them famous, and so maddeningly addictive. I was surprised to not find any tea flavor, but instead a light and complex medley of fruit, honey and even juiciness. This is definitely a unique flavor that everyone won't enjoy. I found this to be absolutely delicious, and very thirst quenching. However, don't go into this expecting the usual energy drink flavors or soda sweetness.

There is a light taste difference between the hi-carb and lo-carb blends, as the regular tastes almost syrupy and the texture is much heavier. The lo-carb loses all that, but also has a less complex taste profile with it. I say, if you don't mind the calories, go for the juicy HFCS version. The taste is better, and the rush is stronger with the sugar.

Packaging:9
The can is all urban - with bling and graffiti tags all over it. They even dropped their ariZona name for this product, going instead for a shorted AZ energy to help separate this stuff from their other tea based line.

I LOVE this art - both being over the top, and something very fitting for the streets of Urban living. OK - some might have a problem with the big shiny cartoon crown over the letters, but I think that element is what makes this design really work. Along with the full nutritional labeling on the back including caffeine amounts,double facing and even putting the lid of the can on right, so when you drink it the label faces out, you don't get much cooler than this.

Buzz:9
This has about all the things you would ever want or need form an energy drink. If you want it, chances are it is in here. You have a very serious 200mg of caffeine, Inositol, Glucurolactone, Vitamin B complex and even 100% RDA of vitamin C too. You got your Juice, your Ginseng, some L-Carnatine and even your Milk Thistle. Basically, this has whatever you can find in your favorite energy drink - plus all the stuff the other energy drinks have in it too. There is even a sucralose/ace-k/Honey variety for those who don't appreciate high fructose corn syrup.

As for energy, there is a good 3-4 hours of it in here, enough to get you wired and happy, and definitely more than enough to get you through whatever you are doing. While not going crazy with the mangosteen or Ribose, this is really what an energy drink is supposed to be all about.