Review of Monster Energy's Nitrous

Price: $2.50-$3.99

Size: 12 ounce resealable can

Availability: Some markets

Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com

Monster Energy makes a wide range of energy drink products and flavors. The Nitrous line comes in 3 primary flavors: Anti-Gravity, Killer-B (which contains honey), and Super Dry. For this review we'll be looking at Monster Energy's Nitrous Super Dry.

First, a brief introduction to the Monster Energy Nitrous. Monster claims that they took the concept of nitrous oxide used to boost drag racing cars and put that concept to work in an energy drink. There is even reference to doing "whip its", which is when someone attempts to use whipped cream cans to get a brief "high" off the propellant gasses which are nitrous oxide.

Monster covers it's back with this one by stating "This is no Whip-It but it'll whip you good." And they are right, according to the FDA, nitrous oxide is not safe for human consumption and is not legal to use for purposes other than as a propellent in packaging.

Technically Monster is carbonating the drink by using water that has been carbonated and nitronated. Some reviews have suggested that Monster is using nitric oxide in this drink, which is safe for human use (commonly called "laughing gas") but it is highly unlikely as it is illegal to use nitric oxide outside of medical procedures.

Rather they are using a technique used by some beer breweries to achieve a foamy drink with a texture different than their other drinks by using nitrogen gas (not nitrous oxide or nitric oxide). Nitrogen gas is naturally found in the air.

Controversy and debates aside, what is this drink like?

The Taste:

The first thing you notice when popping the top is the very foamy head of the drink. This drink is very carbonated. The smell is lime like with a bit of a sour smell to it. When drinking it, I noticed a sour taste and a very strong sugary taste. This is the Super Dry flavor.

It reminded me of a stronger version of drinks such as Sprite, 7-up, and Sierra Mist. Limeaide style drinks also came to mind. It is a far different flavor from regular Monster energy and the drink fizzes on your tongue like weak pop rocks in your mouth.

The carbonation was a bit much as it can fill you up quickly; which may explain why the can is smaller than Monster's usual 16 ounce cans. It also made it harder to drink it down in one sitting.

The Kick:

With plenty of B-vitamins, caffeine, yerba mate, ginseng, and taurine the kick was quite good. While it does have 38 grams of sugar per 12 ounce can, this is still less sugar than most 12 ounce cans of soda.

The alert buzz kicked in quickly without jitters which is always a good thing. The boost was consistent and smooth; I felt the boost kick in within a few minutes but I wasn't bouncing off the walls.

Overall:

The packaging was specially designed to not only be resealable but to work with the nitronated water process to make a foamy and almost bubbly drink. The graphics and design are eye catching and well done.

The kick was good if you can drink down such a strongly carbonated beverage. The crash was minimal but at the same time the kick was short lived; less than 3 hours or so.

Monster will probably do well with this product thanks to the "gimmicky" nature of the drink and marketing. Kids will drink it thinking they are getting a "whip it" style kick or that their drinking nitrous oxide for a boost or nitric oxide for a laughing gas style kick.

A buzz comes, but that's normal for most energy drinks. The biggest change here is the flavoring and texture of the drink due to the water and gas mixing process and the can itself.

Disclaimer: This writer and website does not endorse or condone the use of nitrous oxide or laughing gas (nitric oxide) for recreational or illegal purposes. Monster Energy Nitrous does not contain either of these potentially dangerous gasses.