It feels like I have been on a full tour of the Monster Energy test lab lately. After getting my hands on a batch of flavors that debuted around the National Association of Convenience Stores Expo, I started working my way through them one by one, breaking down the hits, the surprises, and the ones that left me scratching my head. Electric Blue kicked things off with that bold, blue raspberry popsicle taste, while Ultra Wild Passion brought a smoother, tropical vibe that felt built for summer coolers and long gaming nights. Since then, I have been slowly chipping away at the lineup.
Now I am down to the final stretch, and this might be the most interesting mix yet. On deck today are four very different swings from Monster, and where doing them all in one Quadruple Mega Snack Review !
Drink 1: Monster Energy Lando Norris Zero Sugar Edition
The Monster Lando Norris flavour is more then a energy drink , it is a standout collaboration with the Formula 1 driver himself. Originally launched in Europe, with the UK and Ireland among the first markets to get it in mid‑2025, it felt almost like a collector’s item for early fans. The limited rollout later expanded globally, including a timed release in the United States around the Austin Grand Prix, targeting both F1 enthusiasts and energy drink collectors. The can itself is visually striking, featuring neon accents and design elements inspired by Norris’ racing helmet, making it as much a display piece as a drink.
The flavour profile is where this Monster really shines. It’s a zero sugar drink with a melon yuzu taste, combining the sweetness of melon (think honeydew or cantaloupe) , with the bright, tangy lift of yuzu citrus. The result is refreshing and unusual, almost like a melon-lemonade hybrid. Some might find the pairing a little unconventional, but it’s memorable and gives the drink an identity that sets it apart from more standard Monster offerings. The caffeine content delivers the usual kick Monster fans expect, providing both a boost and a fun, flavorful experience.
Overall, this collaboration earns a solid 7.5 out of 10. While the blend of yuzu and melon could be slightly more balanced, the drink’s bold flavour, stylish packaging, and connection to Lando Norris make it a compelling choice for energy drink fans looking for something different.
Drink 2: Monster Energy Orange Dreamsicle (Wickedly Creamy Edition)
The Monster Orange Dreamsicle is one of the most exciting and nostalgic flavour experiments from Monster in recent years, hitting the sweet spot between a classic dessert and an energy drink. This flavour takes its inspiration straight from the beloved orange‑and‑vanilla ice cream treat that many of us grew up loving, and somehow manages to translate that creamy, sunshine‑filled taste into a 473 ml can of high‑octane refreshment. What you get when you crack it open is an immediate hit of bright citrus orange followed by that dreamy vanilla creaminess that makes you think of summer afternoons and orange creamsicles on a stick.
It definitely captures that classic flavour, making it perfect for anyone who prefers a slightly sweeter, dessert‑inspired energy drink with its smooth, soda‑like orange‑cream blend. While longtime fans may recall the original Reserve Orange Dreamsicle fondly, the newer Wickedly Creamy version stands out as a rich, indulgent take on Monster’s formula, offering an even bolder vanilla and creaminess that elevates the experience. The balance between the citrus tang and the sweet vanilla base is near perfect, making it one of the most enjoyable drinks to crack open when you want both a boost and something with real character.
Overall, I’d give the Monster Orange Dreamsicle a 9 out of 10, and is a huge improvement over it’s orginal reserve counterpart. It hits all the right notes with its creamy orange‑vanilla profile, delivers the energy boost Monster fans expect, and offers a refreshing alternative to the usual fruit or candy‑inspired flavours. It’s nostalgic, playful, and seriously delicious — and even if you’re usually critical of candy‑style energy drinks, this one might just win you over.
Drink 3: Juice Monster Voodoo Grape
The Juice Monster Voodoo Grape is a solid entry in Monster’s juice-infused line, but it doesn’t quite capture the excitement of some of their other fruity flavours. On first sip, you get a classic grape sweetness with a slightly tangy edge, but it feels more subdued and straightforward than the playful, almost fizzy energy drink vibe Monster usually delivers. For comparison, if you’re a fan of grape flavours, something like Ghost Energy’s Welch’s Grape Flavour, just hits that nostalgic, bold, grape note that really pops on the tongue, whereas Voodoo Grape feels a bit muted in contrast. The drink still has Monster’s familiar juice-and-caffeine kick, and it’s easy to sip on when you want a lighter fruity option, but it lacks that signature Monster fun factor that makes flavours like Mango Loco or Pacific Punch so memorable. Overall, it’s enjoyable enough for a grape fix, but it doesn’t excite or stand out as much as some of the other Monster offerings, earning it a 6.5 out of 10.
Drink 4: Monster Energy Strawberry Shot
Now we finally have the one I’ve been anticipating the most. Ever since the glory days of the original Rockstar Boom! Whipped Strawberry, I’ve been chasing that same creamy, candy‑like strawberry rush. While there’s been no official announcement that the Boom! line was retired, I haven’t spotted it in stores for over four years … though Amazon sellers still seem to have it, albeit at ridiculously inflated prices.
To be clear , im talking the one on the left … not the new garbage rockstar on the right ( I haven’t drank Rockstar once since they got rid of this near me that i can recall other then the Starfield Mixed Berry Rockstar Gaming Exclusive back in 2023 for review )
That old school Rockstar flavour had this smooth, almost milkshake inspired sweetness that felt indulgent and fun without overthinking it. It was bold, clearly strawberry, and proud of it. So whenever a new strawberry energy drink drops, especially from a major brand, my expectations are sky high.
That brings me to the new Strawberry Shot flavour from Monster. On paper, this should have been an easy win. Strawberry is one of those flavours that practically sells itself in the energy drink world. But before even cracking the can, there was one detail that genuinely raised an eyebrow. Monster describes it as “sweet and salty with a hint of strawberry.” Sweet and salty. In an energy drink. With only a hint of strawberry. That is a confusing way to pitch something that is supposed to be fruity and refreshing. Why would you ever lead with salty when trying to sell a high energy drink?
Once you actually taste it, the confusion makes a little more sense, but not necessarily in a good way. The first sip is sweet, sure, but there is a subtle savory edge lingering underneath that almost gives off a sports drink vibe rather than a classic energy drink punch. It is not aggressively salty like seawater or anything dramatic, but there is a mineral like finish that softens the strawberry and keeps it from being the star of the show. And that is the biggest surprise. The strawberry really does feel like a hint rather than the main event.
Compared to something like the old Rockstar Boom! Whipped Strawberry, which leaned fully into creamy dessert territory, Strawberry Shot feels thinner and more restrained. There is no rich candy burst, no syrupy punch, no over the top fruit explosion. Instead, it lands somewhere in between a light strawberry candy and a hydration drink with a twist. It is drinkable, absolutely, but it never quite reaches that crave worthy level that makes you want to immediately grab another can.
The sweetness level is moderate, not overwhelming, and that will likely appeal to people who do not want something that tastes like liquid candy. The energy blend delivers the usual kick you expect from Monster, so performance wise it does its job. But flavour wise, it feels like it is holding back. When you hear “Strawberry Shot,” you expect intensity. What you get is a smoother, slightly salted strawberry note that plays it safe.
The branding choice to openly call it salty is still baffling. Most brands would bury that nuance and focus entirely on the sweet fruit angle. By highlighting the saltiness, Monster almost dares you to question it before you even try it. It is bold marketing, but it also sets up skepticism that the flavour then has to work harder to overcome.
Again, Strawberry Shot is not bad. It is just not the strawberry knockout I was hoping for. For someone who prefers a lighter, less sugary profile, this might actually be a pleasant surprise. But if you are like me and still dreaming about the thick, creamy magic of Rockstar Whipped Strawberry, this one may feel a little underwhelming. Overall Strawberry Shot is a 8.5/10
