Plasma Energy

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16oz can
BevNET Review: Of the Plasma Energy lineup, Blue Raz is far and away the best tasting flavor. It has a “blue berry” (not blueberry) flavor that feels straight out of a pack of bubblegum or some other overly sweet candy. In this particular case, they’ve sweetened the product with sugar, resulting in something that definitely drinks like soda. We could live without the blue coloring, which simply serves as a subtle reminder that this product is not all natural (it certainly doesn’t make the drink more enticing in any way). Functionally, the drink features amino acids, vitamins, caffeine (160mg per can), electrolytes, milk thistle extract, acai extract, and prickly pear extract. The only noteworthy thing about this product’s functional blend is the “extra strength” label that they’ve used despite having the same level of caffeine as most other energy drinks. Lastly, there’s the look of the product. We like the blue color of this can over the other flavors, but our feelings about the design and branding are the same: it’s too generic looking. Overall, it’s a passable energy drink, but we don’t see anything about Plasma that can’t be found in other energy drinks on the market. Reviewed on: 1/11/2013

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Diet; Container: 16oz can
BevNET Review: The Mixed Berry variety of Plasma Energy Drink is a fairly standard tasting energy drink that offers a reduced calorie formulation. It features a sugar, ace-k, and sucralose blend of sweeteners and a “berry” flavor that’s pretty typical of the category. There’s a fair amount of aftertaste from the sweeteners and functional ingredients, so from our perspective, the flavor is simply what we’d describe as “tolerable.” Functionally, the drink features amino acids, vitamins, caffeine (160mg per can), electrolytes, milk thistle extract, acai extract, and prickly pear extract. Again, a fairly standard looking blend of ingredients. That leaves the can as the remaining chance for the drink to offer something unique. However, we’re sorry to say that the drink feels like countless other energy drinks that have failed in the past. Specifically, there’s a conceptual icon that has been paired with a name that implies energy and a graphic design that skews towards generic or value. Also, to call it “healthy” seems like a claim that they can’t back up. To sum it up, we don’t think that what they’ve created is a “brand” or something that a consumer can possibly identify with. And unfortunately, these are criticisms that we have about all three of the flavors that we sampled. Overall, Plasma Energy is a product that needs a lot of work if it’s going to be successful in the crowded energy drink category.Reviewed on: 1/11/2013