15 Best Orange Energy Drinks
With so many orange energy drinks on the market, it can be very tough to settle on one brand that offers everything that you need for a quick boost.
What are the best orange energy drinks? The best orange energy drinks contain low sugar, adequate caffeine, and are made from high-quality ingredients. Health-focused energy drinks are the best since they provide added nutrition in the form of vitamins, minerals, BCAAs, and electrolytes.
Read below to learn more about the types of orange energy drinks, their ingredients, what to look out for, and our recommendations!
What Are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks have had a long evolution. Their origin goes back several decades but the purpose has always been the same: to keep us awake, productive, and alert.
Back in the day, energy drinks and herbal beverages were nearly synonymous.
Most “energy” drinks were derived from herbal sources and contained natural sugars (like cane sugar), caffeine, and a range of herbs that were selected for their ability to block specific receptors in the brain to promote alertness, improve cognition and deter drowsiness.
But these drinks tasted more like cough syrup than anything else!
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for businessmen to realize the marketing and selling potential of these drinks which eventually ushered in a new era of tasty and fruity “power” beverages.
The Birth Of Modern Energy Drinks
In 1949, William Mark Swartz, a businessman in Chicago, was tasked to develop a fortified “energy booster” that would help his coworkers stay awake.
Working late hours and a sedentary lifestyle was affecting productivity. Many workers noticed a significantly reduced attention span near the end of the workday.
It was because of this reason that the first energy drink was formulated, and it ended up receiving widespread acclaim!
This new energy booster was made from a combination of cane sugar, B vitamins, and caffeine. The idea became so popular that it was later scaled, commercialized, and sold to the public.
Later on, other competitors jumped into the market with their version of energy drinks that were targeted toward professionals, athletes, and everyday people who wanted a boost of energy – and a refreshing flavor too!
What’s In An Energy Drink?
Modern energy drinks contain a range of chemicals like taurine, L-carnitine, and glucuronolactone that are designed to increase awareness, improve cognition, and more important: keep the consumer awake for longer.
These ingredients work in conjunction with sugar and caffeine that provides a temporary boost of energy which can last anywhere from 3-4 hours.
A typical serving of an energy drink can provide up to 140mg of caffeine and up to 56g of sugar – which is well above the daily recommended intake.
The effects of energy drinks start at about 10 minutes and peak at around 45 minutes to an hour after consumption. The resultant energy lasts for 2-3 hours before your body starts to go back to normal levels.
However, in most cases, the contents in the drinks can remain in your body for more than 12 hours or a day, which is a common concern for many people who drink energy boosters daily.
This reluctance along with the image of energy boosters being “unhealthy” is why many brands have now switched their attention towards “healthy” energy drinks that contain less harmful ingredients.
But how do you pick a good energy drink for daily use? Here’s our buyer’s guide for that:
Buyer’s Guide To The Best Orange Energy Drinks
This guide focuses on three important factors that you need to look out for in any energy drink:
- Artificial colors and flavors
- Sugar content
- Caffeine and nutrition
Artificial Colors And Flavors
One of the biggest gripes that health-conscious people have with energy drinks is the excessive chemical content of many drink brands.
Many energy drinks are loaded with harmful chemicals that add artificial colors or flavors to the drinks. And while these chemicals do make the beverage taste and look better, they can be potentially dangerous in the long run.
Fortunately, many reputed brands also use high-quality ingredients, safe chemicals, and, natural colors/flavorings to make their product healthier.
If you are a purist who values overall nutrition then we highly recommend that you stick with a brand that provides you with an all-natural solution.
Don’t mind a bit of extra flavor? Then you can also opt for a beverage that tastes better (using high-quality and safe ingredients) and also provides a rounded nutritional content.
You can also choose between sparkling, fully/lightly carbonated, or non-carbonated drink options too! Check out our list below; we have listed a range of great brands that are well-suited for everyone’s preferences.
Sugar Content
Sugar deserves a separate mention because of its notoriety and effects on general health.
When used in moderation, sugar can help aid the body with daily functions, but too much of it can potentially wreak havoc on your system too.
Why add so much sugar to drinks?
Many energy drink brands claim to use all-natural sources when it comes to flavors, but this usually comes at a cost of taste. To compensate for a lack of flavor, brands add sugar to make the beverage taste better.
The daily recommended value for sugar is about 36g (lower for women), and energy drinks can easily surpass the DV. This is why you need to carefully read the label before picking a booster beverage.
You can easily find a lot of brands that offer healthy and safe zero-sugar alternatives; like on our list below!
And as always, watch your overall sugar intake in your diet and be mindful of how everything shakes out across your meals.
Caffeine And Nutrition
Caffeine is usually the only ingredient in energy drinks that directly affects cognition, alertness, and wakefulness.
If you truly want a healthy boost then we recommend going with a brand that offers no more than 400mg of caffeine – which also happens to be the daily caffeine intake limit set by many health agencies too.
But that’s still a lot of caffeine. You likely don’t need that much to feel a boost. A regular 12 ounce cup of coffee usually has between 120-150 mg of caffeine.
Most energy drinks provide a dose between 250-300mg of caffeine but you can also find some that touch around 400mg too.
Please be very responsible when consuming energy drinks and only use them in moderation or according to the label on the back.
Apart from the caffeine levels, you should also pay attention to the overall nutrition of the drink as well. A good, healthy energy drink will provide you with important nutrients and electrolytes.
Beverage companies usually add B vitamins like B-1, B-2, B-3 (niacin), B-5 (pantothenic acid), B-6, and B-12. B vitamins are claimed to be necessary as they help extract all the energy from the sugar and additives in the beverage.
You will also find several options that are targeted toward fitness enthusiasts.
These beverages usually contain BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) and other healthy additives that are designed to minimize fatigue, improve strength, and boost recovery.
It’s also a good idea to check the ingredients list if you have dietary restrictions and/or allergies. Believe it or not, some energy drinks are vegan!
Always check the back of the can for more detailed information on the micronutrients of the beverage!
15 Best Orange Energy Drinks
Now that you know what to look out for in the best energy drinks, here are a few excellent recommendations for you to try:
| Rank | Brand | Flavor (caffeine) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Monster Energy | Ultra Sunrise (140mg) |
| 2. | Reign Total Body Fuel | Orange Dreamsicle (300mg) |
| 3. | Rockstar Pure Zero | Orange (75mg) |
| 4. | C4 Energy | Orange Slice (200mg) |
| 5. | ZOA Zero Sugar | Wild Orange (160mg) |
| 6. | CELSIUS | Sparkling Orange (200mg) |
| 7. | Zipfizz B12 | Orange Cream (100mg) |
| 8. | V8 +Energy | Orange Pineapple (80mg) |
| 9. | Rockstar Recovery | Orange (160mg) |
| 10. | MTN DEW ENERGY | Orange Breeze (180mg) |
| 11. | CELSIUS BCAA +Energy | Sparkling Blood Orange Lemonade (100mg) |
| 12. | UPTIME | Blood Orange (142mg) |
| 13. | NOCCO Energy Drink | Blood Orange (180mg) |
| 14. | Sambazon Organic | Blood Orange Acerola (120mg) |
| 15. | GHOST ENERGY | Orange Cream (200mg) |
We’re sure one of these yummy orange treats will be the perfect energy source for you. Just be careful not to go too hard and crash later!
1. Monster Energy: Ultra Sunrise
Monster energy drinks have been in the game for a long time and are known to provide high-quality beverages that can help you stay alert and even improve athletic performance too.
This particular beverage provides a refreshing natural orange flavor and a balance of nutrients and caffeine.
Unlike other sugary power drinks, Monster has carefully crafted its beverage to contain zero sugar using safe alternative sweeteners.
With just 10 calories per serving and loads of energy, you can be sure to meet your daily dietary targets and increase productivity too!
2. Reign Total Body Fuel: Orange Dreamsicle
Reign Total Body Fuel is your ultimate workout power drink.
It is specifically designed for athletes or the everyday Joe who wants to get fit at the gym. This beverage contains a careful mix of high-quality ingredients that provide speed, performance, and endurance – all in just 10 calories per can!
You get all the necessary nutrition and added BCAAs to help you push through your workouts and recover better.
It’s the all-in-one solution for everyone who is looking to get fit without compromising on their fundamentals.
Want more flavor? Then get more than just orange! This beverage provides a refreshing orange flavor with a smooth vanilla finish that will keep you hooked.
3. Rockstar Pure Zero: Orange
Don’t want to load up on a lot of caffeine, but still want a little boost?
Then try this energy drink that contains zero sugar and just 75g of caffeine per serving.
While most brands prefer to fill up their products with almost dangerous levels of caffeine, Rockstar goes in a different and healthier direction with its beverage.
Enjoy the flavor of mandarin oranges without any artificial flavors or colors. Get this pack of 12 drinks and power through all your activities!
4. C4 Energy: Orange Slice
Set the bomb off on your workout with C4’s orange slice energy drink.
With 200mg of caffeine and zero sugar, you can be sure to not just stay awake but also perform better.
This drink contains a range of healthy vitamins and is specially made for novice or pro athletes who want only the best from their bodies.
This carbonated drink contains CarnoSyn Beta-Alanin, a (purportedly) clinically proven ingredient that is known to improve endurance, muscle strength, and post-workout fatigue.
Since this beverage is just adequately carbonated, you don’t have to worry about excessively burping throughout your workout or when you want to go for a run either.
5. ZOA Zero Sugar: Wild Orange
Approved and sponsored by none other than Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a., The Rock, Zoa energy drinks are marketed to be different.
They are said to have a better nutritional profile than other energy drinks in the game and are marketed to be one of the healthiest energy drinks out there.
This beverage contains zero sugar, a lot of important nutrients, and up to 200mg of caffeine per serving.
Zoa is available in different flavors, but if you love a refreshing and delicious orange flavor then you have to try their “Wild Orange” option that provides just the right citrus and sweet notes.
6. CELSIUS: Sparkling Orange
Celsius is another big brand that has been in the energy drink business for a while. They are known to provide their customers with high-quality drinks made using premium ingredients.
This beverage in particular is targeted toward gym-goers and fitness lovers.
It’s the perfect pre-workout beverage that is formulated to increase performance, improve wakefulness, and never let you feel dull.
With a smooth and refreshing orange flavor, this is the best and one of the most nutritionally-balanced energy drinks in the market that is made without sugar or preservatives.
7. Zipfizz B12: Orange Cream
Get 4 to 6 hours of high-octane energy!
Zipfizz is a healthy energy drink that is specially made for people who are always on the go.
This energy drink contains all the necessary vitamins to keep you going throughout the day. It also contains a healthy mix of antioxidants and electrolytes that will keep you from getting dehydrated.
Worried about calories? This drink contains zero sugar and provides all its benefits within just 20 calories.
It’s the ultimate runner’s drink and is also perfect for people who stay at the gym and are used to grueling and intense workouts.
8. V8 +Energy: Orange Pineapple
Swap your regular old bio-engine with a powerful V8 with just one serving of this extremely delicious and power-packed energy drink
This beverage is perfect for health-conscious people and regular fitness freaks! It contains a balanced mix of immune-boosting vitamins along with naturally sourced caffeine that is derived from tea leaves.
With zero sugar and coming in at just under 50 calories, you can be sure to get your money’s worth with this delicious and refreshing orange-flavored energy drink, with hints of pineapple!
9. Rockstar Recovery: Orange
Rockstar makes another appearance on our list because of its commitment to delivering high-quality and safe energy boosters for its customers.
What makes this non-carbonated beverage stands out is its low sugar content. Sure, it might not be totally free of sugar, but with just 2g per can, you can more easily add it to your diet without affecting your macros.
Get all of the nutrition and benefits of traditional energy drinks with an added focus on flavor and quality.
It is designed to be the perfect recovery drink for intense workouts and can help you get ready for your next adventure by minimizing fatigue and overall downtime!
10. MTN DEW ENERGY: Orange Breeze
Get 2 cups worth of caffeine in one can. Mountain Dew is known for its delicious carbonated beverages, but its energy drink truly steals the spotlight with its nutritional profile, flavor, and benefits.
With 180mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and a rich and delicious orange flavor, you are sure to enjoy this beverage during and after workouts.
It is crafted for people who want flavor and performance in one package – all without going overboard with calories.
This beverage also contains citicoline, which works in tandem with caffeine to improve attention – oh, and you also get plenty of vitamins like A & C, plus antioxidants too.
11. CELSIUS BCAA +Energy: Blood Orange Lemonade
Celsius BCAA Energy Drink says “no” to everything: No to sugar, no to high-fructose, no to sodium, no to preservatives, and even no to aspartame – which is a commonly used but highly debated sweetener.
The only thing it says “yes” to is high-quality ingredients, naturally sourced caffeine, and an amazing blood-orange flavor that is made with a mix of fresh oranges and lemonade.
One serving can deliver up to 100mgs of caffeine; all without sacrificing quality.
Want more? Then you also get added BCAAs which are essential amino acids that aid in muscle recovery and can also help you gain strength and combat fatigue after a tough workout!
12. UPTIME: Blood Orange
Increase your Uptime with this delicious and healthy energy drink that is made from cane sugar.
Cane sugar is known to be one of the best organic sweeteners due to its rounded flavor and nutritional benefits. Combine this with an awesome orange flavor and you have yourself a very formidable beverage.
We love the marketing of this product and it has one of the best-designed bottles too – but more than that, this product truly delivers on what it promises.
Improve your cognition, endurance and help yourself stay more alert and focused with just one serving of this bold energy drink.
13. NOCCO: Blood Orange
Packed with 180mg of caffeine and made without sugar, this is yet another excellent post-workout beverage for every type of fitness enthusiast.
It contains all of the benefits of traditional energy drinks but also squeezes in a bit more value thanks to the addition of BCAAs and vital vitamins.
Nocco Energy Drink has the benefit of having strong endorsements from athletes too, which speaks volumes for the quality of the brand and the product itself.
You can enjoy this orange-flavored beverage while on the go, before workouts, or when you want a quick boost for your daily activities.
14. Sambazon Organic: Blood Orange Acerola
Want a caffeine hit that’s equivalent to two espresso shots? Then this is the best organic drink for it!
Sambazon is designed to be a healthier alternative to other energy drinks. Although it contains natural sugars, it is targeted to be way less harmful than other sugary drinks.
It contains just 6g of sugar in one serving but can deliver a range of nutritional benefits. Get all the vitamins and minerals that you need to get through workouts, office work, or assignments in just one serving!
15. GHOST ENERGY: Orange Cream
Ghost Energy provides a delicious orange cream flavor that is specially made to tantalize your taste buds and to give you a boost using 200mg of caffeine.
This product is soy and gluten-free, Vegan and it doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors.
It is perhaps the best option for people who are looking for an energy drink that can fit their dietary restrictions and needs.
We recommend taking this energy drink as a pre-workout beverage because it contains all the necessary ingredients to help you focus and to improve your overall performance during tough workouts.
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