Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice Review

Cost:$2.39
Cost Per Ounce:$0.20
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Ginseng, Guarana
Taste Rating:8.5
Kick Rating:8.5
Final Judgment Rating:8.0
Energy Drink Ratings Explained

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice:
Well long time no review of a Monster Energy, but looks like they have substantially revamped their lineup of Energy Drinks since last time I checked in with them. I am speaking specifically of Monster Energy's new "Extra Strength" Nitrous lineup. The 12 ounce Monster Nitrous lineup has four flavors; Super Dry, Anti-Gravity, Killer B and Black Ice. Now I will be totally honest, I have never really been a huge fan of any of the Monster Energy Drinks, but every once in awhile they do surprise me... and I am hoping that is the case with the new Extra Strength version.

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice: Taste
So first off this drink has zero calories and zero sugar... also it is HIGHLY carbonated. I picked one of these up at a local c-store, put it in my car and drove to work. I let it settle for 5 minutes before opening. Upon opening, there was a loud pop (similar to the Jolt Energy Drinks) followed shortly after by an over flow of foam. I don't know if this is unique to the Black Ice "flavor" or if this is the case for all Monster Nitrous products... either way I could do with a little less carbonation so I don't have to waste any of the $2.39 I just spent on a 12 ounce drink. Anyways, taste... So again not exactly sure where they go the name "black ice" as it really has more of a sour berry/passion flavor which is reminiscent of the original Kronik Energy Drink. For zero sugar and zero calories the drink was actually pretty good. Flavors end up being a tad sour, but there is only a slight medicinal after taste. Pretty good actually, elbeit taste is subjective. Taste Rating - 8.5

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice: Kick
Taste is decent, but will the extra strength provide an impressive kick? Well according to the 12 ounce can (12 ounce single serving) there is 2600 milligrams of Energy Blend which includes; Taurine, Panax Ginseng, L-Carnitine, Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucronolactone and Maltodextrin. So they don't list exact caffeine amounts, but let's compare this Extra Strength to an Original Monster. An Original Monster (8 ounce single serving) has 2500 milligrams in it's energy blend which includes L-Carnitine, Glucose, Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucronolactone and Maltodextrin. Taurine and Ginseng is listed outside the Energy Blend on the original. In an ingredient list, they usually list ingredients by quantity... so the more of something present the higher up the list. Well, the lists of the Original and Extra Strength Monster are almost identical... Original has 2500 milligram energy blend (Plus taurine and panax ginseng listed separately) whereas the extra strength has 2600 milligrams? Big kicker is that the Original Blend is for 8 ounce whereas the extra strength is for 12 ounces. That just doesn't seem right. To ME, it seems like the original has more bang for your buck in terms of ENERGY INGREDIENTS... And after drinking it I can conclude. Don't get me wrong, the kick was pretty good. But there is nothing Extra Strength about this Monster. Kick Rating - 8.5

Monster Energy Extra Strength Black Ice: Final Judgment
So taste was good... low calories and zero sugar are also a plus. But the confusing aspect for me is the "extra strength" label. I am not seeing anything extra about this either on the can ingredient list or IMHO during the review. I am confused, so maybe someone at Monster could weigh in on this so I don't misinform my 40,000 monthly readers? To me, the better value is by far the Original Monster, both price wise and energy wise... Final Judgment - 8.0