I’ve been drinking energy drinks for years. Red Bull, Rockstar, Monster (I’d go through phases with all of them, but I always came back to that classic energy drink flavour). You know the one… That sweeet, slightly citrusy, unmistakably “energy drink” taste that Red Bull basically invented. The only problem is that Red Bull is £2.10 for a 250ml can from Tesco, and once you’ve had a few, you’ve spent a small fortune!
So like a lot of people, I started looking at own-brand versions, cheaper cans, anything that scratched the same itch without costing me an arm and a leg… That satisfied me for a while, but the thing that annoyed me was that I would usually have quite a few cans a day, and to keep up with my personal demany, there was always LOADS of cans sitting around, which just isn’t practical.
Then I got into powdered energy drinks for both my health and my wallet, but when I started down the powdered route, there wasn’t any Red Bull flavour… until now!
Why Red Bull drinkers should look at powdered energy drinks
I’ve reviewed a ridiculous amount of powdered energy drinks on this site, and the thing that was always missing was that classic flavour. Most brands go for fruit flavours, gaming-themed names, novelty combinations. Nobody had cracked the one that tastes like the drink that started it all… Until Strafe launched their Energy flavour!
I want to be honest with you… It’s not a perfect replica. It’s slightly weaker than I’d like, and if you’re expecting an exact 1:1 match you might be disappointed (I think the carbonation plays a part too). But it is genuinely that flavour profile. That default energy drink taste that Red Bull owns. No other powdered energy drink company has got close to it, and I’ve tried all of them!
I gave it 7/10, which on my scale is a genuinely good score, but reflects the fact that Red Bull drinkers are going to be critical. If you’re after that exact taste, you’ll notice the difference at the start, but by the time you have finished the tub, you will be sold! You’ll also notice the price difference, and that’s where this gets interesting!
The price comparison that changes everything:
🥫 Red Bull 250ml from Tesco: £2.10 per can
⚡ Strafe Energy flavour: 57p per serving (approx 350ml)
That’s not just cheaper. That’s more drink, for less than a third of the price. If you’re having one Red Bull a day, you’re spending over £750 a year. The same habit in powdered form costs you around £200. The maths is pretty hard to argue with.
Is Strafe Energy the best Red Bull alternative?
For the flavour specifically – yes, it’s the closest thing I’ve found. And I’ve been through the entire powdered energy drink market looking. Nobody else has nailed this flavour. Strafe have done something genuinely unique here, and I think it’s going to be a gateway product for a lot of people who’ve never considered powdered energy drinks before.
If you want to try it, here’s a link to this flavour on their website – Feel free to use the code GEEKYGOREVAN at checkout to save 10% too. I’ll be honest, I earn a small commission if you buy through that link, but I’m such an advocate for the company, that you don’t have to use the code and I would still recommend it (and I honestly don’t mind if you would rather not use the code, this is page is more to just help people who were in a similar situation as me!)
What about other alternatives – cans, own-brand, sugar-free?
I get it, not everyone wants to make the jump to powdered. So here’s my take on the other options:
Own-brand energy drinks (Tesco, Aldi, Lidl versions) – these are fine. They taste similar to Red Bull and cost significantly less per can. If you’re not ready to try powdered, this is the sensible step down. Just don’t expect the same quality.
Monster and Rockstar – different flavour profiles entirely. If you love Red Bull specifically for that flavour, Monster isn’t the answer. They’re good drinks but they’re not the same thing. Be careful though, I went through a massive addiction to Monster (and still relapse now and again!)
Sugar-free Red Bull – cheaper than the original but you’re still paying Red Bull prices. The sugar-free version has a slightly different taste that divides people. Worth trying once to see which you prefer.
The honest answer: if you want the closest thing to Red Bull at a fraction of the price, Strafe Energy is it. Everything else is either a different flavour or the same price problem wearing different packaging.
Want to explore more powdered energy drinks?
If this has got you curious about the powdered energy drink world, I’ve reviewed pretty much everything out there on my main energy drinks page. Every brand, every flavour, ranked honestly. No sponsorships, no sugar-coating. Just what I actually think.
