"Red Bull Green Edition" was released on February 2. As an energy drink lover, I couldn't let this one slip by, so I picked one up right away and figured I'd write a review.

Red Bull Green Edition

Red Bull Green Edition can

Volume: 250ml. Price: 190 yen excluding tax (about 1.30 USD). Ingredients (per 100ml): Arginine 120mg, Caffeine 32mg.

True to the "Green Edition" name, the overall can design is green and gives off a fresh, refreshing impression. The standard Red Bull has a smooth, glossy finish, but the Green Edition has a slightly rough, matte texture that feels nice in the hand and gives a softer impression. Enough about the outside — let's crack it open.

Color

Red Bull Green Edition liquid color

Clear, with none of the yellow tint typical of energy drinks. It looks gentle and approachable.

Aroma

When you open the can, you get the crisp scent of a lime-flavored carbonated drink. There's none of the strong aroma or sweetness you'd expect from an energy drink. In fact, it smells nearly identical to "Sprite," and immediately took me back with a "Yeah, I've smelled this before~" reaction. I personally like lime, so the impression was good and I was excited to try it.

Taste

Lime-style fruit juice with a mild carbonation. It's sweet-tart, with roughly a 3:7 ratio of tartness to sweetness — really nice. None of that lingering aftertaste energy drinks tend to have; it clears through the nose right away, making it very easy to drink. And yeah, it really does have that "Sprite" vibe — if anything, I'd say it's "a bit more tart than Sprite." Personally I like the flavor, but if you go in expecting that strong energy drink kick, the stimulation might feel a little lacking, or maybe just too gentle.

Summary

Personally, I like the aroma and the flavor, and I'm a fan of the clean green packaging too. There's almost no "energy drink-ness" to it, but ingredient-wise it has the same caffeine and arginine as a regular Red Bull. If you love that rough, in-your-face energy drink flavor, this one isn't for you — but I can recommend it to beginners or to anyone who likes crisp, lime-style carbonated drinks. It's being sold in winter, but the composition makes you want to chill it ice-cold and drink it in summer. Also, starting February 1, Red Bull pricing was revised from 241 yen excluding tax to 190 yen excluding tax (about 1.30 USD) — a big price cut that makes it much easier to grab, which is great. The author: "I'd drink it again."

Added February 7, 2025: A Summer Edition is currently on sale.