Blue Monster is one of the most popular energy drink flavors from Monster Energy. With its bright blue coloring and tangy flavor, it has developed a cult following among energy drink aficionados. But what exactly gives Blue Monster its signature blue hue and flavor? In this article, we’ll explore the ingredients and flavor notes that make up this beloved energy drink.
The Origin of Blue Monster
Monster Energy was founded by Rodney Sacks in 2002. The company quickly became known for its edgy branding and oversized cans packed with caffeine and other energy-boosting ingredients. Blue Monster joined the Monster family in 2009. It was designed to be a sweeter, smoother take on the classic Monster flavor.
Blue Monster gets its electric blue color from a combination of food dyes. Its flavor is often described as having berry and citrus notes. The tangy taste is likely from a blend of fruit juices and citric acid. Overall, Blue Monster aims to deliver an energy boost with a more refreshing, fruity flavor than the traditional Monster.
Blue Monster Ingredients
So what’s actually in a can of blue Monster? The ingredient list reveals a mix of common energy drink components along with natural and artificial flavorings that give Blue Monster its distinctive taste.
Caffeine
Like all Monster energy drinks, Blue Monster contains a large dose of caffeine – approximately 150mg per 16oz can. This gives you a strong jolt of energy.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally found in the human body. It supports muscle function and heart health. The taurine in Blue Monster enhances the drink’s energizing effects.
Sugars
Blue Monster contains 54g of sugar per can. Sources of sugar include glucose, sucrose, and fructose. The high sugar content gives Blue Monster its sweet taste.
Vitamin Blend
Blue Monster is fortified with B vitamins including niacin, B6, B12, and pantothenic acid. B vitamins are essential nutrients that help convert food into energy.
Artificial Flavors & Colors
This is where the blue color and berry taste comes in! Blue Monster contains both artificial flavors and artificial colors including Red #40 and Blue #1. These additive give it a bright, fruity flavor.
Other Ingredients
Potassium sorbate, potassium benzoate, carbonated water, and concentrated orange juice complete the unique flavor and texture of Blue Monster Energy.
Blue Monster Nutrition Facts
Here is the full nutrition label for a 16oz can of regular Blue Monster:
| Serving Size | 1 can (16 fl oz) |
|---|---|
| Amount Per Serving | |
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 200mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54g |
| Total Sugars | 54g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Niacin | 40mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 40mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 6mcg |
| Caffeine | 150mg |
As you can see, a 16oz Blue Monster packs a powerful caffeine punch along with a heavy dose of sugar but minimal protein, fat, or other nutrients. The B vitamin content offers some benefit but overall this drink is best consumed in moderation due to its high sugar and stimulant content.
How Does Blue Monster Taste?
So what does Blue Monster’s rainbow of artificial flavors actually translate to in terms of taste? Here is a breakdown of the prominent flavor notes in Blue Monster Energy:
Sweet & Tart
Blue Monster first hits your taste buds with sweetness from the sugars. This is balanced by a tart, tangy citrus flavor. The combination of sweet and sour makes for a strong initial flavor impact.
Fruity & Berries
Underlying the sweet-tart taste is a mix of berry and tropical fruit flavors. You’ll notice overtones of raspberry, pineapple, and orange. This adds some natural fruitiness to balance the artificial sweeteners and acids.
Slight Herbal Notes
Finally, Blue Monster has some earthy, herbal notes from the taurine, B vitamins and other ingredients like ginseng. These give it a slightly medicinal aftertaste.
Overall, fans praise Blue Monster for its smooth, well-rounded and relatively complex flavor compared to the sharp bite of original green Monster. The sweetness makes it easy to drink fast while the fruitiness gives it more nuance than your average energy drink.
Does Blue Monster Flavor Contain Actual Fruit Juice?
While Blue Monster has prominent fruity flavors, it contains relatively little real fruit juice. Here’s a look at the actual fruit juice content:
– Concentrated Orange Juice – According to the label, Blue Monster contains both concentrated and natural orange juice. However, these are likely present in small amounts.
– No Berry Juice – Despite tasting like berries, there is no berry or raspberry juice in Blue Monster. The berry flavors come from artificial coloring and flavoring.
– Other Fruit Juices – Small amounts of juices like pineapple or lemon may be mixed in, but fruit juice is not a main ingredient.
So while Blue Monster tastes fruity, most of its fruit flavor comes from artificial rather than natural fruit sources. This gives it a consistent, candy-like fruit taste.
Comparing Blue Monster to Other Monster Flavors
Blue Monster has a distinct flavor profile compared to other colors in the Monster Energy rainbow. Here’s how it stacks up:
| Monster Flavor | Taste |
|---|---|
| Original Green | Strong bitter-sweet flavor, herbal and medicinal. |
| Blue | Smooth, sweet-tart berry and citrus. |
| Red | Tart cranberry flavor. |
| Purple | Grape flavor, somewhat medicinal. |
| Orange | Citrus and tropical fruits. |
| White | Light citrus flavor. |
| Black | Subtle cola flavor. |
As you can see, while the OG green Monster has an intense bitter-sweet and herbal taste, Blue Monster goes for a much smoother flavor profile with pronounced sweetness and fruitiness. This makes it one of the more approachable options for those new to Monster.
Does Blue Monster Contain Actual Dye?
The electric blue color of Blue Monster comes from artificial food dyes rather than any natural blue-colored ingredients. According to the label, Blue Monster contains:
– Red #40: Also known as Allura Red AC, this synthetic red food coloring gives Blue Monster a blue hue when combined with Blue #1.
– Blue #1: Known as Brilliant Blue FCF, this bright blue food dye is responsible for the drink’s namesake color.
– No natural blue ingredients: There are no fruit, vegetable or herb extracts that impart a blue color.
While these artificial food dyes are regulated by the FDA and deemed safe in small amounts, some researchers believe they may have negative health impacts like allergic reactions or hyperactivity in children when consumed in large amounts.
So while vibrant, the blue color of this drink comes strictly from chemicals rather than any natural blues found in nature. But this allows Monster to achieve the same electric shade with each can.
Alternatives to Blue Monster
Blue Monster isn’t the only blue-colored energy drink on the market. Here are some alternatives that offer a similar bright blue hue and burst of energy:
Rockstar Blue Energy
– Similar blue color and fruit punch flavor.
– Contains 200mg caffeine per 24oz can.
– Sweetened with sucralose.
AMP Blue Energy
– Electric blue color.
– Flavored like blue raspberry.
– 141mg caffeine per 16oz.
– Uses sugar and sucralose.
XS Blue Energy
– Blue color with berry flavor.
– 80mg caffeine per 8.4oz serving.
– Sweetened with sugar and stevia.
Blue Raz Riptide Rush
– Vivid blue color and raspberry lemonade flavor.
– 140mg caffeine per 16oz can.
– Includes electrolytes.
– Uses sucralose.
So if you’re looking for a similar blue drink from another brand, these offer comparable appearances and energy-boosting effects. But hardcore Monster fans may still prefer the unique taste of the original Blue Monster.
The Bottom Line on Blue Monster
Quick Facts
– Originally launched in 2009
– Contains a 150mg caffeine jolt
– Packed with 54g sugar per can
– Artificially colored bright blue
– Flavored with artificial berry and citrus flavors
– Provides a smooth, sweet-tart taste
– Most fruity flavor comes from chemicals, not real juice
Is it Healthy?
Blue Monster can deliver a temporary energy lift thanks to its hefty caffeine content. But its high sugar content without many other nutrients makes it more of a treat than a health drink. Consumed in moderation, it poses few risks for most people but is best avoided by those sensitive to stimulants or artificial ingredients.
Should You Drink It?
If you like a sweet, fruity energy boost, Blue Monster can be an enjoyable pick-me-up. Just be mindful of your overall consumption of sugar and stimulants from energy drinks. Alternatives like coffee and tea can provide caffeine without artificial colors or sweeteners. But an occasional Blue Monster won’t harm most healthy adults.
So in the end, Blue Monster offers a tasty rainbow explosion of artificial flavors that energy drink fans have come to crave. Its flavor might be faked, but its popularity and energy punch are undeniably real. Everything in moderation – including blue-colored, sugar-packed energy drinks!