Alani NuEnergy Drink

Overview

Alani Nu is one of the most visible energy drinks on social media, and its lineup of candy- and dessert-inspired flavors is the main draw. Each 12 oz can lists 200 mg of caffeine, 0 g of sugar and roughly 10 to 15 calories depending on flavor, with vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12 plus biotin. The ingredient list also includes taurine, L-theanine, Panax ginseng, L-carnitine tartrate, guarana seed extract, inositol and glucuronolactone, sweetened with erythritol, sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The drinks are vegan, gluten-free and made without artificial colors, and they're lightly carbonated for a smoother sip.

On paper, the formula is typical for the category. The weakness is transparency: beyond caffeine and vitamins, the can doesn't tell you how much of each extra ingredient you're getting.

What reviewers say

Registered dietitian Katey Davidson called the ingredients fairly standard and the 200 mg caffeine dose reasonable, but wished Alani listed the other doses; she also noted that friends and family who tried it liked the taste. Sydney Woll, who says her review isn't sponsored, scored flavors from about 5 to 9 out of 10, mostly on the high end, though one left her feeling a little queasy. Fav Trip's taste test was mixed, with Cherry Slush earning five stars and the rest rated okay. On TikTok, creators like Caffeinated Wanderlust show off flavors like Strawberry Sunrise.

Who it's for

Flavor-first drinkers who want a 12 oz can with a full 200 mg dose. It's not for anyone sensitive to caffeine or erythritol.

Bottom line

The most fun flavor lineup in the category, with a solid if unremarkable formula.