There’s nothing better than when one of your favourite non-gym-related brands creates a product that crosses over into the world of fitness, and that’s exactly what has happened with Irn Bru Energy.
As a southerner, I might be one of a small minority who enjoys an Irn Bru, but as you progress further up north it’s somewhat of a staple. In fact, across the border it’s widely regarded as Scotland’s ‘other national drink’, second only to whiskey of course.
For those who haven’t been lucky enough to indulge in an Irn Bru, the taste has been likened to a wide and somewhat bizarre array of flavours.
Some say it reminds them of orange and blackcurrant, while others have described its taste as “fizzy bubblegum”, or even “a sweetened version of Listerine”.
Either way, Irn Bru’s unique and polarising flavour can now be enjoyed with an extra hit of caffeine for those in need of a boost before the gym, or even just a big day at work ahead of them.
I simply had to try it, so I got my hands on a can, cracked it open and slurped it down. And in this article, I’m going to be sharing exactly what I thought…
Irn Bru Energy
Before diving into the review, let us first examine how and why one of the UK’s most popular soft drinks ended up being supercharged with a lightning bolt of caffeine.
Irn Bru’s parent company, Barr’s, released two extensions of the classic beverage in 2019: Barr’s Energy Drink and Barr’s 1901. The decision came amid a boom in the energy drink market, which was valued at $53m in 2018, with almost every one in two soft drinks purchased in the UK being an energy drink.
Barr’s had previously dabbled in the energy drink business in 2006 when it released Irn Bru 32, a limited edition energy-boosting beverage which was only in production for a short amount of time. But you might be surprised to know that there is actually caffeine in the original version.
Used as a flavour enhancer, Irn Bru original has 30mg in each 330ml classic can. However, that’s a drop in the ocean compared to the 32mg of caffeine added coursing through every 100ml of Irn Bru Energy.
Irn Bru Energy also contains other additional ingredients that are not present in the soft drink version, namely taurine – a classic ingredient in energy drinks – and some B vitamins (niacin, B6, and B12).
Although it seems like I’m pointing out the obvious, there is only one flavour available, and that is none other than the classic Irn Bru flavour that many have grown to know and love.
Each 330ml can returns 120mg of caffeine, 0g of fat, 36g of sugar and 153 calories. It’s worth noting, however, that there is a sugar-free version should you want it.
My Irn Bru Review
My only worry with this product was that there would be a subtle difference in flavour that would completely ruin the childhood nostalgia I was expecting when I took my first sip. So first of all, I’m relieved to say that the taste is absolutely bang on. It was crisp, full-bodied and punchy – just as it should be.
The caffeine content was slightly lower than I was expecting, and although it still provided a nice clean boost there are definitely more potent products on the market if you’re really in need of a pick-me-up.
But considering how mainstream Irn Bru is compared to other brands of energy drinks, it completely makes sense that Barr’s has slightly tapered down the caffeine content.
My last word on Irn Bru Energy is that the sugar content is far from ideal for those following strict diets. I’d strongly recommend opting for the sugar-free version if that is the case.
But aside from that, it’s a great product and a welcomed addition to the fitness scene! Visit the AG Barr website now to discover how you can grab a can of this amazing can of caffeinated nostalgia.
