As a full-time college student, you know I’m no stranger to consuming energy drinks like they’re going out of style. For instance, last semester, I developed a study hack I like to call “the 8 o’ clock Celsius.” This habit, which I only recommend if you’re desperate, involves drinking a Celsius at 8 p.m. and knocking out a ton of homework before crashing from the caffeine at 1 in the morning. I’m not sure what the science behind it is, but after doing this, I somehow always woke up on time feeling surprisingly well-rested. It’s not a perfect system by any means, but when theatre season is in full swing, you have to get a little creative. Although Celsius works in a pinch (and is the energy drink sold at my school’s cafe), my favorite brand of wake-up juice is Alani Nu.
The variety rivals every other energy drink brand, with flavors like Lime Slush and Hawaiian Shaved Ice. And I can’t wait until my local Target has their new Ruby Apple and Vanilla Voodoo flavors available. So today, in honor of my favorite energy drink, I’m ranking every single Alani Nu energy flavor available, from my least favorite to the best in the bunch. I hope you enjoy this ranking as much as I enjoy my favorite Alani flavors.
18. Cherry Slush
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with Alani’s cherry slush flavor, but it ranks dead last for several reasons. Cherry is a really difficult flavor to get right without reminding me of cough syrup, and most drinks struggle to strike this balance in my opinion. Cherry also isn’t that special of a flavor to me. Most drinks have some cherry option, and other than Pepsi’s Wild Cherry flavor or the occasional cherry Slurpee from 7/11, it’s not a flavor I’m super into.
17. Orange Kiss
In a similar vein to its predecessor, Orange Kiss is another basic and slightly boring flavor on the Alani lineup. It isn’t last because I’m much more partial to orange than I am to cherry, but it’s a pretty slim margin. Orange Kiss tastes just like every other orange flavored soda, and I’m too loyal to Fanta to rank this Alani flavor much higher than 17th place.
16. Blue Slush
Blue Slush is another flavor that isn’t bad, but Breezeberry, which is also blue raspberry flavored, is much better. The slush series of Alani might have originally ranked higher for me, but with better versions coming out left and right, the slush sinks to the back of the line. Plus, if I want a blue raspberry slushie, I’ll simply grab one the next time I’m at the movies.
15. Cherry Twist
Cherry Twist is another victim of my picky nature regarding fake cherry flavor, but ranks higher than the slush version due to the fact that cherry twist isn’t just cherry, it’s cherry limeade. The energy-filled version of one of my favorite summer beverages is pretty good, but there are better flavors out there. I’m also spoiled by my older sister’s homemade limeade, so the Cherry Twist Alani was doomed from the start.
14. Pink Slush
This slush flavor ranks higher than most of its siblings for one major reason. Strawberry is one of my all-time favorite flavors, and the Pink Slush Alani doesn’t disappoint. It’s only at 14 because like blue slush, there’s another strawberry Alani flavor that does it better. Overall, though, Pink Slush is a delightful strawberry sip and a classic choice for Alani lovers everywhere.
13. Cotton Candy
I honestly surprised myself by putting cotton candy so low on this list, as I love cotton candy. It’s one of my favorite sweet treats and yet, the Alani flavor is only at number 13. It initially ranked much higher for me, but one of this year’s newest Alani flavors took its place almost too easily. Now, I don’t believe in spoilers, so you’ll have to keep reading to find out which flavor dethroned my precious cotton candy.
12. Pumpkin Cream
The Pumpkin Cream Alani is no doubt the most controversial flavor on this list, and definitely my most unpopular opinion. I’ve been drinking Alani for a while now, and I’ve yet to meet someone who also likes this fall flavor. Admittedly, it is a bit weird. Most people don’t want their Pumpkin Cream with a side of fizz, but for some reason, I do. Maybe it’s because I was born in October, the most iconic of ‘ber months, but for whatever reason, I really like the pumpkin Alani, and I’m stoked that it’s back this year.
11. Watermelon Wave
Watermelon is my favorite fruit, so it’s only natural that this Alani flavor ranks at 11th. The Watermelon Wave Alani is refreshing without being too sweet. It’s also the perfect energy boost during the hot summer months, and I’ll drink it at any time. The only reason it’s only at number 11 on this list is because there are flavors that I like more, but Watermelon Wave is a solid choice in my book.
10. Strawberry Sunrise
This strawberry and citrus Alani flavor is what beat out Pink Slush as the best strawberry Alani option. It’s far more refreshing and the notes of orange keep it from being sickeningly sweet. I’ve only had this flavor a few times since it’s become a permanent flavor for the energy drink brand. But it was clearly more than enough as it has secured its spot in the top 10.
9. Breezeberry
Like Strawberry Sunrise, Breezeberry is the better flavor when compared to its slush counterpart. Breezeberry’s blue raspberry flavor just hits different, and its crisp flavor is far superior to the syrupy sweetness of blue slush. Breezeberry was also one of the first Alani flavors I ever tried, and its OG status helps push it into 9th place.
8. Cosmic Stardust
Along with loving energy drinks, I also love grape Nerds, and Cosmic Stardust is the best of both worlds. With its out-of-this-world candy taste, this Alani flavor ranks pretty high for me. Cosmic Stardust is also another one of the first Alani drinks that I bought, and with its grape and mixed berry forward taste, it soars through the sky, landing at 8th place.
7. Lime Slush
Now, this is one slush flavor I can fully get behind. Anything lime flavored is my jam, and as this seasonal flavor seems to be nearing its end, I find myself sad that I didn’t grab this flavor more often. This Alani flavor is a lot like Sprite, but with a little more lime flavor, and it’s a classic choice that I love to drink on the way to my morning classes. In the meantime, I’ll go bother my sister for her limeade recipe, and try to make do without this flavor.
6. Dream Float
Orange cream is another flavor I love fully and completely. When I worked night shifts stocking groceries, I used to make my own orange cream floats by mixing orange soda with vanilla ice cream as a sugar boost for those late nights. And the Dream Float Alani tastes exactly the same, but fizzy and with caffeine. The Dream Float Alani is a sweet rendition of an orange soda float, and if you don’t have an ice cream shop around that makes them, I highly recommend getting your fix with this Alani flavor.
5. Juicy Peach
As you head into my top 5, know that these were the hardest ones to rank, with the exception of number 1. Peach is another one of my favorite fruits, and I specifically love peach candy, such as Haribo’s Peach Rings. And the Juicy Peach Alani flavor tastes identical to my beloved candy. This flavor is also perfect for anyone missing summertime, and while summer is my least favorite season, it does have some of my favorite fruits.
4. Purple Cotton Candy
The second I took a sip of Alani’s newest release, I knew that it would be high on my ranking. Purple Cotton Candy successfully knocked the regular Cotton Candy Alani flavor all the way to 13th place, and I have no regrets. I’m convinced that cotton candy grapes are the best thing since sliced bread, and that’s exactly what this Alani tastes like (the grapes, not the bread). It’s not as sweet as the original cotton candy Alani despite it having a stronger cotton candy flavor. I definitely need to buy more, because this flavor has me daydreaming about going to the fair.
3. Hawaiian Shaved Ice
This flavor was almost in 2nd place, but I waffled at the last minute and switched it to 3rd instead. The Hawaiian Shaved Ice Alani reminds me of snow cones, and the tropical flavor and notes of coconut are incredible. But although I love this flavor enough to put it in my top three, there are still two more flavors that beat it out for spots two and one.
2. Witch’s Brew
I literally just wrote an article here at Spoon U about my love for all things apple flavored, so are you really surprised that this Alani flavor is in spot number 2? Witch’s Brew is a seasonal flavor that recently came back (I have one in my fridge as I write this), and I’m beyond happy about it. This Alani is caramel apple flavored, and is perfect for all of us energy drink lovers who have early morning classes this fall. However, despite my love of all things apple, there is one flavor that takes the cake and wins the gold in my ranking.
1. Rainbow Sherbet
The day that Alani made rainbow sherbet a permanent flavor rather than a limited release was a good day to be me. This Alani flavor trumps all others with its nostalgic taste that is identical to every Rainbow Sherbet I’ve ever had. Words can’t describe just how much I love this flavor, and how if I could, I’d drink it morning, noon, and night. Alani’s Rainbow Sherbet beats all other flavors, past, present, and future in my book, and this semester will surely see lots of my favorite flavor of energy drink between theatre season and midterms.