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Sometimes you just need a 2 p.m. jolt.
Sure, you could pour yourself another cup of joe, but let’s be honest:
Afternoon coffee rarely hits like that first mug of the morning. And while you could crack open a Celsius or another canned energy drink, sometimes you’re just not in the mood to commit to 12 ounces of liquid when all you want is a quick hit of caffeine.
That’s when we turn to 5-Hour Energy. The little supplement shots have been around since 2004, perfecting the art of packing a caffeine boost into less than two fluid ounces. Each 5-Hour Energy shot comes in various bundle options and clocks in at zero sugar and zero calories, plus it adds in B6 and B12 vitamins.
The brand has become a go-to for everyone from athletes to TikTok creators (even us over here at Rolling Stone), with a lineup that typically leans into familiar fruit flavors like berry and watermelon. So when we heard about a batch of limited-edition flavors that veer way outside the usual fruit aisle, we had to see what the fuss was about.
We tried the latest additions — everything from Jelly Donut to Cotton Candy and even Fruity Rainbow — and after tasting the whole lineup, we narrowed it down to our three favorites, plus one honorable mention. Here they are, ranked from best to, well, least best. Because even the one at the bottom of the list is still pretty damn good.
BEST OVERALL
5-Hour Energy Cotton Candy (6-Pack)
Usually, I prefer my cotton candy on a stick. That was, at least, until I tried it in a bottle. From the first sip, I couldn’t believe how much it actually tasted like the real thing. Typically, the selling point of 5-Hour Energy is that you can knock one back in a few quick gulps, but this flavor was so damn good that I actually wanted to take my time with it.
RUNNER-UP
5-Hour Energy Fruity Rainbow (12-Pack)
Next up was Fruity Rainbow, which came dangerously close to taking the top spot. It reminded me of those Pixy Stix that were everywhere in the nineties, only without the sugar rush — because, yes, it’s still sugar-free. The only thing holding it back was a slight aftertaste that lingered a little longer than I wanted. It was still tasty, but Cotton Candy had the cleaner finish.
THIRD PLACE
5-Hour Energy Firework Freeze (24-Pack)
Firework Freeze lands in third place, and one sip transported me straight back to mixing up Slushies at the movie theater. What I liked most about this one (and about these shots in general) was that I didn’t get the jittery, buzzy feeling I sometimes associate with caffeine. Instead, I felt focused and ready to get on with my day.
HONORABLE MENTION
5-Hour Energy Jelly Donut (6-Pack)
Jelly Donut also deserves a special shoutout, if only for sheer flavor audacity. It’s an American staple in tiny-bottle form.
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