Hydrive E: Endurance Energy Drink

Next in line as I try to blast through reviewing the new Hydrive stable is Hydrive E. E for endurance that is.

Like Brawndo (a favorite of mine), this bright green bottle comes packed with electrolytes, but keeps the calories and sugar to a minimum.

I loved Hydrive X so let’s see how this stacks up…

Update: Hydrive E now is labeled as Electrolyte formula.

Taste

The bottle indicates this is a lemon lime flavor, but I was hard pressed to find anything except lime. It has a watery, Gatorade-like taste with a cooling aftertaste that I found pleasant. Again, the closest thing I can compare this to is Brawndo, which has the Hydrive beat in this category. Also, I have a cognitive dissonance toward spending $1.99 on what is basically flavored water. I know in my mind it’s an energy drink (and a pretty good one), but unless my options were depleted I don’t know if I would reach for this.

Ingredients

Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphate, Chloride, and Calcium make up the electrolyte content of Hydrive E. As with the other drinks in this line, it contains 140mg of caffeine along with the standard Taurine, L-Carnitine, and B vitamins.

Energy

I couldn’t escape the Brawndo comparison the entire time I spent with this drink. Brawndo delivers such and intense energy burst that it easily tops the Hydrive yet again. The thing these waters have going for them is their commitment to hydration as well as energy. When you consume a ridiculous amount of caffiene every day you will often need lots of water to stave of the diuretic effects. I didn’t need that with Hydrive E or any of the others. The “buzz” is more natural. Sustaining rather than bursting. These are the chamomile tea of energy drinks.

Verdict

I obviously was not as smitten with Hydrive E as I was with X. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to like, but Brawdo casts a shadow over this in both taste and function. If your a fan of lemon-lime drinks and have never tried a Brawndo, Hydrive E will be a step up for you. If you lament (as I do) that Brawndo has reached a distribution center capable of supplying your nearby C-stores, this will not end your yearnings.

Reviewed by TNT.